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__label__wiki	0.622229	0.622229	Support Transgender Equality: No One Should Face Discrimination Because of Who They Are Across most of the United States, state laws do not protect transgender Americans from discrimination in public places – or when it comes to using the restroom, something we all need to do every day. Our new TV ad depicts the challenges transgender people face in accessing public restrooms and features a transgender woman – someone who was born with a male body, but inside always knew she was female, and who transitioned to live life every day as the woman she had always known herself to be. It can be hard to understand what it means to be transgender, especially if you’ve never met a transgender person – and that’s why we’re proud to share this video as part of our efforts to help more people understand the lives of transgender people. Transgender People: An Introduction It can be hard at first to understand what it means to be transgender, especially if you’ve never met a transgender person. Learn more about transgender people, their lives, and their stories. Issues Facing Transgender People Transgender people face a wide range of legal challenges that can prevent them from going about their daily lives. Learn more about the issues facing transgender people and ways to talk about them. More Videos of Transgender People Meet a transgender man from North Carolina, a transgender construction worker, a Republican Congresswoman, a transgender Navy veteran, and a lesbian couple in this series of short videos. Sign the Pledge to Stand with Transgender Americans Across the U.S., Americans are learning more about what it means to be transgender – and realizing that no one should face discrimination simply because of who they are. Will you sign the pledge and commit to standing up for transgender Americans’ ability to live free from discrimination at work, in public spaces, and when they need to do something as basic as using the restroom? Join us in taking a stand: The Facts About Restrooms and Safety Safety and privacy in restrooms is important for all of us, including people who are transgender. That’s why we already have laws in place that make it illegal to harm or harass people, or invade their privacy. Updating our nondiscrimination laws to protect transgender people doesn’t change that. Sexual Assault Prevention Experts Agree: Protecting transgender people from discrimination does not compromise safety in restrooms Police Departments Across the Country Agree: There’s been no increase in public safety incidents in cities and states with nondiscrimination laws School Officials Agree: Policies protecting transgender students do not compromise the privacy or safety of other students Pitch In to Help Keep the Ad on the Air! This year we have seen hundreds of bills introduced in state legislatures across the country explicitly seeking to discriminate against transgender people. Clearly, more people need to see our powerful ad on their TV screens – and learn how important it is to protect transgender people from discrimination and mistreatment. Will you donate to help us keep the TV ad on the air? Paid For By In Conjunction With © 2019 FairnessUSA.org.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3529
__label__wiki	0.720675	0.720675	« Home \| New Secret Wars revisits 2006's Civil War » \| Nobody should be fooled by Marvel's Spider-marriag... » \| Never trust Geoff Johns with character drama » \| Creepy-looking Batgirl variant cover cancelled » \| J. Scott Campbell comments on WW's new armor » \| Stephen Wacker defends Carol Danvers' costume chan... » \| Marvel's writers insult fans by exploiting their o... » \| Stan Lee's new book » \| Yet another new costume design for DC's top threes... » \| Simone rants about Tom Cotton » Charlie Hebdo and the American comics medium's problems with online harrassment 2 months ago, Comics Should Be Good wrote about the jihad murders in France of several cartoonists working at Charlie Hebdo. While it's admirable they published the Muhammed cartoons from the paper, they unfortunately take an ultra-cheap path on religion: Look, you can talk about religion all you want. But religion doesn’t make people homicidal and crazy. Not every Muslim is a terrorist, any more than every Christian is blowing up abortion clinics. People don’t commit violent acts like that because of their faith. For that matter, they don’t do it because of their fandom, either. Let’s be very clear about that, for those of you out there starting to bristle. These people do it because they are sociopathic murderous derange-os who need to be locked up where they can’t hurt anyone. Full stop. Anything beyond that, you can safely file under ‘excuse’ and there is no goddamn excuse. Oh for heaven's sake. If you've been educated largely by a religious belief system that advocates these kind of horrors, there's always a chance it could veer into that, especially if the culprits were raised in a form of isolationist environment where sharia - the Arabic word for religious law - were the norm. And there's long been plenty of neighborhoods like that in France, thanks in part to Valery Giscard, one of the politicians who approved of letting in so many Muslim immigrants whose offspring - if not the immigrants themselves - could end up causing the chaos they're facing now. There are moderate Muslims - that's the argument CSBG could make, which would work better - but there's no moderate Islam. And suppose Stalinism were a religion? Nobody's influenced by that to be a socialist and warmonger? If certain religions don't make people murderous, then satanic cults like some that dwelled in America in past decades, don't educate or brainwash people into hostility either. CSBG also wondered if an act of violence could one day happen in the US comics industry. Like, for example, in revenge for turning Hal Jordan into a mass killer, and they did have quite a tense atmosphere of division over the Green Lantern fiasco in the 1990s. In response, I think it's safe enough to say that there is a difference between the Emerald Twilight affair and the Charlie Hebdo bloodbath. The former involved introducing a new protagonist at the expense of an old one, and by that I mean turning the earlier hero into a crazy cartoon monster. The latter was some religious fanatics whose very religion approves of committing murder in the name of the "prophet". Most USA comic book fans aren't typically people who adhere to specific ideologies, nor are they usually known to be from educational backgrounds that bad. Also, here's something involving Gamergate, another subject CSBG brought up, that makes a point of how real assassins really operate: You repeat at length the absurd claims from a supposed threatener of Sarkeesian at the start of your story, but fail to state the obvious: that it is an ostentatious and transparent fake and Utah state police declared that there was no credible threat. Murderers do not announce themselves in this fashion. None ever has. Not a single threat made to a feminist activist via social media has ever been credible or ever amounted to violence, although there have been several prosecutions for threatening language in the UK. Yes, this part does make sense, and the jihadists at Charlie Hebdo's offices certainly didn't announce their plans. If a maniac really wanted to carry out an attack, they wouldn't send out messages that'd only put people on their toes, because then, the element of surprise would be gone. I think you can certainly say that video gamers and comic book readers are less likely to commit violence than Islamofascists. That said, I will say it's still extremely reprehensible to post rape/death threats, and those who do should by all means be prosecuted and ostracized for the astoundingly distasteful example they set. If they really care about pop culture, why would they want to send out vile messages that only give a poor impression of it's clients? Whatever the validity of Anita Sarkeesian's complaints of harrassment though - and it's worth reminding that some of them, as her detractors argue, may be contrived - it does not change the fact that she's simply not an interesting nor talented commentator, and whatever legitimate points she might have get buried in a sea of deliberate biases. In that sense, she reminds me of Michael Moore, who might've had a few worthy arguments hidden in a few of his documentaries, but didn't seem to know what to do with them. Sarkeesian may fit into the same catagory. Since we're on the subject of fake threats, such things, as I'm aware can occur in the comics medium too, and if there's one writer whose claims of having harrassing messages posted against him I've been skeptical of, it's Dan Slott, if only because he never seemed to provide any screenshots of the threat letters he speaks of (over ASM #700), in an age when there's programs for taking pictures on the computer screen itself. In this item, he's quoted saying he had a screencap, but if so, I'd assume he'd post it immediately, so everybody could see. How come he didn't? I wonder if this could explain why he thinks so highly of Sarkeesian and that atrocious producer of hers, Jon McIntosh? Could it be it's because he thinks they make better victimologists than he does? Those leftists who detest the Gamergate campaign, however, might be surprised to learn what the politics of those who do support the campaign are like: [...] Although Gamergate does have some supporters who are conservative, libertarian, or Objectivist, most Gamergate members are center-Left—they support the laissez-faire liberal position on gay marriage and pornography, but favor the regulatory-entitlement state on economic matters. Gamergate’s battle against Mr. McIntosh is therefore not one, respectively, of right versus left, but respectively of center-Left versus extreme Left. Some comics writers who signaled dislike for the campaign might've realized that by now, which might explain why they quietly dropped or downplayed their opposition. But those who didn't will probably be stunned when they find out these are their fellow leftists they're squabbling with. I'm honestly not surprised there's video game players out there who're left-wing; their interests aren't all that different from everyone else when it comes to computer games. Probably few ever bothered to do surveys until recently, so what did they expect? All this aside, I really try not to care too much about computer games, because in my mind, they successfully burglarized much of the audience for comics, and I'm sure there's evidence or research out there somewhere to back up my theory. But, as I realize, that's mostly because mainstream comics publishers did nothing to maintain steady writing quality, throwing it out the window for the sake of speculators, make no serious effort to shift from pamphlets to paperbacks, or any other steps that could offer redemption. That's why computer gaming keeps such a high profile, while comic books don't. Labels: dc comics, Green Lantern, islam and jihad, marvel comics, misogyny and racism, technology, terrorism, violence After the Isla Vista murders last year, Chris Roberson blogged that "all men are part of the problem" because of a "sexist and misogynist culture." After the ambush murders of police officers in Las Vegas, Mark Waid tweeted that the killers were right-wing "Cliven Bundy fans," and "spawn of Glenn Beck." (Which, BTW, turned out to be inaccurate.) But every time Muslims commit an act of terrorism, we are told that the killers are atypical, that Islam is a peaceful religion, and that ideology is not relevant. CSBG tries to equate random kooks and thugs (cyber bullies, geeky comic book fanboys) with real terrorists (ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hamas). But the former do not have a Koran inciting them to wage jihad. They don't have Iran (or Obama) supplying them with weapons. And they don't have a specific ideology. I hate to burst your bubble, but that link you posted also shows that the Bible isn't exactly filled with peace and love, sunshine, and rainbows all the time. Posted by Drag \| 12:32 PM Well the difference between the Bible and the Koran is that the former is descriptive of many opinions offered by past men and women, while the the latter is prescriptive in its twisted visions of how life should be led. That said, pro-Islamists have almost never publicly cited any verses from the Koran, which only suggests they have what to hide. That's one of the reasons why the pro-Islam crowd isn't helping. Posted by Avi Green \| 7:46 AM I'm sure computer games have siphoned off much of the potential audience from comic books, but I wouldn't go as far as to call it "burglarizing." It may be a simple case of a medium becoming obsolete, and being replaced by a more modern one. TV also drew away some of the same audience. And, in the 1930's, comic books probably drew some fans away from pulp magazines. New Secret Wars revisits 2006's Civil War Nobody should be fooled by Marvel's Spider-marriag... Never trust Geoff Johns with character drama Creepy-looking Batgirl variant cover cancelled J. Scott Campbell comments on WW's new armor Stephen Wacker defends Carol Danvers' costume chan... Marvel's writers insult fans by exploiting their o... Stan Lee's new book Yet another new costume design for DC's top threes... Simone rants about Tom Cotton	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3538
__label__wiki	0.741915	0.741915	A Day After in Palestine: the Rights of a People The Holy Land Gets Skunked — An Analysis In Defense of Amira Hass – An Analysis By Brenda Heard Thirty-seven years ago the Israeli Housing Minister stated: “If you want to develop an area you have to confiscate some lands. We have done this very slowly with extreme consideration and much patience.” It is doubtful that the average Palestinian was aware of these reassuring words, reported by the Associated Press on 31 March 1976. But after a day of deadly conflict, they woke to a very real understanding of Israeli “consideration.” On 30 March 1976 Palestinians held a general strike to protest against the recently announced intention of the Israeli forces to further snuff out Arab viability in the Galilee region. The Israeli government intended to expropriate 5000 acres of land in order to build Jewish-only settlements. The government conceded that 1625 of those acres belonged to its Arab citizens and claimed that an additional 2000 were owned by the “Israeli Land Authority.” The Palestinian people knew there was a fundamental and ethical flaw in what has continued to be known as the “Judeaization of the Galilee.” Even the Israeli High Court would soon highlight the illegality of such political land-grabs. The Palestinians formed a committee to address their concerns to the Israeli state which now claimed them as citizens. Just the week before the demonstration, a spokesman for the Arab committee stated: “This is not a Palestinian issue, or an issue of Arab nationalist feeling. I look at this as a human rights issue, as a minority living in the country. We are not against development. We want development. We are the ones who need it. If the government wants to develop the Galilee, it should include Arabs in the plans. It should set up a committee to make plans that would serve both Jews and Arabs.” The estimated 400,000 Palestinian people who participated in the strike protest knew the time had come to take a common stand. But the Israeli armed forces would not tolerate what they viewed as insubordination. They turned their weapons on the protestors, killing six outright, injuring dozens and arresting hundreds who persisted in their protest. While the Western media quickly put down the fatal day as an outbreak of rioting Arabs, the nature of Israeli “consideration” was revealed by the brute force of Zionism. Far from being granted any semblance of democratic participation, the Arab voice was smothered. As one journalist described, “Hundreds of Israeli troops backed by armored cars sealed off the violence-torn villages from the rest of Israel and refused to let reporters past the outskirts of Deir Hana. Israeli troops fanned out among the olive trees ringing the hilltop village as hundreds of chanting Arabs demonstrated inside Deir Hana. A large cloud of black smoke hung over the town. This reporter managed to get within 200 yards of the demonstrators before being forced by Israeli troops to leave the area. Dozens of gunshots could be heard amid the chants of the demonstrators. . . . At Kfar Kanna , a town between Nazareth and Tiberias, 1000 protesters demonstrated near the council building. Police used tear gas to break up a crowd of high school students, most of them girls, who set up roadblocks.” Why such a show of force? Because the Arabs were viewed merely as a “fifth column,” as an “ominous new element confronting the Jewish state.” Then Defence Minister Shimon Peres stated: “We were wrong for 28 years in thinking we could ignore the ethnic difference between Arabs and Jews. . . . You can’t expect an Arab to be a Zionist, support Jewish immigration to Israel and sing the national anthem.” As years of conflict have ensued, ‘Palestine Land Day’ has been a yearly reminder of the intentions that were so clearly exposed in 1976. Israel has boldly continued the policy of expanding Jewish-only land and of purging non-Jewish inhabitants. This “creeping form of annexation” has been identified and condemned by the United Nations not only just weeks ago, but over and over again for decades. Nothing has changed. Yet the Palestinian people refuse to be arbitrarily renamed “Israeli Arabs,” to be branded as terrorists and stomped into submission until they fade into a half-remembered history. Perhaps when they woke up after that day of deadly conflict, they realised that those who reduced them to dispensable pawns did not destroy the humanity of the Palestinian people, but forfeited their own. Tagged with: annexation • Brenda Heard • Deir Hana • Galilee • Israel • Kfar Kanna • Land Day • land-grab • Nazareth • Palestine: the Rights of a People • protest • settlements • Shimon Peres • strike • Tiberias • zionism 1 Response » to “A Day After in Palestine: the Rights of a People” A Day after in Palestine: The rights of a people \| Silver Lining says: […] by Brenda Heard, Friends of Lebanon […] Hi! Welcome to Friends of Lebanon! "Twitter messages not available." — FriendsLebanon	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3541
__label__cc	0.732063	0.267937	Lilac Corp Home NoAcnin Other acne treatments Acne Q&A Acne myths and facts Benzoyl peroxide works by reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria. It is antimicrobial. It is available in several different concentrations. It also works by drying out the skin and causing it to peel. There are many concerns about benzoyl peroxide as an acne treatment. The FDA has changed the way it views this ingredient over the years. In the 1980s it was seen as completely safe to use and classified as a category 1 ingredient. In the 1990s they changed it to a safety is unknown medicine (category 3) after animal studies linked benzoyl peroxide to tumor growth. In 2010 they renamed it a category 1 medicine after more studies. All products must now have warning stating that it should be used with sunscreen as benzoyl peroxide was found to decrease the skin’s tolerance to UV radiation. In 2014 the FDA put out a warning for certain over-the counter topical acne products saying the “Can cause rare but serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions of severe irritation.” They noted that “Consumers should stop using their topical acne product and seek emergency medical attention immediately if they experience hypersensitivity reactions such as throat tightness; difficulty breathing; feeling faint; or swelling of the eyes, face, lips, or tongue. Consumers should also stop using the product if they develop hives or itching.” [1] They said that they could not determine if the serious hypersensitivity reactions were triggered by the acne products’ active ingredients, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, the inactive ingredients, or by a combination of both. They further stated that “The OTC topical acne products of concern are marketed under various brand names such as Proactiv, Neutrogena, MaxClarity, Oxy, Ambi, Aveeno, Clean & Clear, and as store brands. They are available as gels, lotions, face washes, solutions, cleansing pads, toners, face scrubs, and other products.” [1] [1] https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm400923.htm Topical Retinoids Topical Retinoids are creams, lotions and gels containing derivatives of vitamin A. The different topical retinoids on the market include: retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, alitretinoin, and bexarotene. All of these treatments work in much the same way and have similar methods of treating acne. They can however all irritate the skin. Topical Antibiotics Topical antibiotics work by killing the bacteria on the skin. However, the bacteria may not be affected at all by the antibiotics. Also, acne bacteria is often resistant to antibiotic medicines or become resistant to the antibiotics over time. In fact, in 2016, with antibiotic resistance reaching the status of global public health crisis, it is not recommended to use topical antibiotics alone for the treatment of acne. Other side effects and risks of topical antibiotics include skin irritation. At times irritation means that you should stop using the product. Contact dermatitis (red, dry, itchy skin) can be due to skin irritation or allergy. Oral antibiotics are used for moderate to severe acne. The oral antibiotics work by reducing bacteria and inflammation. The oral antibiotics used in the treatment of acne include tetracyclines, such as minocycline and doxycycline. There are many possible side effects caused by oral antibiotics. To begin, the bacteria may build up resistance to the antibiotics. Oral antibiotics may also cause upset stomach and dizziness. These drugs also increase your skin’s sun sensitivity, cause discoloration of developing permanent teeth and the development of a vaginal yeast infection. Children born to women who were pregnant while taking tetracyclines experienced reduced bone growth. Hormonal / Antiandrogen Therapy These treatments are option for women with endocrine abnormalities or difficult-to-treat acne. Hormone-based therapies including combined oral contraceptive medications and spironolactone. Contraceptives used to treat acne have higher amounts of estrogen when compared with other birth control pills. Some examples of oral contraceptives used in acne treatement are: Ortho-TriCyclin, Estro-Step, Alesse, and Yasmin. Oral contraceptive side effects include menstrual irregularities, fatigue, headache, mood changes, dizziness, breast tenderness and nausea. Once more, women over the age of 35 and women who smoke should be careful when taking these drugs, as oral contraceptives increase the risk of blood clots. Side effects increase with higher doses. Oral Retinoids (isotretinoin) Systemic isotretinoin is used in the treatment of severe acne. However, isotretinoin is associated with multiple adverse effects. It must, therefore, be used with appropriate caution and only in selected patients. Some of the side effects include: Teratogenicity is one of the most serious potential side effects. Fifty percent of pregnancies spontaneously abort. About half of the infants that are born have skeletal or cardiovascular deformities. You should prevent getting pregnant if you are taking isotretinoin. A strict contraception regimen must be followed. Adolescents who have been treated with isotretinoin commonly experience changes in mood including depression. Increased aggression has also been seen in some male patients and the FDA has said that clinicians should warn patients of this side effect. There is also the mucocutaneous side effect. There has been much debate as to whether liver function tests and lipids should be monitored while on therapy. Elevations in these tests occur in almost all patients and rapidly return to pretreatment levels after therapy has been stopped. There are other severe side effects that you should ask your doctor about before taking this medication. [1] [1] Alison Laytoncorresponding, The use of isotretinoin in acne, Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 May-Jun; 1(3): 162–169.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3550
__label__wiki	0.695717	0.695717	Pressed For Time I have to leave for Santa Barbara now (2:25 pm). I should have left an hour ago. The idea is to get there by 4:30 pm or so, 5 pm at the latest. I want to catch a 6:10 pm q & a between Roma‘s Alfonso Cuaron and Yalitza Aparicio at the Lobero, which will follow a 4 pm screening. There’s also a cocktail reception for Cold War‘s Pawel Pawlikowski (Opal, 1325 State Street). And then the Big Director’s panel begins at the Arlington theatre at 8 pm. January 31, 2019 2:29 pmby Jeffrey Wells Kittens Are Covered Anya’s six gray kittens have been bought en masse by a nice woman from Canyon Country — two for herself and her kids, two for her mom, two for her sister. Or something like that. They’re only four and half weeks old — born on 12.27.18. You’re supposed to keep them with their mom until they’re eight weeks old or they won’t be properly weaned; some say they should stay with mom for three months. It’s interesting how you can tell which one is the bravest, the smartest, the most guarded and defensive, etc. Even at four weeks. For as long as I can recall there’s always been a hard and fast rule about Sundance films not being allowed to play at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. I was therefore surprised to discover that A.J. Eaton and Cameron Crowe‘s David Crosby: Remember My Name, one of the finest films I saw at Sundance ’19, will have two SBIFF screenings at the Lobero theatre — Sunday, 2.3 at 2pm, and Tuesday, 2.5 at 7 pm. My understanding is that Crosby, who lives in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley, will be in town on Sunday, which leads one to presume he’ll take a bow after the Sunday screening. Here’s my 1.27.19 Sundance review. Not What It Appeared To Be When I was but a lad my father and I didn’t like the same music. He was a big Ella Fitzgerald fan, but he had no room in his head for Aretha Franklin. C’mon! There was, of course, no point in trying to persuade him to see past his favorites and prejudices. One of the first vocal debates we had was over the Beatles “I’m A Loser.” My dad was basically appalled that any songwriter would write a song with that title. What kind of wimp candy-ass would admit something like that, much less sing it as a kind of anthem? I replied that it wasn’t about being a loser in life, but in love. Lennon and McCartney obviously had no reason to worry about people regarding them as losers, I explained. Not with their phenomenal success. Plus it wasn’t the lyrical content as much as how it sounded. The bass line, the harmonies, the harmonica riff, etc. All of these arguments went right over my dad’s head. What Was Sundance ’19 Anyway? I know one thing about Sundance ’19, and what it’s helped to bring about. The millions who are still glomming on to the myth of Michael Jackson — that half-magical, commercially formidable, white-sock superstar aura that has persisted and expanded since his death on 6.25.09 — the millions who are still feeding off Jackson are about to experience a profound kick in the head from Leaving Neverland, which will eventually air on HBO. Sundance ’19 deserves a 21-gun salute and a hearty cheer for helping to launch this important four-hour film. How many of Hollywood Elsewhere’s top eight Sundance ’19 films — Luce, Leaving Neverland, Official Secrets, Cold Case Hammerskjold, David Crosby: Remember My Name, Memory: The Origins of Alien and Steven Soderbergh‘s High Flying Bird — will connect with Joe and Jane Popcorn? Not to mention the buzzy titles that I wanted to see but missed (The Nightingale, The Hole in the Ground, Blinded By The Light)? Perhaps only two or three, perhaps all. Who knows? I know that the above eight are rooted, riveting and fraught with discovery, and that they put me right in the zone. Thank you, Sundance ’19, for including these stand-outs. I also know that it feels great to be back in ground-level, warm-aired Los Angeles and not (here comes the other side of the Park City experience) in that congenial p.c. Stalinist boot camp aura in the Wasatch Mountains. HE’s Sundance experience was genuinely exciting and even throttling from time to time, but for the most part the elite, beaver-hat-wearing commissars reiterated their commitment to their “socialist summer camp in the snow” aesthetic, and what has basically become an annual experiment in mass p.c. hypnosis and utopian wish-fulfillment. For Sundance ’19 was first and foremost about itself — about enforcing a vision of how the world needs to be, and by fulfilling its own self-created image and making real (at least temporarily) its own Neverland vibes. We’re talking diversity, representation, a higher percentage of films directed by women and people of color (which is obviously welcome and exciting), aggressive frowning at the idea of older white-male critics (thank you, Keri Putnam, for making my life interesting!) and the idea of accumulated taste (which inevitably results “from a thousand distastes,” as Francois Truffaut once said), and cheering the idea of “under-represented” critics. January 31, 2019 10:58 amby Jeffrey Wells All Hail Shiznit Guys All mock posters created by The Shiznit. “’Why Did You Do That?’ is otherwise known as ‘the song about butts that Lady Gaga sings in A Star Is Born. Truth be told, there’s only one butt in the song, but it’s a memorable one: As Gaga’s Ally sings in the opening lines, ‘Why do you look so good in those jeans? / Why’d you come around me with an ass like that?’ Question: Is ‘Why Did You Do That?’ terrible, is it a bop, or is it a terrible song that’s also a bop?” — from “I’m Obsessed With That Song About Butts From A Star Is Born,” by Nate Jones, Vulture, 10.10.18. Best of the Last Nine Years We’ve just begun the final year of the second decade of the 21st Century. Somebody on Twitter was asking this morning for lists of the best films of the last nine years, and so I might as well (a) re-post my long-game roster as well as (b) HE’s top ten from this period (2010 to 2018) at the very end: Best of 2010: The Social Network, The Fighter, Black Swan, Inside Job, Let Me In, A Prophet, Animal Kingdom, Rabbit Hole, The Tillman Story, Winter’s Bone (10). Best of 2011 (ditto): A Separation, Moneyball, Drive, Contagion, X-Men: First Class, Attack the Block (6). Best of 2012: Zero Dark Thirty, Silver Linings Playbook, Amour, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Barbara, The Grey, Moonrise Kingdom (7). Best of 2013: The Wolf of Wall Street, 12 Years A Slave, Inside Llewyn Davis, Her, Dallas Buyers Club, Before Midnight, The Past, Frances Ha (8). Best of 2014: Birdman, Citizen Four, Leviathan, Gone Girl, Boyhood, Locke, Wild Tales. (7) Best of 2015: Spotlight, The Revenant; Mad Max: Fury Road; Beasts of No Nation; Love & Mercy, Son of Saul; Brooklyn; Carol, Everest, Ant-Man; The Big Short. (10) Best of 2016: Manchester By The Sea, A Bigger Splash, The Witch, Eye in the Sky, The Confirmation, The Invitation. (6) Best of 2017: Call Me My Your Name, Dunkirk, Lady Bird, The Square, War For The Planet of the Apes, mother!, The Florida Project. (7) Best of 2018: Roma., Green Book, First Reformed, Hereditary, Capernaum, Vice, Happy As Lazzaro, Filmworker, First Man, Widows, Sicario — Day of the Soldado. (11). TOP TEN OF THE LAST NINE YEARS (totally arbitrary, partly whimsical, tethered to the moment): Manchester By The Sea, A Separation, The Social Network, Zero Dark Thirty, Call Me By Your Name, Son of Saul, The Wolf of Wall Street, Leviathan, The Square, Moneyball. This is a small correction riff, and by no means a big deal. But Borys Kit and Tatiana Siegel‘s 1.30 Hollywood Reporter story about Bryan Singer possibly standing to reap $40 million from Bohemian Rhapsody starts off with a partly misleading sentence: “Director Bryan Singer is set to earn tens of millions of dollars off the massive success of Bohemian Rhapsody, despite being fired from the movie mid-production and surrounded by controversy.” The last time I checked “mid-production” referred to “being in the middle of production” or, you know, not at the beginning or end. In fact Singer was fired off Bohemian Rhapsody toward the end of principal photography, or between early and mid-December 2017. Principal photography had begun in September 2017. There were roughly two weeks of filming left when Singer was canned. Dexter Fletcher shot this final portion in early to mid January 2018. Singer was therefore not fired “mid-production” but at the tail end of the shoot. No biggie but chronologies matter. January 30, 2019 12:53 pmby Jeffrey Wells “Roma” In Color! Posted on 1.26.19: “Let It Be” Sessions Were Nothing To Shout About In the wake of They Shall Not Grow Old, Peter Jackson‘s next found-footage project will be about the Beatles and their somewhat acrimonious Let It Be sessions in 1969. Jackson will find a way to make something out of 55 hours of unused footage, shot by Michael Lindsay-Hogg in 1969 and later manifested in the 1970 Let It Be doc. The Jackson-Beatles story was broken by Variety‘s Chris Willman. Jackson: “The 55 hours of never-before-seen footage and 140 hours of audio made available to us ensure this movie will be the ultimate ‘fly on the wall’ experience that Beatles fans have long dreamt about. It’s like a time machine transports us back to 1969, and we get to sit in the studio watching these four friends make great music together.” Excuse me, but that’s just bullshit. The Beatles were in a shitty, dysfunctional place when the footage was shot, and the music on the Let It Be album wasn’t in the least bit “great” — it felt tired, sluggish, retro-lazy, downish, uninspired. “Let It Be Naked” has value, but the remixed Phil Spector version is arguably the worst album the Beatles ever issued. And the tracks themselves are mostly a drag, like a version of the Beatles basement tapes: “One After 909”, “Don’t Let Me Down”, “Dig a Pony”, “I’ve Got a Feeling”, “Get Back”, “Let It Be”, “I Me Mine,” “Two of Us”, “Maggie Mae”, “Dig It”, “The Long and Winding Road”…God! The only tracks I can stand are “For You Blue” and the original “Across the Universe.” Wiki excerpt: “The rehearsals and recording sessions for the album did not run smoothly. The acrimony that began during the recording of the White Album resumed soon after the rehearsals began. The Beatles weren’t getting along, and Lennon and McCartney weren’t working together as before. “McCartney assumed the role of the leader, while a detached Lennon was more interested in spending time and making music with his soon-to-be wife Yoko Ono, who was present in the studio with him at all times. Lennon was in a fragile emotional state, with Ono having suffered a miscarriage of their child just six weeks before the start of the sessions, following a drug bust the month before. “All of these factors led to friction within the band. At one point, Harrison quit the group after several arguments with McCartney and a falling out with Lennon, due to the former’s perfectionism and the latter’s disengagement. Harrison was coaxed back a few days later. “The film version is famous for showcasing a number of conflicts between the group members and has frequently been referred to as a documentary that was intended to show the making of an album but instead shows ‘the break–up of a band.'” Jackson again: “After reviewing all the footage and audio that Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot 18 months before they broke up, it’s simply an amazing historical treasure trove. Sure, there’s moments of drama, but none of the discord this project has long been associated with. Watching John, Paul, George and Ringo work together, creating now-classic songs from scratch, is not only fascinating. It’s funny, uplifting and surprisingly intimate. I’m thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with this remarkable footage. Making the movie will be a sheer joy.” Bullshit artist! Outta Here I decided last night to leave Park City a day early. I’m all Sundanced out. I’ve seen 14 or 15 films, hustled tickets, stood in lines, averaged nightly sleep of five or six hours, etc. Except for Velvet Buzzsaw, which I’ll get into by day’s end, I’ve written about several films that deserve special mention. I’ve ignored others out of compassion. Otherwise I feel sufficiently “thinksperienced” about the goodies that I’ve missed. I’ll get around to them in due time. I had to beg for tickets, remember. Most of the publicists were kind and obliging, but some weren’t. Sundance is not a competition among journos to see who can jam in as many films as possible each day — it’s a chance to sample fresh crops, absorb new currents, channel fresh energy, walk in the snow, wear my cowboy hat, eat shitty 7-11 food, etc. I did that for eight days. My mind was poked, prodded, expanded and wrestled with to some extent, and that’ll do for now. I’m sorry about missing Sweetheart, but it’ll happen in due time. I wanted very much to see Jennifer Kent‘s The Nightingale at noon today but at the last minute a promised ticket didn’t materialize. There were three or four others I wanted to see but couldn’t. A bit disappointing, but not the end of the world. It’s not a rumor — most of the films that annually unspool in Park City aren’t all that great. Most of them fall under the categories of “not bad, interesting, meh, liked some of it, didn’t quite work,” etc. I saw a film yesterday that was so obviously not worth my time that I quit after 20 minutes. If a movie isn’t working I can smell it immediately. My initial plan was to depart Park City Thursday afternoon, land in Burbank in the early evening, catch a few zees and drive up to the Santa Barbara Film Festival around noon on Friday. Now I’m bumping everything forward by 24 hours — SLC to Burbank today at 6 pm, home late this evening, leave for Santa Barbara by noon or 1 pm tomorrow. This way I’ll be able to catch the Director’s Panel (Roma‘s Alfonso Cuarón, The Favourite‘s Yorgos Lanthimos. BlacKkKlansman‘s Spike Lee, Vice‘s Adam McKay and Cold War‘s Pawel Pawlikowski) tomorrow night at the Arlington. Main Street is quiet at Sundance until it’s not. #FilmThreatSundance #Sundance #Sundance2019 pic.twitter.com/RsA77dBTIB — Film Threat @ Sundance (@FilmThreat) January 30, 2019 W.K. Stratton‘s “The Wild Bunch — Sam Peckinpah, A Revolution in Hollywood, and the Making of a Legendary Film” (Bloomsbury) will arrive in book stores on or about 2.12.19. I’ve been a Wild Bunch fanatic for a long time, and I’m honestly wondering what Stratton can say about this perfectly realized western that I don’t already know. Especially with my having read David Weddle‘s “If They Move, Kill ‘Em” and watched that excellent “making of” feature on the 2008 Warner Home Video Bluray. On top of which Stratton’s book is 352 pages. But if the reviews are encouraging…	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3559
__label__cc	0.537103	0.462897	Talks - No Guilt, Do Penance, Live Joyously No Guilt, Do Penance, Live Joyously Think of heaven and hell as being states of mind, available in the present moment. Live in a heavenly or peaceful, blissful state of mind. The state of mind we're in, at the point of transition, determines where we go in the inner worlds. If we're in a state of guilt we haven't done the prayashchitta. Hinduism is a joy based religion; never be afraid of the Deity. Find a way of adjusting perspective. Master Course, Lesson 136. Today's Merging with Siva Lesson is 136 on Karma and Consciousness. "The Hindu does not have to die to have a final judgment or to enter into heaven, for heaven is a state of mind and being fully existent in every human being this very moment. There are people walking on this Earth today who are living in heaven, and there are those who are living in hellish states as well." Very important point, to think of heaven and hell as also being states of mind. And therefore, available in the present moment to us. So much of Western religion is oriented toward the future. This will happen in the future. You will go to heaven in the future or you will go to hell in the future. Whereas, what Gurudeva's saying is: The state of mind we're in is really an aspect of heaven or hell and we want to live in a heavenly or peaceful, blissful state of mind in the present moment. We don't want to be thinking about the future. And sometimes I'm asked what happens at the point of death by those who haven't studied Gurudeva's teachings: What happens at the point of death? And I say: Well, you basically carry on as you are. You know, we don't become a different person. We don't all of a sudden totally change our state of mind. One aspect would be if we're having some serious physical pain, of course, we no longer have that. So, that makes us a little happier. But setting that point aside, we are basically, we carry on the same. We are who we are. We're used to being in certain states of mind and the state of mind we're in at the point of transitioning, dropping off the physical body, determines where we go in the inner worlds. The inner worlds, Gurudeva says: People of a like nature congregate together. It's not like here on Earth where we're spread out. More like the old system, all the goldsmiths were one part of town, blacksmiths are over here. Still find that in some, some parts of India or New York City. You know, all the jewelers are in one part of town. But normally everybody's spread out. But in the inner worlds we group together more. "All that the Hindu has to do is go to the temple. As soon as he goes to the temple, to a puja, he is contacting the divine forces. During the puja, he is totally judged by the Deity. All of his karma is brought current and he goes away feeling good. Or he might go away feeling guilty. That is good, too, because then he performs penance, prayashchitta, and resolves unseemly karma quickly. " So, that's another important way in which Hinduism differs from Western religions. We're not supposed to feel guilty. We make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, some small, some large. If we feel guilty about something we did, what does it mean? It means we haven't done the prayashchitta for it. The point of prayashchitta is to take away any lingering sense of guilt. We want to learn from the mistake, smooth things out with others who were involved. And if we still feel badly about it after handling all of that, we need to do prayashchitta. Consequence of which doing the prayashchitta is we no longer feel guilty. Doesn't mean we're proud of what we did wrong but it means we don't feel bad about it. We accept it. Okay, I did this; I've learned from it, I'm not going to do it again and I've compensated for it. So, I'm going to move on. So we don't want to, if we're in a state of guilt it means we haven't quite resolved, we haven't learned fully, we haven't smoothed things over, we haven't done the prayashchitta. We want to get rid of any sense of guilt. "It might be said that every day that you go to the temple is judgment day. Isn't it a wonderful thing that in our religion you can either go to heaven or hell on a daily basis, and the next day get out of hell through performing penance and ascend to heaven? The Hindu sees these as states existing in the here and now, not in some futuristic and static other-worldly existence. There are certainly inner, celestial realms, but like this physical universe, they are not the permanent abode of the soul, which is in transit, so to speak, on its way to merger with Siva." That's nice to say. If you travel a lot you're used to being in transit. You're kind of waiting to move on, enjoying where you are but you definitely, you're focused on where you're going. "... (The Hindu) errs, he does not worry inordinately. He merely corrects himself and moves on in the progressive stream of human evolution. He is aware of the frailties of being a human, but he is not burdened by his sins or condemning himself for actions long past. To him all actions are the work of the Gods. His life is never static, never awaiting a judgment day; whereas the Western religionist who believes there is an ultimate reckoning after this one life is spent is piling up everything that he has done, good and bad, adding it to a medley in his mind and waiting for the Grim Reaper to come along and usher in the Day of Judgment. Hinduism is such a joyous religion, freed of all the mental encumbrances that are prevalent in the various Western faiths. It is freed of the notion of a vengeful God. It is freed of the notion of eternal suffering. It is freed from the notion of original sin. It is freed from the notion of a single spiritual path, a One Way." Interesting, we met some Hindus from Kerala when we were visiting Dubai. In fact, the majority of Hindus we met there were from Kerala. It was interesting; we hadn't expected that. But Kerala and Dubai are, it's an old trade route. So the two places have worked together for centuries. So this man who's been reading Gurudeva's teachings was asking me questions and explaining what they do in Dubai. And the sense of worship, not really a vengeful God but it's close. See if I can describe it. They're worshiping a multiplicity of Deities with the sense that if they miss one, that one will be upset with them for not being worshiped and not cause them good things. It's a very negative sense. You have to keep all the Gods happy by worshiping them. There's quite a few you have to appease, otherwise, the fact that you didn't worship them would offend them and would cause negativity in your life. Well, keeps you busy running around worshiping all the Deities. But it certainly, it's close to a fear based religion. Which, you know, as Gurudeva says: Hinduism is a joy based religion. You should never be afraid of the Deity. Never have the sense for one reason or another that God is punishing us. Or, we don't do this God is going to look at us in a negative way. Doesn't work that way. But definitely they were, this is, that's a common approach in Kerala. So that's a good last thought there. "Hinduism is such a joyous religion, freed of all the mental encumbrances that are prevalent in the various Western faiths. " So that's Gurudeva's idea: "Life is meant to be lived joyously." And, we want to remember to do that. And if we have some sense of guilt, some sense of being flawed, anything of that nature which pulls us out of a sense of being a joyful being, we need to fix it one way or another. Do a penance, do an affirmation, read Gurudeva's teachings. Find a way of adjusting our perspective so that we can accept the fact that we're human being, we're not perfect, we have flaws. But, we're working the best we can with them and life is meant to be lived joyously. Aum Namasivaya master course prayashchitta Tools for Transformation My advice to parents has always been to stay close to their children, but at the same time give them some space to grow and mature in today's world. Today's world is not all that bad.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3562
__label__wiki	0.833683	0.833683	Mr. Mukherjee, during his Budget speech, made it clear that the new Direct Taxes Code will be coming into place from April 1, 2012. So, when you make your tax investments this year, plan ahead for the new regime. More NRIs may fall under the tax net if the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill proposal to impose a levy on their global income if they stay in India for more than 60 days in a year is approved by Parliament. As per the existing Income Tax laws , an NRI is liable to pay tax on global income if he is in India in that year for a period or periods amounting to 182 days. Furthermore, in case an NRI resides in India for a period of 365 days or more over a period of four years prior to the assessment year, he is also liable to pay tax on his global income. The new DTC Bill has proposed to make an NRI liable to pay tax on global income is he resides in India in a particular year for a period or periods amounting to 60 days, down from the existing provision of 182 days in the existing Income Tax Act. However, the present dispensation for taxation of global income if an NRI resides in India for 365 days or more over a four-year period has been retained in the proposed DTC. Commenting on the proposal PwC Executive Director (Tax) Kuldeep Kumar said, "With this change, a non-resident would be at greater risk of becoming an ordinary citizen and become liable to pay tax in India as the threshold limit has been reduced." There would be liability on a resident belonging to a country where the tax rate is lower than India and there is a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between both the countries. The non-resident would be considered a resident if the threshold limit of stay has been exceeded for the purpose of imposing tax. In the case of a resident of a non-treaty country, which India has no DTAA with, the tax burden would be higher if he exceeds the threshold limit of stay in India, Kumar said, adding that he has to pay tax on all the global income in India as well as the country of residence as per the prevailing tax laws of that country. At present, India has comprehensive DTAAs with about 74 countries, including the USA, Singapore, UK, Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Australia. Experts feel that the DTC proposal could be a damper for NRIs visiting India to meet their relatives or for business promotion. The DTC hopes to plug loopholes with the proposed changes with the aim of preventing tax evasion through this route, said a senior Finance Ministry official. In addition, the DTC has also removed the 'Resident Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR)' category to simplify the tax laws, the official said. Now, there will be only two categories, 'Resident' and 'Non-Resident', the official added. As per the existing Income Tax laws, an NRI is liable to pay tax on global income if he is in India in that year for a period or periods amounting to 182 days. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dtc-bill-brings-bad-news-for-nris/677538/ NRIs want change in DTC clause on stay in India Some high-profile non-resident Indians (NRIs) are lobbying hard with the Centre to amend a clause in the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill that proposes to tax the income of a person living in India for more than 59 days. The existing Income Tax Act exempts the income of NRIs staying out of India for more than 183 days in a year. In the DTC Bill, which was tabled in Parliament in the monsoon session, the finance ministry had proposed that NRIs who are working abroad and visit India would become residents if they are present in the country for 60 days or more in a financial year, and 365 days or more over a period of four years prior to the financial year. They would be liable to pay taxes on their global income. A finance ministry official said several high-profile NRIs were opposing this proposal. “We are getting inputs from many NRIs on this. Many of them, who are citizens of India, stay here only for 181 days so that they do not become a resident. So, they are not citizens of any country and do not pay tax. Under DTC, they will have to pay tax if their stay in India stretches to 60 days or more,” the official said. The official said the DTC proposal, when implemented, would also affect Indian captains on foreign ships, many of whom stay out of the country for 183 days and do not pay any tax. The rule will not apply to Indian citizens who leave the country as a member of the crew of an Indian ship or for employment. Experts said this might affect people who visit India or those who come on a vacation, as they would have to make sure that their stay is less than 60 days and residency rules is not triggered. Rajesh Srinivasan, senior director, Deloitte, said the residency clause was subject to the double taxation treaty. “First, we need to look at the domestic law. If the income is taxable under the law in India, then it has to be seen which country has the primary right to tax the income under the tax treaty,” he said. Sources said UB Group Chairman Vijay Mallya, Claridges’ Groups of Hotels Chairman Suresh Nanda, Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal, Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia, Essar Group Chairman Ravi Ruia and chess player Vishwanathan Anand are some of the high-profile NRIs. However, the extent to which they would be affected by the DTC proposal could be ascertained only after applying the test of residency in each particular case in a financial year. DTC Bill brings bad news for NRIs Life becomes less taxing The DTC hopes to plug loopholes with the proposed changes with the aim of preventing tax evasion through this route, said a senior Finance Ministry official. In addition, the DTC has also removed the 'Resident Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR)' category to simplify the tax laws, the official said. New Direct Tax Code: Has it lost its original benefits Now, there will be only two categories, 'Resident' and 'Non-Resident', the official added. Commenting on the proposal PwC Executive Director (Tax) Kuldeep Kumar said, "With this change, a non-resident would be at greater risk of becoming an ordinary citizen and become liable to pay tax in India as the threshold limit has been reduced." There would be liability on a resident belonging to a country where the tax rate is lower than India and there is a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between both the countries. The non-resident would be considered a resident if the threshold limit of stay has been exceeded for the purpose of imposing tax. In the case of a resident of a non-treaty country, which India has no DTAA with, the tax burden would be higher if he exceeds the threshold limit of stay in India, Kumar said, adding that he has to pay tax on all the global income in India as well as the country of residence as per the prevailing tax laws of that country. DTC's impact on India Inc At present, India has comprehensive DTAAs with about 74 countries, including the USA, Singapore, UK, Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Australia. Experts feel that the DTC proposal could be a damper for NRIs visiting India to meet their relatives or for business promotion. Dear NRI's , Now ball is in your court. Come wake up and act. This is the right time to make recommendations. If you want your voices to be heard and to make representations please do so now because if the new law is implemented you cannot do any thing about it comply. The details of the DTC system are still being debated by the parliamentary standing committee in India, the new system will be implemented in the next fiscal year. "I would suggest, if you're worried (about the new tax regulations), that this is the right time to submit representations to the parliamentary committee". Do so before the Direct Taxes Code is passed into law. I have one more suggestions, its better to start campaign through Internet media's like Face Book and Twitter, so we can create more awareness and new sound from the common man. Unorganized crowd, no matter how big it is, may not help. http://sify.com/finance/dtc-bill-brings-bad-news-for-nris-news-news-kjfoMLhgiai.html http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=158754664165545 also you can read How the Budget Affects You Special Class Railway Apprentice Examinations 2011... Major earthquakes throughout history in pictures തിരുനബി സ്‌നേഹത്തിലെ സുന്നത്തും ബിദ്‌അത്തും നിയമനിര്‍മാണ സഭകളിലെ മുസ്‌ലിം പ്രാതിനിധ്യം ഖലീഫാ ഉമറും വിജന പ്രദേശത്തൊരു സ്ത്രീയും. നോര്‍ക്ക-റൂട്ട്സ് വിദേശ തൊഴില്‍ വൈദഗ്ധ്യ പരിശീലനത്... Benefits of التَّقْوَىٰ (TAQWA) സാര്‍ഥകം ഈ ജയില്‍വാസം... What To Do When You Hate Your Job You have the po... നഷ്ടനീതിയുടെ അടയാളം - ശാരി എസ്. നായര്‍ Six advice to a student - Imam Shafi സ്വര്‍ഗ കവാടങ്ങള്‍ അടയുന്നില്ല യമനില്‍ പ്രക്ശോഭാകാര്‍ക്ക് നേരെ വ്യാപക വെടിവെപ്പ് ... What’s More Important Than Being Smart? കുഞ്ഞാലിക്കാക്ക് സ്നേഹ പൂര്‍വ്വം ക്ഷമിക്കണം അല്‍പം തിരക്കിലാണ് How the Union Budget Affects You ഇത് നിലപാടില്ലായ്മയുടെ അനിവാര്യ ദുരന്തം	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3563
__label__wiki	0.876187	0.876187	Photo by Steve Smith/VisionFire Studios Back from the brink With a new owner, one of downtown Halifax’s best live-music venues gets a second chance Jennifer Henderson August 27, 2018 A couple years ago, Karen Spaulding learned her favourite live-music spot, in one of Halifax’s most storied buildings, was closing. Three years of relentless construction at the Nova Centre across the street pushed The Carleton to the brink. Despite winning national accolades such as Best Small Music venue during Canadian Music Week in 2017, collecting a bushel of East Coast Music Awards, and nurturing local talents like Joel Plaskett and Roxy & The Underground Soul Sound, owner Mike Campbell had declared personal bankruptcy. The former MuchMusic host was about to lock the door. That’s when Karen Spaulding, the owner of a local software company, picked up the phone and had her lawyer call Campbell’s lawyer. “We were going to lose what I thought was an iconic venue in Halifax and I thought jeez, somebody better do something about this!” says Spaulding. “The Carleton was able to bring in amazing large talents such as Blue Rodeo and Ron Sexsmith, but also offer a platform for up-and-coming local musicians. I would often come as a single woman or with friends and I always felt welcomed and comfortable. That combination of live music and just a hangout joint really appealed to me.” The historic Carleton building dates back to 1760. Spaulding’s affection for The Carleton and decision to purchase the business puts a new spin on “buying it for a song”. But the sale price was only the first $120,000 she put into it. The Carleton building dates back to 1760. It was built as the home of Richard Bulkeley, an influential administrator known as “the Father of the Province,” who served with 13 governors and lieutenant-governors, including city founder Edward Cornwallis. Bulkeley was a genial host and music fan who played the church organ at St. Paul’s Anglican Church across the street. Shortly after buying The Carleton, Spaulding installed a new stage, new bathrooms, and AC in the kitchen. The L-shaped room boasts great sight lines and a crystal-clear sound system for music fans. To complement walls of exposed gray stones (reportedly shipped here after the fall of the Louisbourg fortress), she redecorated the restaurant and bar in shades of indigo and blue. Plush seats and banquettes have replaced the tavern-style captain’s chairs, evoking a retro lounge vibe, which pairs with the designer cocktails from mixologists Jeff Van Horne and Matt Doyle of The Clever Barkeep. For Spaulding, turning around The Carleton quickly became an all-consuming task. “My family and friends joke about it,” she laughs. “But once that call had been made to the lawyer, it was like going to the SPCA to get a kitten: you’re doomed!” The intense, two-month reno was put on pause halfway through. Appropriately, it was so a show could go on. The songwriters’ festival, In The Dead of Winter, migrated to The Carleton after The Company House closed. IDOW organizer Dana Beeler says the Carleton owner and staff were “extremely accommodating,” charging the Festival only for the use of the professional sound tech and helping IDOW with a benefit concert that raised $2,000. The Carleton has new décor but the same music-loving vibe. Photo by Jacqueline Anne Photography. Fortunately, Karen Spaulding has a steady cash flow from her day job. The Liverpool, N.S. native has an MBA and returned home to be closer to family after working on the West Coast. She worked as divisional controller for Maritime Life and then became a silent partner in Metaworks, a local software developer. Metaworks patented a handheld app for mobile phones that allows brand-name companies to collect and report information from the field. Imagine Stanfield’s or Nike hiring someone to check inventory and in-store displays to see how their merch is being promoted. Meanwhile, The Carleton is celebrating a milestone it almost didn’t see: its 10th anniversary. Ticket prices for live shows have remained in the $15 to $30 range but music doesn’t pay the bills. Spaulding, a self-described foodie, knew that if the Carleton were to survive, it had to strike a culinary power chord, attracting more diners. So she lured Michael Dolente back home after years in Toronto, where the Red Seal chef prepared mostly Asian and French cuisine at the Shangri-La Hotel. Patrons addicted to The Carleton’s signature matchstick fries with aioli sauce were tickled to see they’re still on the menu. But Dolente has replaced pub grub with more upscale offerings: risotto and handmade gnocchi, sustainably caught fish, local braised beef short ribs, and refreshing sorbets concocted in-house. At lunch, you can still order a burger, but now you can also try a poké bowl of marinated raw salmon, edamame, and avocado atop aromatic rice. And the “KFC”? It’s a Korean Fried Chicken sandwich. Dolente got married at The Carleton in June. He credits the homemade pastas and tomato sauce his Italian grandmother prepared when he was growing up in Bedford with igniting his passion for food, which he now expresses in globally-inspired dishes using local ingredients. A revamped menu emphasizing seasonal flavours is one of many changes at The Carleton. “I want the Carleton to be known for great food as well as great music,” he says. “I want the food to be refined but still approachable.” Where Dolente really gets to shine is during The Carleton’s monthly fine-dining evenings called “In Concert With…”—a kind of jam session for chefs. The first such event teamed Dolente with Mark Gray of Dartmouth’s The Watch That Ends The Night. They created a (sold out) eight-course gourmet meal featuring charred octopus, classic beef sirloin in bordelaise sauce, and tiramisu with cognac (price, including wine, tax, and tip was $135/person). See The Carleton’s website for the listing of upcoming food and music events. Spaulding is a seasoned business pro but new to the hospitality trade. She retained Mike Campbell to book and manage entertainment. He still hops on stage to introduce musicians and comics who play the intimate 100-seat room, reminding newcomers The Carleton is “a listening room” that respects performers: no talking during the show, please. “I’m very happy I’m still part of The Carleton,” says Campbell after introducing a solo U.K. beat-boxer who used to play with Canada’s Crash Test Dummies. “It felt like unfinished business. I’m not a religious guy but there’s a certain karma thing I believe in and honestly, if Karen hadn’t dropped out of the sky when she did, I wouldn’t be in this city anymore. Now … we’ll have a chance to see whether all the work that’s gone into it [the reboot] was worth hanging in for.” In the heady 1970s, the building housed The Jury Room and the Press Club, where media hacks congregated for drinks and gossip. Those days are gone, and Campbell wryly observes, so are most of the traditional media those journos worked for. But that also makes it more difficult to reach potential patrons, who prefer to stay home and watch Netflix than seek live entertainment. Campbell and Dolente agree getting the word out and putting bums-in-seats is the biggest struggle for any restaurant or live music venue. Will people drift back to the patios of Argyle Street now that the detonations, detours, and dust from the Nova Centre construction are over? “Karen is in it for the long haul,” Campbell says. “If she were a skittish owner who started to freak out because everything wasn’t going her way immediately, then we wouldn’t be here right now. She knows its an investment in the future and it’s a long, long game. We’re hoping all of the improvements made here and on the street are going to pan out for everybody because there’s a lot at stake.” Previous ArticleNo food left behind Next ArticleStarting again Jennifer is a freelance writer living in Dartmouth. Since retiring from CBC News, she has written for The Halifax Examiner, The Coast, The Chronicle Herald, and Atlantic Business. The Northern Pikes return to Halifax From Cheers to the Casino, the Canadian-rock legends have played here for 30 years Dann Alexander September 20, 2017 Sherman Downey comes home The folk sing/songwriter wraps up his tour with a return to the Carleton in Halifax Erin McIntosh April 12, 2017	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3564
__label__wiki	0.899038	0.899038	used copper ore and gravel mining equipment customer requirement of copper ore enrichment equipment for copper zinc ore mini high efficiency sf series copper ore flotation separator xciii cyclone machinery for copper mineral copper mining machines in the s copper ore dressing and quarry business plan open pit copper mining process and machinery top quality and professional manufacturer vertical raymond grinding machine por le granite grinding machine freiberg copper mine copper ore beneficiation plant thailand high speed top sell good manual jaw gold ball mill copper mill plant tanzaniacopper mill primary crusher pe 400x600 ball mill for gold copper iron ore copper crusher typed mk 1 fgd power plant zinc washing copper ore dewateing slurry pump atlas copco gold ball millsatlas copcos powercrusher nickel mining in new copper nickel mining in minnesota copper converting plant regarding to copper mining in the democratic republic of congo Glencore Cuts Workers at Congo Copper and Cobalt Mine Feb 08, 2019·Glencore is cutting the workforce at its Mutanda copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo to lower costs before a possible shift in Democratic Republic of Congo Mining News and Commentary Democratic Republic of Congo mining news. Explore related Democratic Republic of Congo articles for more information on the Democratic Republic of Congo mining industry. MMG Limited Kinsevere Kinsevere is a world class copper mine located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Kinsevere was acquired by MMG in 2012 and is an important part of the companys portfolio of high quality base metals assets. Children mining cobalt in Democratic Republic of Congo CBS News finds children mining cobalt for batteries in the Congo. The latest research by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates 40,000 children are working in DRC mines. More than half of the world's supply of cobalt comes from the DRC, and 20 percent of that is mined by hand, according to Darton Commodities , a London based research company that specializes in cobalt. ERG Will Halt Copper, Cobalt Output at Congo Mine This Feb 19, 2019·Eurasian Resources Group Sarl will halt production at a copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as it considers future investment in new production methods. Kamoa Copper Project, Katanga Mining Technology The Kamoa Copper Project is situated in the Kolwezi District, Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The project includes the development of a 5Mtpa underground mine and a concentrator to produce blister copper and sulphuric acid. With an indicated resource of approximately 740Mt, Kamoa is Democratic Republic of Congo to top global mining sector May 04, 2017·The recently announced sale in late 2016 of the country's largest copper mine Tenke Fungurume, by Freeport McMoran and Lunding Mining to China Molybdenum is the latest evidence of growing Chinese interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo's copper assets. The mine has probable and proven reserves of 144 Mt at 2.6% ore grade, significantly Democratic Republic of the Congo The Mining Law Review I OVERVIEWII LEGAL FRAMEWORKIII MINING RIGHTS AND REQUIRED LICENCES AND PERMITSIV ENVIRONMENTAL AND LABOUR CONSIDERATIONSV OPERATIONS, PROCESSING AND SALE OF MINERALSVI CHARGESVII OUTLOOK AND TRENDSMining represents a critical sector for the Democratic Republic of the Congos (DRCs) development. According to the World Bank, the mining sector has dominated the Congolese economy since the early 1910s.This domination is unsurprising, given that the country is incredibly rich in minerals. For example, the Katanga Copper Belts cobalt reserves total an astounding 5 million metric tons, making it the worlds largest known cobalt deposit. The DRC also possesses the largest known diamond depos Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Anvil Mining is a copper producer that has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2002. The company headquarters are based in Montreal, Canada. Anvil is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Australian Stock Exchange. As of September Mar 05, 2018·CBS News finds children mining cobalt for batteries in the Congo. The latest research by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates 40,000 children are working in DRC mines. More than half of the world's supply of cobalt comes from the DRC, and 20 percent of that is mined by hand, according to Darton Commodities , a London based research company that specializes in cobalt. The toll of the cobalt mining industry on health and the The toll of the cobalt mining industry on health and the environment. A CBS News investigation of in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed that tens of thousands of children are growing up without a childhood today two years after a damning Amnesty report about human rights abuses in the cobalt trade was published. Activists urge Congo government to pass new mining code Oct 28, 2016·Activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo are pressing the government to revive plans for a new mining code, claiming the country, which is Africas top copper Mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo The richest Print edition Middle East and Africa. DEEP in the jungle of North Kivu, a lawless province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a new road is being cut through the canopy. As birds chirp, hand saws cut noisily through trees. Men with shovels dig out roots and flatten the ochre red earth. A sturdy new log bridge crosses a stream. OVERVIEWGEOLOGYHISTORYCOMPANIESCopper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo mainly takes place in the Copper Belt of the southern Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Democratic Republic of Congo Pact Nov 15, 2018·In the Democratic Republic of Congo, vast mineral resources offer the prospect of real economic benefit. But their high value can also lead to conflict, exploitation and complex social problems. Pact and its partners are using systemic solutions to help overcome these and other development challenges, particularly in artisanal and small scale mining communities. Two Chinese citizens killed in DR Congo mine attack Mar 19, 2019·A mining truck drives past an open pit excavation at the Mutanda copper and cobalt mine in Mutanda, Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Aug. 1, Project overview Katanga Mining Limited Katanga Mining Limited operates a large scale copper cobalt mine complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through two joint ventures, Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and DRC Copper and Cobalt Project (DCP). The KCC joint venture produced its first copper cathode in December 2007 following the completion of Phase I The Democratic Republic of Congo deserves a better mining The Democratic Republic of Congo deserves a better mining law A new bill may lead to arbitration and falls short in addressing corruption concerns A digger searches for cobalt, an important metal Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mt Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Mt. Kenya Times March 14, 2016 The Katanga, or Shaba, copperbelt in the DRC is a belt about 70 kilometres (43 mi) wide and 250 kilometres (160 mi) long between Lubumbashi and Kolwezi formed in rocks of the Katanga Supergroup . Start of Construction. The Kamoa Copper Project is situated in the Kolwezi District, Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The project includes the development of a 5Mtpa underground mine and a concentrator to produce blister copper and sulphuric acid. With an Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo mainly takes place in the Copper Belt of the southern Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Geology The Katanga, or Shaba, copperbelt in the DRC is a belt about 70 kilometres (43 mi) wide and 250 kilometres (160 mi) long between Lubumbashi and Kolwezi formed in rocks of the Katanga Supergroup . Democratic Republic of Congo Mining & Environmental Law democratic republic of the congo mining regulation GENERAL The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has vast natural resource wealth and holds the worlds largest deposits of copper and cobalt. Ivanhoe Mines and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Apr 08, 2019·Ivanhoe Mines and the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Reaffirm Joint Commitment to Support the Development of the Country's Unrivalled Mineral Potential and to Accelerate Economic Growth Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo mainly takes place in the Copper Belt of the southern Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] Geology The Katanga, or Shaba, copperbelt in the DRC is a belt about 70 kilometres (43 mi) wide and 250 kilometres (160 mi) long between Lubumbashi and Kolwezi formed in The Democratic Republic of Congo and mining The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), lying pretty much in the centre of Africa, is geographically the eleventh biggest country in the world and is well known for its mineral riches. In its most Cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has the worlds largest source of cobalt. Over the past few decades the rare mineral which was formally mined as a by product of copper has become a highly demanded mineral. Congo, Democratic Republic Mining and Minerals export.gov International mining companies attracted by high grade and low cost mines, may be increasingly attracted to the DRCs copper wealth situated on the copper belt in the southern part of the country. In 2016, the DRC produced 1,021,634 tons of copper, which Chapter 9 MINING IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO It holds some of the largest deposits in the world in non ferrous metals (with 10% of global copper reserves and 50% of global cobalt reserves), precious metals and some of the best diamond deposits (30% of global diamond reserves), and even some oilfields and coal. Inside the Democratic Republic of Congo's Diamond Mines Aug 27, 2015·In the Democratic Republic of Congo, almost all diamond mining is done by hand. Its a labor intensive process that requires hauling away layers of dirt and rock, sometimes 50 feet deep, to Hidden costs of cobalt mining in DR Congo ScienceDaily Sep 20, 2018·Hidden costs of cobalt mining in DR Congo Date September 20, 2018 Around 60% of the world's cobalt supply comes from the mineral rich Katanga Copper belt, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mining Profile Democratic Republic of Congo MiningIR Apr 24, 2019·The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will host a mining week event in Lubumbashi in Katanga the global capital of cobalt from 19 to 21 June 2019. From the Union minière du Haut Katanga (UMHK) as it used to be called after the Belgian colonialists created the company, to La GECAMINES (La Générale des Carrières et des Mines), the Mar 06, 2018·The toll of the cobalt mining industry on health and the environment. A CBS News investigation of in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed that tens of thousands of children are growing up without a childhood today two years after a damning Amnesty report about human rights abuses in the cobalt trade was published. Democratic Republic of Congo Mining Africa Minerals copper, cobalt, gold, diamonds, zinc, iron and uranium. Independence 30 June 1960. Area 2,345,409 km. Mining fact Mining sector makes 90% of export. Although the Democratic Republic of the Congo has vast natural resources, it is also severely lacking in Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Jump to navigation Jump to search. The Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a significant factor in the world's production of cobalt, copper, diamond, tantalum, tin, and gold as well. It is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's largest source of export income. MINING Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo The mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo is regulated by Law No. 007/2002 of 11 July 2002 on the Mining Code and Decree No. 038/2003 of 26 March 2003 on Mining Regulations. The new Code performs a classification of mineral deposits in mines and quarries. Pre:gold ball mills from chinaNext:grinding wheels grinding	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3570
__label__cc	0.726494	0.273506	TIME FOR LABOUR AND ITS ORIGINS: E.P. THOMPSON ON THE TEMPORALITY OF INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM Ilya Konovalov (iakonovalov@hse.ru) Citation: Konovalov I. (2019) Rozhdeniye vremeni dlya truda: retseptsiya raboty Edvarda Tompsona o vozniknovenii kapitalisticheskogo temporal'nogo soznaniya [Time for labour and its origins: E.P. Thompson on the temporality of industrial capitalism]. Zhurnal Sotsiologii I Sotsialnoy Antropologii [The Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology], 22(1): 193–224 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.31119/jssa.2019.22.1.9 Abstract. Edward P. Thompson wrote one of the most important works touching on the origins of the temporal consciousness of industrial capitalism. Thompson showed how difficult was the process of acquiring a new attitude towards time and the formation of temporal subjectivity necessary for the reproduction of capitalist relations. At the same time, contemporary transformations of economic organization and social life call into question the established ways of dealing with time. Returning to Thompson's work and its reception will allow us to better understand these transformations and to inquire whether we are now witnessing a historical break in the temporal regime. This article is a critical overview focusing on Thompson's conceptual resources and subsequent discussions concerning his work. In particular, 1) explication of Thompson's critique of economism by means of displacement of economic ontology by the sociological relationship between value and time; 2) the conceptualization of the transition from "task orientation" to "clock orientation"; 3) critical review of various causal elements that contribute to the formation of temporal subjectivity; 4) comparison of Thompson's theses with modern arguments focusing on the transformation of labor organization and the formation of the corresponding attitude to time. Keywords: industrial capitalism, time discipline, clock time, temporality, sociology of time, labour, E.P. Thompson. Bidet J. (2007) Exploring Marx's Capital: Philosophical, economic and political dimensions. Leiden: Brill; Biggleswade. Biernacki R. (1994) Time Cents: The Monetization of the Workday in Comparative Perspective. In: Friedland R., Boden D. (eds.). Now Here. Space, time and modernity. Berkeley: University of California Press: 61–94. Bonefeld W. (2010) Abstract labour: Against its nature and on its time. Capital & Class, 34(2): 257–276. Bowker G.C. (1995) Second Nature once Removed Time, Space and Representations. Time & Society, 4(1): 47–66. Bruegel M. (1995) “Time That Can Be Relied upon”. The Evolution of Time Consciousness in the Mid-Hudson Valley, 1790–1860. Journal of Social History, 547–564. Clark G. (1994) Factory discipline. The Journal of Economic History, 54(1): 128–163. Сorsani A. (2015) Transformatsii truda i ego temporalnostey. Khronologicheskaya dezoriyentatsiya i kolonizatsiya nerabochego vremeni [Transformation of labor and its temporalities: chronological disorientation and the colonization of non-working time]. Logos, 25(3): 51–71 (in Russian). Danaher J. (2017) Will life be worth living in a world without work? Technological Unemployment and the Meaning of Life. Science and engineering ethics, 23(1): 41–64. Engels F. (1962) Dopolneniya k tretyemu tomu «Kapitala» [Additions to the third volume of “Capital”]. In: Marx K., Engels F. Sochineniya [Collected works]. 2nd ed. Vol. 25–2. Moscow: Gosudarstvennoye izdatelstvo politicheskoy literatury: 459–486 (in Russian). Glennie P., Thrift N. (1996) Reworking E. Thompson's “Time, Work-Discipline and Industrial Capitalism”. Time & Society, 5(3): 275–299. Hassard J. (2017) Time and Industrial Sociology. In: Blyton P., Hassard J., Hill S., Starkey K. (eds.). Time, work, and organization. London. Routledge: 13–34. Holloway J. (2011) Thompson and the Decomposition of Abstract Time. The Free Association Blog [https://libcom.org/blog/clock-time-life-time-saving-03112011 ] (accessed: 08.04.2018). Hopkins E. (1982) Working Hours and Conditions during the Industrial Revolution: A Re-Appraisal. The economic history review, 35(1): 52–66. Ingold T. (1995) Work, Time and Industry. Time & Society, 4(1): 5–28. Lotz C. (2014) The capitalist schema: Time, money, and the culture of abstraction. L.: Lexington Books. Martineau J. (2015) Time, capitalism and alienation: A socio-historical inquiry into the making of modern time. London: Brill. Martineau J. (2017) Making sense of the history of clock-time, reflections on Glennie and Thrift’s Shaping the Day. Time & Society, 26(3): 305–320. Millar K.M. (2015) The tempo of wageless work: EP Thompson's time-sense at the edges of Rio de Janeiro. Focaal, 2015(73): 28–40. O'Carroll A. (2008) Fuzzy Holes and Intangible Time: Time in a knowledge industry. Time & Society, 17(2–3): 179–193. O'Malley M. (1992) Time, work and task orientation: a critique of American historiography. Time & Society, 1(3): 341–358. Osborne P. (2012) Marx i filosofiya vremeni [Marx and the philosophy of time]. Ἑρμηνεία. Zhurnal filosofskikh perevodov [Journal of Philosophical Translations], 1: 35–52 (in Russian). Pitts F.H. (2017) Critiquing capitalism today: New ways to read Marx. New York: Springer International Pub. Pitts F.H. (2018) A crisis of measurability? Critiquing post-operaismo on labour, value and the basic income. Capital & Class, 42(1): 3–21. Postone M. (1993) Time, labor, and social domination: A reinterpretation of Marx's critical theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Rosa H. (2013) Social acceleration: A new theory of modernity. New York: Columbia University Press. Rubin B.A. (2007a) New Times Redux: Layering Time in the New Economy. In: Rubin B.A. (ed.). Workplace Temporalities. Emerald Group Publishing Limited: 527–548. Rubin B.A. (2007b) Time-Work Discipline in the 21st Century. In: Rubin B.A. (ed.). Workplace Temporalities. Emerald Group Publishing Limited: 1–26. Sauter M.J. (2007) Clockwatchers and Stargazers: Time Discipline in Early Modern Berlin. The American Historical Review, 112(3): 685–709. Smith T.C. (1986) Peasant time and factory time in Japan. Past & Present, 111: 165–197. Smith M.M. (1997) Mastered by the clock: Time, slavery, and freedom in the American South. Chapel Hill; London: University of North Carolina Press. Snyder B.H. (2013) From vigilance to busyness: A neo-Weberian approach to clock time. Sociological Theory, 31(3): 243–266. Thomas K. (1964) Work and leisure. Past & Present, 29: 50–66. Thompson E. (1967) Time, work-discipline, and industrial capitalism. Past & Present, 38: 56–97. Thrift N.J. (1990) The making of a capitalist time consciousness. In: Hassard J. (ed.). The sociology of time. New York: Palgrave Macmillan: 105–129. Tomba M. (2013) Marx's temporalities. Leiden: Brill. Tombazos S. (2014) Time in Marx: The categories of time in Marx's Capital. Leiden; Boston: Brill. Vercellone C. (2007) From formal subsumption to general intellect: Elements for a Marxist reading of the thesis of cognitive capitalism. Historical Materialism, 15(1): 13–36. Voth H.-J. (1998) Time and work in eighteenth-century London. The Journal of Economic History, 58(1): 29–58. Vries de J. (2016) Revolyutsiya trudolyubiya: Potrebitelskoye povedeniye i ekonomika domokhozyaystv s 1650 goda do nashikh dney [The Industrious Revolution: Consumer Behavior and the Household Economy, 1650 to the Present]. Moscow: Delo (in Russian). Wendling A.E. (2009) Karl Marx on technology and alienation. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Whipp R. (1987) A time to every purpose: an essay on time and work. In: Joyce P. (ed.) The historical meanings of work. Cambridge; London; New York: Cambridge University Press: 210–236.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3574
__label__wiki	0.905277	0.905277	Played tracks Mazatzal Casino Event Calendar Town of Payson Yard Sale Report ABC - Country Music News AZ Central News APS Outage Map Arizona Emerency Information Network AZ 511 - ADOT Information Incident System KMOG Facebook KMOG Weather Share on Facebook Tweet this track I'm listening to [$1] on [$2] ! I'm listening to the [$1] podcast ! I'm listening to the [$1] sample ! KMOG Payson, Arizona I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool Barbara Mandrell When My Ship Comes In Clint Black Ain't Going Down 'Til The Sun Comes Up Get Along Bubba Shot The Jukebox Mark Chesnutt William Michael Morgan February 19, 2019 - 158 views country, american, All, treble, youngstar Debut album, Vinyl, now available for pre-order! Get it now and receive "I Met A Girl" and "Missing" instantly! http://smarturl.it/vinylwmm Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wmmorgan Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/wmmorganmusic https://www.youtube.com/user/wmmorganmusic As a Grammy nominated producer and Executive Vice President of A&R at Warner Music Nashville, you might say that Scott Hendricks qualifies as an expert on country singers. So when he gets excited about someone, it’s worth paying attention. And right now he’s excited about Warner Bros. Records newcomer William Michael Morgan. The tall, easy-going, unfailingly polite 22-year-old from Vicksburg, Mississippi, has the look you’d hope for in a young entertainer and the stature to wear a black cowboy hat, a symbol that stands for something in the country music world. And he’s certainly got the chops as an award-winning young performer, who earned recording and publishing deals before turning 20. But for Hendricks, it all comes down to that voice. “William Michael Morgan is seriously one of the very best singers I have ever recorded and I have recorded a bunch,” Hendricks said. “Recording a voice typically reveals any and all imperfections. I will never forget the first time we went into the studio and heard William Michael's voice come across the speakers. It was a jaw-dropping experience. I'm anxious for the world to hear what I heard. It truly is a special voice.” Country fans will get their introduction to Morgan with “I Met a Girl,” his sweetly romantic debut single. Old and new, fast and slow, steel and piano, the song will give fans exact GPS coordinates of where Morgan is coming from. “I like to sing about love. I’m a lover, not a fighter,” Morgan says with a Mississippi lilt in his voice. “I like to write about having a good time. I’m a typical 22 year old.” Well, not really. Most folks are still trying to figure themselves out at 22. Morgan knew where he was going from an early age and his parents were always there for him. In the ninth grade, Morgan put together a band of middle-aged musicians who shared his love of Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard and George Jones. “We didn’t really have much of a name for the band, we just loved to get together and play,” Morgan said. “The great thing about finding those guys who were older than me is they all loved the same kind of music I did and we just blended so well. I was lucky enough to have a steel guitar player all those years, and I just fell in love with that sound.” The no-name band played honky tonks on the weekends while Morgan worked odd jobs – he was a roofer, a cashier at the Piggly Wiggly – during the week. He began traveling back and forth to Nashville to write by the time he was 16. Morgan moved to town permanently when he was 18. “Honestly, I didn’t know how to wash my clothes,” Morgan said. He didn’t have any money to plug into the coin slot anyway. But contacts he built with Managers Joe Carter and Mike Taliaferro along with producer Jimmy Ritchey quickly paid off when he signed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville and a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell at 19. These developments exposed him to Music Row, where he learned to expand his musical repertoire and education. He still keeps his ear out for those special songs like the ones by his musical heroes, though, and thinks he’s found one in “I Met a Girl,” co-produced by Hendricks and Ritchey and co-written by Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen and Sam Hunt. It’s the kind of song that goes perfectly with that timeless voice of Morgan’s. “That was the thing about those older songs by Haggard and Jones: they had those lyrics that really, really hit home. Whether it be a fun up-tempo ‘Working Man Blues’ kind of song or ‘The Cold, Hard Truth.’ Each lyric just hits you at home. I think that’s what I try to do. Whether it be happy or sad, I try to put the most heart into I can.” everything is fine Johnny Russell Ray Stevens DR. ROBERT GEAR July 16, 2019 KMOG News KMOG Sports WIN TICKETS! WIN RASCAL FLATS TICKETS Send a dedication Username is required (Username is required) Message is required (Message is required) Send my dedication Type your e-mail address here : Check your spam box if you do not see the e-mail. We have sent you an e-mail to change your password. Horton Creek Temporary Camping Closure – March 1 – August 31, 2019 Thanks, your message have been sent ! Name is required. (Name is required. ) Email is required. (Email is required. ) (Message is required. ) RadioKing © 2019 \| Radio Website powered by RadioKing. RadioKing allows you to easily create your own internet radio station.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3580
__label__cc	0.724416	0.275584	Article Info. Applied Chemistry for Engineering (공업화학) Pages.413-418 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry (한국공업화학회) DOI QR Code Gas Generation by Burning Test of Cypress Specimens Treated with Boron Compounds 붕소 화합물로 처리된 편백목재 시험편의 연소시험에 의한 가스 발생 Jin, Eui ; Chung, Yeong-Jin 진의 ; 정영진 Received : 2018.03.26 Accepted : 2018.04.15 Published : 2018.08.10 https://doi.org/10.14478/ace.2018.1033 Citation PDF Cypress woods treated individually with boric acid (BA4), ammonium pentaborate (APB4), or BA4/APB4 additives were examined for combustion gases. Each of the specimens was painted with a 4 wt% solution of boron compounds three times. Dried at room temperature, the combustion gas was analyzed using a cone calorimeter (ISO 5660-1). Consequently, the second maximum oxygen consumption rate of the specimen treated with boron compounds was 0.1067 to 0.1246 g/s, which was 5.3 to 18.9%, respectively lower than that of the blank specimen. The specific extinction area of specimens treated with BA4 and APB4 was also 2.0 to 19.0% lower, respectively. However, treated with BA4/APB4 showed 21.2% higher than that of the blank specimen. The maximum carbon monoxide concentration of the specimens with boron compounds was reduced by 0 to 25%. It was estimated to be 1.6 to 2.2 times higher than the permissible exposure limits by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), indicating a fatal toxicity. The boron compounds were effective in reducing carbon monoxide, but didn't meet the OSHA limit. The boron compound inhibited the burning behavior of the cypress wood, which suppressed the second maximum oxygen consumption rate by 5.3 to 18.9% and the maximum carbon monoxide generation by 0 to 25%. Boron compounds;Oxygen consumption rate;Specific extinction area;Carbon monoxide;Cone calorimeter R. Kozlowski and M. Hewig, Progress in flame retardancy and flammability testing, in: 1st Int Conf. Progress in Flame Retardancy and Flammability Testing, Institute of Natural Fibres, Pozman, Poland (1995). R. Stevens, S. E. Daan, R. Bezemer, and A. Kranenbarg, The strucure- activity relationship of retardant phosphorus compounds in wood, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 91, 832-841 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2005.06.014 Y. J. Chung, Y. H. Kim, and S. B. Kim, Flame retardant properties of polyurethane produced by the addition of phosphorous containing polyurethane oligomers (II), J. Ind. Chem. Eng., 15, 888-893 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2009.09.018 Y. J. Chung, Flame retardancy of veneers treated by ammonium salts, J. Korean Ind. Eng. Chem., 18, 251-255 (2007). P. Zhao, C. Guo, and L. Li, Exploring the effect of melamine pyrophosphate and aluminum hypophosphite on fame retardant wood flour/polypropylene composites, Constr. Build. Mater., 170, 193-199 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.074 J. Jiang, J. Z. Li, J. Hu, and D. Fan, Effect of nitrogen phosphorus flame retardants on thermal degradation of wood, Constr. Build. Mater., 24, 2633-2637 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.04.064 T. Jiang, X. Feng, Q. Wang, Z. Xiao, F. Wang, and Y. Xie, Fire performance of oak modified with N-methylol resin and methylolated guanylurea phosphate/Boric acid-based fire retardant, Constr. Build. Mater., 72, 1-6 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.09.004 A. M. Pereyra and C. A. Giudic, Flame-retardant impregnants for woods based on alkaline silicates, Fire Saf. J., 44, 497-503 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2008.10.004 R. H. White and M. A. Dietenberger, Fire safety. in: Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, Ch.17, USDA, Forest Product Laboratory, Madison, WI, USA (1999). A. Ernst and J. D. Zibrak, Carbon monoxide poisoning, N. Engl. J. Med., 339, 1603-1608 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199811263392206 R Von Burg, Toxicology update, J. Appl. Toxicol., 19, 379-386 USA (1999). https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1263(199909/10)19:5<379::AID-JAT563>3.0.CO;2-8 B. G. King, High Concentration-short time exposures and toxicity, J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol., 31, 365-375 (1949). U. C. Luft, Aviation physiology: the effects of altitude in: Handbook of Physiology, 1099-1145, American Physiology Society, Washington DC, USA (1965). D. A. Purser, A bioassay model for testing the incapacitating effects of exposure to combustion product atmospheres using cynomolgus monkeys, J. Fire Sci., 2, 20-26 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1177/073490418400200104 V. Babrauskas, A versatile bench-scale tool for the evaluation of fire properties. In: S. J. Grayson and D. A. Smith (eds.), New Technology to Reduce Fire Losses and Costs, pp. 78-87, Elsevier Applied Science Publisher, London, UK (1986). M. M. Hirschler, Fire performance of organic polymers, thermal decomposition and chemical composition, ACS Symp. Ser., 797, 293-306 (2001). V. Babrauskas, Ignition of wood: A review of the state of the art. In: Interflam 2001, 71-88, Interscience Communications Ltd., London, UK (2001). F. M. Pearce, Y. P. Khanna, and D. Raucher, Thermal analysis in polymer flammability, In: E.A.Turei (ed.), Thermal Characterization of Polymeric Materials, Ch. 8, Academic Press, New York, USA (1981). C. H. Lee, C. W. Lee, J. W. Kim, C. K. Suh, and K. M. Kim, Organic phosphorus-nitrogen compounds, manufacturing method and compositions of flame retardants containing organic phosphorus-nitrogen compounds, Korean Patent 2011-0034978 (2011). M. Jimenez, S. Duquesnsne, and S. Bourbigot, Intumescent fire protective coating: Toward a better understanding their mechanism of action, Thermochim. Acta, 449, 16-26 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2006.07.008 Y. J. Chung and E. Jin, Cumbustion chracteristics of cypress specimens painted with solutions of boron compunds, Fire Sci. Eng., 32, 7-12 (2018). T. Balakrishnan, G. Bhagannaryana, and K. Ramamurthi, Growth, structural, optical, thermal and mechanical properties of ammonium pentaborate single crystal, Spectrochim. Acta A, 71, 578-583 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2008.01.026 ISO 5660-1, Reaction-to-fire tests-Heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate. Part 1: Heat release rate(cone calorimeter method) and smoke production rate (dynamic measurement), Geneva, Switzerland (2015). W. T. Simpson, Drying and control of moisture content and dimensional changes. In: Wood Handbook-Wood as an Engineering Material, Ch. 12, USDA Forest Product Laboratory, Madison, WI, USA (1987). V. Babrauskas, The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 4th Ed., National Fire Protection Association, MA, USA (2008). O. Grexa, E. Horvathova, O. Besinova, and P. Lehocky, Flame retardant treated plywood, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 64, 529-533 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(98)00152-9 Q. Wang, J. Li, and J. E. Winady, Chemical mechanism of fire retardance of boric acid on wood, Wood Sci. Technol., 38, 375-389 (2004). N. K. Saxena and D. R. Gupta, Development and evaluation of fire retardant coatings, Fire Technol., 11, 329-341 (1990). M. Hagen, J. Hereid, M. A. Delichtsios, J. Zhang, and D. Bakirtzis, Flammability assesment of fire-retarded nordic spruce wood using thermogravimetric analyses and con calorimetry, Fire Saf. J., 44, 1053-1069 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2009.07.004 G. Kimmerle, Aspects and methodology for the evaluation of toxicological parameters during fire exposure, J. Combust. Toxicol., 1, 4-51 (1974). A. P. Mourituz, Z. Mathys, and A. G. Gibson, Heat release of polymer composites in fire, Composites A, 38, 1040-1054 (2005). OHSA, Carbon Monoxide, OSHA Fact Sheet, United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, September 14, USA (2009). OHSA, Carbon Dioxide, Toxicological Review of Selected Chemicals, Final Rule on Air Comments Project, OHSA's Comments, Jannuary 19, USA (1989). MSHA, Carbon Monoxide, MSHA's Occupational Illness and Injury Prevention Program Topic, U.S. Department of Labor, USA (2015). M. J. Spearpoint and G. J. Quintiere, Predicting the burning of wood using an integral model, Combust. Flame, 123, 308-325 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-2180(00)00162-0 Supported by : 한국연구재단, 강원대학교	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3581
__label__cc	0.536044	0.463956	Table of contents for the topic book reviews Islamic Law and Jurisprudence: Studies in Honor of Farhat J. Ziadeh The Atonement by William Lane Craig The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology by Sabine Schmidtke Believing Women in Islam (2019) by Asma Barlas and David Raeburn Finn The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology by Tim Winter The History of Salafism: The Making of Salafism by Henri Lauzière The Crucible of Islam by G. W. Bowersock The Closing of the Muslim Mind and the Decline of Islamic Civilization Ibn Taymiyya and His Times Islam’s Quantum Question: Reconciling Muslim Tradition and Modern Science The Moral World of the Qur’an by M. A. Draz An Islamic defense of free speech (a critique of Ziauddin Sardar’s views on Rushdie’s Satanic Verses) The Muslim World on the Eve of Europe’s Expansion by John J. Saunders Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet’s Legacy [Short Book Review] [Book Review] Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia’s Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane by S. Frederick Starr Intelligence: All That Matters by Stuart Ritchie A Biography of Ahmad Moftizadeh In the Footsteps of the Prophet by Tariq Ramadan How and From Where Do We Begin? By Ahmad Moftizadeh Conflicts of Fitness: Islam, America, and Evolutionary Psychology The Last Mufti of Iranian Kurdistan (And a Critique of Political Islam) Ikram Hawramani / Apr 21, 2019 07:34 AM / No Comments on Islamic Law and Jurisprudence: Studies in Honor of Farhat J. Ziadeh / 58 views Posted In Blog \| Book Reviews \| Books \| Recommended Books About Islam or for Muslims Tagged Bernard Weiss \| book reviews \| Farhat J. Ziadeh \| George Makdisi \| Islam and academic freedom \| Islamic law \| John Makdisi \| Sharia \| The common law \| Wael B. Hallaq Get it on Amazon Islamic Law and Jurisprudence: Studies in Honor of Farhat J. Ziadeh (published 1990) is a collection of papers written in honor of the Palestinian-American professor Farhat Jacob Ziadeh (1917-2016), founder and first chairman of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization at the University of Washington. I bought this book after seeing it cited in Omar Farahat’s 2019 book The Foundation of Norms in Islamic Jurisprudence and Theology and finding it for sale for only $6 on Amazon.com, without looking into the book’s contributors. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to find that it had articles by some of the best scholars of Islamic studies in the late 20th century: Wael Hallaq, George Makdisi, his son John Makdisi, and Bernard Weiss. The first article is by Wael Hallaq and studies the problem of inductive corroboration in Islamic legal reasoning. How many witnesses are required to prove a point beyond doubt? Hallaq studies the issue of the mutawātir report (a hadith report that is transmitted by so many people that a person can be completely sure of its authenticity). Some scholars fixed the number for establishing tawātur at five witnesses, while others chose 12, 20, 40, 70 or 313. But during the tenth and eleventh centuries, the dominant view emerged that only God knows how many witnesses would be required for tawātur. The opposite of a mutawātir report is an āḥād (“singular”) report; a report that does not come from a sufficient number of transmitters to establish certainty. Hallaq argues that according to the jurists, an āḥād report had a probability of authenticity of less than 1 (i.e. less than 100%) but higher than 0.5 (50%). By the mere fact of a report having an unbroken chain of transmitters to the Prophet PBUH, it was considered more likely to be authentic than not. And when two singular reports support a particular point or issue, the probability increases. In my essay Mathematical Hadith Verification: A Guide to the New Science of Probabilistic Hadith Transmitter Criticism I propose a way of formalizing these probabilities. But unlike the jurists, I treat the probability of the reliability of each transmitter independently. Each transmitter is given the benefit of the doubt by being considered as 60% likely to be truthful and accurate. But when more transmitters are added to a chain, their probabilities are combined, lowering the integrity of the information transmitted. The second article is by Jeanette Wakin of Columbia University (d. 1998) and focuses on the views of the Ḥanbalī scholar Ibn Qudāma (d. 1223) regarding interpreting divine commands. When God tells us in the Quran to do something, does this imply permission, recommendation or obligation? In verse 5:2, God tells us, “when you leave the state of iḥrām, then hunt.” Interpreting this command as implying obligation means that every pilgrim is obligated to go hunting after they are done with the rituals of the pilgrimage to Mecca. But of course, it is widely known that hunting is not obligatory; so the command must only imply permission. While jurists like al-Ghazālī adopted the moderate view that divine commands cannot be interpreted as permission, recommendation or obligation unless we can find out more information about the command (for example in the Prophet’s traditions PBUH), Ibn Qudāma’s view was that all commands imply obligation unless proven otherwise, except in the case of a command that comes after a prohibition, in which case the command only implies permission (as in the hunting example above). Bernard Weiss’s article is on the problem of objectivity in Islamic law. How can objectivity be ensured in the interpretation of the law? Do the differences among scholars on matters of law imply a lack of objectivity? Weiss argues that the jurist’s performance of ijtihād (of re-analyzing the sources of the law and reaching new decisions) is how objectivity is ensured within our human limitations. Studying revelation (the Quran and the Sunna, i.e. the Prophet’s words and actions) always has a chance of leading to new results. But in order to have practical law, we must be able to establish an end to this process, otherwise we will never reach a conclusion; we will always be suffering the uncertainty that better knowledge and understanding will lead to different results. The process of ijtihād solves this dilemma by giving a qualified jurist the right to do his own independent research until he reaches a point when he can in all honesty say that he has done his best with what is available. At that point he can issue a ruling that will be considered objective and applicable for himself and his followers. The process of ijtihād therefore leads to a historically-limited instance of objectivity; the best objectivity that can be had within our human limitations. And when each jurist performs this through time, we get a historical series of objectivities, each presumably better than that which preceded it. Farhat J. Ziadeh’s article is on the issue of ʿadāla (“justice” or “justness”), the quality of a witness being considered reliable and trustworthy by an Islamic court. He mentions the interesting anecdote of a man who refused to pay the voluntary separation gift that a man owes to his divorced wife. The judge who presided over the separation later refused to accept the man as a reliable witness in a different case because the man had refused to be charitable and God-fearing in the previous case. Another interesting anecdote is that al-Ḥakam I (d. 822 CE), a ruler of Umayyad Spain, was rejected as a reliable witness by a judge that he himself had appointed. Ziadeh argues that Islam led to a transformation of the Arab ideals of virtue. In the pre-Islamic era, virtue was a warrior’s courage, a rich person’s generosity, and the dedication to keeping one’s word even at the cost of losing a loved one. But in the civilized atmosphere of the Islamic city, the virtues were those qualities that enabled the law to function properly. The fifth article is by David F. Forte, a law professor at Cleveland State University. He tries to clarify the Islamic principles of property rights by studying how Islamic law deals with the issue of lost property. He concludes that Islamic law is more concerned with the rights of a property owner than the English common law. George Makdisi’s article is going to be of the most interest to Western readers. He defends his thesis, that he has defended in many other places, that Islam created the concepts of professor, doctoral dissertation and academic freedom. Since Islam lacks an ecclesiastical hierarchy that can decide issues of orthodoxy, the only way to ensure arrival at consensus in a legitimate way was to adopt academic freedom. A legitimate fatwā in Islam is one that is given by a professor who enjoys perfect academic freedom to agree or disagree with anyone else. The West had no need for academic freedom because the true authorities on matters of religious doctrine were the bishops in unity with the pope. Islam, lacking such authorities, was forced to adopt a rational way of arriving at authoritative religious rulings in their absence. And the solution was the academic freedom of the professor or muftī. When all the professors, in perfect freedom and autonomy, agreed on a particular ruling, that meant that the ruling was authoritative. Orthodoxy in Christianity was determined by the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Orthodoxy in Islam was determined by the autonomous consensus of the professors, just as in modern science. In science a particular theory can only become “orthodox” when all eligible scientists study it and arrive at a consensus about its reasonableness and likelihood of correctness. Islam was forced to create this “scientific method” of arriving at consensus due to suffering the same situation that science suffers: there is no higher authority than the scholars, researchers and professors themselves to help them come to legitimate conclusions on the issues under question. The West took many centuries to digest the imported Islamic concepts of professor and academic freedom. Western professors in the 13th century still lacked the academic freedom that Islamic professors had enjoyed since at least the 8th century. In Christianity, dissent among the professors was considered an evil that led to heresy. In Islam, dissent was the most important way of ensuring orthodoxy, which is why it developed a vast literature of dissent where the disagreements of the professors were recorded. The idea of a professor freely expressing dissenting opinions had no place in Western civilization until the power of the Church weakened and the professors were able to acquire some autonomy from it. John Makdisi’s article focuses on the possible Islamic influences on the English common law. His article is an earlier version of his famous 1999 article “The Islamic Origins of the Common Law” (which can be downloaded here). He argues that the assize of novel disseisin, a crucial aspect of the development of the common law established by Henry II in the wake of the Assize of Clarendon of 1166, may have had an Islamic origin, and studies the historical context in which this Islamic influence may have been acquired. The last four articles by William Ballantyne, Ian Edge, Ann Mayer and David Pearl respectively deal with the issue of the application and integration of the Sharia in modern Islamic states. I discuss the contents of some of these articles in my essay Solving the Problem of the Codification of the Sharia. Ikram Hawramani / Apr 05, 2019 02:45 PM / 2 Comments on The Atonement by William Lane Craig / 263 views Posted In Blog \| Book Reviews \| Books Tagged book reviews \| Christian theology \| Islam and Christianity \| The Kalām Cosmological Argument \| William Lane Craig I became interested in the Christian theologian William Lane Craig after reading Jacobus Erasmus’s The Kalām Cosmological Argument: A Reassessment, a 2018 book that reconsiders Craig’s views on this argument for God’s existence and tries to strengthen it. I was surprised by just how strong this argument is, although it does not reach the level of “proof”. A true proof is one that all rational people can accept. But no argument for God’s existence reaches this level–there is always room for some doubt, there is always a “leap of faith” necessary in order to accept the argument. As the Christian theologian recently stated on Twitter: Alister McGrath’s statement applies very well to the The Kalām Cosmological Argument. As a faithful person who has already made the leap of faith, it further convinces me just how incredibly unwise it is to doubt God’s existence. But I admit that a dedicated atheist can question it. I decided to embark on a journey to read most of Craig’s books starting with his newest, which was The Atonement. This is as part of my efforts to familiarize myself with Christian theology. The studying of Christianity by Muslims is sometimes framed under the unfortunate rhetoric of “knowing the enemy”. That attitude will hopefully go away as Muslims interact more with Christians and recognize the need to see Christians as fellow humans and persons doing their best to serve God as they understand Him. Of course many Christians also have a similarly unfortunate attitude toward the study of Islam. But when interacting with a non-Muslim group, the proper way is to focus on the best and most humane among them and treat them as they like to be treated, rather than focusing on the worst and using this to justify bad treatment. The Atonement is a short defense of the Christian Doctrine of the Atonement on both theological and legal grounds. An interesting aspect of the book is the author’s use of modern legal theory. The book is a good representative of what we might call the cutting-edge of Western theological and legal thought. The Christian doctrine of the Atonement attempts to justify how the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ [as] (something Islam denies but Christianity considers foundational to its theology) leads to the salvation of Christians. How does the torture and death of an innocent person lead to forgiveness and salvation for others? Some Christian theologians, similar to the Muslim Muʿtazilites, had the “cosmic justice machine” view of God. According to them God is forced to be just in all things, which means that He is prevented from forgiving sins unless there is a good and just reason for this forgiveness. As a non-Muʿtazilite, I naturally find that view of God highly unsatisfactory. God has many attributes and He is not forced to act by any one of them. He is forgiving, He is just, and He is avenging. And He is free according to which attribute He should treat a particular person or group of persons. He can forgive someone even if our idea of justice requires the person to be punished, because this is the essence of forgiveness: to choose not to do some injury to someone despite the fact that they justly deserve it. My view of God as freely choosing to act according to whichever attribute He prefers is also why I reject the Sufi view that loving God is better than fearing Him (as discussed here). Loving God pleases God’s attribute of the Loving, while fearing Him pleases His attribute of the Mighty (among others). Who are we to choose whether pleasing one of His attributes is better than pleasing another? The proper, God-fearing view in my opinion is to respect all of God’s attributes equally. This means that serving God out of fear and desire is just as good as serving God out of love. Ideally, of course, we should serve God out of fear, love and desire, and out of the intellectual recognition of the fact that God is One who deserves to be worshiped, not out of fear, love or desire, but because that is something He simply deserves. The love and appreciation of all of His attributes should be the foundation of our worship of God. According to the cosmic justice machine theory (to which Craig subscribes to some degree), therefore, the Atonement was necessary because God could not justly forgive humanity without first demanding that a sacrifice or offering should be made to Him, or demanding that a particular person be punished as a substitute and representative of humanity. An alternative theory to that is the moral influence theory, according to which the Atonement was meant as an example to humanity rather than as an offering for sin. Other arguments are also mentioned but I will not go into the details here. An important problem with all doctrines of Atonement is the issue of imputation. How is it rational that a particular person be held responsible for the sins of all others? Various responses to this problem are mentioned in the book. For example it is mentioned that God, as Supreme Ruler, has the right to punish a person for the sins of another. Just because we cannot easily envision how this can be just or rational does not mean that it is not. A strong argument in favor of the imputation of humanity’s sins to Christ is the concept of vicarious liability. This legal concept refers to the fact that, for example, an employer can be punished for crimes committed by his employees. Even though he himself has committed no fault, the employee’s fault can legally fall upon the employer. Similarly, Christ can be considered the master of mankind and therefore any sins committed by his underlings can be in some way imputed to him. The fact that he accepts this responsibility and imputation willingly makes its justice even stronger. Another defense is that God’s punishment of Christ, even though on the face of it unjust, helped prevent a greater harm, which was the destruction of all of humanity for their sins. Defining guilt and pardon Craig analyses the concept of guilt and rejects the definition that guilt is simply the fact of having committed a crime or sin. Guilt, instead, is a person’s liability for punishment. According to this view, pardon is the act of taking away a person’s liability for punishment without implying that the person did not commit the crime. The commitment of the crime is acknowledged, but the act of pardon takes away all guilt. Craig says: A person who has served his sentence has paid his debt to society, and so is now no longer guilty; that is to say, no longer liable to punishment. Similarly, a person who has been pardoned is by all accounts no longer liable to punishment for the crime he committed. Since Craig to some degree believes in the cosmic justice machine theory, he concludes that God’s pardon of our sins could only be justly accomplished if someone was punished for them. There is a contradiction between pardon and justice that can only be resolved if the pardon only takes place when some punishment has taken place (in this case the punishment that Christ bore willingly for the sake of humanity). Thus God is powerless to pardon without punishment since that would be unjust. As should be clear from what I said earlier, I find Craig’s final solution to the contradiction between justice and pardon unsatisfactory. My solution would be that God is free when it comes to which one of His attributes He acts according to. He can act according to His attribute of Mercy regardless of what His attribute of Justice demands. There is no contradiction here because there is no higher power forcing God to act according to one attribute and not another. He will not be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. The Quran, verse 21:23. One argument against my view would be that it suggests that God could just as easily be cruel as He can be kind. But that argument is preempted by the following Quranic verse: Say, “To whom belongs what is in the heavens and the earth?” Say, “To God.” He has prescribed for Himself mercy. He will gather you to the Day of Resurrection, in which there is no doubt. Those who lost their souls do not believe. The Quran, verse 6:12. God has freely chosen His attribute of Mercy as an overruling attribute, which is likely why in Islam His two major names by which we call Him are al-raḥmān al-rahīm (“The Most Mercifully Gracious”, “The Most Mercifully Compassionate”). Both names come from the RḤM root (“mercy”, “kindness”, “womb”). Of course my solution would likely not work for a Christian since it would invalidate the commonly accepted versions of the Doctrine of the Atonement. If God could have forgiven us anyway, there would not have been a need for Christs’ suffering, or his suffering would have only served the purpose of a reminder and example to humanity. In the last paragraph of the book, Craig states: As mentioned earlier, it is not at all implausible that only in a world that includes such an atoning death would the optimal number of people come freely to love and know God and so to find eternal life. God’s wisdom, not only His love and holiness, is thus manifest in the atoning death of Christ. In conclusion, The Atonement is a good defense of Christian doctrine and contains some ideas that Muslim thinkers can benefit from. The analyses of the concepts of guilt and pardon are especially worthy. Ikram Hawramani / Feb 24, 2019 10:56 AM / No Comments on The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology by Sabine Schmidtke / 148 views Tagged book reviews \| Islam and free will \| Islam and the universe \| Islamic theology This impressive volume brings together essays by many highly respected Western-educated scholars of Islam. Comparing it to The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology (which I shortly reviewed here), this book is far more in-depth and analytical. In fact the Cambridge Companion feels like a preface to this more sophisticated (and much longer) book. This book will likely be a classic of Islamic studies, an achievement that helps take the entire field of Islamic theology forward. One issue I have with the book is that many of the articles focus far more on history and social backgrounds than on the actual theological ideas. The two most important Islamic theological doctrines, Ashʿarism and Māturīdism, never receive a completely satisfactory exposition. A number of the articles mislabel Ibn ʿArabī (d. 1240) as Ibn al-ʿArabī (d. 1148), which could confuse readers. Below I will mention a few highlights from the book. I was interested to learn about Ḍirār b. ʿAmr (d. 815 CE), an early Muslim theologian who developed the anti-Aristotelian idea that the universe is entirely made up of “accidents” (attributes or properties), rejecting Aristotle’s theory of the existence of “matter” or substance as a separate thing from its properties. Rejecting the concept of matter helps detach Islamic theology from the nature-supremacism of Aristotle (and later Ibn Rushd), who envisioned nature as something of an eternal entity that chained God’s freedom of action. The Aristotelian theory creates great difficulty for explaining miracles because miracles seem to override nature, which breaks the primacy of matter. Nidhal Guessoum, who subscribes to that worldview, is forced to explain away miracles by reference to ideas like quantum uncertainty and the placebo effect in his book Islam’s Quantum Question (as I discuss in my review of it here). But if the entire universe is made up of attributes so that matter is nothing but a collection of attributes (as Ḍirār b. ʿAmr asserts), then this turns the universe into something of a simulation where everything has no basic reality of its own. Its realness always comes from God who upholds this “simulation”. That is the key idea in my Ghazali-inspired computational theory of the universe. According to Ḍirār b. ʿAmr, if we translate his ideas into the computational language, everything in this universe is merely information held inside the Divine Register (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūḍ), similar to the way a video game’s universe is entirely information held inside a piece of hardware inside a computer known as RAM. There is complete equality between one bit of information and another bit. The bits that define matter and the bits that define its attributes are equal so that everything can be considered an attribute. The matter-ness of matter is just another attribute. This means that for God to perform a miracle, all that He has to do is flip bits of information inside the Register. The stick of Moses [as] can turn into a snake because God, who is in charge of the simulation, can easily change the bits of information in the Register that define the stick-ness of the stick so that for a time it becomes a snake. Aristotelians like Ibn Rushd and Guessoum cannot envision this because to them matter is not information in a simulation, it is something that has its own “reality” that is almost separate from God’s control. In their view, God is unable to perform miracles or is severely limited in His capacity to perform them the way we understand them because the laws of matter do not permit miracles. But Ḍirār b. ʿAmr’s theology (and orthodox, Ashʿarite Islamic theology) has no such problem with miracles because nature is entirely made up of information controlled by God. This orthodox theology that so many ill-educated science-minded people consider to be irrational and backward is in fact highly futuristic in its outlook if we interpret it in modern terms. It makes solving problems like reconciling Islam and evolutionary theory a rather easy exercise, as I discuss in my essay Al-Ghazali’s Matrix and the Divine Template. Regarding the issue of free will, the Iranian Imam Abū Ḥanīfa (d. 772 CE, after whom the Ḥanafī school is named), came up with a moderate solution. God creates all things, including everything that takes place in the world. But humans intend, and God either carries out the intention or not. It is for this intention that they are responsible. This fits with the computational theory; the universe is like a simulation that is under God’s absolute control. Nothing happens inside it except when God makes it happen. But humans have been given the power to intend things. They are given a “remote control” to their bodies, they issue commands (intentions) and God either carries it out (by moving their bodies for them and allowing the intention to be carried out) or He does not (by refusing to move their bodies, or by causing the simulation to get in their way). For example a good person who intends to sin may be hindered by God. God can either cause a weakness and fatigue in them that takes away their ability to carry out the sin, or He may bring about causes that prevent the sin from being possible to carry out. His views were the basis of the development of the Ḥanafī theological tradition that found its full development with the Arab Iranian scholar Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī (d. 945 CE). Abū Ḥanīfa and Māturīdī shared the conviction that humans can tell good from evil based on reason alone (without the guidance of revelation). Ashʿarite scholars like Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī (d. 1210) developed a highly “Darwinian” view of human ethical reasoning; humans know good from evil due to their empathy for fellow humans and their knowledge of consequences, rather than due to the existence of some absolute ideal of good and evil that humans can appreciate (as the Muʿtazilites claimed). While Muʿtazilites have often been celebrated in Western thoughts as Islam’s arch-rationalists, in this case as in many others, the orthodox Islamic view is actually more “scientific”. It rejects the Muʿtazilite trust in human reason’s philosophical ability to know good and evil with a more naturalistic, Darwinian explanation. According to Rāzī humans develop ethical ideas based on experience, not based on philosophical axioms that exist independently of the world and God. The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology is a great resource for everyone interested in Islamic theology, the history of Islamic thought and some the key issues relating to the interpretation of the Quran. Ikram Hawramani / Feb 20, 2019 07:06 AM / No Comments on Believing Women in Islam (2019) by Asma Barlas and David Raeburn Finn / 283 views Posted In Book Reviews \| Books \| Essays Tagged Asma Barlas \| book reviews \| David Raeburn Finn \| Islam and feminism \| Islam and humanism \| Muslim feminists \| women in Islam Believing Women in Islam: A Brief Introduction by Asma Barlas and David Raeburn Finn is a short book that attempts to present the main ideas of Barlas’s longer work “Believing Women” in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Quran. First, I should mention that I believe that any self-respecting and civilized man should demand that his female mate be his equal–he cannot enter into a relationship with an inferior being because that is damaging to his own self-respect. If I love a woman, I should love her as an infinitely respected person, not as a “woman” who is somehow categorically inferior to men. I dislike the label “feminist” because I believe focusing exclusively on the rights and issues of any particular group of humans (women, children, men, Sunni Muslims, Jews) always invariably leads to injustice because it promotes a lack of empathy toward those who are excluded. It is far more civilized, humane and constructive to focus on the rights and issues of infinitely respected, dignified and inviolable persons regardless of what grouping they belong to. Just because a boy or man happens to have male sex organs is in no way, shape or form a good reason to consider his emotions and sufferings of any less importance than a woman’s. In fact, I believe there is something deeply misogynistic about the feminist worldview (not necessarily shared by all feminists) that women are somehow the perpetual victims of history who were little more than animals controlled by men, lacking any sort of courage, agency or self-assertion. I rather subscribe to the worldview that women were full partakers in history–they chose, they self-asserted, they contributed, they were as much full-human members of their societies as the men were. The theory of the patriarchy is the misogynistic theory that men are somehow, miraculously, capable of keeping women at an inferior position compared to themselves, in something of a master-slave relation, perpetually. Are women so mentally and spiritually inferior to men that they should have put up with such a dynamic for all of history until a few feminists came along to enlighten them? I believe this is incredibly demeaning toward women’s courage and capabilities. Yes, throughout history there were various restrictions on women–but the crucial factor is that the women themselves helped maintain these restrictions. They were not like herd animals controlled by men as patriarchy theory claims–they were full partakers in their civilizations who accepted and supported the particular treatment of women in their societies. Men and women are both equally responsible for the treatment of women in their societies. It is an insult to women and a figment of the imagination to think that the treatment of women in society is entirely or even largely men’s business. I am not saying that things were great for women, but that women themselves, as free human agents, fully contributed to the way women were treated in their societies. Women were not helpless witnesses to the abuse of women as is often portrayed by feminist ideologues. They took part in it, for example by inciting male relatives to keep their wives “in check”, by enjoying the knowledge that a woman they disliked was being abused, and mothers-in-law were throughout the world often quite happy to be utterly abusive toward their female brides. Any theory of women’s status and abuse that ignores women’s support for the abuse of women is ignoring reality for ideological motives. If the treatment of women was unjust in a society, then a brief survey of the same society would show us that the men too suffered various forms of mistreatment despite their greater freedom of movement. The problem of their societies was not some anti-female conspiracy, it was a lack of appreciation for the rights and dignity of persons. And if the rights and dignity of persons is appreciated and promoted throughout society, women naturally become men’s equals without any need for feminism promoting women’s rights in particular. If you see the infinitely respected person inside a woman, then her woman-ness becomes completely irrelevant to how you love her and treat her. Her personhood is so incredibly important that her sex organs have no way to overshadow it. Why can’t we have a larger movement inclusive of both men and women that promotes the rights and equality of all persons regardless of their gender or race? This is in fact what classical humanism promotes. Not the arrogant secular humanism that considers humans somehow perfect and needless of guidance, but the humble, self-aware humanism of philosophers like Tzvetan Todorov inspired by the great French humanists. If we take to heart humanist teachings about the dignity and inviolability of persons, this automatically embraces all that moderate feminism truly stands for while avoiding the harms that come from focusing exclusively on the interests of a particular group of humans. The founding myth of today’s feminism can thus be summarized as “Women were always subhuman until we feminists came to correct matters.” Believing Women in Islam fully assumes the truth of this myth and relies on it for its analysis, and for this reason it has little to offer beyond rehashing already-existing feminist views. Barlas and Finn write, regarding the apparent lack of sufficient emphasis on women’s rights in the Quran and Sunnah: God either (1) could not locate or (2) did not care about misogynistic practices in jahili societies. And don't think these stark alternatives are the end of the problem for patriarchal apologists. If God is all-knowing, God either knew and cared or failed to note or care about future generations. There is a third possibility that they disregard due to the limits of their feminist framework. The third possibility is that women, as full partakers in human civilization, are able to fend for themselves. They support the treatment of women in their own societies even if it has unjust elements the way men support the treatment of men in their societies even if there are unjust elements to this treatment. Their worldview envisions half of society as somehow asleep, or as inferior humans, animals, who were somehow totally incapable of controlling and directing the course of their civilizations. This is utter nonsense–a figment of the feminist imagination. Women are full humans and they are as much responsible for the nature and elements of their civilization as the men are. The Quran and Sunnah lack feminist verses because they consider men and women already equal before God, already equal partakers in civilization, and therefore in no need of classifying one gender against the other and constantly telling one gender to be nice to the other because in this there would be an inherent misogyny. Telling men to be feminist toward women tells them that women are inferior creatures, children, who must be treated not as equals, but as inferiors deserving favors. It is much better and more intelligent for the Quran to simply treat all Muslims as persons, knowing that the men and women are together full partakers in civilization and require no special motivation for one side to avoid mistreating the other–because they are already equal, already they have equal power to shape, form and control their civilization and fend for themselves. The “patriarchy” is the myth that men are clever enough, powerful enough, and women inferior enough, stupid enough, for men to have a position of privilege over women that women are totally incapable of doing anything about. This is a rather low opinion to have of any human, male or female. Regarding the hijab-related verses of the Quran, they write: But the so-called modesty verses are specifically addressed to the Prophet and are advisory, not compelling. They are counsel, not commands. Cloaks and shawls in that era covered bosoms and necks, not heads, faces, hands, or feet. Moreover, the counsel was designed specifically to differentiate believing women in Mecca from slaves and prostitutes at a time when jahili men commonly abused both. The jilbab marked believing women as off-limits. What they recommend is what I call “historical localization” of the Quran. The Quranic verses on the hijab were meant for a specific time and place and not for another. I refute this view of the hijab verses in this article. So here is the question: Are Barlas and Finn willing to give women the right to interpret these verses for themselves? And if 99% of devout women interpret these verses as requiring the hijab in the modern world, are Barlas and Finn willing to admit that as full humans, these women have the right to interpret these verses in this way even if it goes against the interpretation of the two of them? I believe in a pluralistic Islam (see my essay) and in autonomous consensus (see my essay). This means that while I respect Barlas and Finn’s particular interpretation of the hijab verses for themselves, I reject any suggestion that this interpretation is any more valid or authoritative than the common interpretation of believing women themselves of these verses–who believe that the verses require the hijab even in the modern world. True feminism requires that you respect the personhood of each woman, and that means respecting them even when they partake in their civilization in a way that you do not like. She is as much a human as you are and you have no right to force your views on her. Barlas and Finn do say that some women wear the hijab as a personal choice for modesty. But it seems that they only consider this a valid choice if it comes out of a person’s personal desire rather than out of their adherence to the classical interpretation of the hijab verses. In other words, the two of them are not pluralists. They believe ignoring the hijab verses is the only correct interpretation and, if I am not mistaken, they deny the majority of Muslim women the right to interpret the verses in the classical way. Regarding the famous “wife-beating” verse of 4:34 which establishes the concept of qiwāma (men being in charge of their households), they write: Many Arabic-English versions mistranslate the key word, qawwamun, then use that to explicitly claim that the verse asserts male privilege: "Men are in charge of women," "Men are protectors," "Men are the managers of the affairs of women," "Men are superior to [women]." Both "maintainers" and "breadwinners" are by all accounts warranted by the Arabic meaning of the word qawwamun. Male privilege, however, is neither suggested nor implied. So how was that conclusion reached? This is a rather weak line of argumentation. As I discuss in my detailed analysis of verse 4:34 and the issue of wife-beating, the word qawwāmūn is inescapably related to command and being in charge, as one of the earliest exegetes of the Quran, the Prophet’s Companion Ibn ʿAbbās, says. What makes it inescapable is that the verse clearly states that God has given men a “superiority in rank” to women and goes from mentioning qawwāmūn to mentioning the issue of discipline. If this word was merely about men being bread-winners, then it is rather silly to mention (1) a superiority in rank and (2) suddenly switch mid-verse to the issue of discipline. But if the word has to do with authority in the household as all classical exegetes agree, then it makes perfect sense that the issue of discipline would immediately come up. Their denial of the classical interpretation of this verse therefore requires breathtaking leaps of logic–it is almost as incredible as arguing that the color black is actually white and that it has been only considered black due to a patriarchal conspiracy. The feminist author Amina Wadud recognized the weakness of this line of argumentation and abandoned her efforts to reinterpret them. Barlas and Finn are unable to come up with any interpretation of verse 4:34 that preserves the ordinary meaning of wa-ḍribūhunna (“and strike them”) that does not encourage violence against women, and for this reason they are forced to use the unconvincing argument that this word is not being used to mean striking. Again, in the free market of ideas that Islam should be, people should be free to understand the Quran on their own terms. And it would be no surprise if history continues to support the classical reading, since it is so obvious and convincing. As for how wife-beating could ever be a thing in a civilized and self-respecting society, I discuss it in detail in my essay on the verse. The short of it is that after establishing men’s authority in the household, the Quran needs to give men the power to enforce this authority (authority without enforcement power is largely useless), and very similar to the way the police is given the right to use violence in extreme circumstances, men too are given this “policing right”. Please read the full essay where I discuss how this does not lead to a reign of terror of the husbands, just as in a well-functioning society the police never have to use violence. If a man’s violence against his wife is unjust, unjustified and abusive, then that is punishable by the Islamic law of scholars like Ibn Ḥazm. I agree with Amina Wadud that wife-beating has no place among self-respecting and mature adults. This is beyond doubt. Wife-beating should be considered absurd and taboo by the average Muslim. But as I discuss in the essay, the verse has nothing to do with well-functioning, middle class marriages. Verse 4:34 continued to give me trouble until recently when I realized it was about law-enforcement and social order. Please read the essay for the details. It may be asked how could a man respect his wife as an equal if he is given “authority” in his household? It is similar to the way a project manager respects his colleagues who work under him as equals. He does not treat them as inferior humans, he knows that he has been given authority by the higher ups in order for the enterprise to function properly. In the same way, a man is entrusted with authority by God in order for the household to function properly. Why is it given to men and not women? The answer is that because men and women are different. See the recent book Evolution’s Empress: Darwinian Perspectives on the Nature of Women which was published by Oxford University Press. The book covers the theories of the great feminist anthropologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy in detail. There are important differences between males and females in all primates, including humans, both in physical and psychological traits. God’s justification for giving men authority over women must have something to do with these traits. I am aware that pseudoscientific arguments have often been abused by some of the religious to justify low opinions about women (they are emotional, etc.). I do not in anyway suggest that science conclusively shows that patriarchal family organization is the best. What I argue is that science shows that there are clear differences between men and women, therefore it is not entirely implausible that such differences can be the basis for different roles in the family. Much further scientific research will be needed to show the correctness or falsity of this assertion. Is I have stated, from God’s perspective, men and women are already equal partakers in civilization. By giving men authority over women, God’s purpose is for families to function better. So the scientific question is this: do devout Muslim families that respect this authority function better than other families or not? Is there more happiness or less? Is there more dysfunction, drug abuse and depression in such families or in others? Detailed and unbiased scientific studies would be required to test the full effects of this patriarchal social organization. My contention is that giving men authority in the household leads to objectively better results for everyone involved, including women. It is the final results, the objective effects, that matter here, rather than theoretical discussions about whether this is fair or unfair. If a woman is made happier by her husband being in charge of the household, what right do you have to take this away from her? Should you not respect her as a person to choose for herself what she is most happy with? If 99% or 90% of devout Muslim women are perfectly happy with men being authorities in the household, what right do you have to attack them for this? It is highly misogynistic to think that all of these women are somehow brainwashed or like herd animals incapable of thinking for themselves–unfortunately a very common, elitist feminist worldview. The book deals with the issue of two women witnesses’ testimonies being equal to one man’s. This is not a matter I have studied deeply so I do not have much to say about it. I believe that the only thing that would settle the debate in this case is unbiased and detailed scientific studies that show how men and women differ in their accuracy as witnesses. If they are shown to be equal, then this can help us interpret the verse’s meaning better. And if it shown that women and men differ, then those differences should be taken into account. The writers attack the Islamic toleration for polygyny (having multiple wives), apparently believing that this is inherently unjust to women. But as A.S. Amin shows in his book Conflicts of Fitness: Islam, America, and Evolutionary Psychology, there are strong arguments for polygyny actually improving women’s status and well-being. Again, if two consenting female adults agree to be wives to the same man, and if we respect each female as an infinitely respected person, then we should leave it to themselves to make the choice. Polygyny is somewhat taboo in perhaps all middle class, cosmopolitan Muslim societies, and I consider that a good thing since I do not like men making their wives unhappy by finding new (often younger) wives to be their competitors. But there are cases where it is beneficial, so if a society is properly well-educated and cosmopolitan, we can trust the men and women to make the appropriate choices in most cases. Believing Women in Islam ends with a discussion of the issues inherent in interpreting the Quran. The book is a good summary of the latest feminist arguments against various unjust practices against women, although it offers nothing new as far as I could find compared to other feminist works like the 2015 book Men in Charge?. Its attacks on concepts like the hijab and qiwāma are likely to prove futile since it is unlikely that most devout Muslim women would find their arguments convincing. It will likely give hope to women already avoiding the hijab and living somewhat feminist lifestyles that their way of life is not entirely invalid in Islamic terms (whether such hope is justified or not is another issue). But when it comes to the Muslim community as a whole, we can expect it to continue just as before–slowly improving its treatment of women as its appreciation for humanist ideals like personhood improves, while continuing to hold onto the plain meaning of the Quranic directives. Ikram Hawramani / Feb 18, 2019 03:43 PM / No Comments on The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology by Tim Winter / 90 views Tagged book reviews \| Cambridge Companions \| Timothy Winter The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology is a good introduction to the topic of Islamic theology and its relationship with Sufism. It was edited by Timothy Winter, known to Muslims as Shaykh Abd al-Hakim Murad. The essays are by many well-known and highly respected scholars, such as Shaykh Umar Faruq Abd-Allah and Yahya Michot. The essays are mostly introductions to their topics and do not delve too deeply into the details. In fact many of them end right when things seemed to start to get interesting to me, for example Steffen A. J. Stelzer’s highly interesting chapter on ethics. The book could have as well been titled An Introduction to Islamic Theology. This makes it different from other Cambridge Companions I have read where scholars delve deeply and present new interpretations and theories of their own. Here the scholars almost entirely limit themselves to presenting overviews of the topics they discuss, which is beneficial for beginners to the topic, but not so beneficial for those wishing for detailed discussions. The two exceptions are Steffen A. J. Stelzer’s essay on ethics and Toby Mayer’s essay on theology and Sufism, which present new and interesting analysis. Ikram Hawramani / Feb 18, 2019 08:11 AM / No Comments on The History of Salafism: The Making of Salafism by Henri Lauzière / 85 views Tagged book reviews \| Henri Lauzière \| history of Salafism \| Ibn Taymiyya \| Jamal al-Din al-Afghani \| Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī \| Louis Massignon \| Maḥmūd Shukrī al-Ālūsī \| Muhammad Abduh \| Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali \| Muḥib al-Dīn al-Khaṭīb \| Rashid Rida \| Salafism \| Wahhabism \| ʿAllāl al-Fāsī Henri Lauzière’s 2016 book The Making of Salafism is about how Salafism as we know it today was invented in the 20th century. I discovered Lauzière’s work through reading his 2010 article “The Construction of Salafiyya: Reconsidering Salafism from the Perspective of Conceptual History,” in the International Journal of Middle East Studies. That article overturned many of my assumptions about Salafism that are commonly repeated today by Muslim intellectuals: that it somehow started with Muhammad Abduh (1849 – 1905) and that later on it was “stolen” by Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabis. Henri Lauzière, Northwestern University Associate Professor Lauzière 2010 article presents convincing evidence that Muhammad Abduh never considered himself a “Salafi”, and that the people who originally used the “Salafi” epithet did not usually have today’s Salafism in mind. On the one hand there were scholars like the Syrian Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī (1866 – 1914) and the Iraqi Maḥmūd Shukrī al-Ālūsī (d. 1924) who stood for modernism, criticized the Wahhabis, and considered themselves a followers of theological Salafism, which Western scholars today call Traditionalism. Maḥmūd Shukrī al-Ālūsī This school of thought took its inspiration from Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal (known reverentially as Imam Aḥmad) and among its followers are the imams al-Bukhārī and Muslim and many of the best known members of the Shāfiʿī and Ḥanbalī schools: Abū Ḥāmid al-Isfarāʾīnī (Shāfiʿī), Abū Isḥāq al-Shīrazī (Shāfiʿī), Ibn al-Jawzī (Ḥanbalī), Ibn Ṣalāḥ al-Shāhrazūrī (Shāfiʿī), Imam al-Nawawī (Shāfiʿī), Shams al-Dīn al-Dhahabī (Shāfiʿī), Ibn Taymīya (Ḥanbalī) and Ibn al-Qayyim (Ḥanbalī). This theological Salafism is nothing new within Islam, it is in fact one of the oldest intellectual strains within it and, unlike today’s Salafism, was never a challenger to the madhhabs (schools of thought). Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī In parallel to such theological Salafis, a Salafiyya Bookstore was established in Cairo by Muḥib al-Dīn al-Khaṭīb (d. 1969) and Abd al-Fattāḥ Qatlān (d. 1939). It is clear from the activity of this bookstore that they did not have today’s Salafism in mind either when they used the “Salafi” title, whether in naming their bookstore or their magazine. They published books by philosophers like al-Farabi and were highly modernist in their thinking. “Salafism” to them was the use of Islam’s ancient heritage (including philosophy and kalām, disliked Islamic fields of study according to today’s Salafis) in order to promote a sense of hope and pride among the colonized Muslims of the time. Muhammad Abduh At this point Rashid Rida (1865 – 1935), a disciple of Muhammad Abduh, comes on the scene to promote his vision of Islamic reform. While at first he continued to promote Muhammad Abduh’s teachings, in the 1920’s he started to increasingly describe himself and his movement as “Salafi”. For him, claiming to be “Salafi” was a way of breaking away from the traditional schools of thought without being called a deviant or liberal. By claiming to follow a version of Islam even more authentic and original than the version followed by the scholars of his day, he could break away while maintaining his credentials as a respectable Muslim thinker. Muḥib al-Dīn al-Khaṭīb Things changed with the establishment of the Saudi state and their conquest of Mecca and Medina in 1924. Rashid Rida considered the Saudi state the only viable successor state to the Ottomans and apparently put all of his hopes in them. He started to defend the Wahhabis and their actions, apparently thinking that their ways of thought could eventually be softened and modernized (he was quite wrong). Rashid Rida With the establishment of the Saudi state, the Salafiyya Bookstore largely abandoned its modernist tendencies. With the involvement of Rida, a Salafiyya Press and Bookstore was established in Mecca in 1927 that was little more than a Wahhabi propaganda press, printing works like Ibn Bishr’s pro-Wahhabi History of Najd, in which the slaughter of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians is proclaimed as a great victory (the 1801 Wahhabi sack of Karbala). I recently saw a quotation from Saudi Arabia’s founder Ibn Saud (1871 – 1953) saying that not only was he not sorry that the Wahhabis had engaged in that massacre, but that he would happily do it all over again if he had the chance. This explains Winston Churchill’s opinion of him: The British recognised Ibn Saud's control of Arabia, and by 1922 his subsidy was raised to 100,000 a year by Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill. At the same time, Churchill described Ibn Saud's Wahhabis as akin to the present-day Taliban, telling the House of Commons in July 1921 that they were 'austere, intolerant, well-armed and bloodthirsty' and that 'they hold it as an article of duty, as well as faith, to kill all who do not share their opinions and to make slaves of their wives and children. Women have been put to death in Wahhabi villages for simply appearing in the streets. It is a penal offence to wear a silk garment. Men have been killed for smoking a cigarette.' However, Churchill also later wrote that 'my admiration for him [Ibn Saud] was deep, because of his unfailing loyalty to us', and the British government set about consolidating its grip on this loyalty. In 1917 London had dispatched Harry St John Philby--father of Kim, the later Soviet spy--to Saudi Arabia, where he remained until Ibn Saudi's death in 1953. Philby's role was 'to consult with the Foreign Office over ways to consolidate the rule and extend the influence' of Ibn Said. A 1927 treaty ceded control of the country's foreign affairs to Britain. Professor Mark Curtis, Secret Affairs: Britain's Collusion with Radical Islam Throughout this time, there was no such thing as “Salafism” the way we understand it today. Salafism was a fluid and largely undefined concept that started as a movement to promote the greatness of the ancients of the Islamic world as a way of fighting off the cultural influence of the West. Get it on Amazon. Rashid Rida became increasingly pro-Wahhabi and did everything in his power to support the Saudi state, most importantly sending his own disciples to work in the Saudi educational establishment in the Hijaz. The people of Mecca and Medina had no love for the Wahhabis and considered them backward and ill-educated, while they respected Egyptian scholars and intellectuals. Rashid Rida never became a Wahhabi himself. He continued to maintain his reformist views that the Wahhabis had no interest in while also continuing to write apologetics in support of the Wahhabis. The Making of Salafism That brings us to Lauzière’s 2016 book The Making of Salafism: Islamic Reform in the Twentieth Century. This monograph expands on the 2010 article but adds a major new element with its focus on the career of Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali, the Western-educated Moroccon Sufi who became a modernist reformist and disciple of Rashid Rida only to become increasingly Wahhabized over the decades until he became one of the best known figures of the international Wahhabi mission. Lauzière starts with a discussion of the fact that “Salafism” as we understand it today was completely non-existent before the 20th century. Salafi claims about the existence of a “Salafi” doctrine in the works of great scholars like Ibn Taymiyya are misplaced (although I believe seeds for today’s Salafism do exist in his writings–for example in his refusal to be called a Ḥanbalī, wherein he refused to be defined by madhhab boundaries similar to today’s Salafis). Salafism to them was the well-known Traditionalism I mentioned earlier; it simply meant to refuse to engage in philosophical speculation about the nature of God. It was in no shape or form a worldview that defined everything, nor was it a competitor to the traditional madhhabs. As late as the first two decades of the 20th century, we have textual evidence from Nuʿmān al-Ālūsī, Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī and Muhammad Abduh using “Salafism” to refer only to theological Salafism. Later Rida tried to claim that Abduh was a Salafi in the modern sense, but the complete lack of evidence to that, and evidence to its contrary, show that this was just an effort to revise history. A comical misunderstanding Louis Massignon The great French Orientalist Louis Massignon (1883 – 1962) was in contact with Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī and other scholars and was receiving a magazine published by the Salafiyya Bookstore. In a 1925 paper, Massignon tried to make sense of this new “Salafi” movement and attributed it to Muhammad Abduh and his mentor Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (1838 – 1897). He considered it a reformist and modernist movement founded by these two scholars. This myth of a “reformist Salafism” that continues to be repeated today appears to have originated here with Massignon. Jamal al-Din al-Afghani ʿAllāl al-Fāsī (1910 – 1974), a Moroccan political activist and religious intellectual, appears to have been inspired by Massignon’s writings on Salafism so that he took it up, later becoming one of the main representatives of “modernist Salafism”, which he believed had started with al-Afghani and Abduh. ʿAllāl al-Fāsī This reformist Salafism was everything Massignon thought it was: a movement of religious intellectuals who admired the West, desired reform and wished to restore the glory days of Islamic civilization. Later Westerners who tried to study Salafism really believed that Salafism had started as a reformist movement because they knew of prominent people like al-Fāsī who called themselves Salafis. The reality, of course, was that al-Fāsī had been misled by Massignon’s erroneous writings about the existence of a modernist movement named Salafism into adopting that form of Islam. Therefore the idea that Salafism was “hijacked” by the Wahhabis, as Khaled Abou El-Fadl states in a 2001 article, is incorrect because there was no Salafism at the time to be hijacked. There was one group that called itself Salafi but used it only in the theological sense, as al-Qāsimī did. There was also a modernist group, the Moroccan Salafis, who had taken up the “Salafi” epithet based on Massignon’s writings. There was also Rida, who started to take up the “Salafi” label in the 1920’s despite having no clear idea what exactly it had to mean. He considered the Wahhabis the Islamic world’s best hope for fighting colonialism and therefore defended them despite his misgivings about their beliefs and actions and sometimes wrote absurd articles in which he portrayed the Wahhabis as not so different from the modernist readers of his journal al-Manar. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali (1893 – 1987) is best known in the West for the Saudi-sponsored translation of the Quran known as The Noble Quran, which was written by Muhammad Muhsin Khan and al-Hilali, sometimes referred to as the Hilali-Khan translation. Al-Hilali’s career is a good representation of how Salafism became the Salafism we know today. Al-Hilali’s career is one of the central themes of Lauzière’s book. Al-Hilali was originally a Sufi of the Tijaniyya order. In explaining his abandonment of Sufism, al-Hilali claimed that at one point (in the late 1910’s perhaps or early 1920’s), while praying on a cold night in the desert, he had a vision of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in which the Prophet instructed him to study religious science. When al-Hilali asked him whether to study bātin science (mysticism) or ẓāhir (non-mysticism-related Islamic studies), the Prophet says to study the ẓāhir. Al-Hilali arrived in Egypt in 1922 and soon became a student of Rashid Rida. Later he traveled to India and Iraq. As part of the support of Rida and his disciples for the Saudi state, al-Hilali was invited to work as a teacher in the Saudi educational establishment in 1927. He became faculty supervisor at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. At this time al-Hilali was extremely anti-Sufi and considered Sufism an evil and corrupt doctrine. When he discovered that one of the professors at the Prophet’s Mosque was a Sufi (Alfa Hashim), he wrote an anti-Sufi polemic and gave it to a Wahhabi judge, requesting that Hashim be fired. Hashim, in order to absolve himself from al-Hilali’s accusations, was made to write an anti-Sufi tract in which he condemned various doctrines of the Tijaniyya order. When a Wahhabi scholar Ibn Bulayhid (d. 1940) discovered that al-Hilali was teaching that the earth is round, he made a big fuss and called it a bidʿa (heretical innovation), saying that the proper Islamic doctrine is that the earth is flat. He ordered al-Hilali and Hamza (another Egyptian and Rida disciple) to repent. The rest of the Wahhabi faculty started to treat the two of them as deviants and heretics. Al-Hilali managed to find supporting evidence from Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim’s writings on the earth being round, which made Ibn Bulayhid calm down, although he never admitted to having erred. Rida had to assure his readers in al-Manar that not all Wahhabis believe that the earth is flat. Decades later, al-Hilali voiced support for Ibn Baz’s fatwa in which Ibn Baz declared that (a) the earth is flat and (b) anyone who disagrees with that can be put to death. Al-Hilali spoke French, had spent years in Europe and was very familiar was Western science (and early in his career worked to promote it). It seems unlikely that he would have really accepted the earth’s flatness, therefore his support for Ibn Baz’s fatwa appears to have been nothing but an effort to ingratiate himself with this all-important Saudi religious authority. It is, however, not impossible that later in his life he became so Wahhabized that he could convince himself to prefer Wahhabi “truths” to mere scientific truths. In 1927 Rida had changed his moderate reformist tone so that he start to publish anti-Shia articles by al-Hilali. Rida had hoped that his disciples could spread his ideals of balanced reform among the Wahhabis. But quite the opposite happened. In their eagerness to fit in within the Saudi establishment, nearly all his disciples became increasingly Wahhabized. Between 1930 and 1950 al-Hilali lead a double public life. On the one hand, he supported anti-colonial efforts among all Muslims without caring too much about how deviant their religious doctrines were according to Wahhabi standards. On the other hand, he continued to publish polemics in Wahhabi journals against various Muslim groups he accused of deviance and unbelief. Thus while he was increasingly becoming a Wahhabi purist, he continued to hold onto his ideals for reform and adopted tolerant attitudes toward certain “deviant” Muslim groups when he considered it beneficial to do so, something authentic (Najdi) Wahhabis would have never done. Al-Hilali returned to Morocco at the end of his life, being paid by the Saudi state to continue spreading Wahhabism. From the 1970’s onwards Salafism slowly crystallized into what we know today, largely due to Wahhabi influence. Many individuals came on the scene to define a “Salafi method” for judging legal and theological issues outside the madhhabs. In his conclusion, Lauzière states: The idea of a distinctive Sunni methodology applicable to Islamic theology, law, and virtually all other aspects of the religious and human experience was itself untraditional. Therefore, the purist version of Salafism should not be understood as a medieval or early modern concept or movement. To say that it dates from the time of Ibn Taymiyya or Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab not only is anachronistic but also obfuscates the development of modern Islamic thought. Although many of the ingredients of purist Salafism are old, the recipe and the final product (including the term Salafism) are not. The Making of Salafism is an admirable work of scholarship–thorough and balanced. I looked forward to reading Henri Lauzière’s future works. Ikram Hawramani / Feb 15, 2019 12:13 PM / No Comments on The Crucible of Islam by G. W. Bowersock / 124 views Tagged book reviews \| G. W. Bowersock \| Michael Lecker G. W. Bowersock’s 2017 book The Crucible of Islam is a very brief survey of the religious and political situation of Arabia in the centuries leading up to the coming of Islam. There is mention of the relationship of the Byzantines, Persians and Ethiopians with the Jews and Christians of Yemen and Arabia. The purpose of the book is to shed light on the “crucible” in which Islam was made. Due to the extreme lack of documentary evidence on the situation in Mecca and its surroundings, the book is restricted to retelling the stories of a few major events in the surroundings that may (or may) not have had an important influence in the way Islam came about. The Ethiopians conquered Yemen and Christianized it. The Persians and Byzantines competed for influence over the region through their relationships with allied Arab tribes. I cannot really say that much light has been shed on the crucible of Islam; due to its briefness and the lack of documentary evidence, the book serves mostly to show how little we know about the reality of the facts on the ground. The most interesting thing I learned from this book is Michael Lecker’s theory that the Ghassanids in Medina may have had a role in encouraging the Jews and pagans to unite under the rule the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. The Byzantine emperor Heraclius may have encouraged his clients the Ghassanids to do this in order to ensure that the Persians did not regain influence over the Medina region. Below are some notes on (mostly minor) issues and errors that I encountered in my reading. On page 39 he says there are no daughters of Allah mentioned in the Quran. While it is true that no daughters of Allah are mentioned by name, the Quran does contain mention of the pagans attributing daughters to Allah: Glen Bowersock, Professor of Ancient History at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. And they attribute to God daughters—exalted is He—and for themselves what they desire. (The Quran, verse 16:57) Ask them, “Are the daughters for your Lord, while for them the sons?” (The Quran, verse 37:149) Or for Him the daughters, and for you the sons? (The Quran, verse 52:39) He considers the Wars of Apostasy an inappropriate label because he assumes they were majorly aimed at false prophets like Musaylama. But according to Muslim sources these wars were aimed first at tribes that refused to pay the zakat which they had paid during the time of the Prophet PBUH. The war on Musaylama was a sequel to these, and rather than being directed at extinguishing a rival religion specifically, the war was an act of statecraft; Musaylama had established a state that was at war with the Muslim state, and the Muslim state responded. He mentions the word ukhdūd as referring to the Trenches in the Battle of the Trench, even though the name universally used is khandaq. He mentions that chapter 85 of the Quran al-Burūj commemorates this battle when there is no relationship between the chapter and the battle whatsoever. This chapter in fact commemorates that killing of Christians by Yemeni Jews, a chapter of pre-Islamic history that Bowersock himself mentions often. The chapter of Quran the actually commemorates the Battle of the Trench is chapter 33, al-Aḥzāb (“The Confederates”). He mentions that the relics of the True Cross had been moved to Baghdad in 614, possibly meaning al-Madāʾin because Baghdad did not exist at the time. He says that the Prophet’s cousin ʿAlī b. Abū Ṭalib did not belong to the Quraysh tribe but to the Banū Hāshim, confusing clan differences with tribal differences. Banū Hāshim were actually a clan within Quraysh. He mentions that the Prophet PBUH “reconstructed” the Kaʿba. The phrasing implies that he did this as part of his mission. There is no evidence as far as I know that the Prophet PBUH made any changes to the Kaʿba. He had taken part in repairs to the Kaʿba before he became a prophet. His treatment of the Dome of the Rock seems to suggest that he is unaware that the mosque (al-Masjid al-Aqṣā) is actually the original mosque that was established on the Mount. He expects the traveler Arculf to have seen the rock in the mosque, but since the mosque does not actually include the rock and is hundreds of meters away from it, it is quite natural that Arculf does not mention the rock. The Dome of the Rock itself is not a mosque but merely a shrine. Ikram Hawramani / Feb 12, 2019 11:08 AM / No Comments on The Closing of the Muslim Mind and the Decline of Islamic Civilization / 96 views Tagged book reviews \| Islamic civilization \| Islamic science \| Robert R. Reilly A response to Robert R. Reilly’s book The Closing of the Muslim Mind: How Intellectual Suicide Created the Modern Islamist Crisis. Last I year I published then took down an early version of this essay. This is the updated version (also published as chapter 3 of my book An Intelligent Person’s Guide to Understanding Islam and Muslims). In his essay “The Problem of Islamic Decadence”, the British historian J. J. Saunders (1910 – 1972) mentions the many theories that Westerners have proposed to explain why Muslims went from being the all-powerful rulers of the world to being backward and politically weak. Considering Islamic civilization a weak and backward one is a relatively new thing. Saunders writes: Not until the Age of Enlightenment did the West awake to the fact that its enemy and former mentor had slipped so far behind: only then were attempts made to account for this decline. Up to the end of the seventeenth century Islam presented the appearance of great strength and viguor, at least politically: the three leading Muslim States, the Ottoman Empire, Safavid Persia and Mogul India, ranked among the world’s great powers, and even the Sharifian kingdom of Morocco was treated with respect by Christian nations as late as the age of Louis XIV. Around 1700 there was a noticeable change. The final repulse of the Turks from Vienna (1683), the Christian reconquest of Hungary, and the Peace of Carlowitz (1699), registered the unmistakable decay of Ottoman might. The death of Awrangzib (1707) was followed by the rapid disintegration of the Mogul Empire. The fall of the Safavid dynasty (1722) ended the political greatness of Persia.[1] Among undeniable signs of the decline of Islamic civilization were the fact that the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb needed a Dutch passport to perform the Hajj in 1706,[2] and the fact that the Ottomans were so geographically ignorant that they were taken aback by the appearance of a Russian fleet in the Mediterranean in 1770, not knowing that the Baltic Sea was connected to the Atlantic Ocean according to Saunders.[3] As early as 1670, a European traveler through Persia and India noticed the lack of intellectual curiosity and the low technological sophistication of these lands.[4] The French intellectuals Montesquieu (1689-1755) and Voltaire (1694-1778) and the English historian Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) blamed government tyranny and mismanagement for the state of Muslim societies.[5] Ernest Renan, one of the most prominent intellectuals of the 19th century, blamed Islamic theology. According to Renan: Only by freeing themselves from the paralysing grip of the Koran and the Law could the Muslim people hope to contribute again to the general advance of civilisation.[6] Since Renan, the idea that Islam causes backwardness has been thoroughly taken up by the West’s intelligentsia so that it is taken for a fact these days—despite its banality and its sociologically amateur understanding of the functioning human societies. The works of Samuel Huntington and Bernard Lewis are a more sophisticated restatement of Renan’s ideas. One of the latest contributions to this field of Islam-blaming is The Closing of the Muslim Mind: How Intellectual Suicide Created the Modern Islamist Crisis by Robert R. Reilly.[7] This essay focuses on a critique of Reilly’s writing while introducing an alternative, and far more plausible, explanation. Reilly argues that the Islamic theological doctrine of predestination and other Ash’arite—the dominant theological framework within Sunni Islam—teachings have driven Muslims to a fatalistic, anti-intellectual dead-end, a “suicide” as Reilly describes it, quoting Fazlur Rahman (1919 – 1988), the famous Pakistani Islamic intellectual. Reilly’s thesis is that scholarly theological positions hamper Muslim curiosity and intellectual achievement. He asserts that religious scholars and their doctrines have the power to put a damper on the freedom of thought among Muslims. In his rather depressing vision, intelligent Muslims are almost mind-controlled by a fatalistic Islam, and if only they would abandon this version of Islam, they would, as if by magic, acquire the ability to stop being narrow-minded and develop into full human beings. As is sadly typical of Western discourses about Islam, Reilly compares the very worst examples of the people of the Middle East with the best of the West, and from this highly skewed comparison he concludes that Islam must be the reason why the Middle East is not doing as well as the West. If Reilly is right that the presently dominant version of Islam causes narrow-mindedness and is tantamount to “intellectual suicide”, then we would expect the intellectual elite of the Muslim world to be severely affected by this suicidal doctrine. Men and women who would have been scientists and inventors in a different reality would instead be narrow-minded and anti-intellectual worshipers at the feet of the religious scholars. It sounds like the set-up for a good story, but is there any reality to this scenario? The question to ask is: are city-dwelling, cosmopolitan Muslims hampered in their intellectual curiosity by theological doctrines? Reilly’s answer should be yes. These people would be responsible for intellectual progress; but there is supposedly little intellectual progress, therefore these people are instead narrow-minded anti-intellectuals who need to be freed from harmful Islamic doctrines. In the Reilly’s imagination, Muslim hordes listen to their religious scholars then zealously go on to implement whatever backward thing said scholars recommend. But in the world of reality, like George Eliot’s Christians and George Orwell’s proletarian Catholics, Muslims politely listen to the preachers at the Friday sermons, then go out to think whatever they themselves choose to think. If the sermon makes sense within their personal, familial and cultural conceptual frameworks, they may be motivated to slightly change their behavior in response to it. And if it did not survive this critique, the content will simply be ignored. And if a preacher insults their intelligence or conscience one too many times, they will simply stop attending their sermons and find another mosque to go to (if one is available). If not, they may go to the sermon as late as possible to catch the obligatory performance of the communal prayer after sermon ends, as I have seen some Muslims do. Reilly writes: There are people in Saudi Arabia today who still do not believe man has been on the moon. This is not because they are ignorant; it is because accepting the fact that man was on the moon would mean also accepting the chain of causal relationships that put him there, which is simply theologically unacceptable to them. Reilly quotes things like the above, thinking that they are somehow representative of all Muslims, when: Saudi’s cosmopolitan Muslims would find that just as laughable as any Westerner. There are perhaps tens of thousands of Americans who do not believe the moon landings ever happened. A quick search on Amazon.com for “moon landing hoax” brings up dozens of books. Saudi Arabia, this supposed capital of Islamic backwardness, now produces more scientific research[8] than Hungary, Thailand, New Zealand, Israel or Romania.[9] Whether Saudi’s Wahhabi preachers dislike the country’s research institutions or not, the Muslim population not only tolerates them, but is proud of them and their achievements. In 2010, the Saudi website al-Weeam reported that a female Saudi student had come first in her class at Southampton University in England. The article led to 88 comments, most of which praised her achievement. A few of the usual suspects were present to mention how she was suffering moral decay by being in England, but these were the exception “that proves the rule”; most readers found positive value in her achievement and expressed pride in it.[10] An illustration of the independence of the Muslim mind from religious scholars is the way Iran’s middle class rejects the Shia practice of temporary marriage, rightly recognizing it as legalized prostitution[11], despite scholarly approval for it. Egypt is a very conservative country, yet its scientific output has increased from 4,515 scientific research papers published in 2005 to 17,300 in 2016. It is common to brush such data aside by saying this progress is happening despite Islam. Even if the research institutions that are producing these papers are staffed by devout Muslims, this is brushed aside by saying that they are not really Muslim in their hearts, that they have abandoned parts of Islam and this enables them to be rational and human. In this way, all actual cases of Muslims acting rationally, acting as intelligent and modern creatures, are dismissed in order to maintain the narrative that Islam promotes irrationality. Western pundits preemptively close all doors to data that would prove their theses wrong; any data about real Muslims behaving intelligently, rationally and humanistically is inadmissible to them (they are not real Muslims, or they are doing what they do despite Islam), while all data showing otherwise is admissible. Reilly, as many other pundits, considers Wahhabism somehow a natural form of Islam that has the danger of spreading to all Muslim minds. This is despite the fact it is likely only practiced by less than 1% of the world’s Muslims, largely sponsored by Saudi Arabia, and despite the fact that the vast majority of Muslims strongly dislike it. When the Wahhabi Ibn Saud conquered Mecca and Medina with the help of British funding[12] in the 1920’s, the people of these two cities so strongly disliked Wahhabi preachers that he had to import clerics from Egypt.[13] Reilly has to focus on Wahhabism because he is trying to explain why Islam is causing so much terrorism.[14] Like almost all of those who try to answer this question, he tries to find the reasons for Islamic terrorism within Islamic cultures and societies, ignorant of the fact Islamic terrorism is very much a 20th century phenomenon triggered by colonial rule in Egypt, the Jewish ethnic cleansing of Palestine[15], and the US arming, training and funding of the Wahhabi Taliban and al-Qaeda organizations in the 1980’s in order to weaken the Soviet Union.[16] Instead of trying to look blindly grope inside Muslim minds for the causes of Islamic terrorism, Reilly would probably do much better to call up a few of his friends at the Pentagon.[17] The decline of Islamic science The rise of the rationalist Mu’tazilites coincided with the rise of Islamic science in the 9th century, and the fall of the Mu’tazilites and the rise of Ash’arites in the 11th century coincided with the fall of Islamic science. Reilly considers it his most important contribution to the discussion of the decline of Islam to suggest that the abandonment of Mu’tazilite doctrine and the adoption of the less intellectual Ash’arite doctrine was a cause for the decline and fall of Islamic civilization. For him this correlation equals causation. During the period of decline that started from 900 CE onward, the Abbasid empire suffered repeated Turkic invasions. The same process that caused the decline and fall of the Roman Empire (centuries of barbarian invasions causing a breakdown in urban networks of professionalism and trade) happened to Islam from the 10th century to the 15th century. The West was spared this process during the same period so that it enjoyed a Renaissance in peace just as the Turkic Mahmud of Ghazni was carrying on his slaughter of cosmopolitan and productive Iranian cities. Baghdad was the center of Abbasid science and philosophy, which was largely conducted by Iranians coming from the great Persian-speaking cities of Central Asia. These cities were one by one decimated by the Turkic and Mongol invasions, and Baghadad itself never recovered from the destruction of its irrigation system by the Mongols.[18] Two centuries after the Mongols, the Turkic warlord Tamerlane re-destroyed Baghdad even more thoroughly than the Mongols had managed.[19] Russia and Poland, the only significant areas of the West that suffered Mongol and Turkic invasions during the same period, were until recently just as famous for being backward and undeveloped as the Muslim lands, despite being Christian lands. John Saunders writes: Since the conversion of Northmen and the Magyars around 1000, Western Europe had been completely free from this scourge. The Mongols, who devastated Russia as thoroughly as they did Western Asia, got as far as Silesia in 1241 before their leaders were obliged to return home in order to elect a new Great Khan. Had they pressed westwards to the Rhine and the Atlantic and overrun Germany, Italy and France, which they could probably have done with ease, there would have been no Renaissance, and the West, like Russia, would have taken centuries to reconstruct the shattered fabric of its civilisation. Western Europe has perhaps never properly appreciated its good fortune in escaping conquest by the last and most dreadful of the invaders from the steppes of Asia. It emerged from the Dark Ages in the eleventh century, at the very time when the first barbarian blows were being struck at the world of Islam, and it was able from then onwards to build up a new civilisation on the Atlantic fringe of the Eurasian continent uninterrupted by the raids and devastations of Turks or Mongols or Bedouins. Now that the destruction brought by the barbarian invasions has been repaired and trade has resumed, we should take another look at Muslim societies and see whether things are changing or not. Islam has not changed greatly in the past 200 years. Muslims continue to consider the Quran the literal Word of God and the hadith collections of al-Bukhārī and Muslim as canons of the faith. If Renan, Lewis and Reilly are right that Islamic theology is causing a closing of the Muslim mind (John Saunders, too, considers Islam a potential negative influence), we would expect little change to have taken place after the restoration of peace, because they tell us that it is the Muslims’ Islamic beliefs that is making them backward and decadent, not something outside of Islam, such as historical circumstances. Today, throughout the Muslim world there is great interest in philosophy, in science, in literature. The top 6 Muslim-majority countries in terms of population (Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran and Turkey) have increased their scientific output by three to ten times in the past ten years alone. Iran now publishes more scientific research papers in peer-reviewed journals than Sweden, Poland or Belgium. Muslims are sending their children to Western-inspired universities by the millions. In Iran and Egypt, most Western bestsellers are translated and published a year or two after their publication in the West. It is breathtakingly ignorant to color one’s understanding of the Muslim societies of today by prejudices inspired by the decaying societies of 1000-1900. Islamic theology has remained the same, yet everything else is changing. The Scientific Revolution was the edge of edges that enabled Europe to rule the world until the year 2000. It has only been in the past 20 years (since the 1990’s) that the nations outside of Europe, Muslim and non-Muslim, discovered the importance of formal scientific research. Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, India and China realized they would forever be second-class citizens on the world stage, clients of Europe, as long as they did not have a system for churning out discoveries as Europe did. All of the 20th century was a difficult lesson for the third world in learning that, to keep up with Europe, it is not sufficient to copy its technologies; one needs to recreate its scientific research culture. Only this enables one to have the well-educated and well-equipped men and women needed to develop the blades of aircraft engines and the connectors used in supercomputers. At the moment that I am writing this, we stand at the moment in history when the non-European world has finally realized the essential necessity for scientists. China went from publishing 28,000 scientific papers in 1996 to over 400,000 in 2016. Recently it was announced that China had surpassed the United States in its output to become the world’s number one publisher of scientific research.[20] Iran has seen even more dramatic growth, going from less than 1000 papers in 1996 to over 47,000 in 2016. Similar growth can be seen in all major Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia. We are now in a major turning point in history, perhaps as important as that in 1600 when Western Europe became the world’s supreme civilization. The thing that gave Europe its permanent edge over the past centuries no longer solely belongs to it. The culture of scientific inquiry is being recreated throughout the world, so that today any of Egypt, Iran, India or Malaysia is likely perfectly capable of carrying science forward even if Europe and the United States were to vanish from the world. A theory that blames Islam for the Islamic world’s status today will have to tell us that this recent realization of the crucial importance of science to national prowess and prosperity is going to make little difference as long as Muslims remain devout. We are supposedly backward because of Islam, not because of historical circumstances. But a quick comparison between Muslim countries and their non-Muslim equivalents in the next section shows that this is just a figment of the imagination; these nations are remaining devout Muslims while embracing science. We Muslims are often given the nonsensical choice of either choosing to be human or choosing to be Muslim, and in Western works like S. Frederick Starr’s Lost Enlightenment and Christopher de Bellaigue’s The Islamic Enlightenment, the writers make it amply clear that they could never see eye-to-eye with a faithful and devout Muslim (who is invariably an enemy of rationality and intellectual progress). They cannot conceive of someone as intelligent as themselves (or God forbid, more intelligent) being a faithful Muslim. Caught between Western discussions of often imaginary Muslims are actual, living and breathing Muslims who are experiencing no crisis, who are happy to engage in intellectual pursuits, and who while respecting the religious scholars, do not take them seriously when what they say goes against reason and conscience. Are Muslim doctors systematically avoiding intellectual inquiry because of Ash’arite indoctrination? This is such an incredibly outlandish thought that it would make most Muslims laugh. Are Muslim parents systematically forbidding their children from reading Western classics and studying the humanities at Western universities? No. They see no conflict between intellectual inquiry and Islam because to them there is no conflict, and it is their opinion that matters; it is they who make Islam’s history. Imaginary Muslims live in Muslim “no-go zones”, do not read except strict religious literature, do everything the scholars tell them, and keep their women in cages. Real Muslims live wherever they want, read whatever they like, are respectful but inwardly skeptical toward the religious scholars and treat their women according to whatever their human instincts and cultures demand. It is time that we started considering real Muslims in our discussions of Islam. Imaginary Muslims need to be taught reason, rationality and humanism. Actual Muslims do not—they have already embraced these ideas and integrated them into their own lives. In just a single century the Islamic world’s scientific output has increased by orders of magnitude, nearly all Muslim families have started to send their children to secular universities that have popped up all over the Muslim lands, and almost all Muslim countries have adopted some form of constitutional democracy. This, I believe, is sufficient progress for just one century. Harmful theology? The Ash’arites (represented by al-Ghazālī and others) said that God is capable of willing anything. Reilly thinks this shows a dangerous moral relativism within Islam, since it tells us that God’s nature is totally arbitrary. But this is fantastical nonsense; a Muslim cannot perform the obligatory prayer without referring to God as the Gracious, the Merciful, multiple times, amounting to a minimum of 36 times a day. Can a theological idea that the majority of Muslims have never even heard of[21] somehow override this consistent emphasis on God’s attributes of grace and mercy? Reilly writes that the elimination of cause and effect “makes prediction impossible”. He refers to the case of certain Islamic scholars getting weather forecasts banned between 1983-1984 as evidence. But his evidence actually takes away from his thesis; even in a traditional and supposedly backward country like Pakistan, the ulema could not get weather forecasts banned for more than a year. The scholars won for one year and consistently lost every single year before and after that—despite Pakistan remaining very much a conservative Muslim country. The sensible conclusion is not that Muslims believe in irrationalist nonsense, but that they reject nonsense even if it comes from their religious scholars. The Safavids and Qajars were not Ash’arites, they were in fact Shia who maintained respect for the opposing rationalist Mu’tazilite tradition, yet they were no more open to intellectual inquiry than the Ash’arite Ottomans. Additionally, today Ash’arite Sunni countries like Egypt, Turkey and Malaysia are not behind non-Ash’arite Iran and Azerbaijan in science and intellectual inquiry. Both the past and the present show that Ash’arite theology is useless as a predictor of the openness or closedness of the Muslim mind. If religious scholars abuse Islamic theology to attack common sense, Muslims will feel embarrassed that their religion has to be represented by such people. Reilly continually uses the excesses of certain minor sects and political groups in their support for unreasonable policies as proof for Ash’arite theology’s extreme influence, despite the fact that the majority of Muslims consider these groups unrespectable and unworthy of attention. George Makdisi mentions an interesting case of theological abuse by a scholar: The Spanish grammarian Ibn Mada’ (d. 592/1196) wrote a refutation of the concept of the regent (‘āmil: regens) in grammar, on the basis that government belongs to God alone. The author, applying the Ash’ari theological view to grammar, denies the power of the regent on the basis that desinential inflections are really the result of God’s acts; they are merely attributed (kasb) to man. Needless to say that this view had no success in the field of grammar.[22] A person who views Islam as an anti-intellectual force will consider the above “typical” of Islam. But Makdisi, who understands the functioning of real-world Islamic societies, considers it “needless to say” that this absurd abuse of theology was not taken seriously by Muslims. The quoted anecdote does not show that Ash’arism had a negative influence on Muslim minds, it in fact shows the opposite; Muslims by and large do not accept nonsense even when dressed in the language of religion. It is tempting for an intellectual, especially a Westerner, to think of himself or herself as a knight in shining armor chosen to rid the Muslim world of its backwardness, chosen to bring the Muslims out of the darkness of faith into the light of reason. But such a person, if they were to go to cosmopolitan places like Cairo or Tehran, and if they were to have dinner at a devout cosmopolitan Muslim’s home, will find that there is no need for the battering ram of reason and rationality they brought with themselves. The closed gates of the Muslim mind are an illusion; there are no gates. Look at the books sold on the streets of Cairo, Tehran or Baghdad. The openness of the Islamic world of today to ideas from around the world would shock medieval Islamic theologians (and medieval Christian theologians). Even in the Islamic theocracy of Iran the books of freethinkers like Avicenna and the latest Western bestsellers are not merely tolerated but celebrated. This alone should be sufficient to show that the idea of “closed” Muslim societies and minds is uninformed fantasizing. [1] J. J. Saunders, Muslims & Mongols: Essays on Medieval Asia, ed. G.W. Rice, Christchurch: University of Canterbury and Whitcoulli Limited, 1977, 27. [2] Eric Tagliacozzo, The Longest Journey, 26. [3] Saunders, Muslims & Mongols, 106. [7] Robert R. Reilly, The Closing of the Muslim Mind: How Intellectual Suicide Created the Modern Islamist Crisis, Wilmington: ISI Books, 2010. [8] 18,953 research papers in 2016 according to Scimago Journal and Country Rank. [9] Perhaps the larger part of Saudi’s scientific growth is due to the importation of foreign scientists. But the fact that the Saudis are willing to spend billions of dollars on research, and the fact that the Saudi population is not up in arms against this scientific growth but actually supports it should give us pause. [10] Sālim al-Shaybānī, “Mutaba`ithah saudiyyah tuhaqiq injaz ilmi wa tatafawwaq al-talabah al-baritaniyyin fi jami`atihim”, Alweeam, December 1, 2010, weam.co/4351 (retrieved January 27, 2018). [11] One can marry someone for a day as long as a cleric is present to officiate the wedding. [12] See Mark Curtis, Secret Affairs: Britain’s Collusion with Radical Islam, London: Profile Books Ltd, 2018. [13] See Henri Lauzière, The Making of Salafism: Islamic Reform in the Twentieth Century, New York: Columbia University Press, 2016. [14] Almost all cases of Islamic terrorism are carried out by Wahhabis and sects following similar doctrines. [15] For the Palestinian issue, see Ila Pappe, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2007. [16] See Andrew J. Bacevich, America’s Wars for the Greater Middle East: A Military History, New York: Random House Publishing Group, 2016. [17] The Pentagon was providing regular flights to al-Qaeda members right before 9/11, as FBI whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has publicized. See Edmonds’ interview with Pat Buchanan’s American Conservative magazine: “Who’s Afraid of Sibel Edmonds?”, November 1, 2009, https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/whos-afraid-of-sibel-edmonds/ (retrieved December 24, 2018). [18] Saunders, Muslims & Mongols, 114. [20] Dockrilll, Peter. “China Just Overtook The US in Scientific Output For The First Time.” ScienceAlert, January 23, 2018, https://www.sciencealert.com/china-just-overtook-us-in-scientific-output-first-time-published-research (retrieved March 5, 2018). [21] In my discussions of Ash’arite theology with Muslims, I have found that they find it very unsettling and outlandish, since it goes against the normative Islam they have learned throughout their lives; that God is just and kind. [22] George Makdisi, The Rise of Humanism in Classical Islam and the Christian West: With Special Reference to Scholasticism, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1990, 124. Ikram Hawramani / Jan 11, 2019 04:12 PM / No Comments on Ibn Taymiyya and His Times / 1934 views Posted In Book Reviews \| Books \| Essays \| Recommended Books About Islam or for Muslims Tagged book reviews \| Ibn Taymiyya \| Islam and extremism \| Salafism \| Shahab Ahmed Ibn Taymiyya and His Times is a collection of high-quality scholarly essays on Ibn Taymiyya (d. 1328 CE) edited by Yossef Rapoport and Shahab Ahmed. It is highly worth reading for anyone interested in this important and controversial character of Islamic history. Maybe I should mention that I do not consider myself a follower of Ibn Taymiyya. I do like some aspects of his thinking as do many important mainstream Islamic thinkers, such as Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Yasir Qadhi. The book is an important contribution to our understanding of Ibn Taymiyya, refuting the views of both his extremist supporters and his critics. The essay show that Ibn Taymiyya is a far more sophisticated and multi-dimensional thinker than is commonly imagined. This book will hopefully serve as a landmark in ending the simplistic, biased and prejudiced treatments that Ibn Taymiyya has so far received in both Muslim and Western sources. The first essay by Caterina Bori shows that Ibn Taymiyya was not a representative of the Ḥanbalī school, quite the opposite. He was something of an outsider to the school and was surrounded by a very small group of highly dedicated followers. Jon Hoover’s essay focuses on Ibn Taymiyya’s theology. Ibn Taymiyya has unique theological views that differ greatly from Ḥanbalī orthodoxy and that do not follow directly from the views of the Salaf (“Pious Predecessors”, the earliest few generations of Muslims). He argues that God’s relationship with humans is personal and dynamic. He acts directly in time and interacts with humans. This is a far more satisfying view of God to the modern mind compared to the impersonal God of more popular versions of Islamic theology. M. Sait Özervarli’s essay continues the discussion of Ibn Taymiyya’s theology. Ibn Taymiyya, like Ibn Rushd, argues that there can never contradiction between rationality and scripture. When there is a contradiction, either scripture has been misunderstood, or the rational evidence has been misconstrued. According to Özervarli, Ibn Taymiyya argues for a Quran-centered empirical rationalism that shuns the complicated arguments of the kalam-theologians and takes its inspiration from the basic facts of life that we observe around us. According to Ibn Taymiyya there is no need for philosophical proofs of God’s existence since the Quran is full of signs that point to God. These signs are a sufficiency to those who understand them properly. Racha el Omari’s essay focuses on Ibn Taymiyya’s polemics against Ashʿarite theology (the “orthodox” theology of scholars like al-Ghazālī and Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī). Ibn Taymiyya argues for a “theology of the Salaf” that goes beyond Ḥanbalī theology and tries to always re-derive its theological views from the views of the earliest Muslims, although just how much Ibn Taymiyya’s theology agrees with that of the Salaf has to be studied further. It is seems more historically accurate to me to say that the Salaf did not really have much of a theology beyond their faith in the Quran’s literal meaning. This means that any effort to develop an intellectually satisfying theological framework will always need to go far beyond what the Salaf ever said or imagined, and Ibn Taymiyya’s theology seems to fit this description: whenever he tries to build a sophisticated argument in support of some view, he has to venture out on his own onto territory that the Salaf never explored. For this reason he was criticized by other Ḥanbalīs for engaging in too much philosophical thinking. The essay by Walid A. Saleh examines Ibn Taymiyya’s approach to interpreting the Quran as it is laid out in his short treatise Muqaddima fī uṣūl al-tafsīr (An Introduction on the Foundations of Quranic Exgesis). Saleh calls Ibn Taymiyya’s approach “radical hermeneutics” since it attempts to throw away the existing exegetical tradition in order to take the field back to its origins among the Salaf. It tries to force the authority of the hadith tradition and the opinions of the Salaf on the field so that no one would be allowed to interpret the Quran in any way save the way of hadith and the Salaf. Anyone who tries to put forth an interpretation of a Quranic verse will have to find a basis for it in hadith or the opinions of the Salaf. This intellectual caging of interpretive freedom is meant to ensure the “purity” of Quranic interpretations so that heretical and misguided interpretations do not enter into it. Among scholars who followed his methodology are his student Ibn Kathīr (d. 1373 CE), who continued to respect the existing exegetical tradition, and Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī (d. 1505 CE), who according to Saleh produced the classic work of the genre of exegesis that Ibn Taymiyya called for. Modern Muslims who are not entirely happy with this restricted methodology can still benefit from sources that try to follow it, considering them one legitimate voice among others (even if such sources consider themselves the only legitimate voices). Livnat Holtzman discusses Ibn Taymiyya and his student Ibn al-Qayyim’s theological views on human freedom and choice. Ibn Taymiyya breaks with existing views on God’s guidance to say that while all humans are born in a state of purity and guidance, a person can go on to choose what is good or evil, and according to this choice, God goes on to guide them further or misguide them. This is a refreshingly rational treatment of the question compared to the views of other scholars. There is still an important question that his theology does not answer; how can free-willed decisions be really free if they can be predicted with 100% accuracy by God beforehand? I have never read an intellectually satisfying answer from any Muslim scholar on this. Yossef Rapoport discusses Ibn Taymiyya’s unique legal methodology, such as his rejection of accepted legal tricks that used lawful means for unlawful ends, and his breaking away with Ḥanbalī tradition in order to call for persistent ijtihād (striving to solve issues of law and theology using one’s efforts rather than merely relying on the opinions of past scholars). Intention is of primary importance to Ibn Taymiyya; even if all the proper legal forms are obeyed, if the aim is evil, he wholeheartedly rejects it. As is usual with Ibn Taymiyya, his views are in general refreshingly modern and rational. Tariq al-Jamil’s essay is a short discussion of Ibn Taymiyya’s anti-Shia polemical views. The essay by David Thomas is on Ibn Taymiyya’s polemical response to a Christian piece of writing that attempted to insinuate that all Muslims would embrace Christianity if they understood the Quran and the Bible better. Rather than responding to the Christian piece directly, Ibn Taymiyya uses it as an occasion to discuss why Islam is superior to Christianity. The essay by Khaled el-Rouayheb argues that Ibn Taymiyya’s popularity in the post-classical era has been greatly exaggerated. He was a marginal figure who was rarely mentioned or taken seriously by the scholars that came after him. This state of affairs continued for five centuries after Ibn Taymiyya’s death. It wasn’t until the 19th century that a movement started to rehabilitate his image and popularize his works. The most important figures in this movement were Nuʿmān Khayr al-Dīn al-Ālūsī (d. 1899 CE) and Rashid Rida (d. 1935 CE). Raquel M. Ukeles’ essay argues that Ibn Taymiyya’s rejection of such things as the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH was more sophisticated than is realized or acknowledged by his modern admirers. While he considered such things false innovations (bidaʿ, plural of bidʿa), he recommended tolerance toward its practitioners, saying that they could even get a great reward from God for their good intentions. He therefore takes a highly intelligent stance on the issue: Those who follow the way of the earliest Muslims and believe in rejecting innovations must shun such things. If they engage in them, they would be committing a sin. Those among qualified scholars whose own personal opinion (ijtihād) has convinced them that such celebrations are religiously acceptable should be respected. They have the right to their own opinions. Those among the Muslim masses who celebrate such things should be judged by their intentions. If they do it out of good intentions, their deed is accepted. If they do it for other intentions, their deed is rejected. That is an amazingly tolerant view compared to that of some of those who today think they are representative of Ibn Taymiyya’s teachings. The last essay is by Mona Hassan. She argues that Ibn Taymiyya’s views regarding the caliphate have been misconstrued by much of Western scholarship. Western scholars like Henri Laoust wrongly believed that Ibn Taymiyya had done away with classical scholarly view of the necessity of the existence of a ruler that followed the ideals of the Rashidun caliphs. She also discusses his fatwas regarding the permissibility of fighting the Mongols. The group that assassinated the Egyptian president Anwar Sadat in 1981 claimed that their actions were legitimate according to Ibn Taymiyya’s fatwas. Hassan says that this group completely misread Ibn Taymiyya, whose framework is actually concerned with fighting outlaws and rebels. Ironically, that extremist group itself falls within the definition of those groups that Ibn Taymiyya believes can be legitimately fought by the Muslims. She discusses Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s statements in support of peaceful political participation. Al-Qaradawi uses two of Ibn Taymiyya’s fatwas to show that Ibn Taymiyya’s was not an isolationist as some of his admirers believe but rather believed in participating in politics where this could serve a constructive purpose. Ibn Taymiyya and His Times should interest anyone interested in a sophisticated understanding of Ibn Taymīya, Islamic intellectual history and the origins of Salafism. Ikram Hawramani / Jan 07, 2019 07:14 AM / No Comments on Islam’s Quantum Question: Reconciling Muslim Tradition and Modern Science / 184 views Tagged al-Ghazali \| book reviews \| Frank Griffel \| George Makdisi \| Harun Yahya \| Ibn Taymiyya \| Islam and science \| Kenneth Garden \| Nidhal Guessoum \| Salafism \| Shahab Ahmed \| Wahhabism \| Yossef Rapoport \| Zaghloul El-Naggar Nidhal Guessoum’s Islam’s Quantum Question (originally published in French in 2009, published in English in 2011) is well worth reading, mainly for its detailed refutation of various pseudo-scientific defenses of Islam and the Quran that have been offered by others. His detailed critique of Iʿjāz literature and its supporters (such as Zaghloul El-Naggar), who purport to show scientific “miracles” found in the Quran and hadith using the flimsiest of evidence, will hopefully help bring the discussion on Islam and science to a higher and less embarrassing plane in the Muslim world. Guessoum’s refutation of misguided Muslim arguments against the theory of evolution (such as those of Harun Yahya and Seyyed Hussein Nasr) and his overview of the scientific support for evolution are also highly valuable. The book is marred by Guessoum’s attempts at coming up with “scientific” explanations for miracles. He suggests that Jesus’s healing of the blind may have actually been the placebo effect, seemingly finding it the most scientifically satisfactory explanation. This rather naive reasoning is symptomatic of the fact that Guessoum offers very little in the way of synthesis, despite the subtitle’s promised “reconciliation”. The book is largely overview and refutation, with little in the way of creative theological problem-solving. Guessoum follows Aristotle and Ibn Rushd in conceiving of nature as a principle that stands above God–what I will call the nature supremacist view. When Mother Nature says something (miracles do not happen), and God says something else (miracles happen), the plain meaning of God’s words is to be ignored to please Nature. Thus Guessoum finds it more satisfactory to believe that the stick of Moses turning into a snake was actually an illusion rather than a fact of reality. Guessoum’s theology is therefore secularized and defensive; he has to find flimsy scientific-sounding excuses (the placebo effect, quantum mechanical indeterminacy) to explain away Quranic statements about divine action in order to be more scientifically “authentic”. A respect for Islam’s traditional theology and an effort to reconcile it with modern science is largely absent from the book. Guessoum seems to think it beneath him to take the plain sense of the Quran literally. Like Ziauddin Sardar (whom he admires and whose thought he covers in some detail), he thinks that a person as intelligent and well-educated as himself could never be a traditionalist. Guessoum writes: I commented that the reconciliation between the two depends strongly on the reading (literal vs. interpretative) that one adopts for the religious texts. The more literal the person is, the more problems she/he will find in harmonising science with Islam.1 That is only the case for Guessoum himself–and only because he has accepted to be driven into the nature supremacist corner. There is an alternative that he is wholly unaware of: the Ghazalian worldview. Guessoum is dismissive toward al-Ghazali (who is “orthodox” and therefore automatically persona non grata to Guessoum), unaware that al-Ghazali’s universe-as-simulation metaphor (which Guessoum cites and summarily discards) provides for a better reconciliation of Islam and science than his Aristotle-and-Ibn Rushd-inspired nature-supremacist worldview. The Ghazalian worldview accepts the plain sense of the Quran while remaining utterly rationalist and empiricist toward the natural world. It is more faithful to the Quran because it does not try to explain anything in it away in the service of Mother Nature, and it is more faithful to science because it does not abuse concepts borrowed from fields like quantum mechanics to support mystical explanations. It is both as God-centered as any mystical view of the universe and as scientific as any atheist scientist may desire. In the Ghazalian worldview, since we free our conception of God from the chains of nature supremacism, the literal meaning of the Quran stops giving us trouble. God caused the Red Sea to part? That is problematic to Guessoum and Guessoum’s imaginary literalist since he must come up with an explanation that pleases Mother Nature almost as a deity alongside God. But in the Ghazalian view explaining it is the simplest thing in the world: the person in charge of a simulation can make any change to it he wants. He can cause it to run according to natural laws that he can suspend whenever he wishes. There is no need for quantum mechanical or psychological explanations of this miracle because nature is not a god alongside God, nature is merely a projection, a mirage, upheld by God. Trying to find scientific explanations for miracles is as silly as a video game character trying to find explanations for miraculous events inside the video game using the game’s logic that they see around them, wholly unaware that the video game is actually hosted on a computer and that the miraculous event was just a number that switched inside the computer’s RAM. By being unaware that there is one logic to the inside of the game and another, far more sophisticated, logic to the outside of it, all explanations our character comes up with will be hopelessly inadequate. Only once the creator of the game sends a revelation into the game telling the character that there is an outside infrastructure to the game will the character be able to finally understand the miracle. The miracle had no basis within the game’s logic because it followed a different logic, a foreign, outer logic. The parting of the Red Sea had no need for scientific intermediaries because scientific factors are how God normally does things; when He abnormally does things as in the case of miracles, He is acting unscientifically. Science merely describes God’s normal ways of operating this simulation. So trying to come up with scientific explanations for miracles is to think that God has to bow down to Mother Nature and do things her way rather than His way. According to Guessoum, and I hope I am not being too harsh here, a self-respecting and scientifically-minded Muslim must believe that God has no choice but to act according to the laws of nature. Why? What is so special about nature that God must bow down to it? What a low opinion to have about God! Guessoum could argue that God acts according to nature by choice, but there is no suggestion in the book that he has such a conception. He appears to think of God and nature as two equally powerful deities, apparently thinking this is the only way we can “reconcile” the two and remain scientifically respectable. I respect Guessoum’s right to have his own theology. But I do not respect his apparent thinking that his secularized and defensive theology is the only intelligent and rationalist one. This could of course simply be due to his lack of knowledge of the details and sophistication of Islamic theology. See my essay on reconciling Islam and Darwinian evolution for more on the Ghazalian worldview and how it fits perfectly within a rationalist worldview. Selection bias and cultural intertia He discusses a 2007 conference on “Quranic Healing” organized in Abu Dhabi and attended by many university professors and professionals. The keynote speaker called for integrating “Quranic healing” into medicine in university curricula. Topics discussed included the effect of Quran recitation on water and the scientific basis for the evil eye. Reading such reports, I had difficulty reminding myself that all this was being presented in the twenty-first-century conferences and not in dark medieval gatherings.2 There is a selection bias here: only the minority of Muslim professors and professionals who find “Quranic healing” interesting would have been interested in attending such a conference. This tells us nothing about the potential majority of elite Muslims who would have found such a conference absurd. That conference could either be (1) a sign that Muslims are still medieval in their thinking on some matters or (2) one of the last gasps of the dying breed of Muslim professors and professionals who engage in such silly abuses of religion and science. Guessoum expresses many aspects of what I call “Muslim middle class horror syndrome”; the horror of middle class Muslims at what we might call ordinary Muslims. He decries the fact that a Quran memorization competition at his son’s school (in the UAE) attracted the interest of all the parents while a science fair barely attracted a few of them. The Quran competition only focused on memorization, not understanding, and the parents apparently could not care less about comprehension as long as memorization took place. “Islam” might be a completely irrelevant variable here from a social science perspective. Children of doctors and other highly educated professionals, regardless of their parents’ religiosity, are going to enjoy having parents that are going to be as open-minded and interested in science education as Guessoum. And children of uneducated parents are going to not have parents that are interested in science education. It just so happens that in the UAE, most children are the children of uneducated parents. To put it another way, Islamic beliefs never prevented children born to highly-educated parents from reading and taking in dozens of modern scientific books. Guessoum, who had such an upbringing, somehow thinks he is unique. I doubt he is. With or without Islam, children who come from families predisposed to love knowledge and learning will get a wide, modern education. The idea that there are highly intelligent Muslims who refuse to read scientific books (as Guessoum’s theory of the ailment of Islamic cultures would predict) is completely a figment of the imagination; there are no such Muslims. Now, I do not deny that the Arab/Islamic world suffers from far more superstition and anti-scientific attitudes than, say, Sweden. But this may simply represent cultural inertia. The number of people getting a university degree in the Middle East has increased by orders of magnitude in the past 50 years, and this cannot help but slowly change their cultures. It is just that change takes time. We should therefore look at the attitudes of devout Muslim children versus their parents to find out whether Islam is preventing progress as their culture changes or not. I am very much of the opinion that Islam is quite irrelevant here. To put it another way: Islam never prevented someone from being a rationalist. It did not do that in 850 CE, and it does not do that today. Islam can be used as an excuse for irrationalism, but it can also be used as an excuse for rationalism. It is quite amazing that, seeing the extremely diverse worldviews of Islam’s different scholars, one can hold onto the view that Islam somehow hampers rationalism. The existence and celebrity status of rationalists like Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī should be sufficient evidence to show that a person predisposed to rationalism will find rationalism through Islam. It is humans themselves who make Islam rationalist or irrationalist as their own personal and cultural tendencies make them. Islam may not be a causal factor here–it may simply be a victim. Another support for my argument is this: In the Middle East, secularists who reject Islam and proudly embrace theories like evolution as alternatives to the Islamic worldview are going to be just as ignorant about real science as Muslims of equal education / socio-economic status. They will follow a narrow-minded, make-believe science that is almost half made up of a secularist metaphysics. This means that it is the culture that is the problem, not the religion. Even if religion is abandoned, ignorance and narrow-mindedness remains because of cultural inertia. I do not have data to back this up, but my experience of the Middle East strongly supports this view. The solution is going to be slow and will take much time. If each generation is slightly more rationalist than the one before it, then we can consider that progress. Egypt’s scientific output has increased from about 2800 research papers in 1996 to 17,000 in 2017. That is a tremendous increase in scientific output that at least partly reflects increased funding and engagement, and will likely have important ramifications for Egyptian culture. We see the same pattern almost everywhere else in Muslim majority countries: Pakistan went from 890 papers in 1996 to 15800 in 2017, Iran publishes more science than Belgium, Sweden or Poland (data from Scimago Journal & Country Rank). The anti-Ghazali prejudice While his treatment of al-Ghazali is friendlier than many others, he too submits to the Orientalist myth that al-Ghazali had a harmful effect on philosophy. He writes: He remains an icon of Islamic classical scholarship, although for philosophy and science his legacy and influence were minimal, if not negative.3 Recent Western scholarship has shown that al-Ghazali wasn’t just a non-enemy of philosophy; he actually tried to integrate philosophy with spirituality and Islamic law. See Frank Griffel’s Al-Ghazali’s Philosophical Theology and Kenneth Garden’s The First Islamic Reviver. Guessoum’s understanding of al-Ghazali is therefore outdated and unaware of recent scholarship. Wahhabism, Ibn Taymiyya and Salafism Get it on Amazon. See my review of it here. I am neither a Salafi nor follower of Ibn Taymiyya but I am forced here to defend them against Guessoum’s treatment. He conflates Wahhabism with Ibn Taymiyya’s teachings. Unfortunately it looks like it will take decades before we can rescue Ibn Taymiyya’s image from these caricatures. Guessoum really likes Ibn Rushd’s assertion that there can never be conflict between rational knowledge and scripture–a concept that was in fact very strongly defended by Ibn Taymiyya as well. As a modern Muslim, I find Ibn Taymiyya’s version of the argument superior to Ibn Rushd. Ibn Rushd continues to hold onto philosophical arrogance–the belief that when scripture and philosophy conflict, philosophy should be used to explain away scripture. Ibn Taymiyya has the opposite, and wiser and more modern (some would say postmodern) view. Rather than arrogantly thinking that we are always superior to scripture, we should acknowledge that scripture is superior to us. When there is a seeming conflict between scripture and philosophy (I include science in this), rather than naively explaining away the conflict, we should look deeper and consider the possibility that it is our seemingly rational arguments that are at fault. A good example is the question of Darwinian evolution. Past reformers tried to reconcile Islam and Darwinian evolution by explaining away Islam’s views on creation. As I show in my essay on Islam and evolution, now that we have progressed further in our knowledge, we can actually fully support scripture’s views while maintaining rationality. It was rationality that was at fault in the past, not scripture. As our rationality improved, we realized that scripture had it right all along. A wise person takes a lesson from this: we should strongly resist the desire to explain away scripture when there is a seeming conflict between it and rationality. We should always keep in mind that future generations may solve the conflict without being forced to throw away the plain meaning of scripture. Ibn Taymiyya, despite his faults, was a wonderfully intelligent, open-minded and rationalistic scholar. To those of us wishing for a more intelligent and empirical Islamic law, Ibn Taymiyya is a much-needed breath of fresh air compared to the scholars who came before him (for example in his rejection of the triple divorce, in his consideration of the common good as a positive thing in its own right). Those interested in a sophisticated view of Ibn Taymiyya should check out Ibn Taymiyya and his Times (edited by Yossef Rapoport and Shahab Ahmed, see my review of it here). Guessoum writes the following gross mischaracterization of Salafis (who, according to him, are the same as Wahhabis, but perhaps he was simplifying for the sake of his readers): And Salafis often nonchalantly dismiss scientific and other truths whenever they appear to conflict with their literal understanding of Islamic texts or with injunctions found in the Qur’an and in the Hadith. No effort at interpretation is ever made to reconcile such truths; the Texts come first – complete with the readings and understandings of the Salaf.4 In reality Salafism is a diverse doctrine with an important non-Wahhabi element. Some of the most ardent Salafi followers of Ibn Taymiyya are in fact far more rationalistic in their understanding of Islam than many other Muslims (due to their critical approach to the opinions of previous scholars and toward hadith). As for Salafis rejecting science, if we ignore Wahhabi propagandists then I doubt there is any such pattern. Did Muslims invent science? Guessoum mentions Ziauddin Sardar’s defense of Muslims as originators of science and rightly does not agree with it. Despite his high respect for Sardar, he feels free to criticize his often politically motivated statements about Islam and the supposed intrinsic racism of the West, something I was pleased to see. Sardar unfortunately often acts as a propagandist capitalizing on fashionable Western trends, the current fashion being the doctrine that while all cultures and civilizations are somehow equally worthy, Western culture and civilization is inherently evil. For my previous criticism of Sardar see my essay An Islamic defense of free speech (a critique of Ziauddin Sardar’s views on Rushdie’s Satanic Verses). Guessoum says that modern science is a recent phenomenon. He gives a number of the attributes of science, such as objectivity and a focus on experimentation. I believe the relationship of medieval Muslims with science deserved further discussion. First, let me propose a simple definition of science that captures its modern spirit and shows why medieval Muslims did not really have science as we understand it: Science is autonomous consensus-seeking about explanations of the natural world. An explanation is only scientific if it there is autonomous consensus about it among humans. Autonomous consensus means for many people to reach the same conclusion despite the almost-complete lack of pressure on them to reach that conclusion. If you have people in the United States, China and Egypt study the same phenomenon and reach the same conclusion about its explanation even though no one is forcing them to agree, then we call that conclusion scientific. Of course, this process can lead to false results, but the point is that as the process is carried out, it uncovers its own falsehoods and corrects them. Guessoum says that an essential aspect of science is methodological naturalism (the insistence on natural, rather than supernatural, explanations). I believe this may not be necessary because autonomous consensus-seeking automatically, over the centuries, leads to methodological naturalism. Humans necessarily do not all share the same faith or the same liking for supernatural explanations. Therefore when humans seek consensus, they necessarily must discard supernatural explanations one by one until only the natural remains. In other words, discarding supernatural explanations is a side-effect of autonomous consensus-seeking, it is not an essential part of it. You simply cannot have humans from different cities and countries all come to the same autonomous consensus on some supernatural explanation because that requires equality of faith and theology, something that never exists. But they can come to autonomous consensus about natural explanations, since no faith or theology is needed for this. Therefore the seeking of consensus about the natural world automatically causes the supernatural to fade away over time until only the natural remains. Now, medieval Muslims did not really have science because, while many brilliant minds sought explanations of the natural world (thus possessing one aspect of science), they did not have any concept of the importance of autonomous consensus-seeking, which is the essential element of modern science. They worked independently to understand the natural world, but they did not have sufficient self-awareness to generalize their methods into an agreed-upon process for uncovering the workings of the natural world. Al-Biruni defended science’s inductive method, but his method was never generally accepted or practiced. It took centuries of development before humans had sufficient self-awareness to think of science as a thing in itself. This self-awareness only started in the late 16th century with people like Francis Bacon. Saying medieval Muslims had science therefore discards an essential aspect of its development. We should instead say that medieval Muslims had elements of modern science while lacking its essential quality: that of being able to see science as a thing in itself, a process of consensus-seeking for uncovering facts about the natural world. Muslim “science” was un-self-aware science. Self-awareness is essential to modern science. Therefore trying to drag the concept of modern science into the medieval era, as people like Ziauddin Sardar try to do, only muddies the waters. It is also an insult to the ingenuity and hard work of Europeans who were able to see science as a thing in itself. It is true that Muslims contributed two essential things to science: the concepts of academic freedom and the doctoral dissertation that comes with it (see George Makdisi’s books). Christianity is a hierarchical religion that had little respect for independent initiative among scholars. Europe literally imported academic freedom from Islamic civilization where it was considered essential to the validity of the rulings of legal scholars (muftis). This was a foreign element in European universities that caused great conflict at first. Originally European universities were little more than servants of the Church and subservient to its authority. But Islamic academic freedom continually weakened the Church’s authority over the universities. Eventually, modern science was born out of this atmosphere. Islam may have been essential to the development of modern science, but Islam did not have modern science. It only provided some of its building blocks. It took Europe centuries to sufficiently develop these building blocks into what became modern science. While ignoring Islam’s contribution to the development of science is an injustice, ignoring Europe’s contribution to its development is also an injustice. The “Islamization of knowledge” One of the best contributions of the book is Guessoum’s critical appraisal of the “Islamization of knowledge” fad of the 1980’s. This ill-defined program for reviving the Islamic world was based on the assumption that the modern sciences need to be re-built with Islamic concepts at their heart. This program was opposed by Ziauddin Sardar, who still subscribes to the equally silly post-modern idea that there is something inherently dangerous, un-objective and un-Islamic about modern science. Sardar’s modest proposal for solving Islam’s supposed science problem is the somewhat insane suggestion that we should throw out all of modern science’s axioms about the universe, nature, time and humanity to replace them with Islamic ones. Both the Islamization of knowledge program and Sardar’s are little more than hasty reactions to the West’s dominance. Both subscribe to the utopian idea that there is some magical fairy land of knowledge that can be attained once we somehow (nobody knows exactly how) combine Islam and science. The main underpinning of these two sides of the same coin is elitism: they come from a minority of intellectuals who think their services are needed to give the rest of the unwashed Muslim masses the keys to some utopia of knowledge. They are unable to realize, or refuse to admit, that every single Muslim intellectual and scientist will already be viewing the world just as they themselves do. Every Muslim intellectual and scientist will be forced to integrate Islamic ethics within their scientific and philosophical worldviews merely by existing and doing their jobs. Sardar also thinks that the hundreds of thousands of non-Muslim scientists out there are ignorant of ethical concerns. Science is inherently supposed to be “violent”, somehow these scientists are blind to the fact while he is not. Isn’t being so special wonderful? Theistic science and metaphysical pluralism Guessoum gives an overview of the concept of theistic science, the idea that science should be or can be practiced in a non-secularized way. The problem it responds to is the metaphysical intolerance of some atheists who falsely believe that science leaves no room for religion. But in our answer to this mindset we should not hold onto yet another form of metaphysical intolerance. We should first point out that all science has some metaphysical underpinnings (even if it is atheist metaphysics). Next, we should call for metaphysical pluralism: we do not dehumanize others regardless of their metaphysics, and we respect them as our cooperators in our seeking of autonomous consensus regarding natural phenomena, even if our metaphysics differ. Consensus-seeking can be carried out regarding both natural phenomena and metaphysics. When it comes to natural phenomena, it is clear that all humanity is capable of hoping to reach consensus. But when it comes to metaphysics, we know that it is impossible for consensus to exist. There will always be Muslims, Christians, agnostics and atheists. What does that entail? For those of sufficient humanism and insight, it entails metaphysical pluralism. All humans enjoy a divine spirit, an inviolable dignity, that gives them the right to be partakers in consensus-seeking: both physical and metaphysical. That means we should not attack individuals who propose godless metaphysics (even if we criticize their theories). We must not attack the persons, but we can critique their thinking. We must not try to use force, arguing that theism must be accepted by all. We must instead call for pluralism: all humans have the right to seek the truth on their own terms. The only thing that we fight against is metaphysical intolerance: when militant atheists deny us the right to have our own metaphysics. Through metaphysical pluralism we can have intelligent discussions with those who disagree with us without dehumanizing them and refusing them the right to their independence of conscience. It is true that atheist metaphysics can have very dangerous consequences (think the metaphysics of the Bolsheviks that gave them the right to summarily execute suspected dissidents). But the same applies to religious metaphysics; the religious too can use their metaphysics to support dangerous and inhuman doctrines. Therefore it is rather lacking in self-awareness to argue that theistic metaphysics is always more constructive and life-affirming than non-theistic ones. Muslims, Christians, agnostics and atheists can all reach a humanist metaphysics that transcends religious differences. We can, for example, all agree on the rule “Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.” Non-theists, atheist or agnostic, remain human and continue to enjoy their God-given inviolability and dignity. We must leave it to them to accept their own metaphysics: there is no compulsion in faith/creed/religion, as the Quran tells us. If there is no metaphysical compulsion, then this means there is metaphysical freedom. People should be free to come up with their own metaphysics, and we should be free to come up with our own, and both sides should be free to critique the other’s metaphysics. Problems only arise in cases of metaphysical imperialism and intolerance. Of course, disagreements on metaphysics can lead to severe practical differences, as in the argument over very-late-term abortions. In such cases, as the spirit of Islamic law teaches us, the lesser evil should be chosen. And the lesser evil is tolerance, even if it leads to what some consider horrible deaths. In a Western society where the law permits such abortions, the lesser evil is to tolerate the law while working peacefully to persuade others to change it, as most people seem to recognize. The alternative would be a civil war between supporters of the law and its critics, leading to far greater evils. Nidhal Guessoum’s Islam’s Quantum Question is a good contribution to the discussion on Islam and science. While there is much in it that can be criticized, it can still perform the function the writer hand in mind for it; helping expose the weaknesses in the way the relationship between science and religion is envisioned in the Middle East. Ikram Hawramani / Dec 28, 2018 06:12 AM / No Comments on The Moral World of the Qur’an by M. A. Draz / 185 views Tagged book reviews \| Muhammad Abdullah Draz Dastūr al-Akhlāq fī l-Qurʾān might one of the most important works of Islamic philosophy in the 20th century. It is a work on Quranic moral philosophy by Muhammad Abdullah Draz (1894-1958), a highly intelligent Egyptian Islamic scholar who had thoroughly studied the Western philosophical tradition. The work was originally written in French as a PhD dissertation titled La morale du Coran presented to Sorbonne University. It was translated into Arabic by Abd al-Sabur Shahin and published in 1973. The English version, titled The Moral World of the Qur’an, was published in 2008 by I. B. Tauris (Amazon link, it is absurdly expensive at the moment unfortunately). When picking up a book by a non-Western Islamic scholar, one fears to see modes of reasoning that are centuries behind the times (as commonly seen in polemical and partisan works). Draz is an early example, perhaps one of the earliest, of an Islamic scholar who is willing to engage with the West with a thoroughly open mind, willing to take Western thinkers seriously and willing to view Islam from a Western framework. He does his best to predict attacks on his lines of reasoning and answers many possible criticism. I did not expect to learn too much from this work, being so familiar with the Quran. But I am pleased to say that some parts of it were highly enlightening. Unfortunately both the Arabic and the English translation leave much to be desired. The Arabic translation appears to be a somewhat word-for-word translation of the French, extremely difficult to follow due to the near-complete absence of Arabic modes of expression. The English is not much better; its language feels almost as outdated as a book from 1850. Shorter (and cheaper) version on Amazon. Also available as Kindle ebook. Maybe the reason is Draz’s own French writing still (his Arabic writings in his other books and articles are extremely easy to follow). What the book needs is a thorough modernization effort that does not merely translate the paragraphs but translates his thoughts into modern English. I found the following version (published 2018) by Basma Abdelgafar titled Morality in the Qur’an: The Greater Good of Humanity and bought it from the Kindle store. It shortens the work in order to make it more accessible. While this is a very welcome effort, unfortunately it is more on the order of study notes due to its highly abridged nature, and it uses many technical words that even college graduates will likely struggle. Still, it might be the best introduction to Draz’s thought that there is. Ikram Hawramani / Oct 25, 2018 08:28 AM / No Comments on An Islamic defense of free speech (a critique of Ziauddin Sardar’s views on Rushdie’s Satanic Verses) Tagged book reviews \| free speech in Islam \| Islamic defense of free speech \| Salman Rushdie \| The Satanic Verses Get it on Amazon.com I have had Ziauddin Sardar’s Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslim since 2010, but I only got around to reading it recently. This is one of the funniest books written by a Muslim, rivaling the books of Turkey’s Aziz Nesin. In what is perhaps my favorite scene of the book, Sardar camps out in the office of a Saudi official who is refusing to let him leave the country. In order to make a point, he reads the classic Book of the Superiority of Dogs Over Many of Those Who Wear Clothes in front of him. A cover of Ibn Marzuban’s The Book of the Superiority of Dogs Soon after getting into the book, it becomes clear that Sardar is not engaging in a rigorous retelling of past events. The book appears to be a fictionalized memoir. The characters he disapproves of appear comical and cartoonish, while the characters he approves of jump out of the page to lecture the reader. Many famous characters of the Islamic history of the second part of the twentieth century show up: the Pakistani Islamist Mawdudi, Said Ramadan (father of the intellectual Tariq Ramadan), Sheikh Nazim, Ian Dallas (Abdul Qadir al-Murabit), Ibn Baz (the Saudi scholar), the Palestinian-American philosopher Ismail al-Faruqi, the Pakistani president Zia-ul-Haq, Usama bin Laden (seen by Sardar from afar according to him) and the Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim (famous for being put on trial for sodomy by Mahathir Mohamad’s government, according to Sardar a false accusation designed to destroy his career). We see Sardar jump from one Islamic thinker or leader to another, first worshipfully following them, then discovering that their thinking has fatal flaws that makes it impossible for Sardar to continue alongside them. Maududi seems to have great ideas about freeing the Islamic world from foreign interference, but he has a medieval attitude toward women. Speaking of Said Ramadan and other Muslim Brotherhood members: And that was my problem with the members of the Brotherhood. They see themselves as perfect; they were certain of everything. In short, they were ideologues: Islam, for them, was an ideology that allowed for no imperfections, no deviation, and, in the final analysis, no humanity. This is why I found so many of them repugnant. Sardar looks into Sufism and finds that organized Sufism often leads to authoritarianism, made up of Sufi masters surrounded by a zealous and intolerant inner circle of worshipful followers who demand absolute and unquestioning obedience from initiates. Sardar says that he traveled to Morocco to find out if Ian Dallas’s version of Sufism really had its origins in the authentic Sufism of that country, but he fails to make any investigations, suggesting that that may not have been the (main) reason for his trip. Rushdie’s Satanic Verses and censorship In one of the worst parts of the book, Sardar spends many pages trying (and failing) to convince readers that what Rushdie wrote about the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in his 1989 novel The Satanic Verses is somehow simply unacceptable. He does not bother to present a framework within which a pluralist society may decide what is and what is not acceptable to say. To a skeptical reader, it almost appears as if Sardar is saying: We Muslims are simply too immature and uncivilized to deal with criticism and mockery, so please do not criticize or mock what is dear and holy to us or else we will flip out! He compares the Satanic Verses to Hitler’s Mein Kampf, saying that books and ideas can be dangerous—the usual patter that today America’s democrats use to tell us why it is such a great idea to put them in charge of censoring the nation’s media. Sardar also makes the pitiful argument that similar attacks on Jews would have never been accepted in the West. True, we all know the double standards. We have songs by a Jewish singer on YouTube calling Mary mother of Jesus a whore. We have the Jewish comedian Sarah Silverman saying she would happily crucify Jesus again without anyone batting an eye. But just because Jews enjoy an unfair advantage does not mean we should ask for the same. We should join the Christians in insisting on the rule of law and equal standards rather than clamoring for special treatment like little children. According to Sardar, Muslims should get special protection for what they hold holy and dear because…because… they can’t handle things otherwise. This is especially bad because Sardar presents himself as a futuristic liberal Muslim who has risen above the pack. If this enlightened Muslim is so narrow-minded to be incapable of seeing the dangerous implications of his support for censorship what hope is there for the rest of us? Sardar is unable to appreciate the fact that placing limitations on free speech will mean that politicians, with their all too obvious short-sightedness and hunger for power, will end up deciding who can say what. Whatever the harms of free speech, allowing politicians to limit it is breathtakingly naive. It is amazing that Sardar can spend a lifetime in the West and fail to get the memo on this. In Islam, when faced with two evils, we are required to choose the lesser one. It shouldn’t take a genius to recognize that free speech is the lesser evil compared to censorship. I do not want anyone, no matter how pious or wise, to decide for me what books I can and cannot read. There is no way to make censorship better than free speech. The censorship department, even if full of democratically elected people, will inevitably make decisions based on political considerations and personal alliances. You cannot neglect the human element when designing any political institution, something too many Muslim political thinkers of the past kept failing to learn. I am sure Sardar, in his private life, would not want anyone telling him what he can and cannot read. As is typical of many 20th century thinkers and leaders, he probably thinks he personally should be free to read what he wants while also thinking he has the right to limit other people’s reading rights. Regardless of how vile Rushdie’s book was, if his work is truly worthless then he should be given no power to ruin freedom of speech for us by prompting us to create an authority that can censor books. What exactly is the harm of Rushdie’s book? Sardar, other thinkers, and Islamic preachers who inflame people’s feelings about anti-Islam books and cartoons promote hysteria to satisfy their own desire for revenge. Ask them why the Satanic Verses should be banned and you will hear vague phrases like the “protection of the honor and dignity of Islam”. So Rushdie wrote a book that disgusts Muslims; what exactly is its harm beyond making you feel upset if you try to read it? If you are afraid it will give people negative impressions of Islam, the reality is that people’s impressions of Islam are already as negative as they can get. If you are afraid it will cause people to leave Islam, it is actually far more likely to inflame feelings of allegiance to the ummah by making Muslims feel that their identity is unfairly under attack. At the end of the day, what Rushdie’s book achieves is close to nothing. It will not cause people to leave Islam. It will affirm the negative views of those who already had negative views about Islam. And as for those who have no firm beliefs about Islam, it will merely be one influence among countless others on their thinking and they will soon forget most of it. And among the non-Muslims who have a positive view of Islam, they will either see it as an unfair attack or as something strange and difficult to understand. Rushdie’s book will soon be nothing more than a footnote in history, and the only reason it will keep being remembered is that too many Muslims were immature enough to make such a big deal of it as to make it a worldwide bestseller. Metaphorical interpretation Sardar firmly plants himself within the liberal, non-mainstream camp within Islam by supporting a metaphorical interpretation of the Quran. He seems to think, along with many Westerners, that taking the Quran too literally is bound to lead to narrow-mindedness and extremism. I understand where they are coming from. If the Quran was a man-made book like the works of Plato and Marx, then it would have been true that taking it literally would lead to serious problems, since it would mean that one man’s limited and potentially misguided thinking would control the fates of millions of people. Isn’t it so much more sensible to open the door for updating the book so that Muslims can move with the times? Sardar thinks the Quran should be read historically, as if God was not intelligent enough to foresee that humanity could very well continue for the next 100,000 years. According to Sardar God gave humanity a book that is stuck in the mindset of 7th century Arabia. That is a rather low opinion to have of the God who invented this universe. Shouldn’t a real God be capable of giving us a book that can stand the tests of time? The reality, as I will explain, is that the Quran is just such a book. The more literally you take it, and the more firmly you try to follow it, the more moderate you become. You don’t have to take my word for it, just look at the historical evidence. The most kind, peaceful and moderate Islamic leaders in modern history have all been ardent lovers of the Quran who treated it not as a historical artifact but as if it was sent down the very day they were reading it: the Pakistani poet and philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, the Turkish revivalist Said Nursi, the greatly loved Egyptian scholar Mohammed al-Ghazali (not to be confused with the more famous medieval al-Ghazali), the Kurdish leader Ahmad Moftizadeh. These were not extremists. In fact many of them have been subject to constant attacks by extremists for being too liberal and open-minded. A US government officer recently published a book on how Moftizadeh’s Quran-centered version of Islam can be used a role model for fighting extremism (see The Last Mufti of Iranian Kurdistan). The Quran has a special status which Sardar has apparently failed to grasp. He thinks that admitting that the Paradise described in the Quran is really a physical Paradise is something that can only be done by an ignorant literalist. This is a rather insulting view to have of the majority of the world’s Muslims who do believe in a physical Paradise. Unfortunately, the path he recommends, of giving Paradise-related verses a metaphorical interpretation (they are apparently really about a mystical reality that cannot be described in words) leads to turning Quran-interpretation into a free-for-all. He offers no convincing explanation for why he thinks this is a valid way of interpreting the book apart from the fact that he really wishes things to be that way. He is doing the same thing that extremists do; reading his own prejudices into the Quran rather than letting the book speak for itself. God’s speech plainly tells me about a physical Paradise. Sardar and some others say that these are actually references to a non-physical reality. I will take God’s words about Paradise any day over any human’s. Sardar is a good intellectual and his skepticism toward the Islamic thought of the second half of the 20th century was justified and necessary. He, however, is stuck in the mindset of the Muslims he despises; he believes in hurling insults and making caricatures of his intellectual opposition, rather than rising above the argument and treating those who disagree with him as full humans, to be respected and treated with an open heart. If you close your heart to those who disagree with you, you are no better than them no matter how enlightened you think you are (see my essay Consensual Communities). Sardar is a liberal who attacks the (supposedly) narrow-minded conservatives/literalists. As I explain in the linked essay, one can rise above this argument to find a third path that can actually lead to positive outcomes. Ikram Hawramani / Apr 16, 2018 02:51 PM / No Comments on The Muslim World on the Eve of Europe’s Expansion by John J. Saunders Tagged book reviews \| John J. Saunders \| The Mamlukes \| The Mughals \| The Ottomans \| The Safavids \| The Uzbeks The Muslim World on the Eve of Europe’s Expansion (published in 1966), at only 136 pages, is a short and enjoyable history of the Muslim world in the early modern period, with interesting articles on the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal Empires, the Mamlukes, the Uzbeks, Islam in Southeast Asia and Africa, the remnants of the Mongols in Russia, the Indian Ocean trade and the naval struggle between the Ottomans and the Christian powers. Many interesting scenes from history are presented in the book; the siege of Vienna by the Ottomans; celebrations in Rome on the fall of Granada, the last Muslim principality in Spain; an Italian traveler who performs the Hajj in 1503 disguised as a Muslim. The book is a collection of excerpts from other works. Each section is introduced by the fair-minded and able British historian John J. Saunders. The book is recommended to anyone who wants to enjoy a lighthearted and non-politicized introduction to the state of the Islamic world during the rise of European power. Ikram Hawramani / Apr 14, 2018 11:45 AM / No Comments on Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet’s Legacy [Short Book Review] Tagged book reviews \| Jonathan Brown Professor Jonathan Brown’s Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet’s Legacy is one of the best English-language books about Islam written by a Muslim (he converted to Islam in 1997). While the book’s focus is on the issues surrounding the authenticity and interpretation of hadith, it provides a good general history of the development of Islam’s intellectual tradition. The book will contain many eye-openers for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. While rising many questions, the book does not generally provide conclusive answers. The issue of violence against women (as in verse 4:34) is covered in great detail, although no solution is reached (see my essay A New Interpretation of Wife-Beating in Verse 4:34 of the Quran for a potential solution). On the issue of the stoning of adulterers: ...and so strong was the sense of duty to avoid carrying them out that Cairo’s senior judge chose exile over agreeing to execute two adulterers. While the Egyptian scholar Muhammad Abu Zahra is mentioned in the book, his important opposition to the punishment of stoning is not (perhaps Dr. Brown was not aware of it). This book’s most important contribution, I hope, will be to encourage other Muslims to write works of similar quality; fairly balanced and supported by a great deal of evidence. Ikram Hawramani / Mar 23, 2018 11:24 AM / No Comments on [Book Review] Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia’s Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane by S. Frederick Starr Tagged Abū Dawūd \| al-Biruni \| al-Bukhari \| al-Farabi \| al-Ghazali \| al-Hakim al-Naisaburi \| al-Khwarizmi \| al-Nasa'i \| al-Tirmidhi \| Avicenna \| book reviews \| Ibn Majah \| Islamic civilization \| Jabir ibn Hayyan \| Jonathan Brown \| Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi \| Muslim (hadith collector) \| S. Frederick Starr \| The Canonization of al-Bukhari and Muslim Lost Enlightenment is a highly readable overview of the history of the Persian-speaking cities of Central Asia, an area that gave Islamic civilization the majority of its great philosophers and thinkers (Jabir ibn Hayyan, al-Khwarizmi, al-Farabi, Avicenna, al-Biruni, al-Ghazali) and many of its great scholars (such as the creators of five of the six “canonical” hadith collections: al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Nasa’i, al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood, the exception being Ibn Majah who, a Persian like the rest, came from Qazvin in Western Iran). While the book is a good source of information on Islamic civilization’s most advanced and intellectually productive area, it is marred by the writer’s secularist bias. It is often implicit in his writing that he believes the more religiously faithful a Muslim is, the less capable of rational and logical thought they are. He often spends many pages arguing that a particular thinker was actually secular and only paid lip service to Islam (Ibn Sina, Khayyam). As for the devout Muslim thinkers he covers, he often cannot hide his contempt and his belief in the person’s narrow-mindedness and falseness of conscience (as in the case of al-Ghazali). Lost Enlightenment is also marred by various errors. The writer’s grasp of the workings of the Islamic religion and its intellectual tradition is amateurish at best (despite his merits as a historian). Starr is guilty of incredible statements like the following: Going still further, a new governor named Nasr, ignoring the Quran’s demand that apostasy be punished by death, in 741 struck a deal with the Sogdians that abolished all punishments for those who had reverted to their former religions. He also writes in another place: But Ghazali branded both thinkers posthumously as heretics and therefore, according to the Quran, punishable by death. And yet in another place: Those who follow the philosophers were not merely heretics but, he averred apostates. The Quran quite clear states that apostates must be punished with death. The Quran does not prescribe a punishment for apostasy anywhere in it! This is an elementary error that even an undergraduate student of Islamic studies should not make. Starr attributes to the scientist Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi a “weighty commentary” on the Quran, confusing him with Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, who was born two centuries later. Starr writes: Quranic prohibitions against depicting the human form were frequently ignored... The Quran has nothing to say on the depiction of the human form. These elementary errors about Islam’s chief scripture betray a serious ignorance of Islam as a religion, in contradistinction to the author’s wide knowledge of Central Asian history. Starr mentions al-Hakim al-Nisaburi as a critic and challenger of al-Bukhari who caused him to be expelled from Naishapur. This means that al-Naisburi was able to go back to the time 60 years before his birth to harass al-Bukhari. It seems that Starr confused al-Naisaburi with al-Dhuhali, who fits Starr’s descriptions. Al-Hakim al-Naisaburi was actually a champion of al-Bukhari, critical to the canonization process of al-Bukhari’s hadith collection, as is covered in detail in Jonathan Brown’s The Canonization of al-Bukhari and Muslim. This is all the more strange since Starr quotes Brown’s book multiple times in the pages dealing with al-Naisaburi. Finally, some nitpicks: He says that Tus is 15 miles northeast of Nishapur. It is actually 43 miles away. He also writes: Insurgents seized Basra on the Red Sea... Basra is 700 miles away from the Red Sea. In summary, Starr’s Lost Enlightenment is a good historical overview of the period it covers. Readers should be aware of its biases and should read books by other scholars to get a more accurate understanding of the topics covered. Ikram Hawramani / Jan 02, 2018 09:42 AM / No Comments on Intelligence: All That Matters by Stuart Ritchie / 355 views Tagged book reviews \| intelligence \| IQ \| Stuart Ritchie IQ and intelligence, as a topic of study in themselves, no longer interest me very much because they are largely a foregone conclusion for me. Long ago I was convinced of the very realness and importance of IQ and of the fact that it is largely a genetically-mediated trait. What interests me these days is applying the knowledge gleaned from this field to other areas of inquiry that interest me. I made an exception for the very short book Intelligence: All That Matters by the young researcher Stuart Ritchie, hoping that it would b an authoritative summary of the field that I can refer other people to in my work. And the book serves this function reasonably well. Ikram Hawramani / Nov 09, 2017 08:44 AM / No Comments on A Biography of Ahmad Moftizadeh / 725 views Posted In Blog \| Book Reviews \| Books \| Essays Tagged Ahmad Moftizadeh \| book reviews \| Iran \| Iranian Kurdistan \| Kurdish identity \| The Iranian Revolution Kak Ahmadi Muftizada: Darwazayak bo Xabateki Nanasraw (کاک ئەحمەدی موفتیزادە: دەروازەیەک بۆ خەباتێکی نەناسراو, Ahmad Moftizadeh: A Gateway to an Unknown Struggle) is a 394-page Kurdish biography of the great Iranian Kurdish leader Ahmad Moftizadeh written by Sarwat Abdullah, apparently published in 2010. I have been reading all available materials on Ahmad Moftizadeh, since he is one of the few modern leaders who have truly embodied the type of activist, Quran-centered and heart-centered Islam I believe in, and it would be a shame to not learn everything significant that his life can teach. In my view studying the lives (and mistakes) of the previous few generations coming right before us is crucial to making progress. It is mentioned that his grandfather, Abdullah Dishi, “came from” the village of Disha (a Hawrami village), which would suggest that Moftizadeh’s family are Hawrami. According to The Last Mufti, Abdullah Dishi’s family were originally from the Kurdish areas and had settled in Disha, meaning that they weren’t originally from this village, and meaning that Moftizadeh’s family are not necessarily Hawrami. Ahmad Moftizadeh came from Iranian Kurdistan’s religious elite. His grandfather had been given the status of mufti (chief religious law-maker) of all of Iranian Kurdistan, and this title had been passed down to his son (Moftizadeh’s father), and Ahmad Moftizadeh was in line to receive the title himself. Moftizadeh’s father lectured at Tehran University on Shafii jurisprudence, and Ahmad Moftizadeh would go on to lecture there himself later on. Dreams and childhood It is mentioned that multiple people around him had dreams about him in his childhood in which they saw him as having a high status. This includes a very old and pious aunt of his when he was 4-5 years old. When he is 8 or 9 a friend of his mother has a dream in which she sees a great army in the city of Sanandaj and she is told that that is Ahmad’s army. She asks if they mean the little boy Aha Rash (a nickname for Ahmad Moftizadeh), and she is answered yes. Moftizadeh had many dreams of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, in which the Prophet taught him things. Seeing the Prophet ﷺ in dreams is something highly prized by Sufis, whose influence on the area made the population look out for such dreams as well. At the age of 13 a great officer in the army is invited to his home, so that his family cooks five types of rise and five types of meat. He is disgusted by this, considering it wasteful and thinking of all the poor people who have little to eat, and he decides not to eat anything of it. The aristocratic atmosphere of his home apparently makes him eager to leave it, so that he goes to Iraq to study. Prison and repentance After coming back from his studies, he goes to Tehran and is involved in some Kurdish nationalist activity, attracting the attention of the Shah’s secret police (SAVAK). When Moftizadeh is imprisoned by the SAVAK 1964 for his Kurdish political activism, it is mentioned that he is taken to Evin prison, when in reality he was taken to Qezelqaleh prison as mentioned The Last Mufti. Evin prison comes at a later stage in his life, after the revolution. Later on, on page 53, the book contradicts itself, correctly saying that Moftizadeh was actually at Qezelqaleh. In prison, in solitary confinement, with death feeling close at hand, he starts to feel guilty about his government job. He worked at a government office where part of his job was to assess and receive taxes from people. While he did his job with conscientiousness, not taking bribes and not cheating people (like other government employees would do), he has the realization that his salary from that job was partially impure, since it was from a government’s unjust taxes on the people. At first he is too shy to seek repentance from God, feeling that with death so close at hand, the time of repentance is past. He eventually repents, and says to himself, “Even if my (infant) son Jiyan is about to starve to death, I will not use impure money to buy him powdered milk.” Later in his life, one night his son Jiyan is extremely sick and the only open pharmacy in town is one that is Jewish-owned. He refuses to buy from them, thinking that his money would be used to “buy bullets” for Israel’s terror against Palestinians. While somewhat extremist (Islam allows one to make exceptions in times of need), his method of thinking of ordinary daily decisions in activist terms is very important and relevant, and quite similar to Sayyid Qutb’s thinking. The spiritual world takes precedence over the material world. He refuses a material good (the feeding of his son, or his son’s health) to maintain a spiritual good (remaining true to God, refusing to be party to any form of injustice, even if it is merely by buying a drug from an entity that might possibly support injustice). In mainstream Islamic practice, the culture and the clerics come in between the Quran and population. The job of making moral choices was outsourced to the religious establishment, so that morality was not something on the minds of ordinary people. If the mullahs allowed something, it was OK. If they didn’t, it wasn’t. Moftizadeh and Sayyid Qutb’s approach was to take the religious establishment out of the equation; one reads the Quran, understands its moral philosophy to the best of his or her ability, then follows it to the best of his or her ability in everything in their lives. This is far more difficult, since there are many difficult moral choices the responsibility for which must be carried by each individual, instead of throwing the responsibility on the shoulders of the establishment without giving it a thought. More dreams In prison, he has a dream in which he is about 13 years of age and the Prophet ﷺ is teaching him from the Quran. His elbows are resting on the Prophet’s left shoulder, with him looking on as the Prophet passes his right index finger over a book of Quran that he is reciting from. He mentions that this dream put him in a state of joy and ecstasy that lasted for many days, considering it such a great honor from God. The start of his Quran-focused Islam So far in his life, Ahmad Moftizadeh had been a classical Shafii jurist, having had a classical education under his father and other scholars in Iran and Iraq. He has a dream in which he is standing on the rooftop of his childhood home in Sanandaj, when he sees two persons coming toward him from a distance. The persons do not take steps but appear to glide. They stand about a meter and a half from him and ask him to interpret Sura ad-Duha and Sura ash-Sharh (chapters 93 and 94 of the Quran). Instead of trying to interpret these chapters as an intellectual exercise, he starts speaking effortlessly, saying things he had never even thought of before. He says that as he spoke, he saw the Prophet ﷺ and his followers during what is known as the Meccan Boycott of the Hashemites, in which the he and his followers suffered extreme difficulty. He saw the relevance of the verses he was interpreting to these conditions, as if they were all part of the same story that he himself had lived. He also sees the Prophet ﷺ praying ardently for Umar ibn al-Khattab to be guided to Islam. He says the things he said in his interpretation of these chapters were as obvious and clear to him as 2+2 = 4. When he wakes up, he is completely thunderstruck by the dream, since none of the things he had said had ever before seemed obvious to him. This dream causes him to completely change his approach to the Quran. Before this, he had the classical approach, what I call considering the Quran a “historical artifact” or a “dead book”. He says: Before that, when I would look at the Quran, I would look at its meaning as mere Arabic words and sentences. After that, when I looked at the Quran I saw it as a living thing. The way I looked at life, that way I also looked at the Quran. Strangely, this appears to also have been the approach of Said Nursi and Sayyid Qutb, both of whom also suffered through prison, and both of whom went on to be great revivalists. Moftizadeh considers this discovery his re-birth, and afterwards would go on to speak of “the old Ahmad’ and “the new Ahmad”, similar to Said Nursi’s “old Said” and “new Said”. He says that without his discovery of the Quran’s nature, his life would have been empty, and that a hundred thousand lifetimes were nothing compared to that single moment where he discovered the Quran. Training the vanguard After being released from prison, SAVAK offers him a professorship at Tehran University in return for softening his rhetoric against the Shah’s regime, which he refuses. He goes back to Sanandaj with his wife and child. He appears to conclude that the best way to spread Islam’s message is to train activists, a vanguard who embody the Quran’s teachings and go on to create change within their own social circles. This was also Sayyid Qutb’s idea. His non-classical (Quran-focused) approach quickly garners him fame and people start to flock to his house to learn his reformist-activist approach on various issues, such as women’s rights. He invites a number of faqih‘s (mullahs-in-training) to come to Sanandaj to learn and work on his project, and works hard to buy them a house. He has a highly valuable rug in his own house that he gives away and places in the new house. When asked why, he says, “This was the last artifact I had of my jahili (pre-enlightenment) life, and you are the cause of freeing me from it.” He starts giving lectures at Sanandaj’s mosques, until he attracts a fellowship of 60-70 people. SAVAK issues a threat against his followers, so that most of the followers leave and only 15-20 people remain. SAVAK approaches him and offers him wealth and protection, and not just for himself but for his followers too, in return for a. not working with political parties and b. softening his stance against the Shah. His extreme poverty and the pressure his extended family puts on him to make him accept this offer slowly makes him start considering it. He wasn’t going to be involved with political parties, so this wasn’t an issue. And what harm did it do to accept not to speak against the Shah? He says this was the most difficult moral dilemma of his life, since the things offered him were so attractive, and the things required of him so seemingly unimportant. During this, he has a dream that involves the Prophet ﷺ and Umar ibn al-Khattab. The Prophet is about to tell Umar something, starting by “O Umar…”, but Moftizadeh wakes up before hearing it. This greatly upsets him and he starts to look in the books of hadith to find narrations in which the Prophet speaks to Umar in such a manner. Despairing of his search, he goes to the Quran and tries to find guidance in it for his situation, and he finds that in verse 13:17: He sends down water from the sky, and riverbeds flow according to their capacity. The current carries swelling froth. And from what they heat in fire of ornaments or utensils comes a similar froth. Thus God exemplifies truth and falsehood. As for the froth, it is swept away, but what benefits the people remains in the ground. Thus God presents the analogies. He sees the Shah and his apparatus as the ephemeral “froth” that is covering truth and justice for a time, but that will surely be swept away by the forces of time. This makes him decide that truth and justice are timeless principles that deserve his full and never-ceasing allegiance, while any request from the Shah and SAVAK for his allegiance should be automatically rejected, since they are the froth who want to cover up what benefits the people. They are nobodies who will be swept away by history, while truth and justice will remain supreme. He goes on to live by this learning for the rest of his life, even after the Shah falls and the “Islamic” Republic is established. Maktab Quran Moftizadeh garnered fame in Iranian Kurdistan by his famous speeches, such as the one he gave at the funeral of the poet Suwaray Ilkhanizada. His fearless criticism of the Shah (sometimes comparing him to the Pharaoh of the time of Moses) gave people hope, since the rest of the Islamic establishment was thoroughly hand-in-hand with the Shah’s regime. A Muslim scholar speaking against the Shah was something unknown and highly attractive. Maktab Quran (“school of Quran”) is the name of the movement/organization he and his friends created, first in the city of Mariwan and later in Sanandaj. The word maktab refers more to a “school of thought” than a physical entity (as pointed out by Ali Ezzatyar in The Last Mufti), a reference to his use of the Quran as a source for a reformist-activist Islam. He did, however, create schools in multiple cities where the Quran and related topics were taught, so Maktab Quran was a physical entity as well. Revolution (1978) Moftizadeh’s fame and opposition to the Shah made him a natural leader of Iranian Sunnis at the time of the Iranian revolution. The revolution worried him because he considered it untimely, and was aware of the great possibility for the rise of a new anti-Kurdish tyranny in Tehran (which is what happened). He believes that if his movement had been given 10-15 years without the Iran Revolution happening, the movement would have been able to bring Kurds to a state where they were ready to be the leaders of revolutionary change, since his goal was to teach people to insist on truth and justice and refuse to (intellectually) submit to tyrants. After the Iranian revolution, Moftizadeh worked with other Sunni leaders (such as the scholar Abdulaziz Malazadeh from Sistan-Balochistan) to create a unified front for interacting with the Shia-majority revolutionary government, accepting Khomeini’s promises of respecting democracy and pluralism. This unified front was called SHAMS (which means “sun” in Arabic, and was an acronym for shurayeh markaziyeh sunnat, meaning “central council of the Sunnis”). A meeting was held in Tehran in public in which the creation of SHAMS was announced and its details agreed upon by Sunni religious leaders from various areas of Iran. Naturally, Khoemini and his friends considered this union of the Sunnis a dangerous attack on their establishment, and the Iranian propaganda press went into overdrive over the few days following the meeting, associating the meeting with foreign influence, treason and all the other buzzwords that governments use to describe those who make them feel uncomfortable. Khomeini even gave a speech denouncing SHAMS. Prison again Khomeini’s extremist grip on power continued to increase as a number of convenient assassinations removed his more balanced Shia friends from Earth (such as Ayatollah Beheshti). This purging of the moderate Shias cleared the field for him to let his totalitarian tendencies run wild. A year after SHAMS, the Iranian government cracked down on those associated with Moftizadeh’s Maktab Quran movement throughout Iranian Kurdistan and imprisoned many of them, including Moftizadeh himself. They held him for ten years in solitary confinement, never allowing a single visitation by his family and friends. Keeping Kurdistan together During the revolution (between 1978 and 1981), Moftizadeh worked constantly to bring the Kurds together and have them reach a peaceable agreement with the new government to ensure the rights of the Kurds. The people he was interacting with, the leftist Kurdish parties on the one hand, and the Shia government on the other, were both equally power-hungry, duplicitous and unreliable, so that his efforts were seemingly entirely futile. Moftizadeh continued to try to work with everyone else in good faith, expecting the best of them, signing agreements with Kurdish party leaders who would go on to change the agreement the next day, adding their own clauses to it that had not actually been agreed upon, or agreeing on one thing then acting another way. Moftizadeh tried his best fulfill his role as “the leader of Iran’s Kurds” as he was widely considered, but to no good. Would it have been better if he had refused, seeing as the Kurds and the Shias were both totally and utterly incapable of working in good faith together? What is the point of trying to make things work when everyone you are dealing with is corrupt and selfish? While his political work has generally been considered a failure, his appeals for peace and avoidance of blood-shed may have saved Iranian Kurdistan from having the same fate as Iraqi Kurdistan, with hundreds of thousands of lives lost in a war with the government. It is quite possible that hundreds of thousands of Kurds living in Iran today owe their lives to some degree to his political work. His fight with the sheikhs and mullahs I wonder at the people of this town. They have so many mullahs, yet they have managed to remain religious and pious and they have not lost the way of Islam. —Ahmad Moftizadeh Ahmad Moftizadeh, despite being a classically trained religious scholar and being the son of the chief religious authority of Iranian Kurdistan (and being offered this position himself later on), was a strong critic of the Islamic establishment of his time. The Sufi sheikhs and mullahs had created a comfortable religious aristocracy where the population was made to serve their interests, finding clever ways of extracting money from the poor, such as making farmers take large portions of their harvests to the nearest Sufi establishment where a fat and corrupt Sufi sheikh usually presided. The mullahs (clerics and preachers who worked at the mosques) weren’t much better, fleecing the population through things like “repairing” divorces, without actually working to solve the roots of society’s issues. Islam had become a ceremonial religion devoid of its activist message. Moftizadeh considered the religious establishment cowardly and complicit with the Shah’s regime. Not a single leader could be found who dared to speak a word of truth against the Shah’s injustice. Moftizadeh made many enemies by opposing this system, so that some mullahs and sheikhs labelled him a “hypocrite” and scared people away from his circles. Eventually, with his radical honesty and fearless criticism of the Shah despite the dangers to his own life, he became the unchallenged leader of Iran’s Kurdish Sunni Muslims (and perhaps forever broke the hold of the religious establishment on Islam). In Shia Islam, the clerical establishment claims to have secret powers to interpret Islam properly, powers granted to them as descendants of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This is highly convenient, since it gives the Shia clerical establishment monopoly power over the way Islam is interpreted and practiced. Sunni Islam rejects this, saying there is nothing too special about being descended from the Prophet ﷺ. In practice, however, the Sunni establishment acts somewhat similar to the Shia establishment, requiring someone to be part of the establishment before considering their opinions valid. For many Sunni clerics, ordinary Muslims do not have the right to refute a ruling from an establishment scholar. The content of the refutation does not matter; if you haven’t gone through the establishment and do not have their stamp of approval, you do not have the right to speak your mind. Ahmad Moftizadeh’s teachings took Islam away from the establishment and gave it to each Muslim capable of reading and understanding the Quran. Moftizadeh’s Kurdish identity Moftizadeh in Kurdish pants. Moftizadeh insisted on wearing Kurdish pants, as a way of encouraging other Kurds to not be ashamed of their cultural practices. This was considered unfashionable in his time by other Kurds. They would tell him “You are not a lower-class laborer, so why do you wear that?” He says he replied to such a statement once by saying, “I am a human, and laborers are humans.” In Sanandaj, the nicknames of kaka (“big brother”), khalo (“uncle”) and mamo (also meaning “uncle”) were used as a way of addressing lower-class people. Moftizadeh came to be called kaka, and he asked his followers to continue calling him this, rejecting honorific titles. He strongly opposed titles like “sayyid”, “sheikh”, “mala”, “haji”, all of which were used as honorifics for people supposedly religiously or socially superior to others, and all o which could be used to describe himself if I remember correctly. He says these are used to separate one section of society from another, the holier from the less holy, and this makes them un-Islamic and sinful. Ahmad Moftizadeh considers the Medes the ancestors of Kurds, and the Persians their usurpers. He considers the Persian Empire a permanent force of oppression against Kurds since its inception. He considers Nawroz (the Iranian new year celebration) an imperial and anti-Kurd invention that celebrates the Persian usurpation of Kurdish power. I have my doubts about this theory, and believe that considering all the Iranian races (Kurds, Lurs, Persians, Pashtos) one race that slowly branched out a far better foundation for building a constructive identity. Kurdish victimhood identity is extremely dangerous, as like all victimhood identities (Zionism, communism, feminism, Shiism) it reduces empathy and the sense of moral responsibility. A victim has the right to more privileges and is held to lower moral standards, and acts as such. In Moftizadeh’s view, Kurds have been oppressed for 2500 years. In my view, the oppression of the Kurds might very well be a 20th century invention, as Turkish, Arab and Persian nationalism grew as responses to colonialism. Before that, the Kurds were just another subject nation of the Ottomans and the Safavids, and often enjoyed great autonomy, and their noblemen were accepted in the courts of these empires as men of power and status. Having a single, global humanist identity is so much more beautiful and productive (I should note that I am strongly opposed to globalism, but that is another matter). Western Muslim intellectuals are ahead in this regard, in shunning racial and nationalist identities. But Moftizadeh was a product of his time, and at that time, the issue of Kurdish identity was a matter of top priority, since Persians by and large considered Kurds a backwater nation that should be Persianized for their own good. Moftizadeh’s response was to fight for Kurdish identity, saying that Kurds had as much right to exist and exercise their language and culture as Persians. The Umayyads Moftizadeh considers the Umayyads the root cause for the loss of the original “true” Islamic caliphate, and says things mirroring the Shia view on them; that Abu Sufyan’s conversion to Islam was not true and that Muawiyah was on the whole an evil ruler. Since he brought back the old aristocratic system, threw out the shura system of democratic rule, established a dynastic monarchy, and built a palace in which he lived in luxury, for Moftizadeh this is sufficient evidence to consider him evil and corrupt. Personally, I doubt there is sufficient evidence to conclusively rule that Abu Sufyan or Muawiyah weren’t truly good people. They may have liked wealth and power and worked for it, but so do many other Muslims. They weren’t perfect, but this does not mean that they weren’t on the whole reasonably good people. Moftizadeh’s anti-Umayyad stance comes from his extreme anti-aristocratic views and his dislike for the Sunni-Shia divide for which he holds the Umayyads responsible. I believe a more balanced and sophisticated approach is needed when it comes to the historical facts of the matter. As for the religious division issue, focusing on history is not going help matters. The Shia establishment will continue promoting the Shia vicitmhood narrative, since this is important for maintaining power and relevance. Equality and Marxism Moftizadeh says “An Islamic society is one in which there are no (social) strata,” advocating for a radical equality among the population, from the ruler to the lowliest laborer (using the example of the Rashidun caliphs to explain what he meant). Some mullahs said that he was becoming a communist with his calls for equality. In response, he instead make a powerful critique of communism, recognizing its feudal nature. He says that communism is actually aristocracy taken to its most obscene extreme, where the central government becomes the unquestioned lord and the entirety of the population its lowly servants. He strongly disliked the undue respect that government officials received. In one Islamic gathering he sees that a section of the best seats have been reserved for officials. He goes and sits there, to set the example that officials should not be treated specially. When officials visit his home, he is harsh and unfriendly with them. On the other hand, he treats the lower classes with the utmost love and respect. Regarding the problem of nepotism, ever-present in the Middle East, he says: Anyone who in his or her dealing with a government official gets preferential treatment because of family ties or other things, and he or she accepts this treatment, they have done injustice. And on respecting the lower classes: How miserable is the person who works in the name of leading a religious movement and dislikes meeting the poor, while exulting at meeting the rich and powerful. Some of his followers suggested that he should get bodyguards, since they feared for his safety with his great fame and high status. He rejected this, saying that he is no better than the Rashidun caliphs Ali and Umar, who never had bodyguards. He says that one must go among the people, like the prophets used to, that separating himself from the people would automatically make him a failure. When out, his friends suggest using a taxi to go somewhere (considered a luxury form of transport at the time), he refuses, saying “Why can’t we go like the rest of the people?” After his release from prison (and close to his death), he was extremely sick from cancer and his body broken by the torture he had received under the Iranians. At one point he was receiving visitors, with everyone sitting on the floor as it is customary in Iran, and as he himself tried to sit, he suffered extreme pain since he couldn’t sit comfortably on the floor. Some offered to bring him a soft cushion to sit on, but he refused, saying, “A sick person can relax as needed when resting, but when among the people, he must behave like the people.” His meaning was that his sickness did not give him the privilege of acting differently and being catered to. This was part of his extreme insistence on equality and “not separating from the people”. At one point, one of his followers opens a car door for him as a show of respect. He tells them to close it, to go sit themselves, and says, “Do you think I don’t know how to open car doors?” He sees that someone refers to him as “dear kak Ahmad” in writing, and tells the person not to attach any title to him, even if it is merely “dear”. One of his followers, who goes on to be killed by the Iranian government, explains that the reason why Moftizadeh attracted such a devoted following was that he truly embodied the three points mentioned in this verse of the Quran: And who is better in speech than someone who calls to God, and carries out wholesome deeds, and says, “I am of the Muslims”? (The Quran, verse 41:33) Moftizadeh called toward God, toward submission to Him and freedom from submission to all other authorities and powers. He never worked for political power or for recognition, he never called for some group of his own. Moftizadeh worked to do good deeds day and night. He was a leader in applying the Quran in his own life, and this could be seen everywhere in his manners and actions. His stance always was “I am of the Muslims”, which this student of Moftizadeh interprets as meaning that the person does not separate himself from the Muslims using titles and status symbols. While the typical religious leader was happy to use his status as a bargaining tool for dealing with others in power, and while such a leader usually had a highly stratified organization around him, Mofizadeh not only rejected all of this, but turned the tables; he would treat the supposedly lowliest Muslims with the utmost respect and honor, while dealing harshly with the figures of authority in his town (knowing they were corrupt and hand-in-hand with the regime). Relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood Some members of the Muslim Brotherhood have mistakenly claimed that Moftizadeh was a member of their organization. While he had very close relationships with some Brothers, he did not do this out of allegiance to the Brotherhood, but out of his heart-centered approach; he would collaborate and help anyone who appeared like a good person. He was, near the end of his life, against political work, and he is quoted in The Last Mufti as saying that one who engages in political work is very likely to lose the way of guidance. Comparison with The Last Mufti The last 100 pages or so of the book is dedicated to translations of articles and interviews with him published in various Iranian publications in the early years of the Iranian Revolution. The Last Mufti does a far better job of describing the cultural context of Moftizadeh’s time and the origins of his family, likely due to the fact that The Last Mufti relied on far more many sources than this book does. However, it does contain many interesting details and anecdotes not mentioned in The Last Mufti, so both are well worth reading. Moftizadeh’s (and Sayyid Qutb’s) life shows that people need heroes. Moftizadeh was not the founder of a new school of fiqh and one cannot point to any major work of his. A scholarly skeptic, proud of his own works and education, may look at Moftizadeh’s followers and think “What is wrong with all of these people who glorify this nobody?” Yet the service that Moftizadeh did Islam has been immense and worthier than the works of perhaps a hundred scholars. By embodying his radical message, he became the message. It is sufficient to mention “Moftizadeh” to any of thousands of Iranian Sunnis to renew their motivation, their hope, their trust in God, their insistence on truth and justice, their bravery. So while many people belonging to the Islamic establishment will be able to call Qutb and Moftizadeh “nobodies”, it is sufficient to see the effects of these men on their respective audiences to realize that these men did tremendously important things, that they were greater than the thousands of religious clerics who failed to do the same, who preferred silence and comfort to telling the truth and putting their lives at risk. This is an important realization for me; that Islam cannot revive hearts and cannot cause social change unless it is embodied in certain people, no matter how few. For true, dynamic, activist Islam to exist in a community, that community needs to have its own Qutbs and Moftizadehs who are ready to be crucified for its sake, who tell the truth and stand for justice despite the danger to their own careers and lives. Without such people, the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized will look at the religious establishment and think, “Look at those pompous idiots who think they are here to bring us salvation while they do nothing to protect our lives and dignity.” This was the attitude of people in Iran, Iraq and Egypt toward the religious establishment until people like Moftizadeh and Qutb appeared, and this is probably the attitude of many Saudi people toward their cowardly and well-fed Salafi scholars who turn a blind eye to the abuses of the Saudi family. This is also the attitude of many Westerners toward the churches. Churchgoers who are not eager to give up large portions of their wealth to feed the poor and the oppressed in their communities have little right to pretend to be followers of Christ, and fully deserve to be considered out-of-touch and pompous hypocrites who do not really believe in their message. If you do not embody Islam or Christianity’s radically activist message, don’t be surprised if no one takes you seriously. Moftizadeh’s manners and story is similar to that of Jesus in the New Testament. He fearlessly embodied his message of radical honesty, of respecting all humans, of working against injustice and tyranny, acting like a wrench thrown into the comfortable decay of the Shah’s Kurdistan. Moftizadeh was the worst nightmare of every corrupt politician, cleric and faux revolutionary, never accepting to limit his speech against them, never seeking material gain (thus he was unbribable), and treating his followers with far more respect and honor than the figures of authority of his society, whether secular or religious, in this way creating a new power structure that discredited the existing ones and empowered ordinary people to feel as if they had the freedom to question things. Just like it happened with Jesus, many people started calling for his blood, including the religious establishment he was a part of. His criticism of the Shah’s regime helped topple it, but instead of acting the expected way toward his new Shia masters, silently acceding to them, he continued just like before, speaking his mind, discrediting them, not taking them seriously and focusing on truth and justice above all else. Moftizadeh represents the ideal Muslim citizen; a good and kind friend of every good and kind person, a peaceful activist who did his utmost to prevent violence, a nightmare to every greedy and power-hungry politician, cleric and aristocrat. Moftizadeh is a very difficult ideal to emulate. People either choose to be power-seeking revolutionaries who risk some but get a lot in return, or quietist mystics who risk nothing and enjoy a comfortable living. Moftizadeh brings together the difficult parts of both lifestyles and throws away the parts palatable to the human ego; you must be a revolutionary who does not seek power, and a mystic who risks everything. Most humans can either live up to the revolutionary ideal or the mystic ideal, very few can unite the two, because not only is there no personal gain in doing this, there is much chance of personal loss. Moftizadeh did that and suffered horribly for it, but renewed the world with his suffering. Ikram Hawramani / Nov 05, 2017 11:35 PM / No Comments on In the Footsteps of the Prophet by Tariq Ramadan / 494 views Tagged book reviews \| Prophet Muhammad ﷺ \| Tariq Ramadan In the Footsteps of the Prophet is a long-needed biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that focuses on his character, manners and experience, rather than merely narrating dates and facts. Many classical Islamic books are somewhat out-of-touch for modern readers, so that while they may have been satisfactory to their original (often Middle Eastern) readers, when translated into English they end up being unapproachable and highly inadequate, often leading to more questions than answers. In the Footsteps of the Prophet, having been written by someone who lives and breathes the Western worldview, lacks these shortcomings, so that I can refer Europeans to it without having to make apologies for it. On embracing faith Ramadan writes: From the outset, the Quran presents itself as the mirror of the universe. The term that the first Western translators rendered as “verse”-referring to biblical vocabulary-literally means, in Arabic, “sign” (ayah). Thus, the revealed Book, the written text, is made up of signs (ayat) just as the universe, like a text spread out before our eyes, is teeming with signs. When the heart’s intelligence, and not only analytical intelligence, reads the Quran and the world, then the two texts address and echo each other, and each of them speaks of the other and of the One. The signs remind us of what it means to be born, to live, to think, to feel, and to die. His writing style creates vague clouds of meanings and feelings, and it is often left as an exercise to the reader to make out anything concrete from what he says. This is very much unlike my own style, but perhaps there is a demographic that finds better meaning in his. What he is saying above is that the Quran provides various pointers (rather than conclusive proofs) of the Creator’s existence and presence, and the universe around us also provides its own pointers (rather than conclusive proofs). When you bring together the total of the Quran’s pointers and the universe’s pointers, your conscience (what he refers to as your heart’s intelligence) is offered the very difficult choice of accepting faith or rejecting it. When you run into sufficient ayat in yourself, in the world around you, and in the Quran, you reach a point where non-submission to the Creator becomes a sin against your conscience. This is the sin of kufr (disbelief), of denying God’s signs and/or favors. Throughout your life, your conscience is like a jury watching a trial that tries to decide whether God exists or not. Sign after sign is presented to your conscience, never sufficient to conclusively prove to your rational brain that God exists, but never so little that you can deny those signs in good conscience. Once you have seen sufficient signs, you will feel guilty to deny God, because you have done something that goes against your conscience. Even if you can rationally justify your rejection of God, the guilt may never leave. As for someone who has never seen sufficient signs, that is a different matter. The super-humanity or not of the Prophet ﷺ Ramadan embraces the idea that there was something special (super-human) about the Prophet ﷺ, narrating a few stories like the angels visiting him when he was a child and performing surgery on him to remove a black piece of flesh from his heart, in this way purifying him from something bad that other human hearts supposedly contain. The Egyptian scholar Muhammad al-Ghazali in his Fiqh al-Sīra rejects this story, saying that good and evil are a matter of the spirit, not the flesh. The story is problematic because it suggests there is some inherently evil within humans, embedded right in their flesh, reminiscent of the Christian concept of original sin. This story is just one example of the myriad stories in books of sīra (biographies of the Prophet ﷺ) suggesting that the Prophet ﷺ was special, something more than human. The Christians turned Jesus into God, and Muslims would probably have done the same, out of love and a desire for a human divinity that wasn’t so terrifying as God, if the Quran wasn’t so insistent that God has no associates and wasn’t so critical of the idea of Jesus as a Son of God. While we may not be able to conclusively say that there is was nothing specially super-human about the Prophet ﷺ, a truly human Prophet is far more admirable than a super-human Prophet in reality. What’s so special about bearing a burden if you are given super-powers by God to bear it? And resisting evil while desiring it is a greater accomplishment, as in the case of Prophet Yusuf (biblical Joseph), than resisting it after God sends angels to perform surgery on you to make you a better person. The beautiful story the Quran tells us is that the Prophet was a human just like any of us, and that he was given a terribly difficult mission that terrified him. He had to bear this burden with all of his fears and weaknesses, he had to face humiliation after humiliation among his relatives and tribe, and he had to face death on numerous occasions, not as a super-man who couldn’t be harmed, but as a fragile human who could suffer, who could fear, who could desire, who could be impatient, who could make terrible mistakes. Say, “I am nothing more than a human being like you, being inspired that your god is One God. Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and never associate anyone with the service of his Lord.” (The Quran 18:110) God did not tell the Prophet to say, “All humans are equal, but I am more equal than you.” He is told to say “I am nothing more than a human being”. That is it. There is no need to turn him into a super-man and in this way take away his achievements as a human. In the Footsteps of the Prophet contains only a few such stories, which makes it superior to other books of sīra. Sufficient evidence is not presented to show why the relationship between Aisha and the Prophet was special and exemplary, a claim that the book makes in multiple places. The issue of Aisha’s age is not addressed, and for someone who has this in mind while reading the relevant passages, nothing presented sufficiently justifies things (see my article here for the views of the latest scholars who say that there is good evidence that Aisha was close to 18 at the time of her marriage). He mentions that the Prophet ﷺ “stayed away” from Aisha for a month after she was accused of adultery, then mentions that this event “reinforced their love and trust”. But this claim is not convincing when no evidence is presented for it, and in fact evidence is provided that it harmed their relationship. The very important spiritual side of this matter is not mentioned. This was an intensely difficult lesson for the Prophet ﷺ, for he had not received guidance on what to do in the case of someone being accused without evidence being presented. Since the person accused was his own wife, and since he had no specific guidance on the matter, he could do nothing but suffer. He did not dare interact with his wife, not knowing whether her status as his wife was valid anymore. Mentioning these facts would have shown that his abandoning her for a month was not an him throwing away his wife until she was proven innocent, as it would appear to a critical reader. Both in this book and Karen Armstrong’s Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time, the focus on the Prophet’s persona and his sociopolitical status sometimes causes the fact of his servitude toward God to be neglected. In the issue of Aisha’s accusation, he was a helpless servant of God, not knowing what to do to please Him. Later it is mentioned that Aisha remained upset with the fact that the Prophet had doubted her chastity. Her mother asks her to thank the Prophet ﷺ for forgiving her and taking her back, but she says she will only thank God, since the Prophet ﷺ had doubted her. This, while seemingly a negative fact, is a good illustration of the fact that she maintained her independence of mind and did not act as an intellectual slave to her husband, but considered him a human that could be challenged. Sufficient justification for the war on Khaybar is not mentioned: the fact that it continuously sought to pay Arab tribes to go to war with the Muslims, hoping to remain the supreme Jewish power over the gentiles of Arabia, the way Israel today hopes to remain the supreme Jewish power over the gentiles of the Middle East, and using one group of gentiles to do their dirty work for them against another group while they themselves remained safe in their fortresses, the way today they get Christians to fund and fight Israel’s wars for them. The Prophet’s manners As mentioned, the book approaches the Prophet ﷺ as a human to be understood and emulated, and many examples are shown of his immense kindness, tolerance and civility toward both his followers and his sworn enemies. While on the whole the image of the Prophet ﷺ presented by the book is believable, there are also passages like the following which appear to insert too much of the author’s own reading into the character of Prophet ﷺ: The Messenger, moreover, drew from children his sense of play and innocence; from them he learned to look at people and the world around him with wonder. From watching children experience beauty he also more fully developed his sense of aesthetics: in front of beauty, he wept, he was moved, he sometimes sobbed, and he was often filled with well-being by the poetic musicality of a phrase or by the spiritual call of a verse offered by the Most Generous, the Infinitely Beautiful. It would have helped if these characteristics were backed by concrete examples. We have no evidence that this is not merely how Ramadan wishes the Prophet ﷺ to have been. In the Footsteps of the Prophet is a book I would recommend to anyone wanting to get something of an accurate view of Islam’s founder, a view that is neither harshly critical or fawningly uncritical piece of marketing. It shows the Prophet ﷺ as those who know the most about him see him, and I cannot give it a higher praise than this. A non-Muslim may naturally be skeptical of a book, written by a Muslim, that offers such a seemingly charitable glimpse of the Prophet. Muslims have everything to gain if non-Muslims see the founder of their religion in a more friendly light. To that I will say that this is the Prophet ﷺ as Muslims see him. There are no dark secrets. If someone says that the Prophet said or did something horrible, we reject it. The Prophet’s character, as his wife Aisha said, “was the Quran”. We think of the Prophet as a follower of the Quran, someone who did his utmost to embody its teachings, and if someone makes a claim about the Prophet that is highly out of character for him as a person who lived and breathed the Quran, then we reject that claim regardless of where it comes from. This is a simple matter of giving weight to more reliable evidence (the Quran) over less reliable evidence (hadith). If the more reliable evidence gives you one view of the Prophet, and the less reliable evidence gives you another one, if you are a rational human, you will prefer the view arrived at through the more reliable evidence, and this is what we Muslims do, and this is what In the Footsteps of the Prophet does. Those who have an ax to grind against Islam ignore the reliable evidence and waste their time building an alternate-reality version of the Prophet ﷺ based on less reliable evidence, a version of the Prophet that goes entirely against the Quranic view. What they say about the Prophet, therefore, is automatically rejected, since they intentionally ignore the most important evidence (the Quran) and instead focus on secondary evidence that confirm their preconceived biases. A fair-minded person should therefore see that what In the Footsteps of the Prophet does is exactly what we Muslims do in trying to arrive at an accurate understanding of the Prophet ﷺ; we use the canonical, Quranic view to make sense of a world of secondary evidence of varying authenticity to reach a good enough understanding of the Prophet’s mind and character. Ikram Hawramani / Oct 31, 2017 12:16 PM / No Comments on How and From Where Do We Begin? By Ahmad Moftizadeh / 322 views Tagged Ahmad Moftizadeh \| book reviews \| dawa (Islamic missionary work) \| Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Chon u La Kwewa Dast Pe Bkain (“How and From Where Do We Begin?”) is a 170-page Kurdish book based on interviews with Ahmad Moftizadeh done after he was released from prison (and soon before his death) and perhaps some of his writings. It provides an overview of his thinking processes regarding various matters, especially the proper form of conduct for those who want to emulate his way. The information is often scattered and no formal approach program or vision is presented. Moftizadeh’s approach has generally been like the Prophet’s ﷺ, offering guidance as situations presented themselves, rather than sitting down to build systems for people to follow. On the question of political work, he offers some guidance on the issues that his own movement had, without doing a formal analysis, and saying that different people at different times and places can reach their own conclusions regarding the best modes of action when doing Islamic political work. He strongly criticizes the political partisanship practiced by so many Islamist groups. In his view (and mine, too) matters of the heart take precedence, so that a Muslim who uses partisan thinking to attack another Muslim has automatically lost the way of wisdom. He also mentions that a key source of corruption within Islamic movements is when individuals seek power within the movement. My key discovery regarding political Islam has been that Islamic movements must never seek power. His ideas are close to this, and his movement (Maktab Quran) does not seek power, but he does not clearly state it. In his thinking, it is apparent that he hasn’t arrived at this conclusion, thinking that at certain times and places, once a certain stage of growth has been reached, groups of Muslim can engage in political partying and do more good than harm. He mentions that one of the biggest proofs the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood ﷺ is that his wife believed in him immediately. A wife knows her husband of many years better than most people. She knows his weaknesses and flaws. If she had known him to be untrustworthy, or known him to have significant flaws, she wouldn’t have supported him in bringing about a new ideology that totally opposed her culture. And after her, his closest friends also believed in him quickly, even though he didn’t have any proof to offer them except a few verses of the Quran. Again, this shows the immense amount of trust these people had in him. He is asked about his opinion on certain luminaries of the 20th century Islamic revival, such as Maududi and Qutb, and is asked why he does not refer to them often, and is asked whether he somehow disapproves of them or dislikes them like some people have suggested. He says that loves Qutb’s message and considers him far greater than himself, and mentions a few lines of poetry he had written in which the word “Qutb” is used both metaphorically and as a reference to Sayyid Qutb. He says that he does not have a very good memory for crediting ideas and sayings to their authors, so that he uses what he has learned from these men without saying it is from them. He also says that due to his business with social and political work throughout his active (pre-prison) life, that he did not have time to read too much, often taking ideas from other people. A large part of the book is dedicated to clarifying the concept of tazkiyah (which could be translated as “spiritual cultivation”), which in Moftizadeh’s view takes precedence over instruction. Instruction is merely the the transfer of information from a person to another, while in Moftizadeh’s view, Islamic education should focus on tazkiyah, imparting on people a subconscious appreciation for Islamic manners and ways of thinking. Instruction is the transfer of information, tazkiyah is the transfer of character, and far more important. He does his best to clarify what he has in mind regarding the difference between tazkiyah and mere instruction, using the example of Prophet Muhammad. To perform tazkiyah is to provide for people the subtle guidance and encouragement for them to become spiritually uplifted. To merely instruct people, the way it is done in various Islamic education systems, without focusing on imparting character, is going to do little good and has little affinity to the Prophet’s method of instruction. Discrediting the madrasa A large part of Moftizadeh’s thinking regarding Islamic education is to discredit the classical system that taught various technical topics without giving a thought to the cultivation of character, creating insincere clerics who did their Islamic work as a job without their hearts and souls being in it, and causing people to consider Islam something irrelevant to their daily lives, similar to government. He is also equally critical of Sufis who cut themselves off from society and allowed Islam’s highly dynamic, highly activist message to be lost. Moftizadeh and I agree on considering Islam an activist movement rather than just a religion, and I think he would agree with this principle of mine: No Muslim's faith is complete if he or she is not an anti-poverty activist. To me any Muslim leader who is not seriously worrying about and planning against poverty is either a hypocrite or a highly ignorant person, and in both cases is not worth following (he may, of course, have useful technical knowledge.) Love and dawa One of Moftizadeh’s key teachings is that a crucial part of spiritually uplifting others (whether those others are religious or not) is to treat everyone with kindness (mehrabani) and love, and to joke with people and talk to them in a way that reaches them (one would call it “building rapport” today). Talking about “reaching people” is quickly misinterpreted by many (Muslims and non-Muslims) as a way for advocating for clever manipulation tactics for converting people to Islam. There are two types of dawa (“inviting people to Islam”). One of them spends time and money on increasing the number of Muslims, and creates semi-missionaries who encourage people to embrace Islam using various tactics. The other type of dawa is to embody Islam, to live the Quran. To me religion is a very personal thing, and any effort to connect with the hearts of other people with an aim in mind (to make them Muslim) is automatically dishonest. To me, and more or less to Sayyid Qutb, Moftizadeh, and Tariq Ramadan , our mission is to love and to be kind, to do good in this world, to help people find a better way when they are stuck one way or another, without ever having the goal of turning them into one thing or another, treating their dignity and privacy with the utmost respect. Religion and spirituality is a very personal matter, and it is highly disrespectful (not to mention awkward, and futile) to barge into people’s lives and try to convert them. Proper dawa is goal-less. You do not make someone your “project” and try to finish this project by converting them. You, instead, treat everyone with love, kindness and empathy, while also embodying the rest of Islam in your daily life. Our interactions with non-Muslims must never be on the basis of hopefully one day converting them to Islam, this always leads to short-term minded, power-seeking behavior. Any kindness and empathy we show them must be given freely, selflessly, without expecting anything in return, and this means without expecting any return of the favor, or any added friendliness from them toward us and our religion. We practice Islam and in this way show people what it is. They can take it or leave it. I also feel that any money spent on converting non-Muslims to Islam is far better spent on eliminating poverty and educating those who are already Muslim, and especially new converts. In my view anyone who converts to Islam should automatically be given a monthly zakat stipend by their local mosque (if they are not wealthy), to make them feel like they belong to a community that cares about their well-being. Ikram Hawramani / Oct 21, 2017 11:17 AM / No Comments on Conflicts of Fitness: Islam, America, and Evolutionary Psychology / 1001 views Tagged book reviews \| evolutionary psychology \| gene-culture \| Khaled Abou El Fadl \| polygamy \| polygyny \| Sex and Purpose \| women in Islam Get it on Amazon.com as a Kindle ebook or paperback. Conflicts of Fitness: Islam, America, and Evolutionary Psychology by A.S. Amin is a highly original examination of the dynamics of gender and sexuality within Western societies on the one hand, and within Islamic societies on the other. As someone who has been working on reconciling Islam and evolutionary theory and on developing a post-feminist theory of human sexual dynamics, I hardly expect most books to tell me anything I haven’t already heard or thought about, but this book manages it. It is a short and enjoyable read that sticks to the facts and does not often try to force an interpretation on them, which will make it agreeable to people coming from differing backgrounds and ideological currents. The author’s main thesis is that different societies have different reproductive climates designed to maximize reproductive success. In a short-term climate, like that of most of the United States, human evolutionary instincts drive men to do their best to have sex with as many women as possible while not caring very much about a woman’s virginity and past sexual experiences. As for women, the climate drives them to display sexual receptivity through makeup, dress and manners designed to encourage men to think of them in sexual terms. On the other hand, in a very-long-term climate like Saudi Arabia, men maximize reproductive success not by trying to have as many short-term relationships as possible, but by maximizing paternity confidence. Saudi Arabian seek virginal women so that they can be assured their children are theirs, and they go to extremes to ensure this; marrying very young women and preventing women from leaving the house, getting an education or a career. This way of looking at the problem of women’s status in extremely conservative Muslim societies is a breath of fresh air from all of the moralistic or emotional treatments the subject has so far received on the hands of ideologically-driven intellectuals and commentators. It is also good to find another Muslim who can think of these matters in scientific and largely apolitical terms. A reader of Conflicts of Fitness may wonder how a Muslim can write from an evolutionary perspective when Muslims do not generally accept the theory of evolution. Amin does not offer an explanation for this, focusing on his research topic without delving into this issue, leaving it to the readers to work it out. In my essay God, Evolution and Abiogenesis I explain how the Quran is compatible not only with evolution, but with abiogenesis as well. Explaining Islam’s policy toward polygamy Before reading this book, I had often thought of polygyny as a privilege granted men in order to deal with certain exceptional circumstances (such as having an infertile wife). Conflicts of Fitness explains that there is more to it than this, and that women, rather than men, are potentially the primary beneficiaries of polygyny: If you have ten men and ten women, by allowing the most successful man to marry the two women, nine men are left to compete for the remaining eight women. These men will be forced to offer stronger commitment to these women in order to secure their hands in marriage, in this way creating a society where most relationships are highly committed. Successful middle-aged men often strongly desire to use their wealth and success to build new families and have more children. In a monogamous society, such men are forced to divorce their current wives, or worse, cheat on them. In an Islamic society, a safe outlet is provided for these men, enabling them to keep their current wives (who, if divorced, would most likely be unable to marry again due to their old age), while also enabling them to create new families. While this is not ideal for the current wives, most would prefer it over being divorced. This also increases the options of younger women, since married men would compete for their hands in marriage. Polygyny is not a zero-sum game for women, and the overall benefits to women is almost certainly greater than the harm it does. Most Western women and men empathize with the underdog when thinking of hypothetical situations, therefore they are unlikely to accept the above explanation, since they empathize with the poor woman who will suffer having to share her husband with another woman. The fact that she chooses this over divorce is not given attention since it goes against the “Islam is misogynistic” narrative. For a Muslim who already believes in the Quran, the explanation is a good vindication of the policy, and it should help restrain scholars overeager to place strict restrictions on polygyny. In a society where marriage is by consent and where people are free to divorce whenever they want, polygyny will be self-balancing. Men will have to balance the fear of losing their present wife with their desire for a second one, meaning that the majority of men will be unlikely to abuse this right. My experience of Kurdish and Persian society proves this correct. Explaining makeup In a short-term reproductive climate, women signal their receptivity to short-term-style sexual relationships in various ways, one of which is makeup. One thing that makeup does is simulate the effects of sexual arousal: It turns out that when a woman becomes sexually aroused, certain physiologic changes take place. Among these changes are dilation of the pupils and the blood vessels in the cheeks and lips. The author refers to this facet of makeup-as-a-signal-of-sexual-receptivity in many places in the book. However, while this is highly informative, it is not the complete picture. Makeup also serves as an important axis for enabling women to get ahead of themselves and other women. Makeup enables a woman to enhance her apparent quality as a worthy mate by making herself look younger and healthier. In a long-term or somewhat-long-term climate, makeup helps a woman appear as a better substance compared to her competitors. This, however, runs the danger of sending the wrong signal, of appearing to be receptive to sexual advances, for this reason in a long-term climate, a woman has to walk a fine line between enhancing her looks (which helps her get the interest of more suitors wanting to marry her) and signalling sexual receptivity (which garners the attention of the wrong audience). The generational gap in reproductive strategies The author mentions that an important reason for the strife that so often exists between teenage girls and their parents regarding dress and makeup is a generational gap in reproductive strategies. The parents grew up in a climate that was more long-term-oriented than the present climate, and they want to enforce the mores of their outdated climate on their children, not realizing that the climate has changed, and that by preventing their daughter from dressing more skimpily or wearing more makeup or dating more freely, they are causing her to fall behind her peers. Immigrants, especially Muslims, bringing up children in the West suffer a similar conflict. What should be done to handle this problem? The author does not say. Should Muslims submit to the new climate, admitting that laxer standards are needed for their children, or should they fight off the West and try to keep isolated? The Muslim Westerner’s mindset toward the West’s short-term reproductive climate should not reactionary, it should instead be constructive. Muslim men and women, following the Quranic program, should live and marry and construct their own Western society that proudly rejects everything it considers inferior and harmful and happily embraces everything it considers beneficial. Instead of trying to live in an “intellectual ghetto”, as Tariq Ramadan calls it, they live in the center of the Western intellectual tradition, reforming it, critiquing its weaknesses, calling for betterment, and freely defining new ways of life, exactly the way the intellectual elite throughout the ages have always done, defining new ways of life for themselves often at odds with the wider society. Approaching Muslim women I have seen some Western non-Muslim men wonder how you go about approaching a Muslim woman (to see if she is interested in a relationship), since the way they dress often signals unapprochability. The answer is that you don’t approach Muslim women (at least not the vast majority). The author gives an evolutionary explanation for this. Muslim women seek long-term partners, which requires deep knowledge of the man before any contact is made. It is for this reason that parents, relatives and friends are often heavily involved in planning and executing marriages. Approaching a Muslim woman, telling her she is beautiful and that you find her really interesting will most likely upset and offend her, since you are offering her exactly what she does not want; a relationship based on a short-term sexual attraction, and because being seen talking to a random man can harm her reputation. Westerners, and some liberal Muslims, think these facts show that Muslims are out of touch or backward, and that they must be “better-educated”, “liberated”, “integrated”, “assimilated” and a whole lot of other euphemisms referring to the belief that Muslims should stop being Muslims and act more like non-Muslims for their own good. The Quran requires that Muslims implement long-term reproductive strategies in their lives, meaning that for Muslims to remain Muslims, short-term reproductive behaviors can never be normalized. A Muslim woman who has a PhD and is attending a conference is not going to respond positively to some non-Muslim man’s pick-up line no matter how well-educated and liberated she is, if she is a devout Muslim. This is because in effect the man is calling her to abandon her chosen way of life. For her, sexual relationships are long-term matters that require the critique and approval of her family, relatives and friends, since Islam teaches her to think of herself as a member of a community, and to respect the opinions of her relatives and the authority of her parents. If a man is interested in her, instead of approaching her directly, he does it in a manner that shows his respect for the Muslim community and her family, and that shows his long-term interest in her, by having a friend or relative approach a friend or relative of hers. Of course, this is not always an option, sometimes a direct approach is the only one possible, for example for a Muslim man and woman studying at the same college but knowing nothing else about one another, and having no one to mediate for them. Islam, women, careers and divorce The book analyzes the significant relationship between reproductive climates and attitudes toward women having careers. In a short-term climate, men cannot be relied on as providers, since they are interested in independence and short-term sexual relationships. In a long-term climate, men can be relied on, since men have no option but to be providers, in order to be able to attract the love interest of women. This means that in a short-term climate, a career can be essential to a woman’s survival, while in a long-term climate, it can be largely irrelevant. Men who like to follow a short-term sexual strategy (having sexual access to many females without having to commit themselves) will have an incentive to promote women’s “liberation”. For such men, it can be frustrating to live in a society that limits the availability of women, and they may do what they can to bring about change, to discredit the “backward” patriarchs, to get women out of society’s protection and into their own hands. In his analysis of Islamic thought as it applies to the topic, the author’s methods and ways of thought are close to mine, which was a pleasant surprise. He refers to some of my favorite scholars while also maintaining a critical eye toward their opinions. He makes many references to the UCLA professor Khaled Abou El Fadl, someone largely unknown to me until reading this book: Reviewing many of the Qur’ānic verses used to justify women’s restricted access to divorce, he concludes that the full implications of these verses have not been fully considered and intimates his opinion that Islam gives women the same access to divorce as it does to men. However, Abou El Fadl seems somewhat troubled that his opinion is in disagreement with the majority of Muslim jurists throughout Islamic history. The question becomes, is the majority opinion the result of the unequivocal evidence found in the sources of Islamic law, or a manifestation of the reproductive climates in which those opinions were formulated? A woman should have full rights to divorce, because ethically, this is almost certainly crucial for ensuring the fairness of the marriage system. A man is given a degree of authority over his wife in his household. To ensure that this authority does not lead to abuse and tyranny, a woman must always retain the right to leave. Preventing her from leaving is going to greatly reduce her bargaining power in the relationship. I also support the opinions of the Salafi scholars al-Albani and Ibn Baaz in requiring a formal procedure for a man to divorce his wife, requiring him to stay with her for one menstrual cycle without having sex before the divorce is considered official. I believe that allowing a man to perform a permanent triple divorce by uttering a sentence is a highly damaging and defeats many of the purposes of Islamic law. Reproductive climates and the practice of fiqh Fiqh refers to Islamic jurisprudence, the field of discovering the best possible practical applications for the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah (the Prophet’s traditions ﷺ). One of the main theses of the book is that the reproductive climate affects the way men interpret Islamic principles. According to Amin, in very-long-term climates like Saudi Arabia, paternity confidence is one of the prime directives in the minds of the jurists, so that they support nearly everything that can in some way restrict a woman’s freedom and make her a better reproductive object. Egyptians have a less long-term climate, so that their scholars are willing to make concessions to women’s freedom even if they acknowledge that in certain circumstances these granted privileges may lead to less paternity confidence. Amin’s thesis is that reproductive climates affect the derivation of fiqh, leading to differing rulings (fatwas). This is one of the main conclusions of the book, that Muslim men prefer different interpretations of Islam based on their reproductive climates. To Saudi Muslim men, it is “obvious” that women should be restricted for everyone’s good, while to (cosmopolitan) Egyptian Muslim men, it is “obvious” that women should have more freedoms. A man’s reproductive strategy affects his values and makes him prioritize certain things over others, leading to a type of Islam that fits his own reproductive goals. This scientific analysis of the derivation of fiqh is important and very much needed in order to separate what is truly Islamic from what is merely cultural within the rulings of the scholars. A new field can be launched, the (evolutionary) sociology of fiqh, that studies these matters. The limitation of his evolutionary psychology approach is that it treats humans as genetic creatures, so that he studies how manifestations of genetically-driven instincts affect psychological behavior. To me this is only half of evolutionary psychology, although I know that many evolutionary psychologists limit themselves to this. Humans are not genetic creatures, but genetic-cultural creatures, genes affect culture and culture affects genes. This adds a layer of complexity to human psychology that, if ignored, leads to incomplete theories. Thus the Egyptian toleration for less paternity confidence is not necessarily a consequence of the reproductive climate, it might be a cause of it. Perhaps the cultural appreciation of Egyptians for human rights led to a toleration for a shorter-term reproductive climate, so that this ideal was given priority over the concern for paternity confidence. IQ is largely genetic (i.e. not cultural), but its consequence is a culture that appreciates various intangible ideals, whose consequence, in turn, is a re-interpretation of religion that tolerates a laxer reproductive climate, since this is more likely to achieve those ideals. Having a high IQ does not mean that a person will be a nice, idealistic person. Rather, a high IQ population, after accepting certain teachings (Western/Christian philosophy, the Quran, Sufism), ends up becoming something of a humanist. A low IQ population, given the same teachings, will mostly focus on its form and ignore its content (ideals). Thus low IQ Muslims and Christians are often obsessed with appearances, socialization and ritual, while it is the high IQ Muslims and Christians who bother to read deeply into the texts. It is, therefore, my hypothesis that when Islam is given to a high IQ population, the result is a humanist Islam, as is so well seen in cosmopolitan sections of Egypt. While when Islam is given to a low IQ population (Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan), the result is a focus on texts (naql, its extreme example being Wahhabism) and negligence toward the Quran’s principles. While the author’s focus on reproductive concerns within the practice of fiqh is useful and enlightening, it is an incomplete view of the system. Genetics can lead to certain cultural (by “cultural”, I mean everything that’s not genetic) behaviors, which can then come back and influence reproductive behaviors, leading to highly complex feedback loops. Dress codes for slave women Amin mentions the fact that jurists have tolerated laxer dress codes for slave women compared to free women. According to his theory, this is a sign of the fact that since a slave woman is a short-term mate (more of an object of desire than reproduction), a short-term mindset toward her was tolerated, some jurists going as far as allowing her to show her breasts in public. Since paternity confidence was not a concern, the amount of skin a slave woman showed was not of much concern. This behavior is also seen in Arab and Indo-Pakistani men living in the West who have short-term sexual relationships with Western women, but once they go on to seek a wife, they look for women from conservative families whose chastity and virginity can be relied on. In both of the above situations, a double standard is maintained depending on the purpose of the woman in question. While the dress codes of slave women have no practical relevance to the modern practice of Islam, from a sociology of fiqh perspective, the matter might provide a useful insight into the thinking processes of jurists, showing how personal biases and reproductive goals affect the way Islamic sexual morality is interpreted. It should, however, be noted that part of the justification for this double standard for the dress codes of free vs. slave women is verse 33:59 of the Quran: O Prophet! Tell your wives, and your daughters, and the women of the believers, to lengthen their garments. That is more proper, so they will be recognized and not harassed. God is Forgiving and Merciful. A common interpretation of “so they will be recognized” is that so that it will be known that they are free women and not slaves (as mentioned in al-Tabari’s tafseer). This clearly provides justification for tolerating different dress codes for different classes of women. Another Persian scholar, al-Razi, interprets this verse as saying that virtuous women should dress more conservatively if there is a chance they will run into uncouth strangers, so that those strangers may recognize them as virtuous women and not women open to flirtation. This interpretation is more satisfactory in my opinion and prevents the use of the verse as justification for having double standards regarding different classes of women. What does Islam select for? All societies select for something. —Greg Cochran All policy is eugenics.1 —Ikram Hawramani Another relevant and highly interesting topic that is not covered by the book is the effects of reproductive climates on genes. For example, in a society that practices polygyny for long enough, the sex ratio will likely correct itself so that slightly more women than men will be born. As I explain in my essay The Gene-Culture, any study of humans that entirely focuses on genes, or entirely focuses on culture, is going to be incomplete, because it focuses on one force while ignoring its equally important companion force. A study of religious policies toward gender as entirely reproductive strategies, while highly informative, is incomplete. Thinking in terms of centuries and millennia, rather than in terms of individual generations and societies, will bring into focus the importance of religion as a gene-modifying force; Islamic culture will rewrite genes by selecting for certain characteristics and against others, the same way that genes (and reproductive strategies) affect our practice and interpretation of Islam, causing us to focus on certain aspects of Islam (and ignore others at times). Islam rewards and promotes self-restraint, which is strongly associated with IQ, therefore high IQ people will get a more favorable treatment under Islam compared to lower IQ people who have difficulty with self-restraint. A woman who has a reputation for being “wild” is going to be passed up by men in favor of women who have a reputation for restraint. A man who does not have the long-term planning capacity to get a degree and a good career is going to be passed up by women in favor of men who have such capabilities. Short-term climates create winner-take-all realities where a few attractive men get to have sex with a great number of women, as Conflicts of Fitness studies in detail, while the less sexually attractive and shy “nerdy” men are going to find it very difficult to find mates. The Islamic system prevents this reality from existing. It punishes the womanizing “alpha males” by forcing them into long-term relationships where they have to make do with one, two or at most four women. And since many of these “alpha males” will not have the money to take care of too many women at the same time, they will often be forced to make do with just one or two women. This means that the rest of the women will not have access to these men, so that they are made to settle for less attractive men. In an Islamic society, similar to Japanese society 100 years ago, the majority of men will be able to marry, including shy and nerdy ones who are totally incapable of using charisma to attract women. This fact of Islamic societies may be a significant contributor to the high fertility rates that devout Muslim societies enjoy. Conflicts of Fitness is a worthy contribution in the best tradition of Western civilization, an effort to arrive at the truth without concern for political considerations.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3583
__label__wiki	0.710848	0.710848	Chartered in September 1783, Dickinson College was originally a Presbyterian school that re-opened in 1834 under Methodist auspices. The following decades saw the institution produce and influence hundreds of young men who spread all across the American continent and into the halls of government. Little more than twenty miles above the Mason-Dixon Line, the college was also one of the few antebellum American institutions that remained about evenly divided in its membership between northerners and southerners. (By Matthew Pinsker) 09/01/1808 Dickinson College expels James Buchanan 09/19/1809 James Buchanan graduates from Dickinson College 07/09/1846 Dickinson College holds annual commencement ceremonies 06/02/1847 The McClintock Riot takes place in Carlisle, Pennsylvania 07/29/1858 Former Dickinson College president Jeremiah Atwater dies, aged eighty-five 02/16/1859 The Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania opens 07/11/1860 Dickinson College trustees hold firm that daily morning prayers will take place "before breakfast" 10/08/1860 Dickinson College students given a day off classes to attend the local Agricultural Fair 10/22/1860 Dickinson student, John F. Frederick '64, takes another drunken step towards ending his college career 11/26/1860 In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Dickinson College faculty discipline a student for "hissing in the Chapel" 12/17/1860 Dickinson College students punished for "smoking out" a classmate from his dormitory room 12/17/1860 J.D. Frederick, class of 1864, appeals his expulsion from Dickinson College for drunkenness 12/22/1860 In Pennsylvania, mass Union meeting at the Carlisle courthouse resolves that secession is illegal 01/14/1861 In Pennsylvania, a Carlisle courthouse meeting debates the Crittenden Compromise 03/04/1861 In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, two Dickinson College students punished for gun play on campus 04/14/1861 Governor Alexander Ramsey makes Minnesota the first state to pledge its militia to the Union 04/20/1861 At Dickinson College, the Junior and Senior classes request the end of term be brought forward 04/25/1861 At Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, students are leaving for home in large numbers 04/29/1861 In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Dickinson College students are finding it difficult to attend class 03/10/1862 Fire destroys Euphemia Hall, a female Episcopal school founded and run by a Dickinson College graduate 06/25/1863 In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Dickinson College holds its annual commencement ceremonies In Carlisle, Rodes' infantry enjoy a brief but comfortable respite at the U.S. Army Cavalry School In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Confederate troops occupy a town familiar to some of their officers 03/31/1865 At Dinwiddie Courthouse, Horatio Collins King performs the heroics for which he will later receive a Medal of Honor 04/10/1865 Two Dickinson College alumni clash in one of the last cavalry engagements of the war in Virginia 12/16/1866 Henry Vethake, former pioneer lecturer in "Political Economy" at Dickinson College dies in Philadelphia 11/06/1867 In Madison, New Jersey, Drew Theological Seminary is formally opened Stamm, John S. Staub, Richard Perry Henry Stayman, John Keagy Stayman, Joseph Benton Stayman, Milton C. Stevens, John Horace Stevenson, Raymond Montague Stevenson, William James Stewart, Francis Asbury Stewart, Thomas R. Stewart, William Stewart, William Henry Stinson, Charles Henderson Stone, Alfred Christopher Stone, David Davidson Storm, John Brown Sudler, Thomas Emory Sullivan, Isaac S. Super, Charles William Sutton, William Henry Sweeney, George Taney, Roger Brooke Taylor, Robert E. Temple, James Norton Thomas, James Henry Thomas, James Sewall Thomas, Philip Francis Thomas, Thomas S. Thomas, Thomas Snowden Thompson, Robert Franklin Mason-Dixon Line 03/10/1847 New York Christian Advocate, “Reply to Dr. Durbin,” March 10, 1847 05/26/1847 New York Tribune, "Application of the Gag," May 26, 1847 06/02/1847 Entry by John McClintock, June 2, 1847 06/03/1847 John McClintock to Edgar B. Wakeman, June 3, 1847 06/08/1847 John S. Porter to Robert Emory, June 8, 1847 06/10/1847 Carlisle (PA) Herald, "To the Board of Trustees," July 10, 1847 06/10/1847 John McClintock to Jane McClintock, June 10, 1847 06/12/1847 John Price Durbin to Robert Emory, June 12, 1847 06/14/1847 John Bowen to Robert Emory, June 14, 1847 06/14/1847 Providence (RI) Manufacturers and Farmers Journal, "The Slave Riot at Carlisle, Pa.,” June 14, 1847 06/16/1847 John McClintock to Edgar B. Wakeman, June 16, 1847 06/18/1847 Boston (MA) Liberator, “The Slave Riot at Carlisle, Pa.,” June 18, 1847 06/24/1847 New York National Anti-Slavery Standard, "The Riot in Carlisle," June 24, 1847 07/16/1847 Thomas W. Smith to Robert Emory, July 16, 1847 08/02/1847 Thaddeus Stevens to John McClintock, August 2, 1847 08/25/1847 Carlisle (PA) Herald & Expositor, “Local Matters: Dickinson College,” August 25, 1847 09/01/1847 Harrisburg (PA) Democratic Union, "The Carlisle Riot Case," September 1, 1847 04/13/1849 Charlestown (SC) Mercury, "A Practical Joke," April 13, 1849 07/14/1858 Carlisle (PA) Herald, “Commencement Exercises,” July 14, 1858 08/18/1858 John Hays to Charles Francis Himes, August 18, 1858 06/20/1859 John Hays to Charles Francis Himes, June 20, 1859 11/23/1859 New York Herald, “Rebellion in Dickinson College,” November 23, 1859 11/26/1859 Cleveland (OH) Herald, “No Riot,” November 26, 1859 07/07/1860 Carlisle (PA) American Volunteer, “Decidedly Wrong,” July 7, 1860 07/13/1860 Carlisle (PA) Herald, “Commencement Exercises of Dickinson College,” July 13, 1860 04/22/1861 William Willey to Waitman Willey, April 22, 1861 04/24/1861 Dickinson College President Herman Johnson Circular Letter, April 24, 1861 07/03/1863 New York Times, "Carlisle," July 3, 1863 07/04/1863 Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer, “The Rebels at Carlisle,” July 4, 1863 07/10/1863 John Keagy Stayman to Edgar Hastings, July 1863 07/15/1863 George D. Chenoweth to James W. Marshall, July 15, 1863 05/24/1864 Recollection of Confederate Lieutenant George Baylor, May 24, 1864 04/10/1865 Charles Albright to William Gamble, April 10, 1865 04/10/1865 Recollection of Confederate Captain George Baylor, April 10, 1865 Dickinson College, 1872, map detail Old West, Dickinson College, circa 1845 Old West, Dickinson College, 1860 West College, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1865 South College, Dickinson College, 1860 East College, Dickinson College, c1870 Class of 1860, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, composite photograph, zoomable image Henry Spradley and Shirley Spradley, with Robert Young, Dickinson College, circa 1885 Noah Pinkney and his sandwich stand outside Old East, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, circa 1900, zoomable image. Noah Pinkney and Dickinson College Janitorial Staff taking an ice cream break on campus, circa 1890, zoomable image. Noah Pinkney selling sandwiches outside Old East, Dickinson College, circa 1885 African-American Janitorial Staff, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1898, zoomable image. East College, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, circa 1900, with African-American janitor on duty, zoomable image. East College, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, circa 1900, with African-American janitor on duty, detail. How to Cite This Page: "Dickinson College," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/17946.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3584
__label__cc	0.680185	0.319815	Download XBRL Use these links to rapidly review the document (Mark One) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission file number: 001-38319 QUANTERIX CORPORATION incorporation or organization) 20-8957988 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 113 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 301-9400 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share The Nasdaq Global Market Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange 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 o No ý 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 o No ý Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ý No o Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer ý Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company ý Emerging growth company ý If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý As of June 30, 2018, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the last reported sales price for the registrant's common stock, par value $0.001 per share, on The Nasdaq Global Market on such date, was approximately $162.8 million. As of March 1, 2019, the registrant had 22,461,202 shares of common stock outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which the registrant intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Item 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors 38 Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 72 Properties 72 Legal Proceedings 73 Mine Safety Disclosures 73 Market For Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 74 Selected Financial Data 75 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 76 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 94 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 95 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 95 Controls and Procedures 95 Other Information 96 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 97 Executive Compensation 97 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 97 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 97 Principal Accountant Fees and Services 97 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 98 Form 10-K Summary 103 Signatures 104 Consolidated Financial Statements F-1 Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "will," "would," or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about: the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business, products and services; the potential size of the markets and fields addressable by our Simoa technology; the commercialization and adoption of our existing products and services and the success of our new product offerings; our ability to develop additional assays, including multiplexed assays; the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and our needs for additional financing; the ability of our Simoa technology's sensitivity to improve existing diagnostics and to enable the development of new diagnostic tests and tools; the potential of our Simoa technology in the field of companion diagnostics and its adoption by healthcare professionals; the impact of our Simoa technology on proteomic research; the usefulness of the data generated by our Simoa technology in the life science research, diagnostic and precision health screening fields; our new principal office and laboratory space; and our financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in "Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to conform these statements to new information, actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents that we reference herein and have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance, and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect. This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. This Annual Report on Form 10-K also contains estimates and other statistical data from a custom market research report by an independent third-party research firm, which was commissioned by us and was issued in June 2017, referred to herein as the Third-Party Research Report. Such data involves a number of assumptions and limitations and contains projections and estimates of the future performance of the markets in which we operate and intend to operate that are subject to a high degree of uncertainty. We caution you not to give undue weight to such projections, assumptions and estimates. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Quanterix," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refer to Quanterix Corporation. "Quanterix," "Simoa," "Simoa HD-1," "SR-X," "SP-X", "HD-1 Analyzer" and our logo are our trademarks. All other service marks, trademarks and trade names appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of other companies' trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other companies. Item 1. BUSINESS We are a life sciences company that has developed next generation, ultra-sensitive digital immunoassay platforms that advance precision health for life sciences research and diagnostics. Our platforms are based on our proprietary digital "Simoa" detection technology. Our Simoa bead-based and planar array platforms enable customers to reliably detect protein biomarkers in extremely low concentrations in blood, serum and other fluids that, in many cases, are undetectable using conventional, analog immunoassay technologies, and also allow researchers to define and validate the function of novel protein biomarkers that are only present in very low concentrations and have been discovered using technologies such as mass spectrometry. These capabilities provide our customers with insight into the role of protein biomarkers in human health that has not been possible with other existing technologies and enable researchers to unlock unique insights into the continuum between health and disease. We believe this greater insight will enable the development of novel therapies and diagnostics and facilitate a paradigm shift in healthcare from an emphasis on treatment to a focus on earlier detection, monitoring, prognosis and, ultimately, prevention. We are currently focusing on protein detection, which we believe is an area of significant unmet need and where we have significant competitive advantages. However, in addition to enabling new applications and insights in protein analysis, we are also developing our Simoa bead-based technology to detect nucleic acids in biological samples. We believe that our Simoa platforms are the most sensitive commercially available protein detection platforms and significantly advance ELISA technology, which has been the industry standard for protein detection for over forty years. Proteins are complex molecules that are required for the structure, function and regulation of the body's tissues and organs, and are the functional units that carry out specific tasks in every cell. The human body contains approximately 20,000 genes, each of which can produce multiple proteins. It is estimated that these 20,000 genes can produce over 100,000 different proteins, approximately 10,500 of which are known to be secreted in blood. Accordingly, while research on nucleic acids provides valuable information about the role of genes in health and disease, proteins are more prevalent and, we believe, more relevant to a precise understanding of the nuanced continuum between health and disease. Protein measurement goes beyond genetic predisposition, reflecting the impact of a range of influences on health, including environmental factors and lifestyle, providing deeper and more relevant insight into what is happening in a person's body in real time. Researchers and clinicians rely extensively on protein biomarkers for use as research and clinical tools. However, normal physiological levels of many proteins are not detectable using conventional, analog immunoassay technologies, and many of these technologies can only detect proteins once they have reached levels that reflect more advanced disease or injury. For many other low abundance proteins, these technologies cannot detect proteins even at disease- or injury-elevated levels. We believe that Simoa's sensitivity offers a new way to monitor healthy individuals and detect proteins associated with nascent disease or injury early in the disease cascade, which holds the key to intervention before disease or injury has advanced to the point where more significant clinical signs and symptoms have appeared. Our Simoa platforms have achieved significant scientific validation and commercial adoption. Simoa technology has been cited by published research in more than 400 articles in peer-reviewed publications in areas of high unmet medical need and research interest such as neurology, oncology, cardiology, infectious disease and inflammation. Our growing customer base is comprised of over 420 customers across our end markets, and includes 19 of the 20 largest biopharmaceutical companies. Our Market Opportunities Our Simoa platforms have applications across the life science research, diagnostics and precision health screening markets. Our initial target market has been the life science research market, and according to estimates in the Third-Party Research Report, we believe that the life science research market, including both proteomics and genomics research, is $3 billion per year and has the potential to reach $8 billion per year. However, as our customers continue to gain experience with our proprietary Simoa technology, we believe the opportunity to access markets beyond research, such as diagnostics and precision health screening, will be significant. The Third-Party Research Report also estimates that the diagnostic and precision health screening markets have the potential to reach an aggregate of $30 billion per year. Our initial target market is the large and growing life science research market. We believe our Simoa platforms are well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market because of superior sensitivity, automated workflow capabilities, multiplexing and the ability to work with a broader range of sample types. By substantially lowering the limit of detection of protein biomarkers, we believe that Simoa is penetrating the existing market for protein analysis and holds potential to significantly grow the life science research market as researchers expand their research into the diseases associated with the thousands of proteins that were previously undetectable. Simoa also enables earlier detection of the proteins that are currently detectable by other technologies only after they have reached levels that reflect more advanced disease or injury. As an indication of the market's acceptance of our technology, biopharmaceutical researchers are also integrating our platforms into drug development protocols to more efficiently and effectively develop drugs. In addition to enabling new applications and insights in protein analysis, our Simoa bead-based technology can be used to detect nucleic acids, which expands our market opportunity. We believe that this technology has the potential to ultimately provide the same sensitivity as polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, which is the most commonly used technology for nucleic acid detection, without the distortion and bias issues associated with amplification used in PCR. We believe the diagnostic market represents a significant commercial opportunity for our Simoa technology as well. We believe existing diagnostics can be improved by Simoa's sensitivity to enable earlier detection of diseases and injuries, and that new diagnostics may be developed using protein biomarkers that are not detectable using conventional, analog immunoassay technologies but are detectable using Simoa. We also believe that the ultra-sensitive protein detection provided by Simoa can enable the development of a new category of non-invasive diagnostic tests and tools based on blood, serum, saliva and other fluids that have the potential to replace current more invasive, expensive and inconvenient diagnostic methods, including spinal tap, diagnostic imaging and biopsy. Simoa technology also has significant potential in the emerging field of companion diagnostics. Drug developers can use Simoa to stratify patients into categories, enabling selection of those patients for whom a drug is expected to be most effective and safe. Not only does Simoa have the potential to be used to develop companion diagnostics to stratify patients in clinical trials and for treatment, but Simoa's sensitivity may also enable the development of companion diagnostics based on protein biomarkers that can regularly monitor whether an approved drug is having the desired biological effect, enabling doctors to quickly and efficiently adjust the course of treatment as appropriate. Precision Health Screening The ability of our Simoa platforms to detect and quantify normal physiological levels of proteins in low abundance that are undetectable using conventional, analog immunoassay technologies may enable our technology to be used to monitor protein biomarker levels of seemingly healthy, asymptomatic people, and potentially to signal and provide earlier detection of the onset of disease. We believe there is the potential for a number of neurological, cardiovascular, oncologic and other protein biomarkers associated with disease to be measured with a simple blood draw on a regular, ongoing basis as part of a patient's routine health screening, and for those results to be compared periodically with baseline measurements to predict or detect the early onset of disease, prior to the appearance of symptoms. Simoa products sold or used in the diagnostics and precision health screening markets will be subject to regulation by the FDA or comparable international agencies, including requirements for regulatory clearance or approval of such products before they can be marketed. To date, we have not received or applied for regulatory approvals for Simoa products. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Governmental Regulation and Diagnostic Product Reimbursement" and "Government Regulation" for a more detailed discussion regarding the regulatory approvals that may be required. Our proprietary Simoa technology is based on traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, technology, which has been the most widely used method of detection of proteins for over 40 years. Given our target customers' familiarity with the core ELISA technology, we believe this offers us a significant competitive advantage. Our Simoa bead-based platform differs, however, from conventional ELISA in its ability to trap single molecules in tiny microwells, 40 trillionths of a milliliter, that are 2.5 billion times smaller than traditional ELISA wells, allowing for an analysis and digital readout of each individual molecule, which is not possible with conventional ELISA technology. This ability is the key to our bead-based technology's unprecedented sensitivity. In January 2018, we acquired Aushon BioSystems, Inc., or Aushon, and its proprietary sensitive planar array detection technology. Leveraging our proprietary sophisticated Simoa image analysis and data analysis algorithms, we further refined this planar array technology to provide the same Simoa sensitivity found in our Simoa bead-based platform. We currently offer the following three Simoa instruments, which we believe are the most sensitive protein detection platforms commercially available today: HD-1: We commercially launched our HD-1 instrument in January 2014. The HD-1 is based on our bead-based technology, and assays run on the HD-1 are fully automated. The full automation of the HD-1 provides us with an additional significant competitive advantage with biopharmaceutical customers. SR-X: We commercially launched our SR-X instrument in December 2017. The SR-X utilizes the same Simoa bead-based technology and assay kits as the HD-1 in a compact benchtop form with a lower price point, more flexible assay preparation, and a wider range of potential applications, including direct detection of nucleic acids. SP-X: We initiated an early-access program for the SP-X instrument in January 2019, with the full commercial launch planned for April 2019. The SP-X is based on our planar array technology, which allows for significantly greater multiplexing capabilities, and is, we believe, ideal for oncology and immunology applications. The current menu of approximately 80 analyte-specific single-plex and multi-plex bead-based assay kits includes assays for biomarkers in the areas of neurology, infectious disease, immunology and oncology for both human and mouse samples. The current menu of Simoa planar array reagent kits includes approximately 50 biomarkers ranging from 1-10 analytes per assay in the areas of immunology and oncology research. We intend to continue to increase the number of Simoa biomarker assays across our platforms. In addition, both the bead-based platform and the planar array platform allow ease and flexibility in assay design, enabling our customers to develop their own in-house assays, called "homebrew" assays. We intend to continue to increase the number of Simoa digital biomarker assays. We continually seek to improve and expand our product offerings to meet the needs of our customers. To that end, we are developing the next generation HD instrument, the HD-X, which we expect to launch in the second half of 2019. The HD-X will increase the multiplexing capability from 4-plex (current HD-1 limit) to six-plex and will include software features to facilitate compliance with 21 CFR part 11 procedures. We also provide contract research services for customers through our CLIA-certified Accelerator Laboratory. The Accelerator Laboratory provides customers with access to Simoa technology, and supports multiple projects and services, including sample testing, homebrew assay development and custom assay development. To date, we have completed over 500 projects for more than 179 customers from all over the world using our Simoa platform. In addition to being an important source of revenue, we have also found the Accelerator Laboratory to be a significant catalyst for placing additional instruments, as more than 45 customers for whom we have provided contract research services have subsequently purchased an instrument from us. We sell our instruments, consumables and services to the life science, pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries through a direct sales force and support organizations in North America and Europe, and through distributors or sales agents in other select markets. We have an extensive base of customers in world class academic and governmental research institutions, as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract research companies, using our technology to gather information to better understand human health. Our Competitive Strengths We believe that our competitive strengths include the following: Proprietary ultra-sensitive digital immunoassay Simoa technology platforms, that enable researchers and clinicians to obtain information from less invasive procedures in smaller sample sizes. We believe our Simoa platforms are the most sensitive commercially available protein detection platforms, and can detect and quantify proteins of clinical interest that are undetectable using conventional, analog immunoassay technologies. This sensitivity allows researchers to measure critical protein biomarkers at earlier stages in the progression of a disease or injury, which we believe will enable the development of novel therapies and diagnostics and facilitate a paradigm shift in healthcare from an emphasis on treatment to a focus on earlier detection, monitoring, prognosis and, ultimately, prevention. The sensitivity of our Simoa technology also allows researchers to gather biomarker information from smaller samples that can be collected less invasively than samples required by other assay technologies. We have also recently implemented a research and development effort with a goal to increase the sensitivity of our Simoa technology 100-fold by 2021. Technology platforms that leverage and improve upon industry standard ELISA technology. Simoa uses the basic principles of conventional bead-based ELISA. Adding digital capability to this industry standard platform has resulted in expanded capabilities and improved performance. Given our target customers' familiarity with the core ELISA technology, our Simoa platforms are easily integrated with existing customer workflows including data analysis. Leader in large and growing market for detecting proteins in low abundance. We believe Simoa is the most sensitive commercially available protein detection technology, and our growing market acceptance is establishing Simoa as the reference technology for detecting proteins in low abundance across sample types in our end markets. Deep and expanding scientific validation. Our Simoa technology has been cited in more than 400 articles in peer-reviewed publications, including JAMA Neurology and Nature, and is becoming a vital tool in cutting edge life sciences research. As of March 1, 2019, Simoa technology had been cited in 409 publications, with 192 related to neurology and 88 related to oncology and inflammation. We have established relationships with key opinion leaders, and our growing base of over 420 customers includes some of the world's leading academic and government research institutions as well as 19 of the 20 largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Leading position in market solidified by robust customization capabilities, assay design flexibility and automation of our HD-1 instrument. Our technical capabilities and expertise allow our customers to design high-quality, customized assays utilizing our Simoa platforms. The needs of our customers vary widely, and the flexibility of the Simoa detection technology utilized across both our bead-based and planar array platforms allows us to provide innovative, low cost solutions for customers in multiple markets across various applications. In addition, the HD-1 instrument provides fully automated analysis from sample introduction to analytical results. Furthermore, our proprietary array approach to ELISA digitization enables rapid digital data acquisition and assay results. This automation and speed provides customers high research and development productivity through greater throughput and lab efficiency. Highly attractive business model that leverages growing installed base of instruments. As we continue to grow our installed base, optimize workflows and expand our assay menu, we expect to increase our revenues derived from consumables. The integration of our technology in our customers' projects also provides ongoing sales of assays and consumables, resulting in a growing revenue stream. Our consumables revenue increased to $13.8 million in 2018 from $7.6 million in 2017. Our highly experienced senior management team. We are led by a dedicated and highly experienced senior management team with significant industry experience and proven ability to develop novel solutions. Each of the members of our senior management has more than 20 years of relevant experience. Our goal is to enable new research into biomarkers to allow greater insight into their role in human health in ways that have not been possible with any other current research and diagnostic technology. We believe this greater insight will facilitate a paradigm shift in healthcare from an emphasis on treatment to a focus on earlier detection, monitoring, prognosis and, ultimately, prevention. Our strategy to achieve this includes: Focus on the highly attractive, expanding market for protein detection and analysis. Our focus on the detection of protein biomarkers is driven by a growing understanding of the essential role and impact of proteins on human health. While genomic research provides valuable information about the role of genes in health and disease, proteins are both more prevalent than nucleic acids and, we believe, more relevant to a precise understanding of the nuanced continuum between health and disease. Protein measurement goes beyond genetic predisposition, indicating the impact of a range of influences on health, including environmental factors and lifestyle, providing deeper and more relevant insight into what is happening in a person's body in real time. Our technology provides a unique bridge between understanding the human genotype and phenotype, which we believe addresses a large unmet need in life science research, translational medicine and drug development. Continue to drive adoption of our Simoa technology in the life science research, diagnostics and precision health screening markets. We believe our Simoa technology has the potential to significantly expand the life science research market because of its unrivaled sensitivity, in particular by enabling researchers to perform studies on protein biomarkers that they were previously unable to perform. We believe Simoa has the capability to enable the development of a new category of non-invasive diagnostic tests and tools based on blood, serum, saliva and other fluids that could replace current invasive, expensive and inconvenient diagnostic methods, including spinal tap, diagnostic imaging and biopsy. In the precision health screening market, we believe that Simoa technology has the potential to be used to monitor biomarker levels of seemingly healthy, asymptomatic people, and potentially to signal and provide earlier detection and monitoring of the onset of disease. Leverage the Simoa "ecosystem" to grow our customer base and further penetrate our existing customer base. In an effort to enhance the productivity of our instrument base, we employ an extensive customer outreach program that we call Catalyzing Customer Engagement, or CCE. Through CCE, we actively engage customers to optimize their workflow and better understand our instruments' and products' capabilities, resulting in increased utilization of our installed instrument base. Utilize the flexibility of the Simoa platforms to expand into complementary markets, including nucleic acid detection. We plan to utilize the flexibility of the Simoa platforms to expand our product offering to include other testing capabilities, including detection of nucleic acids. We believe that our Simoa bead-based technology has the potential to provide the same sensitivity as PCR-based assays in detecting nucleic acids without the issues associated with amplification. We believe the ability to integrate nucleic acid and protein testing capabilities into a full service instrument would hold significant value to our customers. Leverage the data generated by Simoa to drive adoption of our technology. Technology being employed in the healthcare industry has become increasingly sophisticated, creating the need to aggregate and digitize the significant amount of data being created in order to better achieve the goals of higher quality and more efficient care. Simoa generates digitized data for highly relevant biomarkers that can provide a nuanced view into the continuum of health and disease. We plan to use the data generated by the Simoa technology to improve and create additional assays, with the goal of enabling more precise research today and contributing to precision health in the future. Grow into new markets organically with our customers and through strategic collaborations. Our customers have access to a large breadth of diverse markets, spanning research and clinical settings. As these customers continue to gain experience with our proprietary Simoa technology and further appreciate its potential, we believe moving into diagnostics and ultimately precision health is a natural extension of some of the work that our customers are doing today in the research market. For example, Simoa's unprecedented sensitivity has the potential to uncover research insights that could identify novel biomarkers, which could help stratify patients in clinical trials potentially leading to a companion diagnostic, and ultimately a precision health test that could monitor and identify early disease. This progression with our customers will help us move into new markets organically in a cost effective manner, while also retaining significant upside. Additionally, we currently have a partnership in place with a leading diagnostics company in the field of blood screening and plan to continue evaluating strategic collaborations that could help us access these new markets. Grow through strategic acquisitions. We intend to strategically acquire businesses and technologies to expand our operations and strengthen our market position. For example, in January 2018, we acquired Aushon and its proprietary sensitive planar array detection technology, which led to the development of our SP-X instrument for which we initiated an early-access program in January 2019, with the full commercial launch planned for April 2019. This will continue to be an important part of our strategy to increase scale. We intend to pursue acquisitions to expand product offerings, strengthen domestic or international distribution, add technologies, and/or provide access to complementary or strategic growth areas. Industry Background We intend to pursue the application of our Simoa technology to the life science research, diagnostics and precision health screening markets. Our initial commercial strategy targets the large and growing life science research market, and we believe that the diagnostic market and the precision health screening market represent significant future commercial opportunities for Simoa. According to estimates in the Third-Party Research Report, we believe the aggregate commercial opportunity across these markets has the potential to expand to $38 billion. Proteins are versatile macromolecules and serve critical functions in nearly all biological processes. They are complex molecules that organisms require for the structure, function and regulation of the body's tissues and organs. For example, proteins provide immune protection, generate movement, transmit nerve impulses and control cell growth and differentiation. Understanding an organism's proteome, the complete set of proteins and their expression levels, can provide a powerful and unique window into its health, a window that other types of research, such as genomics, cannot provide. The human body contains approximately 20,000 genes. One of the core functions of genes, which are comprised of DNA, is to regulate protein productionwhich ones are produced, the volume of each, and for how longinfluenced by both biological and environmental factors. These 20,000 genes help govern the expression of over 100,000 proteins, approximately 10,500 of which are known to be secreted in blood, and fewer than 1,300 of which can be consistently detected in healthy individuals using conventional immunoassay technologies. Accordingly, the study of much of the proteome has not been practical given the limited level of sensitivity of existing technologies. To date, across our platforms, we have developed assays that address approximately 120 of the proteins secreted in blood. We estimate that the current sensitivity of our Simoa technology has the potential to detect and measure up to one-third of the approximately 9,200 proteins secreted in blood that are not consistently detectable using conventional immunoassay technologies. While genomic research provides valuable information about the role of genes in health and disease, proteins are both more prevalent than nucleic acids and, we believe, more relevant to understand precisely the nuanced continuum between health and disease. Genes may indicate the risk of developing a certain disease later in life, but they are not able to account for the impact of environmental factors and lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, or provide insight into what is happening in a patient's body in real time. For example, identical twins have the same genotype, but may develop different diseases over the course of their lifetime, largely due to environmental factors. Much like the sequencing of the human genome with the Human Genome Project and the development of both PCR and next generation sequencing technologies to detect nucleic acids, both of which accelerated biomedical genomic research, we believe the ability to study more of the proteome enabled by our more sensitive protein detection technology will have a profound impact on proteomic research. With our ultra-sensitive Simoa detection technology, researchers can assess the symptoms of disease or injury and compare them to the presence and levels of relevant proteins that are not detectable using conventional technologies, leading to a better understanding of how proteins individually and/or collectively impact and influence important biological processes and the health and well-being of individuals. We believe this research into understanding the individual characteristics and functioning of proteins will be central to earlier detection, monitoring, prognosis and, ultimately, prevention, by providing researchers with the ability to assess the impact of particular proteins on the progress of disease and injury from the time of early onset of symptoms. Existing Technologies and Their Limitations The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, has been the most widely used method of sensitive detection of proteins for over 40 years. In simple terms, in ELISA, an unknown amount of antigen (e.g., protein, peptide, antibody, hormone) is affixed to a solid surface, usually a polystyrene multiwell plate, either directly, or indirectly through use of a conjugated secondary or "capture" antibody (sandwich ELISA). A specific "detection" antibody is applied over the surface to bind to the antigen. This detection antibody is linked to an enzyme, and in the final step, a substance called an enzyme substrate is added, and the enzyme converts to colored or fluorescent product molecules, which are detected by a plate reader. Sandwich ELISA is depicted in the graphic below: Aside from ELISA, there are other technologies available for protein analysis today, such as Western blotting, mass spectrometry, chromatography, surface plasmon resonance, Raman-enhanced signal detection, immuno-PCR, and biobarcode assay. However, the proteins detectable by these conventional, analog immunoassay technologies represent a mere fraction of what is estimated to be approximately 10,500 secreted proteins in circulation in human blood. While a number of techniques have been used to attempt to increase sensitivity of detection, we believe all of these approaches have limitations, including: dilution of colored or fluorescent product molecules due to large volume of liquid in traditional-sized wells, limiting sensitivity; narrow dynamic range (i.e., the range of concentration of proteins being detected), that may require sample dilution, diluting molecules and increasing sample volume requiring additional enzymes to reach detection limit; low detection limit of readers restrict sensitivity and ability to detect low abundance proteins, particularly when proteins are at normal physiological levels; and limited success in increasing sensitivity of detection due to procedural complexity and length. Over the past few decades, scientists have developed a variety of genomic analysis methods to measure an increasing number of genomic biomarkers aimed at more effectively detecting diseases. The most widely used method for genetic testing is PCR, which involves amplifying, or generating billions of copies of, the DNA sequence in question and then detecting the DNA with the use of fluorescent dyes. PCR is used to amplify the nucleic acid through the use of enzymes and repeated heating and cooling cycles, with fluorescent dyes incorporated during each amplification cycle. The expression of the nucleic acid is then inferred based on the number of amplification cycles required for the target to become detectable. PCR is sometimes referred to as an analog technology because the number of cycles of amplification, rather than a direct measure, is used to infer the level of gene expression. The wide availability of PCR chemistry makes it a popular approach for measuring the expression of nucleic acids, but the use of enzymes in numerous cycles of amplification can introduce distortion and bias into the data, potentially compromising the reliability of results, particularly at low concentrations. Due to the complexity, susceptibility to contamination and significant costs related to PCR and other existing technologies, the genomic testing market generally remains limited to reference laboratories, research facilities and laboratories associated with large hospitals. A typical molecular diagnostics laboratory in a hospital or research laboratory setting is a dedicated facility that employs highly skilled technologists and is supervised by a technician with a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. To guard against contamination, which is a common result of target amplification, a typical laboratory will require at least three separate rooms, or isolation areas, to perform PCR-based assay methods for genomic testing. Our Simoa Technology Our Simoa technology significantly advances conventional sandwich ELISA technology and is capable of unprecedented protein detection sensitivity. Simoa Bead-Based Technology Simoa bead-based digital immunoassays utilize the basic principles of conventional bead-based sandwich ELISA and require two antibodies: one for capture, which is applied to the beads, and one for detection. Unlike ELISA, which runs the enzyme-substrate reaction on all molecules in one well, Simoa bead-based reactions are run on individual molecules in tiny microwells, 40 trillionths of a milliliter that are 2.5 billion times smaller than traditional ELISA wells. Traditional ELISA analog measurements increase in intensity only as the concentration of a sample increases. Simoa bead-based digital technology measurements, however, are independent of sample concentration intensity and rely on a binary signal/no signal readout, enabling detection sensitivity that was not previously possible. Our Simoa bead-based platform is highly flexible, designed to enable practical high-sensitivity protein analysis for academic researchers looking at novel proteins all the way through to high throughput analysis performed by large biopharmaceutical organizations. The following chart describes the steps through which our Simoa bead-based technology detects proteins: Simoa Bead-Based Analytic Process Sample Preparation of ELISA Sandwich Simoa bead-based technology uses beads coated with capture antibodies that bind specifically to the protein being measured. After an enzyme-linked detection antibody binds to the protein, the enzyme substrate is added (as depicted by the white star in the graphic on the left). The enzyme associated with the enzyme-linked detection antibody then reacts with the enzyme substrate causing the enzyme substrate to become fluorescent (as depicted by the change in color of the star in the graphic). Injection of Bead/Substrate Solution into Simoa Disk This mixture of beads and enzyme substrate is then injected into our proprietary Simoa disk, which contains 24 arrays of microwells arranged radially. Each 3 × 4 millimeter array contains approximately 239,000 microwells, each of which is large enough to accommodate only a single bead. Bead/Substrate Solution Settles and Wells are Sealed The bead/substrate solution is drawn across the array and the beads settle by gravity onto the surface of the array, and a fraction of them fall into the microwells. The remainder lie on the surface, and oil is introduced into the channel to displace the substrate solution and excess beads, and to seal the wells. Simoa Readout The entire array is then imaged using ultrasensitive digital imaging, and the sealed wells that contain beads associated with captured and enzyme labeled protein molecules are identified. Our Simoa bead-based technology offers unprecedented protein detection sensitivity and enables detection of low abundance and previously undetectable biomarkers. The following chart shows examples of the levels of detection, or LoD, of certain Simoa bead-based assays and commercially available ELISA assays compared to the median lower normal plasma or clinical ranges of various protein biomarkers. As shown below, the LoD for most of the assays from a leading manufacturer of commercial ELISA assays is above the median lower normal plasma or clinical ranges, making these biomarkers undetectable at normal physiological levels with these assays. LoD Comparison Each of the increments in the horizontal axis in the table above represents a 10-fold increase in sensitivity. Using the protein IL-2 as an example from the graphic above, the LoD for the leading commercially available IL-2 assay is approximately 9 pg/mL, whereas the LoD for our Simoa assay is approximately 0.01 pg/mL, representing a 900-fold increase in sensitivity. The ability to multiplex, or simultaneously measure multiple proteins (or other biomarkers) in a single assay, can be important to researchers to maximize the biological information from a sample, and to develop more specific diagnostic tests. However, one of the main issues with multiplexing can be the loss of sensitivity. Our Simoa platforms maintain single plex precision, while competitive platforms lose sensitivity when multiplexing is used. Multiplexing is achieved with our Simoa bead-based technology by using beads labeled with different fluorescent dyes specific to the biomarker being analyzed. After the assay is run, the array of microwells is imaged across the wavelengths of the different labeled beads. The results are measured for each protein captured by each of the different beads. While we have demonstrated the ability to identify and differentiate up to 35 different bead subpopulations on the HD-1, which is a prerequisite to our ability to develop assays with the capacity to detect an equivalent number of proteins in a single sample, we believe that the ability to multiplex above a 6-plex and maintain single-plex sensitivity and precision may be limited using bead-based technology due to constraints in the number of bead-containing wells for each plex that are imaged on the Simoa disk. In 2017, we commercially launched a Simoa neurology 4-plex (Nf-L, Tau, GFAP and UCH-L1) bead-based assay for the study of traumatic brain injury and other neurodegenerative conditions. Simoa is the only technology with the sensitivity to detect all four of these markers in blood, whereas other assay technologies require cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, to detect all four of these markers due to sensitivity limitations. This is a significant advantage in terms of ease of use, patient comfort, speed and cost-effectiveness. We plan to introduce a new 6-plex human cytokine panel using Simoa bead-based assay in the middle of 2019. Simoa Planar Array Technology Simoa planar array immunoassays utilize the basic principles of conventional microplate-based sandwich ELISA and require two antibodies: one for capture, which is applied to the beads, and one for detection. Unlike ELISA, which runs the enzyme-substrate reaction on all molecules coating the entire bottom surface in one well, Simoa planar array reactions are run on spatially segregated micro-spots within the bottom of microtiter plate wells that concentrate the signal to a surface area 1,000 times smaller than a traditional ELISA. The small spot size and spatial segregation of each spot enables multiplexing up to 12 different assays within a single sample well. Our Simoa planar array platform is highly flexible, designed to enable practical high-sensitivity multiplex protein analysis for drug discovery and development applications as well as translational biomarker research. The following chart describes the steps through which our Simoa planar array technology detects proteins: Simoa Planar Array Analytic Process Analyte-specifc capture antibodies are printed in microspots (100 microns) in a circular pattern in the bottom of a 96-well microtiter plate. Each microspot contains capture antibodies that are specific for different analytes. Up to 12 spatially resolved microspots can be printed in each well. Samples are added to the plate and incubated with a benchtop plate shaker to bind the target analyte molecules to the microspots. Unbound molecules are removed by washing the plate with a benchtop plate washer or manual wash manifold. A mixture of biotinylated detection antibodies are added to the plate to form the antibody sandwich. Excess detection antibodies are removed by washing. Streptavidin-HRP (horseradish peroxidase enzyme) conjugated is added to the plate to bind to the biotin groups forming the complete immunocomplex followed by a washing step. A high-sensitivity chemiluminescent substate reagent is added to each well. The enzyme associated with the enzyme linked detection antibody then reacts with the enzyme substrate causing the enzyme substrate to emit light. The plate is placed into the Quanterix SP-X imaging system. A scientific-grade CCD camera images the entire plate and all micro-spots simultaneously. The low background of the plate surface and the high-sensitivity of the camera enable detection of very low levels of light with a high dynamic range. The SP-X imaging software utilizes algorithms to optimize exposure time and combine multiple images in the image analysis. Protein concentrations are determined by comparing the intensity of microspots to known analytical standards. Below is an image of a 96-well Simoa planar array plate containing 12 microspots. Each microspot represents a different analyte measured in each sample well. We believe the Simoa planar array technology is well-suited for researchers who value the ability to measure critical immunomodulatory biomarkers in patient serum and plasma with ultra-sensitive detection in a multiplex assay format. The figure below demonstrates 10-plex detection of key cytokines in human serum from normal healthy donors with corresponding assay Limit of Detection (LoD) listed in femtogram per ml. Nucleic Acid Testing Our initial focus has been on the use of Simoa technology to detect protein biomarkers. However, we are also developing our Simoa bead-based technology to detect nucleic acids in biological samples. While methods for measuring nucleic acid molecules have advanced substantially, currently available techniques still have drawbacks. For example, PCR is a sensitive method that is widely used for measuring gene expression. However, PCR carries the potential for data distortion and bias from the repeated addition of enzymes, and heating and cooling cycles needed to amplify a copy of the nucleic acid being measured. In nucleic acid analysis, we believe that Simoa has the potential to provide the same sensitivity as traditional PCR-based assays with the following benefits: no need for amplification of the targeted nucleic acid, which can result in amplification distortion and bias; reduced cross-contamination because of direct detection of single molecules vs. the detection of a large number of copies of the nucleic acid; and the ability to detect some samples without requiring purification of the nucleic acid, such as in environmental water. For detection of nucleic acids with our Simoa bead-based technology, instead of coating the beads with capture antibodies as is done for detecting proteins, the beads are coated with nucleic acid capture probes. Samples with the target nucleic acid molecules are then added and are captured by the beads. Nucleic acid detection probes (instead of detection antibodies) are then added and attach to the target nucleic acid molecules which are then labeled using an enzyme substrate that is detected and counted using the Simoa disk and instrument. This assay is pictured below: Simoa has been used to detect short sequences of RNA, known as microRNA, that are important in a number of biological systems, and are widely used in innovative therapeutic and gene editing technologies. The assay was used to detect microRNA-122, or miR-122, a marker of liver toxicity, from the serum of patients who had overdosed with acetaminophen. As shown in the graph below, these patients had elevated miR-122 levels compared to healthy controls. This approach suggests potential for applications for measuring drug-induced liver injury for both safety testing of drugs in development and for monitoring of approved drugs. Our commercial strategy is to pursue the application of our Simoa technology to the life science research, diagnostics and precision health screening markets. Our initial target market is the large and growing life science research market. We believe our Simoa platforms are well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market because of superior sensitivity, automated workflow capabilities, multiplexing and the ability to work with a broader range of sample types. Proteomics, the study of the proteins produced by the body, is important to understanding disease, and researchers study proteins to understand the biological basis for disease and how to improve diagnosis and treatment. The proteins detectable by conventional, analog immunoassay technologies represent a mere fraction of the proteins that can be detected by Simoa technology, and we believe that Simoa can inspire a new level of research into these previously undetectable proteins and their role in disease. By substantially lowering the limit of detection of protein biomarkers, our Simoa platforms hold significant potential to expand research into the diseases associated with the thousands of proteins that were previously undetectable, as well as into earlier detection of the proteins currently detectable by other technologies only after they have reached levels that reflect more advanced disease or injury. Simoa technology provides researchers the ability to see the nuanced continuum of health to disease more efficiently and effectively than any other technology commercially available today, offering the potential for the first time to better understand the onset of disease cascades and catalyzing a new era of medical and life science research, drug discovery and disease prevention. As an indication of the market's acceptance of our Simoa technology, researchers at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are integrating our platforms into drug development protocols to more efficiently and effectively develop drugs. Using Simoa's unprecedented sensitivity to measure previously undetectable levels of target biomarkers prior to and following administration of a drug, drug developers can non-invasively and objectively determine whether a drug candidate is having a desired impact on the target biomarker. We estimate that our Simoa technology has been utilized in over 800 clinical trials to date. In addition, researchers can also use Simoa to monitor a drug candidate's unwanted effect on "off-target" biomarkers and predict side effects, addressing the significant issue of drug toxicity, which is a leading cause of death in the United States. According to estimates in the Third-Party Research Report, we believe that the total life science research market, including both proteomics and genomics research, is $3 billion per year and has the potential to reach $8 billion per year. The diagnostic market represents a significant future commercial opportunity for our Simoa technology as well. We believe existing biomarker diagnostics can be improved by Simoa's sensitivity to enable earlier detection of diseases and injuries, and that new diagnostics may be developed using protein biomarkers that are not detectable using conventional, analog immunoassay technologies but are detectable using Simoa technology. We also believe that the ultra-sensitive protein detection provided by our Simoa platforms can enable the development of a new category of non-invasive diagnostic tests and tools based on blood, serum and other fluids that have the potential to replace current more invasive, expensive and inconvenient diagnostic methods, including spinal tap, diagnostic imaging and biopsy. For example, researchers have conducted studies using Simoa that indicate that neurological biomarkers, including tau and Nf-L, may someday be able to replace diagnostic imaging to diagnose traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Our Simoa assays for tau and Nf-L are 3,500-fold and 840-fold more sensitive, respectively, than the leading assay platforms, and are the only assays that can reliably detect these critical protein biomarkers in blood. Almost 90% of patients who visit U.S. hospital emergency rooms and receive a computerized tomography, or CT, scan show no structural brain injury. In addition, CT scans have approximately 100 times more radiation than a chest x-ray, and are suspected of causing cancer in up to 29,000 people per year, underscoring the need for development of a safe and accurate blood-based diagnostic test for TBI, which we believe may be enabled by our Simoa technology. Simoa technology also has significant potential in the emerging field of companion diagnostics. A companion diagnostic test is a biomarker test that is specifically linked to a therapeutic drug that can help predict how a patient will respond to the drug. Drug developers can use companion diagnostics to stratify patients and select only those patients to study for whom a drug is expected to be most effective and safe. Companion diagnostics have demonstrated the ability to both improve the probability of approval and accelerate approval of new drugs. Not only can Simoa be used to develop companion diagnostics to stratify patients in clinical trials and for treatment, but Simoa's sensitivity also enables the development of companion diagnostics based on protein biomarkers that can actively and regularly monitor whether an approved drug is having the desired biological effect. This can quickly and efficiently enable doctors to adjust the course of treatment as appropriate by increasing or decreasing dosages or even switching therapies. There has been significant interest from third parties to use our technology to develop applications for the diagnostic market. The ability of our Simoa platforms to detect and quantify normal physiological levels of low abundance proteins that are undetectable using conventional, analog immunoassay technologies could enable our technology to be used to monitor protein biomarker levels of seemingly healthy, asymptomatic people, and potentially to signal and provide earlier detection of the onset of disease. This may facilitate a paradigm shift in healthcare, from an emphasis on treatment to a focus on earlier detection, monitoring, prognosis and, ultimately, prevention, enabling a "precision health" revolution. We believe there is the potential for a number of neurological, cardiovascular, oncologic and other protein biomarkers associated with disease to be measured with a simple blood draw on a regular, ongoing basis as part of a patient's routine health screening, and for those results to be compared periodically with baseline measurements to predict or detect the early onset of disease, prior to the appearance of symptoms. According to estimates in the Third-Party Research Report, we believe that the total diagnostic and precision health screening markets addressable using Simoa technology have the potential to reach an aggregate of $30 billion per year upon receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals, which we have not yet begun the process to obtain. Our Key Focus Areas We have focused the application of our Simoa technology on areas of high growth and high unmet need and where existing platforms have significant shortcomings that our technology addresses. In particular, we have focused on the following areas: neurology, oncology, cardiology, infectious disease and inflammation. We believe that the ability of our Simoa technology to detect neurological biomarkers in blood at ultra-low levels, which have traditionally only been detectable in cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, has the potential to rapidly advance neurology research and drug development, and transform the way brain injuries and diseases are diagnosed and treated. To our knowledge, the brain is the only organ in the body for which there is not currently a blood-based diagnostic test. The challenge with developing blood-based tests for the brain is that the blood-brain barrier, which is formed by endothelial cells lining the cerebral microvasculature, is very tight and severely restricts the movement of proteins and other substances between these endothelial cells and into blood circulation. Accordingly, diagnosis of brain disease and injury has traditionally required either an MRI scan of the brain or a spinal tap to collect CSF, both of which are costly and highly invasive for the patient. The sensitivity of the Simoa technology has enabled researchers to discover that extremely small amounts of critical neural biomarkers diffuse through the blood-brain barrier, and are released into the blood during injury and in connection with many neurodegenerative brain diseases. However, the concentrations of these neural biomarkers in the blood are so low that they are undetectable by conventional, analog immunoassay technologies. As one example, we have developed ultra-sensitive protein assays for the neural biomarkers Ab42 and tau that are approximately 2,000 and 3,500-fold more sensitive, respectively, than benchmark commercial assays. Our protein assays are the only currently available assays on the market capable of precise measurement of these neural biomarkers in blood in diseased and healthy individuals. To date, there have been over 190 neurology related scientific publications using our Simoa technology, and we believe that ultra-sensitive digital detection of neural related biomarkers in the blood is becoming an essential research and development tool for an increasing range of neurological disorders, including CTE, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and TBI. The goal of this research is to eventually develop accurate diagnostic tools, predictive health screens and, ultimately, more effective treatments. In 2017, researchers using Simoa technology published a paper in JAMA Neurology demonstrating that a simple blood test for the neurological biomarker Nf-L exhibited the same level of diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease as currently established CSF biomarkers. The study was a major study of almost 600 patients from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. The graph below depicts the diagnostic accuracy of plasma Simoa Nf-L measurements compared with traditional CSF biomarkers. The diagnostic accuracy of the plasma Simoa Nf-L results approached 90%, in line with the CSF biomarkers on the same patients. Diagnostic Accuracy In addition, Simoa plasma Nf-L values were associated with cognitive deficits and neuroimaging hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease at baseline and during follow-up. High plasma Nf-L correlated with poor cognition and Alzheimer's disease -related brain atrophy and with brain hypometabolism (lower neural energy). These data suggest a simple Simoa blood test for Nf-L may have clinical utility as a noninvasive biomarker in Alzheimer's disease. Nf-L is becoming an increasingly important biomarker for neurology research, with over 90 Nf-L-related research publications in 2018 alone, covering a number of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, Parkinson's disease and others. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, lead to approximately five million individuals visiting emergency rooms per year in the United States alone, often with broad and inconclusive diagnosis. Current methods of TBI diagnosis involve CT scans that fail to diagnose approximately 90% of mild TBI. Simoa technology has demonstrated the sensitivity to identify relevant neurological biomarkers, such as Nf-L, tau, GFAP and UCHL-1, to more adequately address diagnosis of TBIs and overall brain health. Leading researchers in neurology have used Simoa technology to study biomarkers in the blood of athletes after concussion in many high-impact sports. Simoa can measure critical neural biomarkers in blood that correlate repeated head trauma from both concussions and subconcussive events with poor patient outcomes, including the potential development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, which currently can only be diagnosed after death via a brain autopsy. A recent publication by a National Institute of Health researcher indicates that measuring tau in the blood with Simoa may help identify concussed individuals requiring additional rest before they can safely return to play. Eventually, we believe it may be possible to develop a mobile screen enabling clinicians to quickly and accurately determine whether it is safe for concussed athletes to return to play. In 2017, we commercially launched a Simoa neurology 4-plex assay (Nf-L, tau, GFAP and UCH-L1) for the study of traumatic brain injury and other neurodegenerative conditions. Whereas other assay technologies require cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, to detect all four of these markers, due to Simoa's sensitivity, this is the only assay that can detect all of these biomarkers directly from blood samples. This is a significant advantage in terms of ease of use, patient comfort, speed and cost-effectiveness. In 2016, Fast Company named Quanterix one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" for our work in concussion detection. We also were awarded two competitive grants from the NFL-GE Head Health Challenge to advance this work in the detection and quantification of mild TBI. We estimate that the total addressable market for Simoa technology in neurology has the potential to reach $6 billion across research, diagnostic and precision health screening indications. Our ultra-sensitive Simoa technology has the potential to detect increased levels of oncology biomarkers during the very early stages in disease development. Biomarkers can be useful tools for diagnostics, prognostics and predictive cancer detection. However, many traditional assay technologies can only detect these biomarkers after the disease has progressed and the patient has become symptomatic. Simoa's highly sensitive detection capability may result in earlier detection, better monitoring and treatment and improved prognoses for patients. Additionally, Simoa technology has shown early promise as an alternative to more invasive diagnostic procedures. Simoa technology was used in a recent unpublished scientific study that indicates it may be possible to eventually replace routine mammograms with a very sensitive, more accurate, low cost, non-invasive blood test. In this retrospective study, researchers found that Simoa assays resulted in significantly fewer false positives and false negatives than mammography. Inaccurate mammography can result in unnecessary stress, additional health care costs from follow up diagnostic mammograms, unnecessary biopsies and increased lifetime exposure to radiation. Researchers are also developing ultrasensitive assays for lung and pancreatic cancer biomarkers using Simoa technology, potentially replacing the need for imaging and biopsy. We believe our Simoa technology has the potential to lead to rapid, cost effective, accurate blood-based health screens, further enabling the liquid biopsy market, which is estimated to grow to almost $3 billion by 2026. Cancer immunotherapy is a promising new area that is significantly affecting cancer remission rates. One challenge of immunotherapy approaches is that the elicited immune responses are not always predictable and can vary from person to person and protocol to protocol. There exists a significant need to develop biomarker tools to monitor these drugs and their effects. Circulating (serum and plasma) protein biomarkers have the potential to be used in the field of immuno-oncology to stratify patients, predict response, predict recurrence, reveal mechanism of action and monitor for adverse effects. One technical challenge facing the immuno-oncology drug development process has been the availability of immunoassays with sufficient sensitivity to measure immunomodulatory biomarkers directly in serum and plasma. We have developed a set of 38 ultra-sensitive immune modulation assays (cytokines and chemokines) that can be used to monitor the immune response. In particular key immune regulatory cells (T-regs, dendritic cells, macrophages) secrete very low amounts of the protein Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and these levels cannot be reliably measured in serum and plasma using conventional, immunoassay technology, however they can be tracked with our Simoa IFN-gamma assay. Additionally, we have developed an ultra-sensitive assay for IL-6 which is one of the cytokines commonly measured for monitoring cytokine release syndrome as an adverse effect in immunotherapies. Several studies have shown that our ultrasensitive assays can be valuable tools for monitoring immuno-oncology drugs and protocols. We also believe residual cancer cell detection post-surgery or treatment may significantly improve outcomes for a variety of cancer types, by helping identify and segment patients at a greater risk of reoccurrence post-surgery due to residual cancer. For example, we have developed an ultra-sensitive biomarker assay for Prostate Specific Antigen, or PSA, that is over 1,000-fold more sensitive than benchmark commercial PSA assays. This assay is the only currently available technology that can detect levels of PSA in blood samples of prostate cancer patients shortly following radical prostatectomy, and we and researchers from Johns Hopkins and NYU conducted a pilot study on the utility of this assay to predict recurrence of prostate cancer after this procedure. In this study, the blood of prostate cancer patients taken three to six months following a radical prostatectomy at least five years earlier was analyzed with Simoa. The majority of samples had PSA levels below the detectable limits of traditional PSA assays. Our Simoa technology, however, was able to detect and quantify PSA levels in all samples. As shown in the following graph, the study demonstrated that the PSA assay using our Simoa technology has the potential to be highly predictive of prostate cancer recurrence over a five-year period. This has the potential to be a powerful prognostic tool, and allowing adjuvant radiation treatment to be targeted only to the men who actually would benefit. We estimate that the total addressable market for Simoa in oncology has the potential to reach $25 billion across research, diagnostic and precision health screening indications. Heart disease and related cardiovascular ailments remain the leading cause of death in the United States, contributing to nearly 1 in 4 deaths in the United States, according to the CDC. A significant need remains for early prediction of heart attacks and other cardiac events. Simoa's highly sensitive digital measurement capabilities have the potential to be used to predict early cardiac disease. The ability to detect infectious disease biomarkers before the onset of an immune response, where a virus is most contagious and multiplying rapidly, is critical for controlling the spread of disease. We believe that our Simoa technology has the potential to have a significant impact in reducing the spread of infectious diseases by making early stage detection more specific and widely available. Today, early detection of infectious disease is conducted using nucleic acid testing to detect the nucleic acid of the viral or bacterial organism because the levels of infectious disease specific antigens are too low in the early stage of disease to be detected by traditional immunoassay technology. However, the sensitivity of our single molecule detection capabilities enables the detection of extremely low levels of infectious disease specific antigens with sensitivity that can rival the use of nucleic acid testing in this application, without the potential biases inherent in amplification technologies, such as PCR. For example, we have developed a simple Simoa assay with more than 4,000-fold greater sensitivity than benchmark commercial protein assays capable of detecting the HIV-specific antigen, p24. This Simoa p24 sensitivity matches the sensitivity of more expensive and complex nucleic acid testing methods. The following graph shows a comparison that we conducted in 2011 of the Simoa p24 assay with a commercially available nucleic acid testing method, as well as two commercially available p24 immunoassay methods for early detection of HIV infection. The Simoa p24 assay detects infection as early as the nucleic acid testing method (11 days from initial blood draw), and a full week before the earliest signs of infection by the conventional p24 immunoassay methods. This early detection of acute HIV infection can be critical for controlling the spread of HIV, as HIV is ten times more infectious in the acute phase. In addition, we believe the detection of a specific protein is more relevant to the determination of the pathogenic effect than detection of the organism itself because someone may carry a pathogenic organism with no pathogenic effect. Researchers have demonstrated that Simoa technology can detect Clostridium difficile (C. diff) toxins A and B with sensitivities similar to the PCR detection of the C. diff organism itself. Because the C. diff organism does not always produce toxins, PCR methods that detect the C. diff organism suffer from very high false positive rates, which may result in incorrect diagnoses and the overuse of antibiotics. We believe that using Simoa to detect the toxins rather than the organism has the potential to provide a higher level of sensitivity and specificity, greatly reducing false positives. We will continue to develop Simoa assays for pathogenic antigens that are competitive in sensitivity to PCR but more specific to the pathogenicity of the offending organism. We believe that these Simoa assays could also be invaluable tools for the development of anti-infective drugs and treatment monitoring of anti-viral and anti-bacterial drugs. Inflammation underlies the response of the body to injury in a variety of diseases. Simoa assays can measure inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules in serum and plasma with unprecedented sensitivity. This has the potential to enable new discoveries into the role of inflammation in the biology of health and disease. Our Simoa technology measures low levels of inflammatory proteins, including cytokines and chemokines, that characterize a range of inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and neuro-inflammation. We believe the sensitivity of Simoa technology can provide a clearer picture of the underlying state of the immune response and disease progression. Our Simoa technology also has the potential to be used by companies developing anti-inflammatory drugs to quantify the effect a drug has on a particular inflammatory cytokine and to monitor therapeutic efficacy. For example, we conducted a study in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic using our Simoa technology on patients with clinically active Crohn's disease undergoing anti-TNF-a therapy with Remicade, Humira or Enbrel. As shown in the graph below, researchers were able to detect and quantify the TNF-a levels of the patients before and after treatment. These levels were all below the limit of detection, or LoD, of traditional immunoassays. We believe that a better understanding of the inflammatory response will be critical to future opportunities for wellness screening and disease response monitoring. Anti-inflammatory drugs are expensive and can have serious side effects, such as increased risk of infection. By monitoring biomarkers indicative of response, clinicians may be able to adjust dose to reduce side effects or increase efficacy. Our Quanterix commercial portfolio includes research use only instruments, assay kits and other consumables, and contract research services offered through our Accelerator Laboratory, as follows: HD-1/HD-X commercially launched the HD-1 in January 2014 expect to commercially launch the next-generation HD-X in the second half of 2019 Simoa bead-based platform technology most widely referenced ultra-sensitive multiplex immunoassay platform on market fully automated, floor-standing instrument multiplexing capability with small sample volume up to 400 samples per eight-hour shift homebrew capabilities HD-1 supports multiplexing up to 4-plex; HD-X will support up to 6-plex commercial launch in December 2017 reader only, benchtop instrument with lower price point same sensitivity, dynamic range and homebrew capabilities as HD-1 multiplexing capability: SR-X currently has up to 6-plex capability sample prep and assay protocol flexibility early access program in January 2019; commercial launch expected in April 2019 Simoa planar array platform technology similar sensitivity, dynamic range and homebrew capabilities as HD-1 multiplexing capability: SP-X currently has up to 10-plex capability Assays and other consumables over 120 biomarker assays developed for neurology, oncology, cardiology, infectious diseases and immunology research homebrew kits containing reagents and supporting user guides enabling customers to develop custom assays proprietary Simoa disk with 24 arrays, each containing approximately 239,000 microwells for Simoa bead-based assays contract research services provided through our Accelerator Laboratory over 500 projects completed to date extended warranty and service contracts CLIA-certified lab available Instruments and Consumables We commercially launched the HD-1 instrument in January 2014. The HD-1 uses our Simoa bead-based technology and is the most sensitive automated multiplex protein detection platform commercially available. Assays for the HD-1 are fully automated (i.e. sample in to result out), and results for up to 66 samples are available in approximately one hour. We believe that this automation provides us an additional significant competitive advantage with pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. Samples can be input into the instrument via 96-well microtiter plates or sample tubes where the system can multiplex and process tests in a variety of assay protocol configurations. Specialized software controls the Simoa instrumentation, analyzes the digital images produced, and provides customers with detailed analysis of their samples, such as the concentration of multiple biological molecules. The HD-1 software automates the processes for running the instrument and analyzing data from the user-defined protocols. Proprietary image analysis software is embedded in the system, which converts the raw images into signals for each biological molecule being analyzed within a sample. Data reduction software automatically converts those signals to concentrations for the different biological molecules. We continually seek to improve our platforms and technology and to that end, we expect to commercially launch our next-generation fully automated, bead-based Simoa instrument, the HD-X, in the second half of 2019. The HD-X will increase the multiplexing capability from 4-plex (current HD-1 limit) to six-plex and will include software features to facilitate compliance with 21 CFR part 11 procedures. We commercially launched the SR-X instrument in the fourth quarter of 2017. The SR-X utilizes the same Simoa bead-based technology and assay kits as the HD-1 in a compact benchtop form with a lower price point designed to address the needs of researchers who value the ultra-sensitive detection capabilities enabled by Simoa. In contrast to the fully automated workflow of the HD-1, the assay incubation and washing steps for the SR-X are performed outside of the instruments using conventional liquid handling methods. The offline sample prep provides additional flexibility to enable researchers to apply Simoa detection in an expanded range of applications including direct detection of nucleic acids. The SR-X system automates the steps loading Simoa beads onto Simoa disks with subsequent imaging, detection and data reduction. Processing time for imaging a 96 well plate is approximately 2.5 hours. We initiated an early-access program for the SP-X instrument in January 2019, with the full commercial launch planned for April 2019. The SP-X uses the Simoa planar array technology developed initially by Aushon Biosystems for multiplex chemiluminescent immunoassay measurement, which we refined by leveraging our proprietary sophisticated Simoa image analysis and data analysis algorithms to provide the same Simoa sensitivity found in our Simoa bead-based platform. The Simoa planar array technology utilizes a 96-well microtiter plate with up to 10 different assay measurements performed in each well of the plate from as little as 12.5 microliters of sample. Similar to the SR-X, the assay prep workflow utilized for the SP-X involves assay incubation and washing steps performed outside of the instrument using the same conventional liquid handling methods as the SR-X. The SP-X instrument automates the imaging, detection and data reduction process. Processing time for imaging a 96 well plate is less than five minutes. Assays and Consumables Recurring revenue is derived through the sale of consumables used to run assays on our instruments, and from our growing menu of Simoa digital biomarker assays. The current menu of approximately 80 analyte-specific single-plex and multi-plex assay kits for our bead-based instruments includes assays for biomarkers in the areas of neurology, infectious disease, immunology and oncology for both human and mouse samples. The current menu of assay kits for the planar array instrument includes approximately 50 biomarkers ranging from 1-10 analytes per assay in the areas of immunology and oncology research. In addition to these assays we have developed, the Simoa platform allows ease and flexibility in assay design, enabling our customers to develop their own proprietary in-house assays, called homebrew assays, using our bead-based Homebrew Assay Development Kit. These kits include all components required for customers to run tests using their own antibodies. Our consumables portfolio for our bead-based platform also includes our proprietary Simoa disks that are unique to our bead-based platform, as well as cuvettes, and disposable tips. Our goal is to continue to add to our assay kits to extend our application base. Our consumables portfolio for our planar array platform also includes assay-specific reagent kits as well as the Simoa Planar Array Homebrew Starter Kit which enables our customers to run tests using their own antibodies and reagents in a similar manner to the bead-based homebrew kits. We have staffed our assay development and manufacturing teams to do the upfront work of antibody sourcing, assay development and optimization, sample testing and validation, transfer to manufacturing and final documentation. We outsource some of our assay development activities to other antibody and/or assay development providers and expect to continue to do so to achieve our aggressive menu expansion goals. Through our Accelerator Laboratory, which includes a CLIA-certified laboratory, we provide customers a contract research option. Researchers, academics and principal investigators can work with our scientists to test specimens with existing Simoa assays, or prototype, develop and optimize new assays. The Accelerator Laboratory supports multiple projects and services, including: Sample testing. Utilizing commercially available Simoa kits, we have run large studies for customers with thousands of specimens and small experiments with just a few samples. The sample protocol can be tailored precisely to the customer's needs and even large studies can be run quickly. We have extensive experience testing many different sample types where biomarkers may be present at very low levels. Homebrew assay development. Utilizing proprietary or commercially available reagents in combination with our Homebrew Assay Development Kit, we can rapidly develop a prototype assay exhibiting improved sensitivity compared to traditional ELISA. The Accelerator Laboratory can also be used to screen reagents to identify the optimal assay format or expand prototype efforts for further assay optimization or validation to ultimately deliver the highest level of performance. Custom development. After identifying the optimal assay and conditions, the Accelerator Laboratory can be used to generate qualified bulk reagents or custom assay kits, providing customer access to validated kits for assays not yet commercially available on the Simoa platform. To date, we have completed over 500 projects for over 179 customers from all over the world using our Simoa platforms. In addition to being an important source of revenue, we have also found the Accelerator Laboratory to be a significant catalyst for placing additional instruments, as more than 45 customers for whom we have provided contract research services have subsequently purchased an instrument from us. We also generate revenues through extended-warranty and service contracts for our installed base of instruments. We continually seek to improve our platform and technology to enable more sensitive detection and measurement of biological molecules. This evaluation includes examining new assay formats and instrumentation improvements and upgrades to increase the performance of our Simoa assays and instruments. We have implemented a research and development program that aims to increase the sensitivity of our Simoa technology 100-fold by 2021. We are also focused on expanding our assay menu to extend the scope of applications for our platform and grow our customer base. Our assay menu expansion is driven by a number of factors, including input from key opinion leaders, customer feedback, homebrew projects, Accelerator Laboratory projects, new publications on biomarkers of industry interest, and feedback from our sales and marketing team. We also intend to continue to develop and market new instruments with different and/or improved capabilities in order to further broaden our market reach. We distribute our instruments and consumables via direct field sales and support organizations located in North America and Europe and through a combination of our own sales force and third-party distributors in additional major markets such as Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, China, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Lebanon, Qatar, Singapore and Taiwan. Our domestic and international sales force informs our current and potential customers of current product offerings, new product and new assay introductions, and technological advances in Simoa systems, workflows, and notable research being performed by our customers or ourselves. As our primary point of contact in the marketplace, our sales force focuses on delivering a consistent marketing message and high level of customer service, while also attempting to help us better understand evolving market and customer needs. As of March 1, 2019, we had approximately 78 people employed in sales, sales support and marketing, including technical field application scientists and field service personnel. This staff is primarily located in North America and Europe. We intend to significantly expand our sales, support, and marketing efforts in the future by expanding our direct footprint in Europe as well as developing a comprehensive distribution and support network in China where significant new market opportunities exist. Additionally, we believe that there is significant opportunity in other Asia-Pacific region countries such as South Korea and Australia as well as in South America. We plan to expand into these regions via initial penetration with distributors and then subsequent support with Quanterix-employed sales and support personnel. Our sales and marketing efforts are targeted at key opinion leaders, laboratory directors and principal investigators at leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and governmental research institutions. In addition to our selling activities, we align with key opinion leaders at leading institutions and clinical research laboratories to help increase scientific and commercial awareness of our technology, demonstrate its benefits relative to existing technologies and accelerate its adoption. We also seek to increase awareness of our products through participation at trade shows, academic conferences, online webinars and dedicated scientific events attended by prominent users and prospective customers. To develop a thought leadership position in the precision health arena, we have been a Platinum Sponsor of the annual Powering Precision Health Summit, or PPHS. PPHS is an annual summit founded in 2016 by our President and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Hrusovsky, that aims to gather many of the world's top innovators, scientists, physicians, medical professionals, patient advocates, government officials, regulators and investors to debate and collaborate around crucial issues from neurology, oncology and cardiology to inflammation and infectious disease. At PPHS in 2016, there were 22 cutting edge scientific talks covering neurology, cardiology, oncology and inflammation. There were over 200 registered attendees, including senior scientists, patient advocates, investors, and potential partners. At PPHS in 2017, there were 37 scientific talks and over 425 registered attendees and at PPHS Europe in 2018, there were 20 scientific talks and over 150 registered attendees. Our systems are relatively new to the life science marketplace and require a capital investment by our customers. The sales process typically involves numerous interactions and demonstrations with multiple people within an organization. Some potential customers conduct in-depth evaluations of the system including running experiments in the Accelerator Laboratory and comparing results from competing systems. In addition, in most countries, sales to academic or governmental institutions require participation in a tender process involving preparation of extensive documentation and a lengthy review process. As a result of these factors and the budget cycles of our customers, our sales cycle, the time from initial contact with a customer to our receipt of a purchase order, can often be six to 12 months, or longer. Our manufacturing strategy has two components: to outsource the Simoa bead-based instrument development and manufacturing with industry leaders, and to internally develop and manufacture our planar array instrument and all assay kits in our own facilities. The HD-1 and HD-X instruments are manufactured by STRATEC Biomedical AG, based in Birkenfeld, Germany, and is manufactured and shipped from their Birkenfeld and Beringen, Switzerland facilities. See "Key AgreementsDevelopment Agreement and Supply Agreement with STRATEC" for a description of this agreement. HD-1 instruments are shipped by STRATEC to our global customers' locations. Installation of, and training on, our products is provided by our employees in the markets where we conduct direct sales, and by distributors in those markets where we operate with distributors. The SR-X is manufactured by Paramit Corporation, based in Morgan Hill, California, and is shipped to global customers by Paramit. We believe this manufacturing strategy is efficient and conserves capital. However, in the event it becomes necessary to utilize a different contract manufacturer for the HD-1, the HD-X or the SR-X, we would experience additional costs, delays and difficulties in doing so, and our business would be harmed. The SP-X instruments are manufactured, tested, shipped and supported by us from our Billerica, Massachusetts facility. All internal components are sourced domestically except one significant component is sourced in Germany. These components are sourced from a limited number of suppliers, including certain single-source suppliers. Although we believe that alternatives would be available, it would take time to identify and validate replacement components, which could negatively affect our ability to supply instruments on a timely basis. To mitigate this risk, we typically carry significant inventory of critical components. We assemble our assay kits for our bead-based platform in our Lexington, Massachusetts facility. Reagents for our bead-based assays include all components required to run an enzyme based immunoassay, such as beads, capture and detector reagents, enzyme reagents and enzyme substrate. These reagents are sourced from a limited number of suppliers, including certain single-source suppliers. Although we believe that alternatives would be available, it would take time to identify and validate replacement reagents for our assay kits, which could negatively affect our ability to supply assay kits on a timely basis. In an effort to mitigate this risk through inventory control, we have increased the shelf life of the vast majority of our bead-based assays from six months to 12 months or more. Simoa disks for our bead-based platform are supplied through a single source supplier pursuant to a long-term supply agreement with STRATEC Consumables, a subsidiary of STRATEC Biomedical. This agreement provides for a sufficient notification period to allow for supply continuity and the identification and tech transfer to a new supplier in the event either party wishes to terminate the relationship. Our cuvettes for our bead-based platform are single sourced through STRATEC Biomedical, and the disposable tips used in our bead-based platform are commercially available. We assemble our assay 96 well sample plate kits for our planar array platform in our Billerica, Massachusetts facility. Reagents for our planar array assays include all components required to run an enzyme-based chemiluminescent immunoassay, such as capture antibody printed plates and detector reagents, enzyme reagents and enzyme substrate. These reagents are sourced from a limited number of suppliers, including certain single-source suppliers. Although we believe that alternatives would be available, it would take time to identify and validate replacement reagents for our assay kits, which could negatively affect our ability to supply assay kits on a timely basis. Because our planar array assays have a shelf life of 12 months, we believe we are able to mitigate this risk through inventory control. Key Agreements Development Agreement and Supply Agreement with STRATEC In August 2011, we entered into a Strategic Development Services and Equity Participation Agreement, or the Development Agreement, with STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG, pursuant to which STRATEC undertook the development of the Simoa HD-1 instrument. Under the Development Agreement, we were required to pay a fee and issue to STRATEC warrants to purchase our equity securities, all of which have been exercised as of December 31, 2017. These fees and warrants were subject to a milestone based payment schedule. The Development Agreement was amended in November 2016. The Amendment reduced our obligation to satisfy a minimum purchase commitment under the Supply and Manufacturing Agreement described below. Additionally, the parties agreed on additional development services for an additional fee, which is payable when the additional development is completed. This fee includes the final milestone payment that was associated with the final milestone due under the terms of the Development Agreement. The services are expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. The Development Agreement may be terminated on the insolvency of a party, for an uncured material breach, or, by us, on a change of control of our company (subject to certain obligations to compensate STRATEC on such termination) or if we and STRATEC are unable to agree on pricing of the instrument, within certain parameters. In September 2011, we also entered into a Supply and Manufacturing Agreement with STRATEC, or the Supply Agreement, pursuant to which STRATEC agreed to supply HD-1 instruments to us, and we agreed to procure those instruments exclusively from STRATEC, subject to STRATEC's ability to supply the instruments. We are responsible for obtaining any regulatory approval necessary to sell the instruments. We agreed to purchase a certain number of instruments in the seven years following the acceptance of the first validation instrument. The Supply Agreement was amended in November 2016 to reduce the number of instruments we are committed to procure from STRATEC. The instrument price stipulated in the Supply Agreement was established based on certain specified assumptions and is subject to certain adjustments. The Supply Agreement is terminable by either party on 12 months' notice to the other party, provided that neither party may terminate the Supply Agreement prior to the later of the seven year anniversary of the acceptance of the first prototype instrument and the purchase of the minimum number of instruments which we committed to procure. The Supply Agreement may also be terminated on the insolvency of a party or the uncured material breach of a party, or, by us, on a change of control of our company (subject to certain obligations to compensate STRATEC on such termination). On termination by us for STRATEC's insolvency or uncured material breach or termination by STRATEC for convenience, we are granted a nonexclusive royalty free license of STRATEC intellectual property to manufacture the instruments. In certain of these circumstances, we could be obligated to issue warrants to purchase common stock. Paramit Manufacturing Services Agreement In November 2016, we entered into a Manufacturing Services Agreement, or the Paramit Agreement, with Paramit Corporation, or Paramit. Under the terms of the Paramit Agreement, we engaged Paramit to produce and test our SR-X instrument on an as-ordered basis. We also engaged Paramit to supply spare parts. Paramit has no obligation to manufacture our instrument without a purchase order and no obligation to maintain inventory in excess of any open purchase orders or materials in excess of the amount Paramit reasonably determines will be consumed within 90 days or within the lead time of manufacturing our instrument, whichever is greater. We have an obligation to purchase any material or instruments deemed in excess pursuant to the Paramit Agreement. The price is determined according to a mutually agreed-upon pricing formula. The parties agreed to review the pricing methodology yearly or upon a material change in cost. The Paramit Agreement has an initial three-year term with automatic one year extensions. It is terminable by either party for convenience with nine months' written notice to the other party given at least nine months prior to the end of the then-current term. The agreement may also be terminated by us with three months' notice to Paramit upon the occurrence of (i) a failure of Paramit to obtain any necessary governmental licenses, registrations or approvals required to manufacture our instrument or (ii) an assignment by Paramit of its rights or obligations under the agreement without our consent. The Paramit Agreement is terminable by Paramit with 30 days' notice to us in the event of a material breach after written notice and a 60-day opportunity to cure the breach. We compete with both established and development-stage life science companies that design, manufacture and market instruments for protein detection, nucleic acid detection and additional applications. For example, companies such as Bio-Techne, Luminex Corporation, MesoScale Diagnostics, Singulex, Gyros Corporation, Nanostring Technologies, Inc., and others, have products for protein detection that compete in certain segments of the market in which we sell our products. As we or our partners expand the applications for our products to include diagnostics and precision health screening, we expect to compete with companies such as Siemens, Abbott, Roche, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Furthermore, our technology and products are showing promise for non-invasive early disease detection, and in the future, we could experience competition from companies that develop and market imaging and other molecular detection technologies. In addition, a number of other companies and academic groups are in the process of developing novel technologies for the life science research, diagnostic and precision health screening markets. Many of the companies with which we compete or will compete have substantially greater resources than we have. The life science instrumentation industry is highly competitive and expected to grow more competitive with the increasing knowledge gained from ongoing research and development. We believe the principal competitive factors in our target markets include: sensitivity; cost of instruments and consumables; assay menu; reputation among customers and key opinion leaders; innovation in product offerings; accuracy and reproducibility of results; and customer support infrastructure. We believe that we are well positioned with respect to these competitive factors and expect to enhance our position through ongoing global expansion, innovative new product introductions and ongoing collaborations and partnerships with key opinion leaders. Our core Simoa bead-based technology, directed to general methods and devices for single molecule detection, originated at Tufts University, in the laboratory of Professor David Walt, who is the founder of Quanterix and a current member of our Board of Directors. Prof. Walt and his students pioneered the single molecule array technology, including technologies that enabled the detection of single enzyme labels in arrays of microwells, thereby facilitating the ultra-sensitive detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and cells. We have exclusively licensed from Tufts the relevant patent filings related to these technologies. (See "License Agreement with Tufts University" below). In addition to licensed patents, we have developed our own portfolio of issued patents and patent applications directed to commercial products and technologies for potential development. We believe our proprietary platforms are a core strength of our business and our strategy includes the continued development of our patent portfolio. Our patent strategy is multilayered, providing coverage of aspects of the core technology as well as specific uses and applications, some of which are reflected in our current products and some of which are not. The first layer is based on protecting the fundamental methods for detecting single molecules independent of the specific analyte to be detected. The second layer covers embodiments of the core technology directed to the detection of specific analytes. The third layer protects novel instrumentation, consumables, and manufacturing processes used in applying the invention to certain commercial products or future product opportunities. The fourth layer is concerned with specific uses of the core technology (e.g., biomarkers and diagnostics). Our patent strategy is both offensive and defensive in nature; seeking to protect not only technology we currently practice but also alternative, related embodiments. Simoa and Related Technology As of March 1, 2019, we had exclusively licensed 17 patents and two patent applications from Tufts. These patents and patent applications include eight issued U.S. patents and two pending U.S patent applications, three granted European patents, three granted Japanese patents, two granted Canadian patents and one granted Australian patent. A first patent family licensed from Tufts is directed to methods for detecting single molecules. This patent family includes five granted U.S. patents, two pending U.S. patent applications, three granted European patents (each nationalized and active in seven or eight countries), three granted Japanese patents, two granted Canadian patents and one granted Australian patent. The standard patent expiration date for U.S. patents in this family is February 16, 2027, and for the non-U.S. patents is February 20, 2027 or August 30, 2027. A second patent family licensed from Tufts is directed to methods for detecting the presence of target analytes in multiple samples. This patent family includes one granted U.S. patent. The standard patent expiration date for the U.S. patent in this family is August 22, 2025. A third patent family licensed from Tufts is directed to methods for analyzing analytes using a sensor system with cross-reactive elements. This patent family includes one granted U.S. patent. The standard patent expiration date for the U.S. patent in this family is March 14, 2021. A fourth patent family licensed from Tufts is directed to electro-optical systems including an array and a plurality of electrodes. This patent family includes one granted U.S. patent. The standard patent expiration date for the U.S. patent in this family is February 14, 2023. As of March 1, 2019, we owned 19 issued U.S. patents and 16 pending U.S. patent applications, three pending Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, eight granted European patents and six pending European patent applications, eight granted Japanese patents and one pending Japanese patent applications, four granted Chinese patents and two pending Chinese patent applications, five granted Canadian patents and two pending Canadian patent applications, and four registered Hong Kong patent applications. A first patent family owned by us is directed to methods for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, and in particular to methods for analyte capture on beads, including multiplexing. This patent family includes three granted U.S. patents and one pending U.S. patent application, two granted European patent (nationalized and active in eight countries) and one pending European application, two granted Japanese patents, two granted Chinese patents, and one granted Canadian patent. The standard patent expiration date for the U.S. patents in this family is March 24, 2030, and for the non-U.S. patents is March 1, 2031. A second patent family owned by us is directed to methods and systems for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, and in particular to methods or systems for determining concentration based on either counting or measured intensity (extending the dynamic range). This patent family includes four granted U.S. patents and one pending U.S. patent application, one granted European patent (nationalized and active in seven countries), two granted Japanese patents, one granted Chinese patent, and one granted Canadian patent. The standard patent expiration date for the U.S. patents in this family is March 24, 2030, and for the non-U.S. patents is March 1, 2031. A third patent family owned by us is directed to methods for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, and in particular to methods for analyte capture on beads with or without dissociation. This patent family includes two granted U.S. patents. The standard patent expiration date for the U.S. patents in this family is September 28, 2028. A fourth patent family owned by us is directed to methods for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, and in particular to methods for determining concentration using multiple binding ligands for the same analyte molecule. This patent family includes one granted U.S. patent. The standard patent expiration date for the U.S. patent in this family is March 24, 2030. A fifth patent family owned by us is directed to instruments and consumables. This patent family includes one granted U.S. patent and one pending U.S. patent application, one granted Japanese patent and one pending Japanese patent application, one granted Chinese patent and two pending Chinese patent applications, three registered Hong Kong patent applications and one pending patent application in each of Europe, and Canada. The standard patent expiration date for any U.S. patents that may issue from this family is February 25, 2031, and for any non-U.S. patents is January 27, 2032. A sixth patent family owned by us is directed to methods and materials for covalently associating a molecular species with a surface. This patent family includes one pending U.S. patent application. The standard patent expiration date for any U.S. patents that may issue from this family is May 9, 2034. A seventh patent family owned by us is directed to methods for improving the accuracy of capture based assays. This patent family includes one pending U.S. patent application. The standard patent expiration date for any U.S. patents that may issue from this family is January 13, 2036. An eighth patent family owned by us is directed to methods and systems for reducing and/or preventing signal decay. This patent family includes one pending Patent Cooperation Treaty patent application. If we pursue protection by filing any national stage applications, the standard patent expiration date for any patents that may issue from this family will be in 2038. We own or co-own seven patent families directed to the measurement of particular types of analytes, including prostate specific antigen (PSA), b-amyloid peptide, tau protein, toxin B of C. difficile, and DNA or RNA molecules. Any patents that may issue from these patent applications would have standard expiration dates between 2032 and 2039. With the acquisition of Aushon in January 2017, we acquired their patent portfolio for our planar array technology. As of March 1, 2019, the acquired patent portfolio includes at least eight issued U.S. patents and five pending U.S. patent applications, one granted Australian patent, three granted Canadian patents and one pending Canadian patent application, five granted European patents (each nationalized and active in between eight and 14 countries) and three pending European patent applications, three granted Japanese patents, one registered Hong Kong patent application and one pending Patent Cooperation Treaty patent application. We have licensed additional patents and patent applications from third parties. In addition to pursuing patents on our technology, we have taken steps to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology by entering into confidentiality agreements and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, corporate partners and, when needed, our advisors. License Agreement with Tufts University In June 2007, as amended in April 2013 and August 2017, we entered into a license agreement with Tufts University, or Tufts, pursuant to which we obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to research, develop, commercialize, use, make, or have made, import or have imported, distribute or have distributed, offer or have offered, and sell or have sold products and services covered by patent rights to the Simoa bead-based technology owned by Tufts, as well as a non-exclusive license to related know-how. The rights licensed to us are for all fields of use and are sublicensable for a fee. Under the terms of the agreement, as amended, we paid a one-time, non-refundable upfront fee and issued Tufts shares of our common stock. In addition, in connection with the April 2013 amendment, we issued Tufts shares of our Series C-1 Preferred Stock. We are required to pay Tufts low single-digit royalties on all net sales of products and services that use the licensed technology, as well as a portion of any sublicensing revenues. We are also obligated to pay annual maintenance fees, which are fully creditable against any royalty payments made by us, and a milestone payment upon any sublicense by us. We were also required to reimburse Tufts for all patent prosecution cost incurred prior to the agreement and for all future patent prosecution costs. The term of the license agreement will continue on a country-by-country basis so long as there is a valid claim of a licensed patent in such country. Tufts may terminate the agreement or convert to a non-exclusive license in the event (1) we fail to pay any undisputed amount when required and fail to cure such non-payment within 60 days after receipt of notice from Tufts, (2) we are in breach of any material provision of the agreement and fail to remedy such breach within 60 days after receipt of notice from Tufts, (3) we do not demonstrate diligent efforts to develop a product incorporating the licensed technology, (4) we are found on five separate audits to have underpaid pursuant to the terms of the agreement, (5) we cease to carry on the business related to the licensed technology either directly or indirectly, or (6) we are adjudged insolvent, make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or have a petition in bankruptcy filed for or against us that is not removed within 60 days. We may terminate the agreement at any time upon at least 60 days' written notice. Upon termination of the agreement, all rights revert to Tufts. Our products are currently intended for research use only, or RUO, applications, although our customers may use our products to develop their own products that are subject to regulation by the FDA. Although most products intended for RUO are not currently subject to clearance or approval by the FDA, RUO products fall under the FDA's jurisdiction if they are used for clinical rather than research purposes. Consequently, our products are labeled "For Research Use Only." On November 25, 2013, the FDA issued Final Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff on "Distribution of In Vitro Diagnostic Products Labeled for Research Use Only or Investigational Use Only," or the RUO/IUO Guidance. The purpose of an FDA guidance document is to provide the FDA's current thinking on when IVD products are properly labeled for RUO or for IUO, but as with all FDA guidance documents, this guidance does not establish legally enforceable responsibilities and should be viewed as recommendations unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The RUO/IUO Guidance explains that the FDA will review the totality of the circumstances when evaluating whether equipment and testing components are properly labeled as RUO. Merely including a labeling statement that a product is intended for research use only will not necessarily exempt the device from the FDA's 510(k) clearance, premarket approval, or other requirements, if the circumstances surrounding the distribution of the product indicate that the manufacturer intends its product to be used for clinical diagnostic use. These circumstances may include written or verbal marketing claims or links to articles regarding a product's performance in clinical applications, a manufacturer's provision of technical support for clinical validation or clinical applications, or solicitation of business from clinical laboratories, all of which could be considered evidence of intended uses that conflict with RUO labeling. Although the RUO/IUO Guidance is a statement of the FDA's thinking with respect to certain RUOs and IUOs in 2013 and was not intended as a compliance requirement, we believe that our labeling and promotion of our products, including the custom assay RUO products developed by the Accelerator Laboratory, is consistent with the RUO/IUO Guidance because we have not promoted our products for clinical use in humans. We also are not promoting or using our products in the development or promotion of laboratory developed test, or LDT, services. When we develop products for clinical use, we will do so in accordance with FDA requirements applicable to those products at that time. Separately, when we become aware that accredited or licensed clinical laboratories may be using our RUO products either for research or clinical uses, such as part of LDT services, in accordance with the regulations that apply to clinical laboratories, we will continue to review the labeling and promotion of our products for consistency with the RUO/IUO Guidance. When our products are marketed for clinical diagnostic use, our products will be regulated by the FDA as medical devices. The FDA defines a medical device in part as an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article which is intended for the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man. This means that the FDA will regulate the development, testing, manufacturing, marketing, post-market surveillance, distribution, advertising and labeling of our clinical products and we will be required to register as a medical device manufacturer and list our marketed products. The FDA classifies medical devices into one of three classes on the basis of the intended use of the device, the risk associated with the use of the device for that indication, as determined by the FDA, and on the controls deemed by the FDA to be necessary to reasonably ensure their safety and effectiveness. Class I devices, which have the lowest level of risk associated with them, are subject to general controls. Class II devices are subject to general controls and special controls, including performance standards. Class III devices, which have the highest level of risk associated with them, are subject to general controls and premarket approval. Most Class I devices and some Class II devices are exempt from a requirement that the manufacturer submit a premarket notification, or 510(k), and receive clearance from the FDA which is otherwise a premarketing requirement for a Class II device. Class III devices may not be commercialized until a premarket approval application, or PMA, is submitted to and approved by the FDA. 510(k) Clearance Pathway To obtain 510(k) clearance, a sponsor must submit to the FDA a premarket notification demonstrating that the device is substantially equivalent, or SE, to a device legally marketed in the U.S. for which a PMA was not required. The FDA is supposed to make a SE determination within 90 days of FDA's receipt of the 510(k), but it often takes longer if the FDA requests additional information. Most 510(k)s do not require supporting data from clinical trials, but the FDA may request such data. After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, will require a new clearance or possibly a pre-market approval. De Novo Classification Medical device types that the FDA has not previously classified as Class I, II or III are automatically classified into Class III regardless of the level of risk they pose. The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 established a new route to market for low to moderate risk medical devices that are automatically placed into Class III due to the absence of a predicate device, called the "Request for Evaluation of Automatic Class III Designation," or the de novo classification procedure. This procedure allows a manufacturer whose novel device is automatically classified into Class III to request down-classification of its medical device into Class I or Class II on the basis that the device presents low or moderate risk, rather than requiring the submission and approval of a PMA application. Prior to the enactment of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012, or FDASIA, a medical device could only be eligible for de novo classification if the manufacturer first submitted a 510(k) premarket notification and received a determination from the FDA that the device was not substantially equivalent. FDASIA streamlined the de novo classification pathway by permitting manufacturers to request de novo classification directly without first submitting a 510(k) premarket notification to the FDA and receiving a not substantially equivalent determination. Under FDASIA, the FDA is required to classify the device within 120 days following receipt of the de novo application. If the manufacturer seeks reclassification into Class II, the manufacturer must include a draft proposal for special controls that are necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the medical device. In addition, the FDA may reject the reclassification petition if it identifies a legally marketed predicate device that would be appropriate for a 510(k) or determines that the device is not low to moderate risk or that general controls would be inadequate to control the risks and special controls cannot be developed. Premarket Approval Pathway A PMA must be submitted if a new device cannot be cleared through the 510(k) process. The PMA process is generally more complex, costly and time consuming than the 510(k) process. A PMA must be supported by extensive data including, but not limited to, technical, preclinical, clinical trials, manufacturing and labeling to demonstrate to the FDA's satisfaction the safety and effectiveness of the device for its intended use. After a PMA is sufficiently complete, the FDA will accept the application for filing and begin an in-depth review of the submitted information. By statute, the FDA has 180 days to review the accepted application, although, review of the application generally can take between one and three years. During this review period, the FDA may request additional information or clarification of information already provided. Also during the review period, an advisory panel of experts from outside the FDA may be convened to review and evaluate the application and provide recommendations to the FDA as to the approvability of the device. Although the FDA is not bound by the advisory panel decision, the panel's recommendations are important to the FDA's overall decision making process. In addition, the FDA will conduct a preapproval inspection of the manufacturing facility to ensure compliance with its quality system regulations, or QSRs. New premarket approval applications or premarket approval application supplements are also required for product modifications that affect the safety and efficacy of the device. Clinical trials are usually required to support a PMA and are sometimes required for a 510(k). In the U.S., if the device is determined to present a "significant risk," the manufacturer may not begin a clinical trial until it submits an investigational device exemption application, or IDE, and obtains approval of the IDE from the FDA. These clinical trials are also subject to the review, approval and oversight of an institutional review board, or IRB, at each clinical trial site. The clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with the FDA's IDE regulations and good clinical practices. A clinical trial may be suspended by FDA, the sponsor or an IRB at its institution at any time for various reasons, including a belief that the risks to the study participants outweigh the benefits of participation in the trial. Even if a clinical trial is completed, the results may not demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a device to the satisfaction of the FDA, or may be equivocal or otherwise not be sufficient to obtain approval of a device. FDA Enforcement After a medical device is placed on the market, numerous regulatory requirements apply. These include among other things: establishment registration and device listing; the QSR, which requires manufacturers, including third-party manufacturers, to follow stringent design, testing, control, documentation and other quality assurance procedures during all aspects of the manufacturing process; labeling regulations and the FDA prohibitions against the promotion of products for uncleared, unapproved or "off-label" uses and other requirements related to promotional activities; medical device reporting regulations, which require that manufacture's report to the FDA if their device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury, or if their device malfunctioned and the device or a similar device marketed by the manufacturer would be likely to cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if the malfunction were to recur; corrections and removal reporting regulations, which require that manufacture's report to the FDA field corrections or removals if undertaken to reduce a risk to health posed by a device or to remedy a violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act that may present a risk to health; and post market surveillance regulations, which apply to certain Class II or III devices when necessary to protect the public health or to provide additional safety and effectiveness data for the device. To ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, medical device manufacturers are subject to market surveillance and periodic, pre-scheduled and unannounced inspections by the FDA. Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can result in enforcement action by the FDA, which may include sanctions, including but not limited to, warning letters; fines, injunctions, consent decrees and civil penalties; recall or seizure of the device; operating restrictions, partial suspension or total shutdown of production; refusal to grant 510(k) clearance or PMA approvals of new devices; withdrawal of 510(k) clearance or PMA approvals; and civil or criminal prosecution. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, Regulation of LDTs and State Regulation Since our acquisition of Aushon Biosystems, Inc. in January 2018, we own and operate a CLIA certified laboratory. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) are federal regulatory standards that apply to all clinical laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States (with the exception of clinical trials and basic research). A clinical laboratory is defined by CLIA as any facility that performs laboratory testing on specimens obtained from humans for the purpose of providing information for health assessment and for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease. CLIA requires such laboratories to be certified by the federal government and mandates compliance with various operational, personnel, facilities administration, quality and proficiency testing requirements intended to ensure that testing services are accurate, reliable and timely. CLIA certification also is a prerequisite to be eligible to bill state and federal health care programs, as well as many private insurers, for laboratory testing services. In addition, CLIA requires certified laboratories to enroll in an approved proficiency testing program if performing testing in any category for which proficiency testing is required. If a laboratory fails to achieve a passing score on a proficiency test, then it loses its right to perform testing. As a condition of CLIA certification, laboratories are subject to survey and inspection every other year, in addition to being subject to additional random inspections. The biennial survey is conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS"), a CMS agent (typically a state agency), or, a CMS-approved accreditation organization. High complexity, CLIA-certified laboratories, such as ours, frequently develop testing procedures to provide diagnostic results to customers. These tests have been traditionally offered by nearly all complex laboratories for the last few decades as Laboratory Developed Tests, or LDTs, which are subject to CMS oversight through its enforcement of CLIA. The FDA also has claimed that it has regulatory authority over LDTs, but has not exercised enforcement with respect to most LDTs offered by high complexity laboratories, and not sought to require these laboratories to comply with FDA regulations regarding medical devices. During 2010, the FDA publicly announced that it had decided to exercise regulatory authority over these LDTs, and that it planned to issue guidance to the industry regarding its regulatory approach. At that time, the FDA indicated that it would use a risk-based approach to regulation and would direct more resources to tests with wider distribution and with the highest risk of injury, but that it would be sensitive to the need to not adversely impact patient care or innovation. In September 2014, the FDA announced its framework and timetable for implementing this guidance. On November 18, 2016, the FDA announced it would not release final guidance at that time and instead would continue to work with stakeholders, the new administration and Congress to determine the right approach. On January 3, 2017, the FDA released a discussion paper outlining a possible risk-based approach for FDA and CMS oversight of LDTs. Later in 2017, the FDA indicated that Congress should enact legislation to address improved oversight of diagnostics, including LTDs, rather than the FDA addressing the issue through administrative proposals. We cannot predict the ultimate timing or form of any such guidance or regulation or their potential impact. If adopted, such a regulatory approach by the FDA may lead to an increased regulatory burden, including additional costs and delays in introducing new tests. While the ultimate impact of the FDA's approach is unknown, it may be extensive and may result in significant change. In addition, some states require that any laboratory be licensed by the appropriate state agency in the state in which it operates. Laboratories must also hold state licenses or permits, as applicable, from various states including, but not limited to, California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Maryland, to the extent that they accept specimens from one or more of these states, each of which requires out-of-state laboratories to obtain licensure. If a laboratory is out of compliance with state laws or regulations governing licensed laboratories or with CLIA, it may be subject to enforcement actions that may include suspension, limitation or revocation of the license or CLIA certificate, assessment of financial penalties or fines, or imprisonment. Loss of a laboratory's CLIA certificate or state license may also result in the inability to receive payments from state and federal health care programs as well as private third party payors. If, in the future, we perform clinical diagnostic testing, we would also become subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, as well as additional federal and state laws that impose a variety of fraud and abuse prohibitions on healthcare providers, including clinical laboratories. Europe/Rest of World Government Regulation Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain the requisite approvals from regulatory authorities in non-U.S. countries prior to the commencement of clinical trials or marketing of our product for clinical diagnostic use in those countries. The regulations in other jurisdictions vary from those in the U.S. and may be easier or more difficult to satisfy and are subject to change. For example, the European Union, or EU, recently published new regulations that will result in greater regulation of medical devices and IVDs. The IVD Regulation is significantly different from the IVD Directive that it replaces in that it will ensure that the new requirements apply uniformly and on the same schedule across the member states, include a risk-based classification system and increase the requirements for conformity assessment. The conformity assessment process results in the receipt of a CE designation which has been sufficient to begin marketing many types of IVDs. That process will become more difficult and costly to complete. Other Governmental Regulation We are subject to laws and regulations related to the protection of the environment, the health and safety of employees and the handling, transportation and disposal of medical specimens, infectious and hazardous waste and radioactive materials. For example, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has established extensive requirements relating specifically to workplace safety for healthcare employers in the U.S. This includes requirements to develop and implement multi-faceted programs to protect workers from exposure to blood-borne pathogens, including preventing or minimizing any exposure through needle stick injuries. For purposes of transportation, some biological materials and laboratory supplies are classified as hazardous materials and are subject to regulation by one or more of the following agencies: the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Public Health Service, the United States Postal Service and the International Air Transport Association. We generally use third-party vendors to dispose of regulated medical waste, hazardous waste and radioactive materials that we may use during our research. As of December 31, 2018, we had 177 employees, of which 78 work in sales, sales support, field service, and marketing, 38 work in engineering and research and development, 36 work in manufacturing and operations and 25 work in general and administrative. As of December 31, 2018, of our 177 employees, 160 were located in the United States and 17 were employed outside the United States. None of our employees is represented by a labor union or is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in April 2007 under the name "Digital Genomics, Inc." In August 2007, we changed our name to "Quanterix Corporation." Our principal executive offices are located at 113 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, and our telephone number is (617) 301-9400. We expect to relocate our principal executive offices in the second quarter of 2019 to 900 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821. Information Available on the Internet Our Internet website address is www.quanterix.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have included our website address in this Annual Report on Form 10-K solely as an inactive textual reference. 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 amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amdended, or the Exchange Act. We make these reports available through the "InvestorsFinancial InformationSEC Filings" section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish such reports to, the SEC. We also make available, free of charge on our website, the reports filed with the SEC by our executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders pursuant to Section 16 under the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after copies of those filings are provided to us by those persons. You can review our electronically filed reports and other information that we file with the SEC on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Item 1A. RISK FACTORS The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we presently deem less significant may also impair our business operations. Please see page ii of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of some of the forward-looking statements that are qualified by these risk factors. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected. Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Need for Additional Capital We have incurred losses since we were formed and expect to incur losses in the future. We cannot be certain that we will achieve or sustain profitability. We incurred net losses of $31.5 million, $27.0 million and $23.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $175.9 million. We cannot predict if we will achieve sustained profitability in the near future or at all. We expect that our losses will continue at least through the next 24 months as we plan to invest significant additional funds toward expansion of our commercial organization and the development of our technology and related assays. In addition, as a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. These increased expenses will make it harder for us to achieve and sustain future profitability. We may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, many of which are beyond our control, including the other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the market acceptance of our products, future product development and our market penetration and margins. Our quarterly and annual operating results and cash flows have fluctuated in the past and might continue to fluctuate, causing the value of our common stock to decline substantially. Numerous factors, many of which are outside our control, may cause or contribute to significant fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results. These fluctuations may make financial planning and forecasting difficult. In addition, these fluctuations may result in unanticipated decreases in our available cash, which could negatively affect our business and prospects. In addition, one or more of such factors may cause our revenue or operating expenses in one period to be disproportionately higher or lower relative to the others. As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis might not be meaningful. You should not rely on our past results as indicative of our future performance. Moreover, our stock price might be based on expectations of future performance that are unrealistic or that we might not meet and, if our revenue or operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Our operating results have varied in the past. In addition to other risk factors listed in this section, some of the important factors that may cause fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results include: adoption of our Simoa technology platforms and products by customers; the timing of customer orders to purchase our Simoa instruments; the rate of utilization of consumables by our customers; receipt and timing of revenue for services provided in our Simoa Accelerator Laboratory; the timing of the introduction of new products, product enhancements and services; and the receipt and timing of revenue from collaborations. In addition, a significant portion of our operating expenses is relatively fixed in nature, and planned expenditures are based in part on expectations regarding future revenue. Accordingly, unexpected revenue shortfalls might decrease our gross margins and could cause significant changes in our operating results from quarter to quarter. If this occurs, the trading price of our common stock could fall substantially. We are an early, commercial-stage company and have a limited commercial history, which may make it difficult to evaluate our current business and predict our future performance. We are an early, commercial-stage company and have a limited commercial history. Our revenues are derived from sales of our instruments, consumables and services, which are all based on our Simoa technology. We commercially launched our first Simoa instrument and consumables in 2014. Our limited commercial history may make it difficult to evaluate our current business and make predictions about our future success or viability subject to significant uncertainty. We will continue to encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by early, commercial-stage companies, including scaling up our infrastructure and headcount. If we do not address these risks successfully, our business will suffer. If we are unable to maintain adequate revenue growth or do not successfully manage such growth, our business and growth prospects will be harmed. We have experienced significant revenue growth in a short period of time. We may not achieve similar growth rates in future periods. Investors should not rely on our operating results for any prior periods as an indication of our future operating performance. To effectively manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to maintain and enhance our financial, accounting, manufacturing, customer support and sales administration systems, processes and controls. Failure to effectively manage our anticipated growth could lead us to over-invest or under-invest in development, operational, and administrative infrastructure; result in weaknesses in our infrastructure, systems, or controls; give rise to operational mistakes, losses, loss of customers, productivity or business opportunities; and result in loss of employees and reduced productivity of remaining employees. Our continued growth could require significant capital expenditures and might divert financial resources from other projects such as the development of new products and services. As additional products are commercialized, we may need to incorporate new equipment, implement new technology systems, or hire new personnel with different qualifications. Failure to manage this growth or transition could result in turnaround time delays, higher product costs, declining product quality, deteriorating customer service, and slower responses to competitive challenges. A failure in any one of these areas could make it difficult for us to meet market expectations for our products, and could damage our reputation and the prospects for our business. If our management is unable to effectively manage our anticipated growth, our expenses may increase more than expected, our revenue could decline or grow more slowly than expected and we may be unable to implement our business strategy. In addition, the quality of our products and services may suffer, which could negatively affect our reputation and harm our ability to retain and attract customers. Our future capital needs are uncertain and we may need to raise additional funds in the future. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2018, together with our cash generated from commercial sales, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 24 months. However, we may need to raise substantial additional capital to: expand our sales and marketing efforts to further commercialize our products; strategically acquire companies or technologies that may be complementary to our business; expand our research and development efforts to improve our existing products and develop and launch new products, particularly if any of our products are deemed by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to be medical devices or otherwise subject to additional regulation by the FDA; seek premarket approval, or PMA, or 510(k) clearance from the FDA for our existing products or new products if or when we decide to market products for use in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease or other condition (see "Risk FactorsIf the FDA determines that our products are medical devices or if we seek to market our products for clinical diagnostic or health screening use, we will be required to obtain regulatory clearance(s) or approval(s), and may be required to cease or limit sales of our then marketed products, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any such regulatory process would be expensive, time-consuming and uncertain both in timing and in outcome." and "BusinessGovernment Regulation" for further information about the FDA approvals that we may be required to seek and obtain in that circumstance); build out our new facility as we continue to grow our employee headcount; hire additional personnel; enter into collaboration arrangements, if any, or in-license other products and technologies; add operational, financial and management information systems; and incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including: market acceptance of our products, including our SP-X instrument; the cost and timing of establishing additional sales, marketing and distribution capabilities; the cost of our research and development activities; our ability to enter into collaborations in the future, and the success of any such collaborations; the cost and timing of potential regulatory clearances or approvals that may be required in the future for our products; and the effect of competing technological and market developments. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional funds on acceptable terms, or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or equity-linked securities, our stockholders may experience dilution. Future debt financing, if available, may involve covenants restricting our operations or our ability to incur additional debt. Any debt or equity financing may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or our products, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If we do not have, or are not able to obtain, sufficient funds, we may have to delay development or commercialization of our products. We also may have to reduce marketing, customer support or other resources devoted to our products or cease operations. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and business. Our ability to use net operating losses to offset future income may be subject to certain limitations. As of December 31, 2018, we had federal net operating loss carry forwards, or NOLs, to offset future taxable income of approximately $136.8 million, which begin to expire in 2026, if not utilized. A lack of future taxable income would adversely affect our ability to utilize these NOLs. In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, a corporation that undergoes an "ownership change" is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its NOLs to offset future taxable income. We have already experienced one or more ownership changes as defined under Section 382 of the Code. Depending on the timing of any future utilization of our NOLs, we may be limited as to the amount that can be utilized each year as a result of such previous ownership changes. In addition, future changes in our stock ownership, including changes that may be outside of our control, could result in additional ownership changes under Section 382 of the Code. Our NOLs may also be impaired under similar provisions of state law. We have recorded a full valuation allowance related to our NOLs and other deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of the ultimate realization of the future benefits of those assets. U.S. taxation of international business activities or the adoption of tax reform policies could materially impact our future financial position and results of operations. Limitations on the ability of taxpayers to claim and utilize foreign tax credits and the deferral of certain tax deductions until earnings outside of the United States are repatriated to the United States, as well as changes to U.S. tax laws that may be enacted in the future, could impact the tax treatment of future foreign earnings. Should the scale of our international business activities expand, any changes in the U.S. taxation of such activities could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our future financial position and results of operations. Provisions of our secured term loan facility with Hercules Capital, Inc. may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies. In addition, repayment of our outstanding debt and other obligations under our secured term loan facility with Hercules is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our secured term loan facility with Hercules Capital, Inc., or Hercules, requires us, and any debt instruments we may enter into in the future may require us, to comply with various covenants that limit our ability to take on new indebtedness, to permit new liens, to pay dividends, to dispose of our property (including to license in certain situations), to engage in mergers or acquisitions and make certain other changes in our business. Debt instruments we may enter into in the future may also include financial covenants such as a requirement to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level or achieve a minimum annual revenue level. These restrictions could inhibit our ability to pursue our business strategies, including our ability to raise additional capital and make certain dispositions or investments without the consent of our lenders. The obligations under our secured term loan facility with Hercules are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events of default, including our failure to make payments when due, our breach or default in the performance of our covenants and obligations under the facility following a cure period, bankruptcy and similar events, and the occurrence of a circumstance that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) our business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition, (ii) our ability to perform our obligations in accordance with the facility documents, (iii) the lender's ability to enforce any of its rights or remedies with respect to our obligations, or (iv) the collateral, the liens on the collateral or the first priority of the lender's liens. While we do not believe it is probable that the lender would accelerate the obligations under the facility, the definition of a material adverse effect is inherently subjective in nature, and we cannot assure that a material adverse effect will not occur or be deemed to have occurred by the lender. Risks Related to Our Business If our products fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance, our revenue will be adversely affected. Our success depends on our ability to develop and market products that are recognized and accepted as reliable, enabling and cost-effective. Most of the potential customers for our products already use expensive research systems in their laboratories that they have used for many years and may be reluctant to replace those systems with ours. Market acceptance of our Simoa technology will depend on many factors, including our ability to convince potential customers that our technology is an attractive alternative to other available technologies. Compared to some competing technologies, our Simoa technology is new and complex, and many potential customers have limited knowledge of, or experience with, our products. Prior to adopting our systems, some potential customers may need to devote time and effort to testing and validating our systems. Any failure of our systems to meet these customer benchmarks could result in potential customers choosing to retain their existing systems or to purchase systems other than ours. In addition, it is important that our Simoa technology be perceived as accurate and reliable by the scientific and medical research community as a whole. Historically, a significant part of our sales and marketing efforts has been directed at demonstrating the advantages of our technology to industry leaders and encouraging such leaders to publish or present the results of their evaluation of our system. If we are unable to continue to motivate leading researchers to use Simoa technology, or if such researchers are unable to achieve or unwilling to publish or present significant experimental results using our systems, acceptance and adoption of our systems may be slowed and our ability to increase our revenue would be adversely affected. Our future success is dependent upon our ability to further penetrate our existing customer base and attract new customers. Our current customer base is primarily composed of academic and governmental research institutions, as well as biopharmaceutical and contract research companies. Our success will depend upon our ability to respond to the evolving needs of, and increase our market share among, existing customers and additional potential customers, marketing new products as we develop them. Identifying, engaging and marketing to customers who are unfamiliar with our current products requires substantial time, expertise and expense and involves a number of risks, including: our ability to attract, retain and manage the sales, marketing and service personnel necessary to expand market acceptance for our Simoa technology; the time and cost of maintaining and growing a specialized sales, marketing and service force; and our sales, marketing and service force may be unable to execute successful commercial activities. We have utilized third parties to assist with sales, distribution and customer support in certain regions of the world. There is no guarantee, when we enter into such arrangements, that we will be successful in attracting desirable sales and distribution partners. There is also no guarantee that we will be able to enter into such arrangements on favorable terms. Any failure of our sales and marketing efforts, or those of any third-party sales and distribution partners, would adversely affect our business. Sales of our assay for the neurological biomarker Nf-L have become increasingly important to our business, and any significant decrease in sales of that assay could have a material adverse effect on our business. Neurology has been a primary focus area for commercialization of our Simoa technology and the services that we provide to our customers. Sales from neurological-related biomarkers, Nf-L in particular, have become an increasingly important part of our business. We estimate that revenue from services and sales of consumables relating to Nf-L represented approximately 17% of our total revenue for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. There can be no assurance that we will continue to derive meaningful revenues from the sale of our Nf-L assay, from services related to that assay or from sales of instruments driven by customers desiring access to the Nf-L assay. Further, we rely on a single source supplier for the antibodies used in our Nf-L assay. Although we have a supply agreement with this supplier, any disruption in the supply of this antibody, or the adoption by our customers of competitive technologies for detecting biomarkers of neurodegenerative conditions, could negatively impact our revenues and have a material adverse effect on our business. Some of the reagents used in our products are labeled for "research use only" and will have to undergo additional testing before we could use them in a product intended for clinical use. Some of the materials that are used in our consumable products, including certain reagents, are purchased from suppliers with a restriction that they be used for research use only, or RUO. While we have focused initially on the life sciences research market, part of our business strategy is to expand our product line, either alone or in collaboration with third parties, to encompass systems and products that can be used for clinical purposes. Whether or not we continue to use the same RUO materials that we currently use, or obtain similar materials that are not labeled with the RUO restriction, we or a collaborator will be required to demonstrate that the use of our system and products as a clinical test complies with all applicable requirements. In addition, if the supplier of any material or component used in a clinical test were changed, it would require confirmation through additional testing that the change does not adversely affect the reliability of the test. Any such additional testing may be expensive and time-consuming and delay the introduction of new products based on our technology. In the near term, our business will depend on levels of research and development spending by academic and governmental research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies, a reduction in which could limit demand for our products and adversely affect our business and operating results. In the near term, we expect that our revenue will be derived primarily from sales of our instruments and consumables to academic and governmental research institutions, as well as biopharmaceutical and contract research companies worldwide for research applications. The demand for our products will depend in part upon the research and development budgets of these customers, which are impacted by factors beyond our control, such as: changes in government programs that provide funding to research institutions and companies; macroeconomic conditions and the political climate; changes in the regulatory environment; differences in budgetary cycles; and market acceptance of relatively new technologies, such as ours. For example, in March 2017, the federal government announced the intent to cut federal biomedical research funding by as much as 18%. The uncertainty regarding the availability of research funding for potential customers may adversely affect our operating results. Our operating results may fluctuate substantially due to reductions and delays in research and development expenditures by these customers. Any decrease in customers' budgets or expenditures, or in the size, scope or frequency of capital or operating expenditures, could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. The sales cycle for our Simoa instruments can be lengthy and variable, which makes it difficult for us to forecast revenue and other operating results. The sales process for our Simoa instruments generally involves numerous interactions with multiple individuals within an organization, and often includes in-depth analysis by potential customers of our technology and products and a lengthy review process. Our customers' evaluation processes often involve a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. As a result of these factors, the capital investment required to purchase our systems, and the budget cycles of our customers, the time from initial contact with a customer to our receipt of a purchase order can vary significantly. Given the length and uncertainty of our sales cycle, we have in the past experienced, and expect to in the future experience, fluctuations in our sales on a period-to-period basis. In addition, any failure to meet customer expectations could result in customers choosing to retain their existing systems, use existing assays not requiring capital equipment or purchase systems other than ours. Our long-term results depend upon our ability to improve existing products and introduce and market new products successfully. Our business is dependent on the continued improvement of our existing Simoa products and our development of new products utilizing our Simoa or other potential future technology. As we introduce new products or refine, improve or upgrade versions of existing products, we cannot predict the level of market acceptance or the amount of market share these products will achieve, if any. We cannot assure you that we will not experience material delays in the introduction of new products in the future. In addition, introducing new products could result in a decrease in revenues from our existing products. For example, introduction of the SP-X and the anticipated introduction of the HD-X may result in a decrease in revenue from our SR-X and HD-1 instruments. Consistent with our strategy of offering new products and product refinements, we expect to continue to use a substantial amount of capital for product development and refinement. We may need more capital for product development and refinement than is available on terms favorable to us, if at all, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. We generally sell our products in industries that are characterized by rapid technological changes, frequent new product introductions and changing industry standards. If we do not develop new products and product enhancements based on technological innovation on a timely basis, our products may become obsolete over time and our revenues, cash flow, profitability and competitive position will suffer. Our success will depend on several factors, including our ability to: correctly identify customer needs and preferences and predict future needs and preferences; allocate our research and development funding to products with higher growth prospects; anticipate and respond to our competitors' development of new products and technological innovations; innovate and develop new technologies and applications, and acquire or obtain rights to third-party technologies that may have valuable applications in the markets we serve; successfully commercialize new technologies in a timely manner, price them competitively and manufacture and deliver sufficient volumes of new products of appropriate quality on time; and convince customers to adopt new technologies. In addition, if we fail to accurately predict future customer needs and preferences or fail to produce viable technologies, we may invest heavily in research and development of products that do not lead to significant revenue. Even if we successfully innovate and develop new products and product enhancements, we may incur substantial costs in doing so, and our profitability may suffer. Our ability to develop new products based on innovation can affect our competitive position and often requires the investment of significant resources. Difficulties or delays in research, development or production of new products and services or failure to gain market acceptance of new products and technologies may reduce future revenues and adversely affect our competitive position. If we do not successfully develop and introduce new assays for our technology, we may not generate new sources of revenue and may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy. Our business strategy includes the development of new assays for our Simoa instruments. New assays require significant research and development and a commitment of significant resources prior to their commercialization. Our technology is complex, and we cannot be sure that any assays we may intend to develop will be developed successfully, be proven to be effective, offer improvements over currently available tests, meet applicable standards, be produced in commercial quantities at acceptable costs or be successfully marketed. Moreover, development of particular assays may require licenses or access to third-party intellectual property which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In addition, we believe that our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to develop and commercialize multiplex assays that can simultaneously measure multiple biomarkers, particularly for oncology indications. While we have developed and validated a 10-plex assay for the SP-X using our Simoa planar array technology, the most robust multiplex assay that we have commercially launched to date using our Simoa bead-based technology is a 4-plex assay. If we do not successfully develop new assays for our Simoa instruments, including multiplex assays with the ability to detect an increased number of biomarkers in a single sample, we could lose revenue opportunities with existing or future customers. If we do not successfully manage the development and launch of new products, our financial results could be adversely affected. We initiated an early-access program for the SP-X instrument in January 2019, with the full commercial launch planned for April 2019, and intend to launch the HD-X, our next generation bead-based instrument, in the second half of 2019. We face risks associated with launching new products such as the SP-X and HD-X. If we encounter development or manufacturing challenges or discover errors during our product development cycle, the product launch dates of new products may be delayed. The expenses or losses associated with unsuccessful product development or launch activities or lack of market acceptance of our new products could adversely affect our business or financial condition. Undetected errors or defects in our products could harm our reputation, decrease market acceptance of our products or expose us to product liability claims. Our Simoa products may contain undetected errors or defects when first introduced or as new versions or new products are released. Disruptions affecting the introduction or release of, or other performance problems with, our products may damage our customers' businesses and could harm their and our reputation. If that occurs, we may incur significant costs, the attention of our key personnel could be diverted, or other significant customer relations problems may arise. We may also be subject to warranty and liability claims for damages related to errors or defects in our products. In addition, if we do not meet industry or quality standards, if applicable, our products may be subject to recall. A material liability claim, recall or other occurrence that harms our reputation or decreases market acceptance of our products could harm our business and operating results. Although we do not, and cannot currently, promote the use of our products, or services based on our products, for diagnostic purposes, if our customers develop or use them for diagnostic purposes, someone could file a product liability claim alleging that one of our products contained a design or manufacturing defect that resulted in the failure to adequately perform, leading to death or injury. A product liability claim could result in substantial damages and be costly and time-consuming to defend, either of which could materially harm our business or financial condition. We cannot assure investors that our product liability insurance would adequately protect our assets from the financial impact of defending a product liability claim. Any product liability claim brought against us, with or without merit, could increase our product liability insurance rates or prevent us from securing insurance coverage in the future. We may seek to enter into strategic collaborations and licensing arrangements with third parties, but we may not be successful in establishing or maintaining such arrangements. We may seek to enter into strategic collaborations and licensing agreements with third parties to develop products based on our Simoa technology, such as for certain in vitro diagnostic, or IVD, purposes. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so. Establishing collaborations and licensing arrangements is difficult and time-consuming, and discussions may not lead to collaborations or licenses on favorable terms, if at all. Even if we establish such relationships, if our partners do not prioritize and commit sufficient resources to develop and sell products based on our Simoa technology, they may never result in the successful development or commercialization of products based on our Simoa technology. Our reliance on distributors for sales of our products outside of the United States could limit or prevent us from selling our products and could impact our revenue. We have established exclusive distribution agreements for our Simoa instruments and related consumable products within Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, China, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Lebanon, Qatar, Singapore and Taiwan, as well as other foreign countries. We intend to continue to grow our business internationally, and to do so we must attract additional distributors and retain existing distributors to maximize the commercial opportunity for our products. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in attracting or retaining desirable sales and distribution partners or that we will be able to enter into such arrangements on favorable terms. Distributors may not commit the necessary resources to market and sell our products to the level of our expectations or may choose to favor marketing the products of our competitors. If current or future distributors do not perform adequately, or we are unable to enter into effective arrangements with distributors in particular geographic areas, we may not realize long-term international revenue growth. In addition, if our distributors fail to comply with applicable laws and ethical standards, including anti-bribery laws, this could damage our reputation and could have a significant adverse effect on our business and our revenues. We expect to generate a substantial portion of our revenue internationally in the future and can become further subject to various risks relating to our international activities, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, approximately 43%, 45% and 36%, respectively, of our product revenue was generated from customers located outside of North America. We believe that a substantial percentage of our future revenue will come from international sources as we expand our overseas operations and develop opportunities in additional areas. We have limited experience operating internationally and engaging in international business involves a number of difficulties and risks, including: required compliance with existing and changing foreign regulatory requirements and laws; difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations; difficulties protecting or procuring intellectual property rights; required compliance with anti-bribery laws, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, data privacy requirements, labor laws and anti-competition regulations; export or import restrictions; laws and business practices favoring local companies; longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems; political and economic instability; and potentially adverse tax consequences, tariffs, customs charges, bureaucratic requirements and other trade barriers. Historically, most of our revenue has been denominated in U.S. dollars. In the future, we may sell our products and services in local currency outside of the United States. As our operations in countries outside of the United States grow, our results of operations and cash flows may be subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which could harm our business in the future. For example, if the value of the U.S. dollar increases relative to foreign currencies, in the absence of a corresponding change in local currency prices, our revenue could be adversely affected as we convert revenue from local currencies to U.S. dollars. If we dedicate significant resources to our international operations and are unable to manage these risks effectively, our business, operating results and financial condition will suffer. We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other worldwide anti-bribery laws by us or our agents. We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, which prohibits companies and their intermediaries from making payments in violation of law to non-U.S. government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or securing any other improper advantage. Our reliance on independent distributors to sell our products internationally demands a high degree of vigilance in maintaining our policy against participation in corrupt activity, because these distributors could be deemed to be our agents, and we could be held responsible for their actions. Other U.S. companies in the medical device and pharmaceutical fields have faced criminal penalties under the FCPA for allowing their agents to deviate from appropriate practices in doing business with these individuals. We are also subject to similar antibribery laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the United Kingdom's Bribery Act of 2010, which also prohibits commercial bribery and makes it a crime for companies to fail to prevent bribery. We have limited experience in complying with these laws and in developing procedures to monitor compliance with these laws by our agents. These laws are complex and far-reaching in nature, and, as a result, we cannot assure you that we would not be required in the future to alter one or more of our practices to be in compliance with these laws or any changes in these laws or the interpretation thereof. Any violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our operations, involve significant management distraction, involve significant costs and expenses, including legal fees, and could result in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, or results of operations. We could also incur severe penalties, including criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement, and other remedial measures. If we are unable to attract, recruit, train, retain, motivate and integrate key personnel, we may not achieve our goals. Our future success depends on our ability to attract, recruit, train, retain, motivate and integrate key personnel, including our recently expanded senior management team, as well as our research and development, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense. Our growth depends, in particular, on attracting and retaining highly-trained sales personnel with the necessary scientific background and ability to understand our systems at a technical level to effectively identify and sell to potential new customers. Because of the complex and technical nature of our products and the dynamic market in which we compete, any failure to attract, recruit, train, retain, motivate and integrate qualified personnel could materially harm our operating results and growth prospects. We have limited experience in marketing and selling our products, and if we are unable to successfully commercialize our products, our business and operating results will be adversely affected. We have limited experience marketing and selling our products. We currently sell all our products for research use only, through our direct field sales and support organizations located in North America and Europe and through a combination of our own sales force and third-party distributors in additional major markets, including Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, China, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Lebanon, Qatar, Singapore and Taiwan. The future sales of our products will depend in large part on our ability to effectively market and sell our products, successfully manage and expand our sales force, and increase the scope of our marketing efforts. We may also enter into additional distribution arrangements in the future. Because we have limited experience in marketing and selling our products, our ability to forecast demand, the infrastructure required to support such demand and the sales cycle to customers is unproven. If we do not build an efficient and effective sales force, our business and operating results will be adversely affected. We rely on a single contract manufacturer to manufacture and supply our Simoa HD instruments and rely on a different single contract manufacturer to manufacture and supply our Simoa SR-X. If either of these manufacturers should fail or not perform satisfactorily, our ability to supply these instruments would be negatively and adversely affected. We currently rely on a single contract manufacturer, STRATEC Biomedical AG, or STRATEC, an analytical and diagnostic systems manufacturer located in Germany, to manufacture and supply all of our Simoa HD1 instruments and will continue to rely on STRATEC when we launch the HD-X. In addition, we currently rely on a single contract manufacturer, Paramit Corporation, or Paramit, a contract manufacturer located in California, to manufacture and supply all of our SR-X instruments. Since our contract with STRATEC does not commit them to supply quantities beyond the amounts included in our forecasts and our contract with Paramit does not commit them to carry inventory or make available any particular quantities, these contract manufacturers may give other customers' needs higher priority than ours, and we may not be able to obtain adequate supplies in a timely manner or on commercially reasonable terms. If either of these manufacturers were not able to supply instruments, our business would be harmed. Pursuant to our Supply Agreement with STRATEC, as amended, we are required to purchase a minimum number of commercial units of HD instruments over a seven-year period ending in May 2021. If we fail to purchase the required minimum number of commercial units, including as a result of the impact of sales of the SR-X and SP-X going forward, we would be obligated to pay a fee based on the shortfall of commercial units purchased compared to the required number. If we fail to purchase the required minimum number of commercial instruments and terminate the arrangement in certain circumstances, we would be obligated to issue a warrant to purchase shares of our common stock. Any amount we may have to pay STRATEC for failing to purchase the minimum number of commercial units of HD instruments will cause our operating results to suffer. In the event it becomes necessary to utilize a different contract manufacturer for the HD instruments or the SR-X, we would experience additional costs, delays and difficulties in doing so as a result of identifying and entering into an agreement with a new supplier as well as preparing such new supplier to meet the logistical requirements associated with manufacturing our units, and our business would suffer. We may also experience additional costs and delays in the event we need access to or rights under any intellectual property of STRATEC. In addition, certain of the components used in our instruments are sourced from limited or sole suppliers. If we were to lose such suppliers, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify or enter into agreements with alternative suppliers on a timely basis on acceptable terms, if at all. An interruption in our ability to sell and deliver instruments to customers could occur if we encounter delays or difficulties in securing these components, or if the quality of the components supplied do not meet specifications, or if we cannot then obtain an acceptable substitute. If any of these events occur, our business and operating results could be harmed. We may experience manufacturing problems or delays that could limit the growth of our revenue or increase our losses. We may encounter unforeseen situations that would result in delays or shortfalls in our production as well as delays or shortfalls caused by our outsourced manufacturing suppliers and by other third-party suppliers who manufacture components for our products. If we are unable to keep up with demand for our products, our revenue could be impaired, market acceptance for our products could be adversely affected and our customers might instead purchase our competitors' products. Our inability to successfully manufacture our products would have a material adverse effect on our operating results. We rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, one supplier, for some of our materials and components used in our consumable products and the SP-X instrument, and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation. We rely on limited or sole suppliers for certain reagents and other materials and components that are used in our consumable products and in the SP-X instrument. While we periodically forecast our needs for such materials and enter into standard purchase orders with them, we do not have long-term contracts with many of these suppliers. If we were to lose such suppliers, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify or enter into agreements with alternative suppliers on a timely basis on acceptable terms, if at all. An interruption in our operations could occur if we encounter delays or difficulties in securing these materials, or if the quality of the materials supplied do not meet our requirements, or if we cannot then obtain an acceptable substitute. The time and effort required to qualify a new supplier and ensure that the new materials provide the same or better quality results could result in significant additional costs. Any such interruption could significantly affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation. If we cannot provide quality technical and applications support, we could lose customers and our business and prospects will suffer. The placement of our products at new customer sites, the introduction of our technology into our customers' existing laboratory workflows and ongoing customer support can be complex. Accordingly, we need highly trained technical support personnel. Hiring technical support personnel is very competitive in our industry due to the limited number of people available with the necessary scientific and technical backgrounds and ability to understand our Simoa technology at a technical level. To effectively support potential new customers and the expanding needs of current customers, we will need to substantially expand our technical support staff. If we are unable to attract, train or retain the number of highly qualified technical services personnel that our business needs, our business and prospects will suffer. The life sciences research and diagnostic markets are highly competitive. If we fail to effectively compete, our business, financial condition and operating results will suffer. We face significant competition in the life sciences research and diagnostic markets. We currently compete with both established and early stage companies that design, manufacture and market systems and consumable supplies. We believe our principal competitors in the life sciences research and diagnostic markets include Bio-Techne, Luminex Corporation, MesoScale Diagnostics, Singulex, Gyros Corporation and Nanostring Technologies, Inc. As we expand the applications for our products to include health screening, we expect to compete with companies such as Siemens, Abbott, Roche, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and Thermo Fisher Scientific. In addition, there are a number of new market entrants in the process of developing novel technologies for the life sciences research, diagnostic and screening markets. Many of our current competitors have competitive advantages over us, including: greater name and brand recognition; substantially greater financial and human resources; broader product lines; larger sales forces and more established distributor networks; substantial intellectual property portfolios; larger and more established customer bases and relationships; and better established, larger scale, and lower cost manufacturing capabilities. We believe that the principal competitive factors in all of our target markets include: accuracy, including sensitivity and specificity, and reproducibility of results; reputation among customers; flexibility and ease of use; and compatibility with existing laboratory processes, tools and methods. We cannot assure you that our products will compete favorably or that we will be successful in the face of increasing competition from new products and technologies introduced by our existing competitors or new companies entering our markets. In addition, we cannot assure you that our competitors do not have or will not develop products or technologies that currently or in the future will enable them to produce competitive products with greater capabilities or at lower costs than ours. Any failure to compete effectively could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Integrating any business, product or technology we acquire can be expensive and time-consuming and can disrupt and adversely affect our ongoing business, including product sales, and distract our management. We may acquire other businesses, products or technologies as well as pursue strategic alliances, joint ventures, technology licenses or investments in complementary businesses, such as our January 2018 acquisition of Aushon Biosystems, Inc. Our ability to successfully integrate any business, product or technology we acquire depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to: minimize the disruption and distraction of our management and other employees, including our sales force, in connection with the integration of any acquired business, product or technology; minimize disruption in relationships with customers, distributors or suppliers as a result of such a transaction; avoid acquisition of unanticipated liabilities related to acquired companies; maintain and increase sales of our existing products; establish or manage the transition of the manufacture and supply of any acquired product; identify and add the necessary sales, marketing, manufacturing, regulatory and other related personnel, capabilities and infrastructure that are required to successfully integrate any acquired business, product or technology; manage the transition and migration of acquired personnel and all commercial, financial, legal, regulatory and other pertinent information relating to any acquired business, product or technology; comply with legal, regulatory and contractual requirements applicable to any acquired business, product or technology; and maintain and extend intellectual property protection for any acquired product or technology. If we are unable to perform the above functions or otherwise effectively integrate any acquired businesses, products or technologies, our business, financial condition and operating results will suffer. Foreign acquisitions involve unique risks in addition to those mentioned above, including those related to integration of operations across different cultures and languages, currency risks and the particular economic, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries. Also, the anticipated benefit of any acquisition may not materialize. Future acquisitions or dispositions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses or write-offs of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition. We cannot predict the number, timing or size of future joint ventures or acquisitions, or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating results. Risks Related to Government Regulation and Diagnostic Product Reimbursement If the FDA determines that our products are medical devices or if we seek to market our products for clinical diagnostic or health screening use, we will be required to obtain regulatory clearance(s) or approval(s) and may be required to cease or limit sales of our then marketed products, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any such regulatory process would be expensive, time-consuming and uncertain both in timing and in outcome. We have focused initially on the life sciences research market. This includes offering products for use by laboratories associated with academic and governmental research institutions, as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract research companies. Accordingly, our products are labeled as "Research Use Only," or RUO, and are not intended for diagnostic uses. While we have focused initially on the life sciences research market and RUO products only, our strategy is to expand our product line to encompass products that are intended to be used for the diagnosis of disease, either alone or in collaboration with third parties. Such IVD products, once developed and offered, will be subject to regulation by the FDA as medical devices, or comparable international agencies, including requirements for regulatory clearance or approval of such products before they can be marketed. The process of obtaining regulatory clearances to market a medical device can be costly and time consuming, and we may not be able to obtain these clearances or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. In general, the FDA permits commercial distribution of a new medical device only after the device has received clearance under Section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or is the subject of an approved premarket approval application, or PMA unless the device is specifically exempt from those requirements. The FDA will clear marketing of a lower risk medical device through the 510(k) process if the manufacturer demonstrates that the new product is substantially equivalent to other pre-amendment, 510(k)-exempt, 510(k) cleared products, or PMA-approved products that have subsequently been down-classified. If the FDA determines that the device is not "substantially equivalent" to a predicate device, or if the device is automatically classified into Class III, the device sponsor must then fulfill the much more rigorous premarketing requirements of the PMA approval process, or seek reclassification of the device through the de novo process. Pursuant to amendments to the statute in 2012, a manufacturer can also submit a petition for a direct de novo review if the manufacturer is unable to identify an appropriate predicate device and the new device or new use of the device presents a moderate or low risk. High risk devices deemed to pose the greatest risk, such as life-sustaining, life-supporting, or implantable devices, or devices not deemed substantially equivalent to a previously cleared device, require the approval of a PMA. The PMA process is more costly, lengthy and uncertain than the 510(k) clearance process. A PMA application must be supported by extensive data, including, but not limited to, technical, preclinical, clinical trial, manufacturing and labeling data, to demonstrate to the FDA's satisfaction the safety and efficacy of the device for its intended use. Foreign governmental authorities that regulate the manufacture and sale of medical devices have become increasingly stringent and, to the extent we market and sell our products internationally for such uses, we may be subject to rigorous international regulation in the future. In these circumstances, we would rely significantly on our foreign independent distributors to comply with the varying regulations, and any failures on their part could result in restrictions on the sale of our products in foreign countries. IVD products are regulated as medical devices by the FDA and comparable international agencies and may require either clearance from the FDA following the 510(k) pre-market notification process or PMA from the FDA, in each case prior to marketing. If we or our collaborators are required to obtain a PMA or 510(k) clearance for products based on our technology, we or they would be subject to a substantial number of additional requirements for medical devices, including establishment registration, device listing, Quality Systems Regulations, or QSRs, which cover the design, testing, production, control, quality assurance, labeling, packaging, servicing, sterilization (if required), and storage and shipping of medical devices (among other activities), product labeling, advertising, recordkeeping, post-market surveillance, post-approval studies, adverse event reporting, and correction and removal (recall) regulations. One or more of the products we or a collaborator may develop using our technology may also require clinical trials in order to generate the data required for PMA. Complying with these requirements may be time-consuming and expensive. We or our collaborators may be required to expend significant resources to ensure ongoing compliance with the FDA regulations and/or take satisfactory corrective action in response to enforcement action, which may have a material adverse effect on the ability to design, develop, and commercialize products using our technology as planned. Failure to comply with these requirements may subject us or a collaborator to a range of enforcement actions, such as warning letters, injunctions, civil monetary penalties, criminal prosecution, recall and/or seizure of products, and revocation of marketing authorization, as well as significant adverse publicity. If we or our collaborators fail to obtain, or experience significant delays in obtaining, regulatory approvals for IVD products, such products may not be able to be launched or successfully commercialized in a timely manner, or at all. Laboratory developed tests, or LDTs, are a subset of IVD tests that are designed, manufactured and offered as services to high complexity clinical laboratories and used within a single laboratory. The FDA maintains that LDTs are medical devices and has for the most part exercised enforcement discretion for most LDTs. A significant change in the way that the FDA regulates any LDTs that we, our collaborators or our customers develop using our technology could affect our business. The FDA has considered the appropriate way to regulate such tests, but after publishing several draft guidances and holding a number of public hearings and workshops, no final guidance has been issued. However, if the FDA requires laboratories to undergo premarket review and comply with other applicable FDA requirements in the future, the cost and time required to commercialize an LDT will increase substantially, and may reduce the financial incentive for laboratories to develop LDTs, which could reduce demand for our instruments and our other products. Failure to comply with applicable FDA requirements could subject us to misbranding or adulteration allegations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. We could be subject to a range of enforcement actions, including warning letters, injunctions, civil monetary penalties, criminal prosecution, and recall and/or seizure of products, as well as significant adverse publicity. In addition, changes to the current regulatory framework, including the imposition of additional or new regulations, could arise at any time during the development or marketing of our products, which may negatively affect our ability to obtain or maintain FDA or comparable regulatory approval of our products, if required. Foreign jurisdictions have laws and regulations similar to those described above, which may adversely affect our ability to market our products as planned in such countries. The number and scope of these requirements are increasing. As in the United States, the cost and time required to comply with regulatory requirements may be substantial, and there is no guarantee that we will obtain the necessary authorization(s) required to make our products commercially viable. As a result, the imposition of foreign requirements may also have a material adverse effect on the commercial viability of our operations. Our products may in the future be subject to product recalls that could harm our reputation, business and financial results. The FDA and similar foreign governmental authorities have the authority to require the recall of commercialized products, including RUO products, in the event of material deficiencies or defects in design or manufacture. In the case of the FDA, the authority to require a recall must be based on an FDA finding that there is a reasonable probability that the device would cause serious injury or death. In addition, foreign governmental bodies have the authority to require the recall of our products in the event of material deficiencies or defects in design or manufacture. Manufacturers may, under their own initiative, recall a product if any material deficiency in a device is found. A government-mandated or voluntary recall by us or one of our distributors could occur as a result of component failures, manufacturing errors, design or labeling defects or other deficiencies and issues. Recalls of any of our products would divert managerial and financial resources and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The FDA requires that certain classifications of recalls be reported to FDA within 10 working days after the recall is initiated. Companies are required to maintain certain records of recalls, even if they are not reportable to the FDA. We may initiate voluntary recalls involving our products in the future that we determine do not require notification of the FDA. If the FDA disagrees with our determinations, they could require us to report those actions as recalls. A future recall announcement could harm our reputation with customers and negatively affect our sales. In addition, the FDA could take enforcement action for failing to report the recalls when they were conducted. U.S. legislative, FDA or global regulatory reforms may make it more difficult and costly for us to obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates and to manufacture, market and distribute our products after approval is obtained. From time to time, legislation is drafted and introduced in Congress that could significantly change the statutory provisions governing the regulatory approval, manufacture and marketing of regulated products or the reimbursement thereof. Any new regulations or revisions or reinterpretations of existing regulations may impose additional costs or lengthen review times of future products. In addition, FDA regulations and guidance are often revised or reinterpreted by the agency in ways that may significantly affect our business and our products. It is impossible to predict whether legislative changes will be enacted or FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations changed, and what the impact of such changes, if any, may be. Moreover, leadership, personnel and structural changes within the FDA as well as recent and future federal election outcomes could result in significant legislative and regulatory reforms impacting the FDA's regulation of our products. Any change in the laws or regulations that govern the clearance and approval processes relating to our current and future products could make it more difficult and costly to obtain clearance or approval for new products, or to produce, market and distribute existing products. Significant delays in receiving clearance or approval, or the failure to receive clearance or approval for our new products would have an adverse effect on our ability to expand our business. In addition, on May 25, 2017, the new Medical Devices Regulation (2017/745 or "MDR") entered into force. Following its entry into application on May 26, 2020, the MDR will introduce substantial changes to the obligations with which medical device manufacturers must comply in the EU. High risk medical devices will be subject to additional scrutiny during the conformity assessment procedure. Specifically, the EU Medical Devices Regulation repeals and replaces the EU Medical Devices Directive. Unlike directives, which must be implemented into the national laws of the European Economic Area ("EEA") Member States, the regulations would be directly applicable, i.e., without the need for adoption of EEA member state laws implementing them, in all EEA Member States and are intended to eliminate current differences in regulation of medical devices among EEA Member States. The EU MDR, among other things, is intended to establish a uniform, transparent, predictable and sustainable regulatory framework across the EEA for medical devices to ensure a high level of safety and health while supporting innovation. The MDR will however only become applicable in three years after publication (in May 2020). Once applicable, the new regulations will among other things: strengthen the rules on placing devices on the market and reinforce surveillance once they are available; establish explicit provisions on manufacturers' responsibilities for the follow-up of the quality, performance and safety of devices placed on the market; improve the traceability of medical devices throughout the supply chain to the end-user or patient through a unique identification number; set up a central database to provide patients, healthcare professionals and the public with comprehensive information on products available in the EU; and strengthen rules for the assessment of certain high-risk devices which may have to undergo an additional check by experts before they are placed on the market. Once applicable, the MDR may impose increased compliance obligations for us to access the EU market. In order to continue to sell our products in Europe, we must maintain our CE marks and continue to comply with certain EU directives and, in the future with the MDR. Our failure to continue to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements, including those administered by authorities of the EEA countries, could result in enforcement actions against us, including refusal, suspension or withdrawal of our CE Certificates of Conformity by our Notified Body, which could impair our ability to market products in the EEA in the future. Any changes to the membership of the European Union, such as the departure of the United Kingdom (Brexit), may impact the regulatory requirements for the impacted countries and impair our business operations and our ability to market products in such countries. If we do not comply with governmental regulations applicable to our CLIA-certified laboratory, we may not be able to continue our operations. The operation of our Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA, certified laboratory is subject to regulation by numerous federal, state and local governmental authorities in the United States. This laboratory holds a CLIA certificate of compliance and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Maryland, and we intend to obtain other state licenses as may be required in the future. Failure to comply with federal or state regulations or changes in those regulatory requirements could result in a substantial curtailment or even prohibition of the operations of our laboratory and could have an adverse effect on our business. CLIA is a federal law that regulates clinical laboratories that perform testing on human specimens for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of disease. To maintain CLIA certification, laboratories are subject to survey and inspection every two years. Moreover, CLIA inspectors may make unannounced inspections of these laboratories. If we were to lose our CLIA certification or any required state licenses, whether as a result of a revocation, suspension or limitation, it could have a material adverse effect on our business. We expect to rely on third parties in conducting any required future studies of diagnostic products that may be required by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, and those third parties may not perform satisfactorily. We do not have the ability to independently conduct clinical trials or other studies that may be required to obtain FDA and other regulatory clearance or approval for future diagnostic products. Accordingly, we expect that we would rely on third parties, such as clinical investigators, consultants, and collaborators to conduct such studies if needed. Our reliance on these third parties for clinical and other development activities would reduce our control over these activities. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or regulatory obligations or meet expected deadlines, if the third parties need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised, we may not be able to obtain regulatory clearance or approval. If diagnostic procedures that are enabled by our technology are subject to unfavorable pricing regulations or third-party coverage and reimbursement policies, our business could be harmed. The ability of us or our customers to commercialize diagnostic tests based on our technology will depend in part on the extent to which coverage and reimbursement for these tests will be available from government health programs, private health insurers and other third-party payors. In the United States, the principal decisions about reimbursement for new technologies are often made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. Private payors often follow CMS to a substantial degree. It is difficult to predict what CMS will decide with respect to reimbursement. A primary trend in the U.S. healthcare industry and elsewhere is cost containment. Government authorities and third-party payors have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of payments for particular products and procedures. We cannot be sure that coverage will be available for any diagnostic tests based on our technology, and, if coverage is available, the level of payments. Reimbursement may impact the demand for those tests. If reimbursement is not available or is available only to limited levels, any tests for which marketing authorization is received may not be able to be successfully commercialized. Current and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize any products based on our technology and affect the prices that may be obtained. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act, collectively, the ACA, became law. The ACA is a sweeping law intended to broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, enhance remedies against fraud and abuse, add new transparency requirements for the healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the health industry and impose additional health policy reforms. Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA. Both Congress and President Trump have expressed their intention to repeal or repeal and replace the ACA, and as a result certain sections of the ACA have not been fully implemented or were effectively repealed. The uncertainty around the future of the ACA, and in particular the impact to reimbursement levels and the number of insured individuals, may lead to uncertainty or delay in the purchasing decisions of our customers, which may in turn negatively impact our product sales. If there are not adequate reimbursement levels, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted. We expect that the ACA, as well as other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that we or our collaborators will receive for any cleared or approved product. Any reduction in payments from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability, or commercialize any of our products for which we receive marketing approval. In addition, sales of our tests outside of the United States will subject us to foreign regulatory requirements, which may also change over time. We cannot predict whether future healthcare initiatives will be implemented at the federal or state level or in countries outside of the United States in which we may do business, or the effect any future legislation or regulation will have on us. The expansion in government's effect on the United States healthcare industry may result in decreased profits to us, lower reimbursements by payors for our products or reduced medical procedure volumes, all of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Inadequate funding for the FDA, the SEC and other government agencies could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, prevent our products from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner or otherwise prevent those agencies from performing normal business functions on which the operation of our business rely, which could negatively impact our business. The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of the SEC and other government agencies on which our operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable. Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for regulatory submissions to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect our business. For example, over the last several years, including beginning on December 22, 2018, the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical FDA, SEC and other government employees and stop critical activities. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly affect the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, in our operations as a public company, future government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations. Risks Related to Our Operations We depend on our information technology systems, and any failure of these systems could harm our business. We depend on information technology and telecommunications systems to operate our business. We have installed, and expect to expand, a number of enterprise software systems that affect a broad range of business processes and functional areas, including, for example, systems handling human resources, accounting, manufacturing, inventory control, financial controls and reporting, sales administration, and other infrastructure operations. In addition to the aforementioned business systems, we intend to extend the capabilities of both our preventative and detective security controls by augmenting the monitoring and alerting functions, network design, and automatic countermeasure operations of our technical systems. These information technology and telecommunications systems support a variety of functions, including manufacturing operations, quality control, customer service support, and general administrative activities. Information technology and telecommunications systems are vulnerable to damage from a variety of sources, including telecommunications or network failures, malicious human acts and natural disasters. Moreover, despite network security and back-up measures, some of our servers are potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses, and similar disruptive problems. Despite the precautionary measures we have taken to prevent unanticipated problems that could affect our information technology and telecommunications systems, failures or significant downtime of our information technology or telecommunications systems or those used by our third-party suppliers could prevent us from operating our business and managing the administrative aspects of our business. Any disruption or loss of information technology or telecommunications systems on which critical aspects of our operations depend could have an adverse effect on our business. Security breaches, loss of data and other disruptions could compromise sensitive information related to our business or prevent us from accessing critical information and expose us to liability, which could adversely affect our business and our reputation. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary business information owned or controlled by ourselves or our customers. This data encompasses a wide variety of business-critical information including research and development information, commercial information, and business and financial information. We face four primary risks relative to protecting this critical information: loss of access; inappropriate disclosure; inappropriate modification; and inadequate monitoring of our controls over the first three risks. The secure processing, storage, maintenance, and transmission of this critical information is vital to our operations and business strategy, and we devote significant resources to protecting such information. Although we take measures to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or viruses, breaches, interruptions due to employee error, malfeasance, lapses in compliance with privacy and security mandates, or other disruptions. Any such breach or interruption could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed by unauthorized parties, publicly disclosed, lost, or stolen. Any such security breach or interruption, as well as any action by us or our employees or contractors that might be inconsistent with the rapidly evolving data privacy and security laws and regulations applicable within the United States and elsewhere where we conduct business, could result in enforcement actions by U.S. states, the U.S. federal government or foreign governments, liability or sanctions under data privacy laws that protect personally identifiable information, regulatory penalties, other legal proceedings such as but not limited to private litigation, the incurrence of significant remediation costs, disruptions to our development programs, business operations and collaborations, diversion of management efforts and damage to our reputation, which could harm our business and operations. Because of the rapidly moving nature of technology and the increasing sophistication of cybersecurity threats, our measures to prevent, respond to and minimize such risks may be unsuccessful. In addition, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted a comprehensive general data privacy regulation, or GDPR, in 2016 to replace the current European Union Data Protection Directive and related country-specific legislation. The GDPR took effect in May 2018 and governs the collection and use of personal data in the European Union. The GDPR, which is wide-ranging in scope, will impose several requirements relating to the consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, the information provided to the individuals, the security and confidentiality of the personal data, data breach notification and the use of third party processors in connection with the processing of the personal data. The GDPR also imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the European Union to the United States, enhances enforcement authority and imposes large penalties for noncompliance, including the potential for fines of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the infringer, whichever is greater. While we have taken steps to comply with the GDPR, including such as reviewing our security procedures and entering into data processing agreements with relevant contractors, we cannot assure you that our efforts to remain in compliance will be fully successful. Further, unauthorized access, loss or dissemination of sensitive information could also disrupt our operations, including our ability to conduct research and development activities, process and prepare company financial information, manage various general and administrative aspects of our business and damage our reputation, any of which could adversely affect our reputation and our business. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will promptly detect any such disruption or security breach, if at all. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of or damage to our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and the further development of our products could be delayed. We face risks related to handling of hazardous materials and other regulations governing environmental safety. Our operations are subject to complex and stringent environmental, health, safety and other governmental laws and regulations that both public officials and private individuals may seek to enforce. Our activities that are subject to these regulations include, among other things, our use of hazardous materials and the generation, transportation and storage of waste. Although we have secured clearance from the EPA historically, and currently are operating in compliance with applicable EPA rules and regulations, our business could be adversely affected if we discover that we or an acquired business is not in material compliance with these rules and regulations. In the future, we may pursue the use of other surfactant substances that will require clearance from the EPA, and we may fail to obtain such clearance. Existing laws and regulations may also be revised or reinterpreted, or new laws and regulations may become applicable to us, whether retroactively or prospectively, that may have a negative effect on our business and results of operations. It is also impossible to eliminate completely the risk of accidental environmental contamination or injury to individuals. In such an event, we could be liable for any damages that result, which could adversely affect our business. Risks Related to Intellectual Property If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, it may reduce our ability to maintain any technological or competitive advantage over our competitors and potential competitors, and our business may be harmed. We rely on patent protection as well as trademark, copyright, trade secret and other intellectual property rights protection and contractual restrictions to protect our proprietary technologies, all of which provide limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage. As of March 1, 2019, we owned or exclusively licensed 27 granted U.S. patents and approximately 18 pending U.S. patent applications. We also owned or exclusively licensed a number of pending patent applications and granted patents in particular jurisdictions outside of the United States. If we fail to protect our intellectual property, third parties may be able to compete more effectively against us, we may lose our technological or competitive advantage, or we may incur substantial litigation costs in our attempts to recover or restrict use of our intellectual property. We cannot assure investors that any of our currently pending or future patent applications will result in granted patents, and we cannot predict how long it will take for such patents to be granted. It is possible that, for any of our patents that have granted or that may grant in the future, others will design around our patented technologies. Further, we cannot assure investors that other parties will not challenge any patents granted to us or that courts or regulatory agencies will hold our patents to be valid or enforceable. We cannot guarantee investors that we will be successful in defending challenges made against our patents and patent applications. Any successful third-party challenge to our patents could result in the unenforceability or invalidity of such patents, or to such patents being interpreted narrowly or otherwise in a manner adverse to our interests. Our ability to establish or maintain a technological or competitive advantage over our competitors may be diminished because of these uncertainties. For these and other reasons, our intellectual property may not provide us with any competitive advantage. For example: We or our licensors might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications or granted patents; We or our licensors might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions. To determine the priority of these inventions, we may have to participate in interference proceedings or derivation proceedings declared by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, that could result in substantial cost to us. No assurance can be given that our patent applications or granted patents (or those of our licensors) will have priority over any other patent or patent application involved in such a proceeding; Others may independently develop similar or alternative products and technologies or duplicate any of our products and technologies; It is possible that our owned or licensed pending patent applications will not result in granted patents, and even if such pending patent applications grant as patents, they may not provide a basis for intellectual property protection of commercially viable products, may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be challenged and invalidated by third parties; We may not develop additional proprietary products and technologies that are patentable; The patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business; and While we apply for patents covering our products and technologies and uses thereof, as we deem appropriate, we may fail to apply for patents on important products and technologies in a timely fashion or at all, or we may fail to apply for patents in potentially relevant jurisdictions. To the extent our intellectual property offers inadequate protection, or is found to be invalid or unenforceable, we would be exposed to a greater risk of direct competition. If our intellectual property does not provide adequate coverage of our competitors' products, our competitive position could be adversely affected, as could our business. Software is a critical component of our instruments. To the extent such software is not protected by our patents, we depend on trade secret protection and non-disclosure agreements with our employees, strategic partners and consultants, which may not provide adequate protection. The measures that we use to protect the security of our intellectual property and other proprietary rights may not be adequate, which could result in the loss of legal protection for, and thereby diminish the value of, such intellectual property and other rights. In addition to pursuing patents on our technology, we also rely upon trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and unfair competition laws, as well as license agreements and other contractual provisions, to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated. In addition, we take steps to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology by entering into confidentiality agreements and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, corporate partners and, when needed, our advisors. Such agreements may not be enforceable or may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or other proprietary information in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure or other breaches of the agreements, and we may not be able to prevent such unauthorized disclosure. Moreover, if a party having an agreement with us has an overlapping or conflicting obligation to a third party, our rights in and to certain intellectual property could be undermined. Monitoring unauthorized disclosure is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to prevent such disclosure are, or will be, adequate. If we were to enforce a claim that a third party had illegally obtained and was using our trade secrets, it would be expensive and time-consuming, the outcome would be unpredictable, and any remedy may be inadequate. In addition, courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets. In addition, competitors could purchase our products and attempt to replicate some or all of the competitive advantages we derive from our development efforts, willfully infringe our intellectual property rights, design around our protected technology or develop their own competitive technologies that fall outside of our intellectual property rights. If our intellectual property does not adequately protect our market share against competitors' products and methods, our competitive position could be adversely affected, as could our business. Some of our owned and in-licensed intellectual property has been discovered through government funded programs and thus is subject to federal regulations such as "march-in" rights, certain reporting requirements, and a preference for U.S. industry. Compliance with such regulations may limit our exclusive rights, subject us to expenditure of resources with respect to reporting requirements, and limit our ability to contract with non-U.S. manufacturers. Some of the intellectual property rights we own and have in-licensed have been generated through the use of U.S. government funding and are therefore subject to certain federal regulations. For example, all of the issued U.S. patents we own and all of the intellectual property rights licensed to us under our license agreement with Tufts have been generated using U.S. government funds. As a result, the U.S. government has certain rights to intellectual property embodied in our current or future products pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, or Bayh-Dole Act. These U.S. government rights in certain inventions developed under a government-funded program include a non-exclusive, non-transferable, irrevocable worldwide license to use inventions for any governmental purpose. In addition, the U.S. government has the right to require us to grant exclusive, partially exclusive, or non-exclusive licenses to any of these inventions to a third party if the government determines that: (i) adequate steps have not been taken to commercialize the invention; (ii) government action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or (iii) government action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations (also referred to as "march-in rights"). The U.S. government also has the right to take title to these inventions if we fail, or the applicable licensor fails, to disclose the invention to the government, elect title, and file an application to register the intellectual property within specified time limits. In addition, the U.S. government may acquire title to these inventions in any country in which a patent application is not filed within specified time limits. Intellectual property generated under a government funded program is also subject to certain reporting requirements, compliance with which may require us, or the applicable licensor, to expend substantial resources. In addition, the U.S. government requires that any products embodying the subject invention or produced through the use of the subject invention be manufactured substantially in the U.S. The manufacturing preference requirement can be waived if the owner of the intellectual property can show that reasonable but unsuccessful efforts have been made to grant licenses on similar terms to potential licensees that would be likely to manufacture substantially in the U.S. or that under the circumstances domestic manufacture is not commercially feasible. This preference for U.S. manufacturing may limit our ability to license the applicable patent rights on an exclusive basis under certain circumstances. If we enter into future arrangements involving government funding, and we make inventions as a result of such funding, intellectual property rights to such discoveries may be subject to the applicable provisions of the Bayh-Dole Act. To the extent any of our current or future intellectual property is generated through the use of U.S. government funding, the provisions of the Bayh-Dole Act may similarly apply. Any exercise by the government of certain of its rights could harm our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We depend on technology that is licensed to us by Tufts University. Any loss of our rights to this technology could prevent us from selling our products. Our Simoa bead-based technology is licensed exclusively to us from Tufts University. We do not own the patents that underlie this license. Our rights to use this technology and employ the inventions claimed in the licensed patents are subject to the continuation of and compliance with the terms of the license. Our principal obligations under our license agreement with Tufts are as follows: royalty payments; milestone payments; annual maintenance fees; using commercially reasonable efforts to develop and sell a product using the licensed technology and developing a market for such product; paying and/or reimbursing fees related to prosecution, maintenance and enforcement of patent rights; and providing certain reports. If we breach any of these obligations, Tufts may have the right to terminate the license, which could result in our being unable to develop, manufacture and sell our Simoa products or a competitor's gaining access to the Simoa technology. Termination of our license agreement with Tufts would have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we are a party to a number of other agreements that include licenses to intellectual property, including non-exclusive licenses. We expect that we may need to enter into additional license agreements in the future. Our business could suffer, for example, if any current or future licenses terminate, if the licensors fail to abide by the terms of the license, if the licensed patents or other rights are found to be invalid or unenforceable, or if we are unable to enter into necessary licenses on acceptable terms. We may need or may choose to obtain licenses from third parties to advance our research or allow commercialization of our current or future products, and we cannot provide any assurances that we would be able to do so. We may need or may choose to obtain licenses from third parties to advance our research or allow commercialization of our current or future products, and we cannot provide any assurances that third-party patents do not exist that might be enforced against our current or future products in the absence of such a license. We may fail to obtain any of these licenses on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Even if we are able to obtain a license, it may be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us. If we could not obtain a license, we may be required to expend significant time and resources to develop or license replacement technology. If we are unable to do so, we may be unable to develop or commercialize the affected products, which could materially harm our business and the third parties owning such intellectual property rights could seek either an injunction prohibiting our sales, or, with respect to our sales, an obligation on our part to pay royalties and/or other forms of compensation. Licensing of intellectual property involves complex legal, business and scientific issues. Disputes may arise between us and our licensors regarding intellectual property subject to a license agreement, including: the scope of rights granted under the license agreement and other interpretation-related issues; whether and the extent to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual property of the licensor that is not subject to the licensing agreement; our right to sublicense patent and other rights to third parties under collaborative development relationships; our diligence obligations with respect to the use of the licensed technology in relation to our development and commercialization of our products, and what activities satisfy those diligence obligations; and the ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our licensors and us and our partners. If disputes over intellectual property that we have licensed prevent or impair our ability to maintain the licensing arrangements on acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product, or the dispute may have an adverse effect on our results of operation. In addition to agreements pursuant to which we in-license intellectual property, we have in the past and expect to in the future to grant licenses under our intellectual property. Like in-licenses, out-licenses are complex, and disputes may arise between us and our licensees, such as the types of disputes described above. Moreover, our licensees may breach their obligations, or we may be exposed to liability due to our failure or alleged failure to satisfy our obligations. Any such occurrence could have an adverse effect on our business. If we or any of our partners are sued for infringing intellectual property rights of third parties, it would be costly and time-consuming, and an unfavorable outcome in that litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our success also depends on our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell our products and perform our services without infringing upon the proprietary rights of third parties. Numerous U.S. and foreign-issued patents and pending patent applications owned by third parties exist in the fields in which we are developing products and services. As part of a business strategy to impede our successful commercialization and entry into new markets, competitors have claimed, and may claim in the future, that our products and/or services infringe their intellectual property rights and have suggested, and may suggest in the future, that we enter into license agreements. Even if such claims are without merit, we could incur substantial costs and divert the attention of our management and technical personnel in defending ourselves against claims of infringement made by third parties or settling such claims. Any adverse ruling by a court or administrative body, or perception of an adverse ruling, may have a material adverse impact on our ability to conduct our business and our finances. Moreover, third parties making claims against us may be able to obtain injunctive relief against us, which could block our ability to offer one or more products or services and could result in a substantial award of damages against us. In addition, since we sometimes indemnify customers, collaborators or licensees, we may have additional liability in connection with any infringement or alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be pending applications, some of which are unknown to us, that may result in issued patents upon which our products or proprietary technologies may infringe. Moreover, we may fail to identify issued patents of relevance or incorrectly conclude that an issued patent is invalid or not infringed by our technology or any of our products. There is a substantial amount of litigation involving patent and other intellectual property rights in our industry. If a third party claims that we or any of our licensors, customers or collaboration partners infringe upon a third party's intellectual property rights, we may have to: seek to obtain licenses that may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all; abandon any infringing product or redesign our products or processes to avoid infringement; pay substantial damages including, in an exceptional case, treble damages and attorneys' fees, which we may have to pay if a court decides that the product or proprietary technology at issue infringes upon or violates the third-party's rights; pay substantial royalties or fees or grant cross-licenses to our technology; or defend litigation or administrative proceedings that may be costly whether we win or lose, and which could result in a substantial diversion of our financial and management resources. We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or the patents of our licensors, which could be expensive, time-consuming and unsuccessful. Competitors may infringe our patents or the patents of our licensors. In the event of infringement or unauthorized use, we may file one or more infringement lawsuits, which can be expensive and time-consuming. An adverse result in any such litigation proceedings could put one or more of our patents at risk of being invalidated, being found to be unenforceable or being interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. Most of our competitors are larger than we are and have substantially greater resources. They are, therefore, likely to be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation longer than we could. In addition, the uncertainties associated with litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise any funds necessary to continue our operations, continue our internal research programs, in-license needed technology, or enter into development partnerships that would help us bring our products to market. In addition, patent litigation can be very costly and time-consuming. An adverse outcome in such litigation or proceedings may expose us or any of our future development partners to loss of our proprietary position, expose us to significant liabilities, or require us to seek licenses that may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. Our issued patents could be found invalid or unenforceable if challenged in court, which could have a material adverse impact on our business. If we or any of our partners were to initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering one of our products or services, the defendant in such litigation could counterclaim that our patent is invalid and/or unenforceable. In patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity and/or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge could be an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements, including lack of novelty, obviousness or non-enablement, or failure to claim patent eligible subject matter. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could be an allegation that someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the USPTO, or made a misleading statement, during prosecution. Third parties may also raise similar claims before the USPTO even outside the context of litigation. The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. With respect to the validity question, for example, we cannot be certain that there is no invalidating prior art of which we and the patent examiner were unaware during prosecution. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, we would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the challenged patent. Such a loss of patent protection would have a material adverse impact on our business. We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their other clients or former employers to us, which could subject us to costly litigation. As is common in the life sciences industry, we engage the services of consultants and independent contractors to assist us in the development of our products. Many of these consultants and independent contractors were previously employed at, or may have previously or may be currently providing consulting or other services to, universities or other technology, biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. We may become subject to claims that our company, a consultant or an independent contractor inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other information proprietary to their former employers or their former or current clients. We may similarly be subject to claims stemming from similar actions of an employee, such as one who was previously employed by another company, including a competitor or potential competitor. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to our management team. If we were not successful we could lose access or exclusive access to valuable intellectual property. We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property. We generally enter into confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, and contractors. These agreements generally provide that inventions conceived by the party in the course of rendering services to us will be our exclusive property. However, those agreements may not be honored and may not effectively assign intellectual property rights to us. For example, even if we have a consulting agreement in place with an academic advisor pursuant to which such academic advisor is required to assign any inventions developed in connection with providing services to us, such academic advisor may not have the right to assign such inventions to us, as it may conflict with his or her obligations to assign all such intellectual property to his or her employing institution. In addition, we sometimes enter into agreements where we provide services to third parties, such as customers. Under such circumstances, our agreements may provide that certain intellectual property that we conceive in the course of providing those services is assigned to the customer. In those cases, we would not be able to use that particular intellectual property in, for example, our work for other customers without a license. We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world, which could materially, negatively affect our business. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on current and future products in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Consequently, regardless of whether we are able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in the United States, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not pursued and obtained patent protection to develop their own products, and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as it is in the United States. These products may compete with our products and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing. Even if we pursue and obtain issued patents in particular jurisdictions, our patent claims or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent third parties from so competing. Patent protection must ultimately be sought on a country-by-country basis, which is an expensive and time-consuming process with uncertain outcomes. Accordingly, we may choose not to seek patent protection in certain countries, and we will not have the benefit of patent protection in such countries. Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biotechnology, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license and may adversely impact our business. In addition, we and our partners also face the risk that our products are imported or reimported into markets with relatively higher prices from markets with relatively lower prices, which would result in a decrease of sales and any payments we receive from the affected market. Recent developments in U.S. patent law have made it more difficult to stop these and related practices based on theories of patent infringement. Changes in patent laws or patent jurisprudence could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our products. The America Invents Act, or the AIA, was signed into law on September 16, 2011, and many of the substantive changes became effective on March 16, 2013. An important change introduced by the AIA is that, as of March 16, 2013, the United States transitioned to a "first-to-file" system for deciding which party should be granted a patent when two or more patent applications are filed by different parties claiming the same invention. A third party that files a patent application in the USPTO after that date but before us could therefore be awarded a patent covering an invention of ours even if we had made the invention before it was made by the third party. This will require us to be cognizant going forward of the time from invention to filing of a patent application, but circumstances could prevent us from promptly filing patent applications on our inventions. Among some of the other changes introduced by the AIA are changes that limit where a patent holder may file a patent infringement suit and providing additional opportunities for third parties to challenge any issued patent in the USPTO. This applies to all of our owned and in-licensed U.S. patents, even those issued before March 16, 2013. Because of a lower evidentiary standard in USPTO proceedings compared to the evidentiary standard in U.S. federal courts necessary to invalidate a patent claim, a third party could potentially provide evidence in a USPTO proceeding sufficient for the USPTO to hold a claim invalid even though the same evidence would be insufficient to invalidate the claim if first presented in a district court action. Accordingly, a third party may attempt to use the USPTO procedures to invalidate our patent claims that would not have been invalidated if first challenged by the third party as a defendant in a district court action. The AIA and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, such as Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International, Inc., Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. and Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts, and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that could weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that we might obtain in the future. Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions during the patent process. There are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, competitors might be able to enter the market earlier than would otherwise have been the case. In some cases, our licensors may be responsible for, for example, these payments, thereby decreasing our control over compliance with these requirements. If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest and our business may be adversely affected. Our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names, which we need to build name recognition by potential partners or customers in our markets of interest. At times, competitors may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement claims brought by owners of other registered trademarks. Over the long term, if we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks and trade names, then we may not be able to compete effectively and our business may be adversely affected. We may use third-party open source software components in future products, and failure to comply with the terms of the underlying open source software licenses could restrict our ability to sell such products. While our current products do not contain any software tools licensed by third-party authors under "open source" licenses, we may choose to use open source software in future products. Use and distribution of open source software may entail greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. Some open source licenses may contain requirements that we make available source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon the type of open source software we use. If we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we could, under certain open source licenses, be required to release the source code of our proprietary software to the public. This would allow our competitors to create similar products with less development effort and time and ultimately could result in a loss of product sales. Although we intend to monitor any use of open source software to avoid subjecting our products to conditions we do not intend, the terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and there is a risk that any such licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize our products. Moreover, we cannot assure investors that our processes for controlling our use of open source software in our products will be effective. If we are held to have breached the terms of an open source software license, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties to continue offering our products on terms that are not economically feasible, to re-engineer our products, to discontinue the sale of our products if re-engineering could not be accomplished on a timely basis, or to make generally available, in source code form, our proprietary code, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. We use third-party software that may be difficult to replace or may cause errors or failures of our products that could lead to lost customers or harm to our reputation. We use software licensed from third parties in our products. In the future, this software may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of this software could result in delays in the production of our products until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated, which could harm our business. In addition, any errors or defects in third-party software or other third-party software failures could result in errors, defects or cause our products to fail, which could harm our business and be costly to correct. Many of these providers attempt to impose limitations on their liability for such errors, defects or failures, and if enforceable, we may have additional liability to our customers or third-party providers that could harm our reputation and increase our operating costs. We will need to maintain our relationships with third-party software providers and to obtain software from such providers that does not contain any errors or defects. Any failure to do so could adversely impact our ability to deliver reliable products to our customers and could harm our reputation and results of operations. Numerous factors may limit any potential competitive advantage provided by our intellectual property rights. The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations, and may not adequately protect our business, provide a barrier to entry against our competitors or potential competitors, or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. Moreover, if a third party has intellectual property rights that cover the practice of our technology, we may not be able to fully exercise or extract value from our intellectual property rights. The following examples are illustrative: others may be able to develop and/or practice technology that is similar to our technology or aspects of our technology but that is not covered by the claims of any patents that have issued, or may issue, from our owned or in-licensed patent applications; we might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by a pending patent application that we own or license; we might not have been the first to file patent applications covering an invention; others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights; pending patent applications that we own or license may not lead to issued patents; patents, if issued, that we own or license may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors; third parties may compete with us in jurisdictions where we do not pursue and obtain patent protection; we may not be able to obtain and/or maintain necessary or useful licenses on reasonable terms or at all; third parties may assert an ownership interest in our intellectual property and, if successful, such disputes may preclude us from exercising exclusive rights over that intellectual property; we may not be able to maintain the confidentiality of our trade secrets or other proprietary information; we may not develop or in-license additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; and the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business. Should any of these events occur, they could significantly harm our business and results of operations. Risks Related to Our Common Stock and Being a Public Company We expect that our stock price may fluctuate significantly. The market price of shares of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many risk factors listed in this section, and others beyond our control, including: actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and operating results; announcements by us, our partners or our competitors of new products, significant contracts, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, collaborations, acquisitions, commercial relationships or capital commitments; competition from existing products or new products that may emerge; failure to meet or exceed financial estimates and projections of the investment community or that we provide to the public; issuance of new or updated research or reports by securities analysts or recommendations for our stock; adverse regulatory announcements; disputes or other developments related to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters, and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies; commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation; fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to us; conditions in our markets; manufacturing disputes or delays; any future sales of our common stock or other securities; any change to the composition of the board of directors or key personnel; general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of our markets; share price and volume fluctuations attributable to inconsistent trading volume levels of our shares; announcement or expectation of additional debt or equity financing efforts; and other factors described in this Risk Factor section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These and other market and industry factors may cause the market price and demand for our common stock to fluctuate substantially, regardless of our actual operating performance, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock. In addition, the stock market in general, and life science companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. In the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have on occasion instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders were to bring a lawsuit against us, the defense and disposition of the lawsuit could be costly and divert the time and attention of our management and harm our operating results. If securities or industry analysts do not publish research reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse opinion about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline. The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover us issues an adverse opinion about our company, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the public markets, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Our principal stockholders and management own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exercise significant influence over matters subject to stockholder approval. As of December 31, 2018, our executive officers, directors and 5% or greater stockholders owned approximately 56.9% of our outstanding common stock. Accordingly, our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders have significant influence over our operations. This concentration of ownership could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our stock price and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove the board of directors or management. We have never paid dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, any gains from an investment in our common stock will likely depend on whether the price of our common stock increases. We have not paid dividends on any of our classes of capital stock to date and we currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, the terms of our indebtedness with Hercules prohibit us from paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. Consequently, in the foreseeable future, you will likely only experience a gain from an investment in our common stock if the price of our common stock increases. Anti-takeover provisions contained in our restated certificate of incorporation and restated by-laws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt. Our restated certificate of incorporation, restated by-laws and Delaware law contain provisions which could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by our board of directors. Our corporate governance documents include provisions: authorizing our board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval upon the terms and conditions and with the rights, privileges and preferences as our board of directors may determine; specifying that special meetings of our stockholders can be called only by our board of directors and that our stockholders may not act by written consent; establishing an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors; providing that directors may be removed only for cause; providing that our board of directors may create new directorships and that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by a majority of directors then in office, even though less than a quorum; establishing that our board of directors is divided into three classesClass I, Class II, and Class IIIwith each class serving staggered three-year terms; providing that our board of directors may amend our restated by-laws without stockholder approval; and requiring a super-majority of votes to amend certain of the above-mentioned provisions. These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management. As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation law, which prevents some stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations without approval of the holders of substantially all of our outstanding common stock. Any provision of our restated certificate of incorporation, restated by-laws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock. We are an "emerging growth company" and are able to avail ourselves of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, and we plan to avail ourselves of the ability to adopt new accounting standards on the timeline permitted for private companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors and our financial statements less comparable to other companies who are complying with new accounting standards on public company timelines. We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies," including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period afforded by the JOBS Act for the implementation of new or revised accounting standards and, as a result, will comply with new or revised accounting standards not later than the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-public companies. As a result of this election, the timeline to comply with certain accounting standards will in many cases be delayed as compared to other public companies who are not eligible to have made or have not made this election. As a result, investors may view our financial statements as not comparable to other public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of $1.07 billion or more; (ii) December 31, 2022; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC. We incur increased costs and devote substantial management time as a result of operating as a public company. As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, and these expenses may increase even more after we are no longer an "emerging growth company." We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act, as well as rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Market. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations substantially increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly. The increased costs increase our net loss. For example, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to incur substantial costs to maintain the sufficient coverage. We cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs we may incur to respond to these requirements. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers. In addition, as a public company we incur additional costs and obligations in order to comply with SEC rules that implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Under these rules, beginning with this annual report for the year ending December 31, 2018, we are required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will be required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. To achieve timely compliance with Section 404, we engaged in a process to document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, which was both costly and challenging. We will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, engage outside consultants and adopt a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate through testing that controls are designed and operating effectively, and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. If we identify one or more material weaknesses, it could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements. Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS Item 2. PROPERTIES We currently lease approximately 30,655 square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space at our headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, under a lease that was to expire on June 30, 2020 (the "Lexington Lease"). In addition, pursuant to our acquisition of Aushon Biosystems, Inc. on January 30, 2018, we currently lease approximately 21,500 square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space in Billerica, Massachusetts, under a lease that was to expire on February 28, 2021 (the "Billerica Lease"). In August 2018, we exercised an option to terminate the Billerica Lease effective as of September 1, 2019. In October 2018, we also notified the landlord of our intent to sublease all of the premises subject to the Lexington Lease from June 1, 2019 until the end of the lease term. The landlord has exercised its right to "recapture" the premises during that period, and, accordingly, the Lexington Lease will terminate as of May 31, 2019. On October 2, 2018, we entered into a lease for approximately 91,600 square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space in the building located at 900 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts. The premises covered by this new lease will serve as our new principal office and laboratory space beginning in the second quarter of 2019. The initial term of the lease is 11 years and five months beginning on April 1, 2019, and we have the option to extend the lease for two additional five-year periods. We believe that this office, laboratory and manufacturing space will be sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future. Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings. Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES Our common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Global Market on December 7, 2017 under the symbol "QTRX." As of March 1, 2019, there were approximately 53 stockholders of record of the 22,461,202 outstanding shares of common stock. Unregistered Sales of Securities There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018. Use of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering of Common Stock On December 11, 2017, we completed the initial public offering of our common stock, which resulted in the sale of 4,916,480 shares, including 641,280 shares sold by us pursuant to the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares in connection with the initial public offering, at a price to the public of $15.00 per share. The offer and sale of all of the shares in our initial public offering was registered under the Securities Act pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-221475), which was declared effective by the SEC on December 6, 2017, and a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-221932) under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act that became effective upon its filing. Following the sale of all of the shares in connection with the closing of our initial public offering, the offering terminated. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Leerink Partners LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC acted as joint book-running managers for the initial public offering. BTIG, LLC and Evercore Group L.L.C. acted as a co-managers. We received approximately $65.6 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs payable by us. As of December 31, 2018, we had used approximately $21.1 million of the net proceeds from the offering for: operating expenses, capital investments, debt payments and the acquisition of Aushon. None of the offering expenses consisted of direct or indirect payments made by us to directors, officers or persons owning 10% or more of our common stock or to their associates, or to our affiliates, and we have not used any of the net proceeds from the offering to make payments, directly or indirectly, to any such persons. There has been no material change in the planned use of the net proceeds from our initial public offering as described in our final prospectus filed with the SEC on December 7, 2017 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act. Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA You should read the following selected financial data together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the information under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have derived the statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Note that the results for the year ended December 31, 2018 include activity related to the acquisition of Aushon which occurred on January 30, 2018. The statement of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is derived from audited financial statements that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected in the future. Consolidated statement of operations data (in thousands, except per share data) Year ended December 31, Total revenue $ 37,632 $ 22,874 $ 17,585 $ 12,180 Cost of revenue 19,684 12,887 9,837 6,465 Gross Profit 17,948 9,987 7,748 5,715 Selling, general and administrative 33,693 19,688 12,466 10,155 Total operating expenses 49,498 35,992 29,459 20,238 Loss from operations (31,550 ) (26,005 ) (21,711 ) (14,523 ) Interest income (expense), net 46 (951 ) (1,298 ) (1,040 ) Other income (expense), net (7 ) (63 ) (164 ) (380 ) Loss before income taxes (31,511 ) (27,019 ) (23,173 ) (15,943 ) Income tax provision (25 ) Net loss (31,536 ) (27,019 ) (23,173 ) (15,943 ) Accretion and accrued dividends on redeemable convertible preferred stock (4,166 ) (4,445 ) (4,355 ) Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (31,536 ) $ (31,185 ) $ (27,618 ) (20,298 ) Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (1.43 ) $ (8.30 ) $ (12.89 ) $ (11.19 ) Weighted-average common shares outstanding 21,994 3,757 2,143 1,813 Consolidated balance sheet data (in thousands) As of December 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 44,429 $ 79,682 $ 29,671 2,323 Total assets 67,611 91,779 37,117 7,351 Total long term debt 7,623 9,382 10,243 9,726 Total redeemable convertible preferred stock 128,585 73,445 Total Stockholders' equity (deficit) 41,065 65,866 (115,109 ) (88,640 ) Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in "Risk Factors." We currently sell all of our products for life science research, primarily to laboratories associated with academic and governmental research institutions, as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract research companies, through a direct sales force and support organizations in North America and Europe, and through distributors or sales agents in other select markets, including Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, China, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Lebanon, Qatar, Singapore and Taiwan. We grew our revenue from $22.9 million in 2017 to $37.6 million in 2018. Our instruments are designed to be used either with assays fully developed by us, including all antibodies and supplies required to run the tests, or with "homebrew" kits where we supply some of the components required for testing, and the customer supplies the remaining required elements. Accordingly, our installed instruments generate a recurring revenue stream. We believe that our recurring consumable revenue is driven by our customers' ability to extract more valuable data using our platform and to process a large number of samples quickly with little hands-on preparation. We commercially launched our HD-1 instrument in January 2014. The HD-1 is based on our bead-based technology, and assays run on the HD-1 are fully automated. We initiated commercial launch of the SR-X instrument in December 2017. The SR-X utilizes the same Simoa bead-based technology and assay kits as the HD-1 Analyzer in a compact benchtop form with a lower price point, more flexible assay preparation, and a wider range of applications. While we expect the SR-X to generate lower consumables revenue per instrument than the Simoa HD-1 Analyzer due to its lower throughput, as the installed base of the Simoa instruments increases, total consumables revenue overall is expected to increase. We believe that consumables revenue should be subject to less period-to-period fluctuation than our instrument sales revenue, and will become an increasingly important contributor to our overall revenue. On January 30, 2018, we acquired Aushon Biosystems, Inc. for $3.2 million in cash, with an additional payment of $0.8 million made in July 2018, six months after the acquisition date. With the acquisition of Aushon, we acquired a CLIA certified laboratory, as well as Aushon's proprietary sensitive planar array detection technology. Leveraging our proprietary sophisticated Simoa image analysis and data analysis algorithms, we further refined this planar array technology to develop the SP-X instrument to provide the same Simoa sensitivity found in our Simoa bead-based platform. We initiated an early-access program for the SP-X instrument in January 2019, with the full commercial launch planned for April 2019. As of December 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $44.4 million. Since inception, we have incurred net losses. Our net loss was $31.5 million, $27.0 million, and $23.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $175.9 million and stockholders' equity of $41.1 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses at least through the next 24 months. We expect our expenses will increase substantially as we: seek premarket approval, or PMA, or 510(k) clearance from the FDA for our existing products or new products if or when we decide to market products for use in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease or other condition; Financial Operations Overview We generate product revenue from sales of our HD-1, SR-X and SP-X instruments and related reagents and other consumables. We currently sell our products for research use only applications and our customers are primarily laboratories associated with academic and governmental research institutions, as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract research companies. Sales of our consumables have consistently increased due to an increasing number of instruments being installed in the field, all of which require certain of our consumables to run customers' specific tests. Consumable revenue consists of sales of complete assays which are developed internally by us, plus sales of "homebrew" kits which contain all the elements necessary to run tests with the exception of the specific antibodies utilized which are separately provided by the customer. Service and other revenue consists of testing services provided by us in our Accelerator Laboratory on behalf of certain research customers, in addition to warranty and other service-based revenue. Services provided in our Accelerator Laboratory include sample testing, homebrew assay development and custom assay development. Collaboration and license revenue consists of revenue associated with licensing our technology to third parties and for related services. The following table presents our revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands): Product revenue $ 23,365 $ 14,124 $ 10,601 Service and other revenue 12,117 7,676 5,012 Collaboration and license revenue 2,150 1,074 1,972 Total revenue $ 37,632 $ 22,874 $ 17,585 The following table reflects product revenue (in thousands) by geography and as a percentage of total product revenue, based on the billing address of our customers. North America consists of the United States, Canada and Mexico; EMEA consists of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific includes Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. North America $ 13,365 57 % $ 7,790 55 % $ 6,816 64 % EMEA 7,360 32 % 4,435 31 % 2,679 25 % Asia Pacific 2,640 11 % 1,899 13 % 1,106 10 % Total $ 23,365 100 % $ 14,124 100 % $ 10,601 100 % Our revenue is denominated primarily in U.S. dollars. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies in which our operations are located, which is primarily in the United States. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates have not materially affected us to date; however, they may become material to us in the future as our operations outside of the United States expand. Cost of Products, Services and Collaboration Revenue Cost of goods sold for products consists of HD-1 and SR-X instrument cost from the manufacturer, SP-X cost based on the internal assembly of this item, raw material parts costs and associated freight, shipping and handling costs, contract manufacturer costs, salaries and other personnel costs, royalties, stock-based compensation, overhead and other direct costs related to those sales recognized as product revenue in the period. Cost of goods sold for services consists of salaries and other personnel costs, royalties, stock-based compensation and facility costs associated with operating the Accelerator Laboratory on behalf of customers, in addition to costs related to warranties and other costs of servicing equipment at customer sites. Cost of collaboration revenue consists of royalty expense due to third parties from revenue generated by collaboration or license deals. Research and Development Expenses Research and development expenses consist of salaries and other personnel costs, stock-based compensation, research supplies, third-party development costs for new products, materials for prototypes, and allocated overhead costs that include facility and other overhead costs. We have made substantial investments in research and development since our inception, and plan to continue to make substantial investments in the future. Our research and development efforts have focused primarily on the tasks required to support development and commercialization of new and existing products. We believe that our continued investment in research and development is essential to our long-term competitive position and expect these expenses to increase in future periods. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other personnel costs, and stock-based compensation for our sales and marketing, finance, legal, human resources and general management, as well as professional services, such as legal and accounting services. We expect selling, general and administrative expenses to increase in future periods as the number of sales, technical support and marketing and administrative personnel grows and we continue to introduce new products, broaden our customer base and grow our business. We also expect to incur additional expenses as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Stock Market, additional insurance expenses, and expenses related to investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services. Critical Accounting Policies, Significant Judgments and Estimates Our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Changes in accounting estimates may occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates made by our management. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected. We believe that the following critical accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity than our other significant accounting policies. Accordingly, these are the policies we believe are the most critical to understanding and evaluating our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in "Significant Accounting Policies" (Note 2) in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We recognize revenue when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) shipment and installation, if applicable, has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and (4) collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. We primarily generate revenue from the sale of products and delivery of services, as well as under license and collaboration agreements. Our product revenue includes the sale of instruments as well as assay kits and other consumables which are used to perform tests on the instrument. Our service revenue is generated from service contracts related to research services performed on behalf of customers and maintenance and support services. Product Revenue Revenue for instrument sales is recognized upon installation at the customer's location or upon transfer of title to the customer when installation is not required, which is generally the case with sales to distributors. In sales to end-customers, we always provide the installation service and often payment is tied to the completion of the installation service. When installation is required, we account for the instrument and installation service as one unit of accounting and recognize revenue when installation is completed, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Instrument transactions often have multiple elements, as discussed below. Included with the purchase of an instrument is a one-year assurance type product warranty assuring that the instrument is free of material defects and will function according to specifications. In addition, the sale of an instrument includes an implied warranty which is promised to the customer during the pre-sales process, at the time that the sales quote is issued to the customer. The implied warranty is provided over the same one-year period as the standard warranty. The services included in the implied warranty are the same as those included in the extended service contracts and include two bi-annual preventative maintenance service visits, minor hardware updates and software upgrades, additional training and troubleshooting, which is beyond the scope of the standard product warranty. The implied warranty has been identified by us as a separate deliverable and unit of accounting. Consideration allocated to the implied one-year warranty is recognized over the one year period of performance as service and other revenue as described below. Consideration allocated to any other elements is recognized as the goods are delivered or the services are performed. Service and Other Revenue Service revenue includes revenue from the implied one-year service type warranty obligation, revenue from extended service contracts, research services performed on behalf of customers in our Accelerator Laboratory, and other services that may be performed. Revenue for extended warranty contracts is recognized ratably over the service period. Revenue for the implied one-year service type warranty is initially deferred at the time of instrument revenue recognition and is recognized ratably over a 12-month period starting on the date of instrument installation. Revenue for research and development services and other services is generally recognized based on proportional performance of the contract when our ability to complete project requirements is reasonably assured. Most of these services are completed in a short period of time from the receipt of the customer's order. When significant risk exists in our ability to fulfill project requirements, revenue is recognized upon completion of the contract. Collaboration and License Revenue Collaboration and license revenue relates to our agreement with bioMérieux, which was terminated in September 2018, and an agreement with another diagnostic company. For a complete discussion of the accounting policies specific to these collaboration and license agreements, refer to "Collaborations and License Arrangements" (Note 11) in the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Multiple Element Arrangements Many of our instrument sales involve the delivery of multiple products and services. The elements of an instrument sale typically include the instruments, installation (when required), an implied one-year service type warranty, and in some cases, assays, consumables and other services. Revenue recognition for contracts with multiple deliverables is based on the individual units of accounting determined to exist in the contract. A delivered item is considered a separate unit of accounting when the delivered item has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis. In determining the units of accounting, management evaluates certain criteria, including whether the deliverables have standalone value. Items are considered to have stand-alone value when they are sold separately by any vendor or when the customer could resell the item on a stand-alone basis. The consideration received is allocated among the separate units of accounting using the relative selling price method, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are applied to each of the separate units. We determine the estimated selling price for deliverables within the arrangement using vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of selling price, if available. If VSOE is not available, we consider whether third-party evidence is available. If third-party evidence of selling price or VSOE is not available, we use our best estimate of selling price for the deliverable. In order to establish VSOE of selling price, we must regularly sell the product or service on a standalone basis with a substantial majority priced within a relatively narrow range. If there are not a sufficient number of standalone sales such that VSOE of selling price cannot be determined, then we consider whether third party evidence can be used to establish selling price. Due to the lack of similar products and services sold by other companies within the industry, we have not established selling price using third-party evidence. For product and service sales, we determine our best estimate of selling price for instruments, consumables, services and assays using average selling prices over a rolling 12-month period coupled with an assessment of market conditions, as VSOE and third-party evidence cannot be established. We recognize revenue for delivered elements only when we determine there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance. Distributor Transactions In certain markets, we sell products and provide services to customers through distributors that specialize in life science products. In cases where the product is delivered to a distributor, revenue recognition generally occurs when title transfers to the distributor. The terms of sales transactions through distributors are generally consistent with the terms of direct sales to customers, except the distributors do not require our services to install the instrument at the end customer and perform the services for the customer that are beyond our standard warranty in the first year following the sale. These transactions are accounted for in accordance with our revenue recognition policy described above. We account for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718, CompensationStock Compensation, or ASC 718. ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statement of operations based on their fair values. Stock-based compensation awards have historically consisted of stock options and restricted stock. Prior to adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, we recognized compensation costs related to stock options granted to employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant, net of estimated forfeitures. Effective January 1, 2017, we ceased utilizing an estimated forfeiture rate and began recognizing forfeitures as they occur. We estimate the grant date fair value, and the resulting stock-based compensation expense, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The grant date fair value of the stock-based awards is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective awards. We recognize compensation costs related to share-based payments granted to non-employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in the same manner as options for employees; however, the fair value of the stock options granted to non-employees is re-measured each reporting period until the service is complete, and the resulting increase or decrease in value, if any, is recognized as expense or income, respectively, during the period the related services are rendered to the same financial statement line item as any cash consideration would be recognized. There were no material non-employee awards outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. The fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors for their services on our board of directors is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, based on the assumptions noted in the following table: Risk-free interest rate 2.6% - 3.0% 1.8% - 2.1% 1.2% - 1.3% Expected dividend yield None None None Expected term (in years) 5.9 6.0 6.0 Expected volatility 32.4% - 36.8% 46.0% - 52.0% 44.9% - 49.0% Using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, the weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $7.19, $4.52, and $2.41 per share, respectively. Expected volatility was calculated based on reported volatility data for a representative group of guideline publicly traded companies for which historical information was available. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, commensurate with the expected life assumption. We estimate the expected life of options granted to employees utilizing the simplified method which calculates the expected life of an option as the average of the time to vesting and contractual life of the options. The expected life is applied to the stock option grant group as a whole, as we do not expect substantially different exercise or post-vesting termination behavior among its employee population. We use the simplified method due to the lack of historical exercise data and the plain nature of the stock options. We use the remaining contractual term for the expected life of non-employee awards. The expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero as we have never paid dividends and have no current plans to pay any dividends on common stock. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 stock-based compensation expense was $4.9 million, $2.2 million, and $0.9 million respectively. The table below summarizes the stock-based compensation expense recognized in our statements of operation by classification (in thousands): Cost of product revenue $ 55 $ 24 $ 6 Cost of service and other revenue 173 52 12 Research and development 513 180 59 General and administrative 4,143 1,912 851 Total $ 4,884 $ 2,168 $ 928 As of December 31, 2018, we had $11.7 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.88 years. Prior to our IPO, the fair value of our common stock underlying our stock options was estimated on each grant date by our board of directors. In order to determine the fair value of our common stock underlying granted stock options, our board of directors considered, among other things, the most recent valuations of our common shares prepared by an unrelated third-party valuation firm in accordance with the guidance provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. Given the absence of a public trading market for our common stock, our board of directors exercised reasonable judgment and considered a number of objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of the fair value of our common stock, including (1) our business, financial condition and results of operations, including related industry trends affecting our operations; (2) our forecasted operating performance and projected future cash flows discounted to present value using our estimated weighted average cost of capital; (3) the illiquid nature of our common stock; (4) liquidation preferences and other rights and privileges of our preferred stock over our common stock; (5) likeliness and estimated timing of the potential option to have our stock become publicly traded; (6) market multiples of our most comparable public peers; (7) recently completed equity financing transactions; and (8) market conditions affecting our industry. Since the completion of our IPO, we have determined the fair value of each common share underlying share-based awards based on the closing price of our common shares as reported by Nasdaq on the date of grant. Preferred Stock Warrant Liability As of January 1, 2015, we had outstanding warrants to purchase 64,441 shares of Series A-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock, or Series A-2 Preferred Stock, 1,300,000 shares of Series A-3 convertible preferred stock, or Series A-3 Preferred Stock, 562,488 shares of Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock, or Series B Preferred Stock, and 226,733 shares of Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock, or Series C Preferred Stock. On March 4, 2015, we issued a warrant to purchase 46,248 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to a lender related to an amendment to a debt facility. The fair value of the warrant was initially accounted for as a debt discount. On January 29, 2016, we issued a warrant to purchase 57,810 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to a lender related to a second amendment to a debt facility. The fair value of the warrant was initially accounted for as a debt discount. On November 18, 2016, we issued a warrant to purchase 700,000 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock to a vendor. The fair value of the warrant was recorded as research and development expense. On March 31, 2017, we issued a warrant to purchase 38,828 shares of Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock (Series D Preferred Stock) to a lender as part of a third amendment to a debt facility. The fair value of the warrant was initially accounted for as a debt discount. All of the warrants were initially recorded at fair value and marked to market on each reporting and exercise date with changes in the fair value recorded in other expense (income) on the statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Holders of warrants to purchase shares of Series A-3 and B Preferred Stock exercised the warrants during the year ended December 31, 2016 and holders of warrants to purchase shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock exercised the warrants during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Upon exercise, the fair value of the warrants was reclassified to redeemable convertible preferred stock along with any proceeds received. Upon the closing of the IPO, all warrants to purchase Preferred Stock automatically converted to warrants to purchase our common stock. The changes in preferred stock warrant liability measured at fair value for which we have used Level 3 inputs to determine fair value are as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 5,547 Issuance of warrants related to debt facility 128 Issuance of warrants related to a vendor 2,078 Changes in fair value of warrants 307 Warrant exercises (5,258 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 2,802 Changes in fair value of warrants 90 Conversion to warrants in common stock in connection with IPO (823 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 $ The warrants were classified as liabilities because they were exercisable into shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock. On each measurement date, we utilized a Monte Carlo option pricing model to determine the fair value of the warrants and utilized various valuation assumptions based on available market data and other relevant but observable factors. Expected volatility for our redeemable convertible preferred stock was determined based on an analysis of the historical volatility of a representative group of guideline public companies, because, prior to our IPO, there was no market for our common stock and, therefore, a lack of market-based company-specific historical and implied volatility information. The expected term reflects the remaining contractual term of the warrants. The assumed dividend yield is based upon our expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The risk-free rate is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the valuation date, commensurate with the remaining contractual life of the warrants. The fair value of the underlying preferred shares was determined by management, with the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist, using a hybrid valuation method, which includes a weighted analysis of two scenarios. The first scenario was based on the completion of an initial public offering utilizing a market approach and the second scenario was based on remaining privately held utilizing either an income approach or a weighted-average of an income approach and a backsolve to a recent financing event, depending on the proximity of the financing event to the measurement date. The assumption regarding our probability of completing an initial public offering was the primary contributing factor to the changes in fair value of the common stock. See "Significant Accounting Policies" (Note 2) in our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on the changes of the probability of completing an initial public offering. Because all outstanding and exercisable warrants to purchase Preferred Stock were automatically converted to warrants to purchase shares of common stock following the IPO, they are accounted for as equity instruments as of December 31, 2018. The following assumptions were utilized to determine the fair value of each warrant to purchase preferred stock at each reporting period and as of the change from liability to equity accounting treatment in connection with the IPO: Balance sheet date Value of Series C Series A-3 of an initial public offering December 7, 2017 $4.67 $ 4.67 N/A N/A $ 4.67 46 % 100 % December 31, 2016 N/A $ 4.16 N/A $ 2.97 $ 2.95 52 % 40 % December 31, 2015 N/A $ 3.92 $3.00 $ 3.00 $ 1.90 41 % 25 % Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands): % of Product revenue $ 23,365 62 % $ 14,124 62 % $ 9,241 65 % Service and other revenue 12,117 32 % 7,676 34 % 4,441 58 % Collaboration and license revenue 2,150 6 % 1,074 5 % 1,076 100 % Total revenue 37,632 100 % 22,874 100 % 14,758 65 % Costs of Goods Sold: Cost of product revenue 12,729 34 % 7,742 34 % 4,987 64 % Cost of services and other revenue 6,955 18 % 5,145 22 % 1,810 35 % Total Costs of Goods Sold and Services 19,684 52 % 12,887 56 % 6,797 53 % Gross Profit 17,948 48 % 9,987 44 % 7,961 80 % Operating Expense: Research and development 15,805 42 % 16,304 71 % (499 ) (3 )% Selling, general and administrative 33,693 90 % 19,688 86 % 14,005 71 % Total operating expenses 49,498 132 % 35,992 157 % 13,506 38 % Loss from operations (31,550 ) (84 )% (26,005 ) (114 )% (5,545 ) (21 )% Interest income (expense), net 46 0 % (951 ) (4 )% 997 (105 )% Other income (expense), net (7 ) (0 )% (63 ) (0 )% 56 89 % Loss before income taxes (31,511 ) (84 )% (27,019 ) (118 )% (4,492 ) (17 )% Income tax provision (25 ) (0 )% (0 )% (25 ) 100 % Net loss $ (31,536 ) (84 )% $ (27,019 ) (118 )% $ (4,517 ) (17 )% Revenue increased by $14.8 million, or 65%, to $37.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Product revenue consisted of sales of instruments totaling $9.6 million and sales of consumables and other products of $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Product revenue consisted of sales of instruments totaling $6.5 million and sales of consumables and other products totaling $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Average sales prices of instruments and consumables did not change materially in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in product revenue of $9.2 million was primarily due to the sale of more instruments in the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and increased sales of consumables. The installed base of instruments increased from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, and as these additional instruments were used by customers, the consumable sales increased. The increase in service and other revenue of $4.4 million was primarily due to increased services performed in our Accelerator Laboratory; more customers are using these services, and existing customers are using these services more frequently. In addition, an increase in purchased warranties contributed to the service and other revenue increase. Collaboration and license revenue in the year ended December 31, 2018 included $2.1 million in revenue related to the termination of the collaboration arrangement with bioMérieux in the third quarter of 2018. Cost of Product, Service and License Revenue Cost of product revenue increased by $5.0 million, or 64%, to $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased sales of consumables and instruments. Cost of service revenue increased to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher utilization of the Accelerator Laboratory, plus increased personnel costs from the build out of our field service organization. Overall cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue decreased to 52% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 56% for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of the change in revenue mix to more consumables revenue and collaboration revenue in 2018. Research and Development Expense Research and development expense decreased slightly by $0.5 million, or 3%, to $15.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in outside development costs related to our SR-X instrument for which development was completed and product launched commercially in the fourth quarter of 2017. The reduction in project costs for the SR-X instrument offset an increase in research and development costs due to increased headcount in research and development and the increased use of outside development firms as we increased our new product development efforts. Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $14.0 million, or 71%, to $33.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $19.7 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to headcount additions in various departments as we build out our organization to support future growth, public company costs, transaction fees and amortization of intangibles associated with the Aushon acquisition, and stock compensation expense. Interest and Other Expense, Net Interest and other expense, net decreased by $1.1 million, to a net income position of less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $1.0 million of net expense for the same period in 2017, primarily due to an increase in interest income as a result of the higher cash balances in 2018. Tax Expense Tax expense increased by less than $0.1 million to an amount less $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase is primarily due to certain state taxes in 2018, which we did not have in the prior year. Product revenue $ 14,124 61.7 % $ 10,601 60.3 % $ 3,523 33.2 % Service and other revenue 7,676 33.6 % 5,012 28.5 % 2,664 53.2 % Collaboration and license revenue 1,074 4.7 % 1,972 11.2 % (898 ) (45.5 )% Total revenue 22,874 100.0 % 17,585 100.0 % 5,289 30.1 % Cost of product revenue 7,742 33.8 % 6,299 35.8 % 1,443 22.9 % Cost of services revenue 5,145 22.5 % 3,163 18.0 % 1,607 30.4 % Cost of license revenue % 375 2.1 % (375 ) (100 )% Total Costs of Goods sold and services 12,887 56.3 % 9,837 55.9 % 3,050 57.7 % Gross Profit 9,987 43.7 % 7,748 44.1 % 2,239 42.3 % Operating Expenses: Research and development 16,304 71.3 % 16,993 96.6 % (689 ) (4.1 )% Selling, general and administrative 19,688 86.1 % 12,466 70.9 % 7,222 57.9 % Total operating expenses 35,992 157.6 % 29,459 167.5 % 9,583 24.4 % Loss from operations (26,005 ) (113.7 )% (21,711 ) (123.5 )% (4,294 ) (19.8 )% Interest expense, net (951 ) (4.2 )% (1,298 ) (7.4 )% 347 (26.7 )% Other income (expense), net (63 ) (0.2 )% (164 ) (0.9 )% 102 (61.6 )% Loss before income taxes (27,019 ) (118.1 )% (23,173 ) (131.8 )% (3,846 ) 16.6 % Income tax provision Net loss $ (27,019 ) (118.1 )% $ (23,173 ) (131.8 )% $ (3,846 ) (16.6 )% Revenue increased by $5.3 million, or 30%, to $22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Product revenue consisted of sales of instruments totaling $6.5 million and sales of consumables and other products of $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Product revenue consisted of sales of instruments totaling $6.2 million and sales of consumables and other products totaling $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Average sales prices of instruments and consumables did not change materially in the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in product revenue of $3.5 million was primarily due to the sale of more instruments in the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and increased sales of consumables. The installed base of Simoa instruments increased from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017, and as these additional instruments were used by customers, the consumable sales increased. The increase in service and other revenue of $2.7 million was due to increased services performed in our Simoa Accelerator Laboratory; more customers are using these services, and existing customers are using the Accelerator Laboratory more frequently. Collaboration and license revenue in the year ended December 31, 2017 consists of revenue related to the collaboration arrangement with bioMérieux that was modified in the fourth quarter of 2016. Collaboration and license revenue in the year ended December 31, 2016 consists of one-time payment of $1.8 million of revenue related a licensing arrangement executed in the fourth quarter of 2016, and revenue related to the collaboration arrangement with bioMérieux of $0.2 million. As part of the modification in the fourth quarter of 2016, we received $2.0 million in additional consideration. This additional consideration along with the deferred revenue on the date of the modification is being recognized over our estimated period of performance, which was initially determined to be 36 months. The estimated performance period is evaluated each reporting period and continues to be consistent with the initial estimate. Cost of product revenue increased by $1.4 million, or 23%, to $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to increased sales of consumables and instruments. Cost of service revenue increased to $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 from $3.2 million forthe year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher utilization of the Accelerator Laboratory, plus increased personnel costs from the build out of our field service organization. Overall cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue remained consistent at 56% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to 56% for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of increased headcount in field service and accelerator service groups. Research and development expense decreased slightly by $0.7 million, or 4%, to $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $17.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in outside development costs related to our SR-X instrument for which development was completed and product launched commercially in the fourth quarter of 2017. The reduction in project costs for the SR-X instrument offset other increase in research and development costs as we have increased headcount in research and development and the increased use of outside development firms as we increased our new product development efforts. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $7.2 million, or 58%, to $19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $12.5 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to headcount additions in various departments as we build out our organization to support future growth, and stock compensation expense. Interest and other expense, net decreased by $0.5 million, to $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2016, primarily due to the amortization of debt discounts from warrants we have issued to a lender. Liquidity and Capital Resources Since our inception, we have incurred net losses and negative cash flows from operations. We incurred net losses of $31.5 million, $27.0 million and $23.2 million and used $28.7 million, $22.1 million and $17.7 million of cash from our operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $175.9 million. As of December 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $44.4 million and no additional amounts were available to borrow under our debt facility. Sources of Liquidity To date, we have financed our operations principally through equity offerings, borrowings from credit facilities and revenue from our commercial operations. Equity Offerings In December 2017, we completed our IPO in which we sold 4,916,480 shares of common stock at an initial public offering price of $15.00 per share. The aggregate net proceeds received by us from the offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, were $65.6 million. Prior to the IPO, we had raised capital through the sale of redeemable convertible preferred stock in private placement transactions. Loan Facility with Hercules On April 14, 2014, we executed a Loan Agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.). The Loan Agreement provided a total debt facility of $10.0 million, which is secured by substantially all of our assets. At closing, we borrowed $5.0 million in principal and had the ability to draw the additional $5.0 million over the period from November 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015. The interest rate on this term loan was variable based on a calculation of 8% plus the prime rate less 5.25%, with a minimum interest rate of 8%. Interest was to be paid monthly beginning the month following the borrowing date. Principal payments were scheduled to begin on September 1, 2015, unless we achieved certain milestones which would have extended this date to December 1, 2015 or March 1, 2016. In connection with the execution of the Loan Agreement, we issued Hercules a warrant to purchase up to 173,428 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $3.3299 per share. Upon closing of the IPO, this warrant was automatically converted into a warrant to purchase up to 53,960 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $10.70 per share. On March 4, 2015, we executed Amendment 1 to the Loan Agreement and drew the additional $5.0 million available under the Loan Agreement at that time. The terms of the amendment deferred principal payments to start on December 1, 2015 or March 1, 2016 if we obtained at least $10.0 million in equity financing before December 1, 2015. This equity financing did not occur before December 1, 2015. In January 2016, we executed Amendment 2 to the Loan Agreement, which increased the total facility available by $5.0 million to a total of $15.0 million and further delaying the start of principal payments to July 1, 2016. Following the Series D Preferred Stock financing in March 2016, we could have elected to further delay the start of principal payments until January 1, 2017, however we voluntarily began paying principal on July 1, 2016. Upon signing this amendment, we drew an additional $3.0 million under the debt facility. The remaining $2.0 million available for borrowing expired unused in 2016, decreasing the amounts available under the debt facility to $13.0 million. In March 2017, we signed Amendment 3 to the Loan Agreement increasing the total facility available by $5.0 million to a total of $18.0 million. We did not draw any of this additional amount, which was available for us to draw until February 28, 2018. Additionally, we did not request an optional term loan for an incremental $5.0 million which was available for us to request until September 3, 2018. Principal payments were delayed to September 1, 2018 and the loan maturity date was extended to March 1, 2019. We voluntarily made principal payments in the months of March, April, and May 2018. No principal payments were made in June, July or August 2018. The amendment did not affect the due date of the existing end of term fees (in aggregate $0.5 million) which were due on February 1, 2018. In connection with this amendment, we issued Hercules a warrant to purchase up to 38,828 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $3.67 per share. Upon closing of the IPO, this warrant was automatically converted into a warrant to purchase up to 12,080 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $11.80 per share. In July 2017, we signed Amendment 4 to the Loan Agreement, which capped the "Term Loan Interest Rate" with respect to the 2017 Term Loan Advance only at 10%. Amendment 4 to the Loan Agreement did not change or affect any other element of the Loan Agreement or the Term Loan Advance. In August 2018, we signed Amendment 5 to the Loan Agreement, which extends the interest only payment period through March 1, 2020 and also extends the loan maturity date to March 1, 2020. We accounted for the August 2018 amendment as a modification pursuant to ASC 470-50 and determined that no material change occurred as a result of the modification. In addition, the amendment deferred the payment of principal until the maturity date. $0.1 million of end of term payments are due March 2020. In October 2018, we signed Amendment 6 to the Loan agreement, which amends the Loan Agreement's collateral clause to exclude the $1 million certificate of deposit associated with the lease on our new headquarters in Billerica, MA. The Loan Agreement and amendments contain end of term payments and are recorded in the debt accounts. $0.5 million of end of term payments were paid in the year ended December 31, 2018. The Loan Agreement contains negative covenants restricting our activities, including limitations on dispositions, mergers or acquisitions, incurring indebtedness or liens, paying dividends or making investments and certain other business transactions. There are no financial covenants associated with the Loan Agreement. The obligations under the Loan Agreement are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events of default, including a material adverse change in our business, operations or financial or other condition, which is subjective in nature. We have determined that the risk of subjective acceleration under the material adverse events clause is not probable and therefore have classified the outstanding principal in current and long-term liabilities based on scheduled principal payments. Debt principal repayments, including the end of term fees, due as of December 31, 2018 are (in thousands): Years ending December 31: 2019 $ 0 The following table presents our cash flows for each period presented (in thousands): Net cash used in operating activities $ (28,721 ) $ (22,106 ) $ (17,742 ) Net cash used in investing activities (5,454 ) (1,132 ) (826 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (78 ) 73,249 45,916 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $ (34,253 ) $ 50,011 $ 27,348 Net Cash Used in Operating Activities We derive cash flows from operations primarily from the sale of our products and services. Our cash flows from operating activities are also significantly influenced by our use of cash for operating expenses to support the growth of our business. We have historically experienced negative cash flows from operating activities as we have developed our technology, expanded our business and built our infrastructure and this may continue in the future. Net cash used in operating activities was $28.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Net cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of net loss of $31.5 million, a decrease of $1.9 million in deferred revenue and an increase of $1.6 million in inventory, primarily offset by non-cash stock compensation expense of $4.9 million and an increase of $1.3 million in accounts payable. Net cash used in operating activities was $22.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. Net cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of net loss of $27.0 million and an increase of $2.0 million in inventory and an increase in accounts receivable of $1.7 million, primarily offset by non-cash stock compensation expense of $2.2 million, an increase of $2.9 million in deferred revenue, an increase of $2.0 million in accrued expenses and an increase of $1.0 million in accounts payable. Net cash used in operating activities was $17.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. Net cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of a net loss of $23.2 million and an increase in accounts receivable of $1.7 million, primarily offset by non-cash charges related to issuance of warrants of $2.1 million, other non-cash items including depreciation and stock based compensation, of $1.8 million, and an increase in current liabilities of $2.3 million and an increase in deferred revenue of $0.9 million. Historically, our primary investing activities have consisted of capital expenditures for the purchase of capital equipment to support our expanding infrastructure and work force. We expect to continue to incur additional costs for capital expenditures related to these efforts in future periods. We used $5.5 million of cash in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisting of cash paid in the acquisition of Aushon, net of cash acquired, and for purchases of capital equipment to support our infrastructure. We used $1.1 million of cash in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017 for purchases of capital equipment to support our infrastructure. We used $0.8 million of cash in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily for purchases of capital equipment to support our infrastructure, and for a $0.3 million equity investment in another company. Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities Historically, we have financed our operations principally through private placements of our convertible preferred stock and borrowings from credit facilities, the sale of shares of our common stock in our IPO and revenues from our commercial operations. We used $0.1 million cash in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018, which primarily was from payments on debt of $1.9 million offset by cash generated by the exercise of stock options. We generated $73.2 million of cash in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017, which primarily was from the sale of 4,916,480 shares of common stock in our IPO in December 2017 for net proceeds of $65.6 million, and the sale of 2,113,902 shares of our Series D-1 Preferred Stock in June 2017 for net proceeds of $8.4 million, which was partially offset by payments of outstanding debt. We generated $45.9 million of cash from financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016, which was primarily from the sale of our Series D Preferred Stock in March 2016 for net proceeds of $45.4 million. Capital Resources We have not achieved profitability on a quarterly or annual basis since our inception, and we expect to continue to incur net losses in the future. We also expect that our operating expenses will increase as we continue to increase our marketing efforts to drive adoption of our commercial products. Additionally, as a public company, we have incurred and will continue to incur significant audit, legal and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. Our liquidity requirements have historically consisted, and we expect that they will continue to consist, of sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, working capital, debt service and general corporate expenses. We believe cash generated from commercial sales, our current cash and cash equivalents, and interest income we earn on these balances will be sufficient to meet our anticipated operating cash requirements for at least into the second quarter of 2020. In the future, we expect our operating and capital expenditures to increase as we increase headcount, expand our sales and marketing activities and grow our customer base. Our estimates of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations and the costs to support research and development and our sales and marketing activities are forward-looking statements and involve risks and uncertainties and actual results could vary materially and negatively as a result of a number of factors, including the factors discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have based our estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including: We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional funds on acceptable terms, or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or equity-linked securities, our stockholders may experience dilution. Future debt financing, if available, may involve covenants restricting our operations or our ability to incur additional debt. Any debt or equity financing that we raise may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or our products, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If we do not have or are not able to obtain sufficient funds, we may have to delay development or commercialization of our products. We also may have to reduce marketing, customer support or other resources devoted to our products or cease operations. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We did not have, during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under applicable SEC rules. Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands): Payments due by period Contractual Obligations:(1) Operating lease obligations $ 1,172 $ 5,303 $ 10,377 $ 22,202 $ 39,054 Principal payments and end of term fees on the term loan $ 0 $ 7,763 $ 0 $ 0 $ 7,763 Total $ 1,172 $ 13,066 $ 10,377 $ 22,202 $ 46,817 See "Development and Supply Agreement" for additional contractual obligations. We currently lease approximately 30,655 square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space at our headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, under a lease that was to expire on June 30, 2020 (the "Lexington Lease"); however in November 2018, the Company agreed to terminate the lease with the lessor effective May 2019. The termination of the lease was connected to the Company signing a new lease on October 2, 2018 (see below). In addition, pursuant to our acquisition of Aushon in January 2018, we currently lease approximately 21,500 square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space in Billerica, Massachusetts, under a lease that was to expire on February 28, 2021 (the "Billerica Lease"). In August 2018, we exercised an option to terminate the Billerica Lease effective as of September 1, 2019. The Company is required to pay a termination fee of $75,000 no later than July 1, 2019 in consideration for the early termination. We also have ongoing obligations related to license agreements which contain immaterial minimum annual payments that are credited against the actual royalty expense. Purchase orders or contracts for the purchase of supplies and other goods and services are not included in the table above. We are not able to determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. Our purchase orders are based on our current procurement or development needs and are fulfilled by our vendors within short time horizons. Development and Supply Agreement We do not have significant agreements for the purchase of supplies or other goods specifying minimum quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements for the next three to six months, with the exception of the agreement with STRATEC, who manufactures our HD-1 instrument and will manufacture the HD-X that we expect to commercialize in the second half of 2019. In 2013, we entered into a supply agreement, or the Supply Agreement, with STRATEC which requires us to purchase a minimum number of commercial units over a seven-year period ending in May 2021. We could be obligated to pay a fee based on the shortfall of commercial units purchased compared to the required number. Based on the commercial units purchased as of December 31, 2018, assuming no additional commercial units were purchased thereafter but prior to May 2021, this fee would equal $11.1 million. The amount we could be obligated to pay under the minimum purchase commitment is reduced as each commercial unit is purchased. We believe that we will purchase sufficient units to meet the requirements of the minimum purchase commitment and, therefore, have not accrued for any of the minimum purchase commitment. Also, if we terminate the Supply Agreement under certain circumstances and do not purchase up to a required number of commercial units, we would be required to issue warrants to purchase 93,341 shares of common stock at $0.003214 per share. We believe that we will not issue such warrant and therefore have not recorded any amounts related to the potential equity consideration. In August 2011, we entered into a Strategic Development Services and Equity Participation Agreement, or the Development Agreement, with STRATEC, pursuant to which STRATEC undertook the development of the HD-1 for manufacture and sale to us or a partner whom we designate. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Development Agreement was amended to modify the deliverables related to the final milestone, to agree on instrument design changes to be implemented, and to reduce the minimum purchase commitment in the Supply Agreement. Additionally, the parties agreed on additional development services for a total fee of $1.5 million, which is payable when development is completed and of which $0.9 million was paid in 2018. The total amount includes the final milestone payment that was due under the terms of the original agreement. We generally expect to ship all instrument and consumable orders received in a given period with the exception of orders received near the end of a fiscal quarter; and as a result, our backlog at the end of any period is typically insignificant. Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Foreign Currency Exchange Risk As we expand internationally our results of operations and cash flows will become increasingly subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Historically, the substantial majority of our revenue has been denominated in U.S. dollars. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies in which our operations are located, which is primarily in the United States, with a portion of expenses incurred in Canada, Europe, Japan and China. Our results of operations and cash flows are, therefore, subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could harm our business in the future. The effect of a 10% adverse change in exchange rates on foreign denominated cash, receivables and payables as of December 31, 2018 would not have been material. To date, we have not entered into any material foreign currency hedging contracts although we may do so in the future. Interest Rate Sensitivity We had cash and cash equivalents of $44.4 million as of December 31, 2018. These amounts were held primarily in cash on deposit with banks. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe that we do not have any material exposure to changes in the fair value of our investment portfolio as a result of changes in interest rates. Declines in interest rates, however, will reduce future investment income. If overall interest rates had decreased by 10% during the periods presented, our interest income would not have been materially affected. As of December 31, 2018, the principal amount of our term debt outstanding with Hercules was $7.8 million. If overall interest rates had increased by 10% during the periods presented, our interest expense would have increased by approximately $0.1 million on an annualized basis. Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The financial statements required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8 are appended to this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page F-1. Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, have concluded that, based on such evaluation, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. (b) Changes in Internal Controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, identified in connection with the evaluation of such internal control that occurred during the fourth quarter of our last fiscal year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. (c) Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and our directors; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under that framework, our management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2018. Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The information required by this Item 10 will be included in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC with respect to our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (1) Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements are included on pages F-1 through F-53 attached hereto and are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (2) Financial Statement Schedules Schedules have been omitted since they are either not required or not applicable or the information is otherwise included herein. (3) Exhibits The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K: Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Herewith Incorporated by Reference herein from Form or Schedule SEC File/ Reg. Number 3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 8-K 12/15/17 001-38319 3.2 Restated Bylaws 8-K 12/15/17 001-38319 4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 4.2 Form of Warrant to Purchase Series C Preferred Stock of the Registrant S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 4.3 Warrant Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2014, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Group Capital, Inc.) S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 4.4 Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2016, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Group Capital, Inc.) S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 4.5 Warrant Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Group Capital, Inc.) S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 4.6 Fourth Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2017, by and among the Registrant and the stockholders named therein S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 4.7 Fourth Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2017, by and among the Registrant and the investors named therein S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 4.8 Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2018, by and between the Registrant and Azul Divinal Consultoria Unipessoal LDA 10-K 3/19/18 001-38319 10.1.1 + 2007 Stock Option and Grant Plan, as amended S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.1.2 + Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2007 Stock Option and Grant Plan, as amended S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.1.3 + Form of Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2007 Stock Option and Grant Plan, as amended S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.1.4 + Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2007 Stock Option and Grant Plan, as amended S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.2.1 + 2017 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan S-1/A 11/27/17 333-221475 10.2.2 + Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2017 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan S-1/A 11/27/17 333-221475 10.2.3 + Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2017 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan S-1/A 11/27/17 333-221475 10.2.4 + Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2017 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan S-1/A 11/27/17 333-221475 10.3 + Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2015, by and between the Registrant and E. Kevin Hrusovsky S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.4 + Letter Agreement, dated April 8, 2017, by and between the Registrant and Joseph Driscoll S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.5 + Letter Agreement, dated December 1, 2011, by and between the Registrant and Ernest Orticerio S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.6 + Letter Agreement, dated April 6, 2016, by and between the Registrant and Bruce Bal S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.7 + Letter Agreement, dated August 8, 2014, by and between the Registrant and Mark T. Roskey, Ph.D. S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.8 + Letter Agreement, effective as February 5, 2018, by and betwwen the Registrant and Dawn Mattoon 10-Q 5/15/18 001-38319 10.9 + Letter Agreement, effective as October 22, 2018, by and between the Registrant and Jackson Streeter X 10.10 + Letter Agreement, dated March 20, 2017, by and between the Registrant and Marijn Dekkers, Ph.D. S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.11 + Letter Agreement, dated August 7, 2013, by and between the Registrant and Paul M. Meister S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.12 Lease Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2011, between the Registrant and King 113 Hartwell LLC S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.13 First Amendment to lease dated August 22, 2014, by and between the Registrant and King 113 Hartwell LLC S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.14.1 * Exclusive License Agreement, dated June 18, 2007, between the Registrant and Tufts University, as amended on April 29, 2013 S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.14.2 * Second Amendment, dated August 22, 2017, to the Exclusive License Agreement between the Registrant and Tufts University S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.15.1 * Supply and Manufacturing Agreement, dated September 14, 2011, between the Registrant and STRATEC Biomedical AG S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.15.2 First Amendment to Supply and Manufacturing Agreement, dated October 17, 2013, between the Registrant and STRATEC Biomedical AG S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.16.1 * STRATEC Development Services and Equity Participation Agreement, dated August 15, 2011, between the Registrant and STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.16.2 * First Amendment to STRATEC Development Services and Equity Participation Agreement and Second Amendment to Supply and Manufacturing Agreement, dated November 18, 2016, between the Registrant and STRATEC Biomedical AG S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.17 * Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated November 23, 2016, between the Registrant and Paramit Corporation S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.18.1 Loan and Security Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.) S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.18.2 Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 4, 2015, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.) S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.18.3 Amendment No. 2 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 29, 2016, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.) S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.18.4 Amendment No. 3 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 31, 2017, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.) S-1 11/9/17 333-221475 10.18.5 Amendment No. 4 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated July 24, 2017, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.) 10-Q 11/7/18 001-38319 10.18.6 Amendment No. 5 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 30, 2018, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.) 10-Q 11/7/18 001-38319 10.18.7 Amendment No. 6 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated September 28, 2018, by and between the Registrant and Hercules Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.) 10-Q 11/7/18 001-38319 10.19 + Form of Indemnification Agreement S-1/A 11/27/17 333-221475 10.20.1 Lease, dated September 24, 2007, between RAR2 Boston Industrial QRS-MA, Inc. and Aushon Biosystems, Inc. 10-K 3/19/18 001-38319 10.20.2 First Amendment, dated October 28, 2009, to Lease, dated September 24, 2007, between RAR2 Boston Industrial QRS-MA, Inc. and Aushon Biosystems, Inc. 10-K 3/19/18 001-38319 10.20.3 Second Amendment, dated September 23, 2015, to Lease, dated September 24, 2007, between RAR2 Boston Industrial QRS-MA, Inc. and Aushon Biosystems, Inc. 10-K 3/19/18 001-38319 10.21 Lease Agreement between SSI 900 Middlesex MA LP and the Registrant, dated October 2, 2018. 8-K 10/5/18 001-38319 10.22 + 2018 Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy X 21.1 Subsidiaries of Registrant X 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP X 31.1 Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 X 31.2 Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 X 32.1 Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. X 101.INS XBRL Instance Document. X 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. X 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. X 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition. X 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. X 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document. X Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. Confidential treatment has been granted for portions of this Exhibit. Redacted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Date: March 18, 2019 By: /s/ E. KEVIN HRUSOVSKY E. Kevin Hrusovsky Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ E. KEVIN HRUSOVSKY E. Kevin Hrusovsky Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer) March 18, 2019 /s/ JOSEPH DRISCOLL Joseph Driscoll Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) /s/ DOUGLAS G. COLE, M.D. Douglas G. Cole, M.D. /s/ JOHN M. CONNOLLY John M. Connolly /s/ KEITH L. CRANDELL Keith L. Crandell /s/ MARIJN DEKKERS, PH.D. Marijn Dekkers, Ph.D. /s/ MARTIN D. MADAUS, PH. D. Martin D. Madaus, Ph. D. /s/ PAUL M. MEISTER Paul M. Meister Director March 18, 2019 /s/ DAVID R. WALT, PH.D. David R. Walt, Ph.D. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2 Consolidated Balance Sheets F-3 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss F-4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-5 Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity F-6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Quanterix Corporation Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Quanterix Corporation (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' (deficit) equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP We have served as the Company's auditor since 2008. (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) Cash and cash equivalents $ 44,429 $ 79,682 Accounts receivable (less reserve for doubtful accounts of $36; including $48 and $123 from related parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) 6,792 5,599 Inventory 5,945 3,571 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,330 400 Restricted Cash 1,000 Property and equipment, net 2,923 1,874 Intangible assets, net 2,348 Goodwill 1,308 Other non-current assets 536 653 Accounts payable (including $36 and $0 to related parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) $ 5,110 $ 3,552 Accrued compensation and benefits 4,449 2,624 Other accrued expenses (including $226 and $170 to related parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) 3,129 3,560 Deferred revenue (including $33 and $1,182 with related parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) 5,437 4,942 Current portion of long term debt 5,036 Total current liabilities 18,125 19,714 Deferred revenue, net of current portion (including $0 and $1,074 with related parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) 520 1,709 Long term debt, net of current portion 7,623 4,346 Other non-current liabilities 278 144 Total liabilities 26,546 25,913 Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) Common stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized120,000,000 shares as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; issued and outstanding22,369,036 and 21,707,041 shares as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively 22 22 Additional paid-in capital 216,931 210,196 Accumulated deficit (175,888 ) (144,352 ) Total stockholders' equity 41,065 65,866	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3588
__label__wiki	0.65199	0.65199	Paying it forward in North Carolina Long Beach volunteers help Hurricane Florence victims Posted Thursday, September 20, 2018 5:38 pm Members of the Long Beach Fire Department and the nonprofit organization Waves of Hope USA launched a relief effort to help Hurricane Florence victims. Above were Assistant Chief Rick DiGiacomo, left, Capt. Dave Rivera, Brandon Bowden, Zach Grunther, Assistant Chief Hadrick Ray, Joan Duffy, Al Rodriguez, Christina Kramer, Tim Kramer, Cooper Kramer, Captain Herman Prophet, Chase Kramer and Chief Joe Miller. Courtesy Waves of Hope USA Marines ran to help push a car out of floodwaters at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Courtesy United States Department of Defense After experiencing it and knowing what it was like to have gone through this sort of crisis, and having people help us, we’re doing our part to pay it forward and help others in their time of need.” Joe Miller, Long Beach fire chief By Bridget Downes Long Beach residents are banding together to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina after the Category 2 storm slammed into the East Coast last week. Florence struck the coast after moving through the mid-Atlantic Ocean as a Category 4 hurricane with strong winds and a wall of water that caused substantial flooding in both beachfront and inland communities. For many, Florence brought back memories of Hurricane Sandy — which came ashore on Long Island in October 2012. Waves of Hope USA, a local nonprofit organization that provides disaster relief to victims after first responders have left the scene, has teamed up with the Long Beach Fire Department, the Police Benevolent Association and other organizations to send donations to people affected by Florence. “We’re collecting gift cards and monetary donations — no supplies this time,” said Tim Kramer, a Waves of Hope volunteer who is leading the effort, referring to last year’s massive response when hundreds of people donated supplies to be sent to victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. A dozen Waves of Hope volunteers flew down to the Rockport area and sent more than $40,000 in gift cards and five truckloads of donations that were piled high at St. Mary of the Isle Parish Hall in September and hand-delivered them to people in need. Long Beach also came together last year when Surf for All, a local nonprofit organization that works with people with disabilities and special needs, raised money for people in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria. A handful of Waves of Hope volunteers plan to travel to North Carolina within the next few weeks to deliver the donations to people who most need assistance, Kramer said. While the volunteers are not yet sure where they will travel to, they plan to visit a community “where we’re going to have a big impact,” Kramer said. Many local departments and businesses have joined the effort by housing collection boxes where people can drop off cash, gift cards or checks, including Brands Deli, Long Beach Bagel Cafe, West End Pizza, Bungalow West, West End Beverage, Beach Bagel, Laurel Luncheonette, St. Mary of the Isle Parish Hall, the Station for Hair and the Long Beach Police Department at the traffic window. Donations can also be made online to a GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/Hurricane-Florence-NC-WOH-USA. The goal is set at $100,000, and the effort had collected about $2,000 as of press time on Wednesday. The volunteers also plan to collect donations at the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Boardwalk Fair on Sept. 22 and 23 and at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians St. Brendan the Navigator Irish Day Parade and Festival on Oct. 6. Kramer said the volunteers are also working with Operation Airdrop, a Texas-based nonprofit organization that formed after Hurricane Harvey and organizes volunteer aircraft owners and pilots to deliver supplies to disaster areas. “Once they’re done and first responders come in and people got electricity, the debris and roads are cleared, that’s where we come in,” he said. “We’re not getting in the way of anyone’s immediate emergency effort.” Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford and Assemblywoman Melissa Miller are involved in the relief effort and have promoted the message on social media. “These amazing people are at it again — providing help for others who have experienced what they have,” Miller posted on her Facebook page. “After experiencing it and knowing what it was like to have gone through this sort of crisis, and having people help us, we’re doing our part to pay it forward and help others in their time of need,” Long Beach Fire Department Chief Joe Miller said. “In conjunction with the PBA, the Kramers, Waves of Hope and the other groups, we’re going to raise money to help families that really need it down there as much as we can.” He said the fire department intends to send two firefighters down with the Waves of Hope volunteers to hand-deliver the donations in early October. “When people are back to their houses and going through and trying to salvage what they can, we can hopefully help them out with the gift cards — for people who don’t have much, people who maybe don’t have insurance, or don’t have the finances to cover these things, so that we can help them out,” Miller said. Additionally, the Long Beach Community Organizations Active in Disasters, an organization that assists residents after natural disasters, has teamed up with the volunteers. “The Long Beach COAD continues to collaborate with our partners on efforts to assist those who have been impacted by disasters, not only in our own backyard, but across the country,” said Liz Treston, chairwoman of COAD. Treston urged people to donate gift cards from national home improvement stores, or a VISA gift card, and to refrain from sending clothing items. “Spontaneous ‘volunteer-ism’ during a disaster impedes first responders and rescue efforts,” Treston said, “so it’s important that municipalities collaborate and communicate with their local boots on the ground.” Florida couple arrested for loaded semi-automatic handgun	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3589
__label__wiki	0.899849	0.899849	Airbnb OpenAir Summit 2014 Airbnb is hosting the OpenAir summit at its headquarters on Thursday, April 24 at 2 p.m. PT. The agenda includes panels on pricing, scaling, and marketplace matchmaking--as well as conversations with venture capitalists Ben Horowitz and Paul Graham. Join Fast Company's Alice Truong for live updates from the event. As one of the driving forces of the sharing economy, Airbnb has flipped the hotel industry on its head. With low overhead and rapid growth, the San Francisco startup is reportedly worth $10 billion after a fresh round of fundraising closed last week. Airbnb has encountered its share of obstacles as it transforms the hospitality industry. New York City considers the service illegal because of restrictions on short-term rentals. Occasionally, rented apartments host orgies or get ransacked. Some cities are also demanding Airbnb hosts pay hotel taxes. Bringing together different players in the sharing economy, including Uber and Homejoy, Airbnb is hosting the OpenAir summit at its headquarters on Thursday at 2 p.m. PT. The agenda includes panels on pricing, scaling, and marketplace matchmaking--as well as conversations with venture capitalists Ben Horowitz and Paul Graham. Join Fast Company's Alice Truong for live updates. Hello everyone. The OpenAir summit is about to start shortly. I hear it's going to be a full house, with an audience of about 250 RSVPed (plus a waiting list!). To start you off, here's an image of the whimsical Airbnb office. Airbnb's lobby by Alice Truong 4/24/2014 8:57:49 PM Airbnb's vice president of engineering Mike Curtis, left, and Ben Horowitz, general partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz The OpenAir summit begins with a wide-ranging conversation about technology between Airbnb's vice president of engineering Mike Curtis and Ben Horowitz, general partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Curtis's first question: What is your favorite language? Back in the day, "there really wasn't a choice," Horowitz said, so by default it was C. However, he's become a proponent of Javascript, a language he remembers former Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich creating in 10 days while they were worked at Netscape. (Horowitz hasn't been shy about dating himself. Before email, he remembers interoffice memos. Companies would have entire mailrooms dedicated to moving messages around from one employee to another, he said.) Though he admitted some companies are wary of technical founder CEOs, he talked about their usefulness (this is an event for engineers, after all). "When you're a technical founder, you don't know how to run a company, you don't have the CEO skill set, you don't know a bunch of high-power execs, you don't know people in the press," he says. However, replacing a technical founder with someone who has more CEO polish could potentially diminish innovation. "The ability to make the next innovation and react is just not there." He posed to the audience: Where would Facebook be without Zuckerberg? Horowitz likened startups to babies that eventually develop into teenagers as they scale (examples: Facebook, Airbnb, Github). "Everybody loves a baby. You never run into someone who goes, 'I fucking hate babies.'" But as they become teenagers, they draw their share of ire, reference Github's recent sexual harassment spat: "They probably need HR," he says of the "teenager."	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3591
__label__wiki	0.618358	0.618358	Y Combinator Demo Day At The Computer History Museum In Mountain View On Tuesday, March 25th, a new batch of 75 startups will present their products at Y Combinator's demo day. Fast Company's Alice Truong will report live from the event and highlight some of the standouts. First batch of startups on stage. by Alice Truong One of the most aspired-to accelerators in the Bay Area, Y Combinator isn't known for doling out huge amounts of money--about $18,000 on average--yet it attracts early startups across the country that hope to breakout big like some Y Combinator alums have, including Dropbox and Airbnb. To date, the accelerator cofounded by venture capitalist Paul Graham has funded more than 600 startups, including Reddit, Twitch, Stripe, and Homejoy. What makes Y Combinator so attractive in part is its powerful alumni network--some of whom have attended each other's weddings, played poker together, or shared an RV at Burning Man. On Tuesday, a new batch of 75 startups will present their products at Y Combinator's demo day. Fast Company's Alice Truong will report live from the event from the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. and highlight some of the standouts. Stay tuned! The event begins at 10am Pacific. There are the people who like to scrape the Web for the best deals, and then there's the rest of us who don't have the same patience and diligence to save a few bucks. To take the pain out of frugality, Zinc lets customers know when they can find a product for less money elsewhere. A browser plug-in, Zinc shows up at the checkout page with an alternative order button that displays a lower price for the same product. "It's not an advertisement. It's not a referral to another retailer. It's an order button," says cofounder Doug Feigelson in his presentation to a packed audience at Mountain View's Computer History Museum. If users choose to order the cheaper products via Zinc, the company fulfills the order from the lowest cost vendor and also handles returns and other aspects of customer service. "It takes two clicks to install," cofounder Max Kolysh told Fast Company. "Customers often forget about the product until the next time they shop on Amazon." Kolysh said customers don't have to create an account to use Zinc, which also works on Walmart, Macy's, and Target online. The company, made up of computer science graduates from MIT, is able to offer this service because it has built programs that crawl the Web searching for the best deals, while relying on human editors to vet them. Having launched six weeks ago, Zinc said it already has 12,000 users. "Yesterday, we did over $6,0000 in sales, and that number is doubling every week," says Feigelson. by Alice Truong 3/25/2014 11:25:46 PM	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3592
__label__wiki	0.890454	0.890454	Post-Election Backlash Spurs Fake News Crackdown Facebook and Google have amended their internal policies regarding advertising on fake news posts in response to increasing pressure from users and a growing controversy within the company. Facebook, for good or ill, has become the primary news source for an increasing number of users. There are mounting concerns that the U.S. presidential election may have been influenced by unvetted fake news stories trending on the network during the last few weeks of the cycle. Some of the news stories that appeared in Facebook’s trending topics section were found to contain misleading or completely false information that may have influenced voting behavior. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has come under withering fire from critics over his dismissal of those concerns. In an interview on stage at the Techonomy16 conference last week, Zuckerberg said the notion that fake news on Facebook may have influenced the presidential election results was a “pretty crazy idea.” The amount of fake news circulating on Facebook was small, he maintained. The suggestion that Trump supporters were influenced by a few fake news stories could indicate “a profound lack of empathy” on the part of critics, Zuckerberg claimed. He also seemed to believe that fake news stories came in equal numbers from the right and the left. Minor Fix Facebook on Monday announced a new policy that appears to create some space between the need to admit the company has a problem and its acknowledgment that there are entities that might be using the site to manipulate public opinion. “In a accordance with the Audience Network Policy, we do not integrate or display ads in apps or sites containing content that is illegal, misleading or deceptive, which includes fake news,” the company said in a statement by spokesperson Andy Stone. “While implied, we have updated the policy to explicitly clarify that this applies to fake news. Our team will continue to closely vet all prospective publishers and monitor existing ones to ensure compliance.” The company declined to comment on a Buzzfeed report that a group of Facebook employees is working in secret to form a force to confront the company’s upper management about the amount of fake news permeating its pages. Google, which has faced criticism that its search engine returns fake news stories as prominent responses to certain queries, announced changes as well. It will extend its policy disallowing misrepresentation in its ads to include disallowing their placement on misrepresentation content, the company said. Further, it will restrict ad serving on pages that are deceptive or evasive regarding the publisher, the publisher’s content, or the primary purpose of the website. Facebook earlier this year took heat for biasing in its Trending Topics pages. The company denied engaging in any deliberate manipulation, but it made a couple of significant changes to how it curates news stories trending on the site. It moved toward reliance on algorithms to determine trending content, but that system has allowed an increasing number of fake news stories into the kitty, according to critics. “Facebook likes to think of itself as a technology company, and news might be a relatively small part of their product line that drives traffic and time spent on site,” said Rick Edmonds, a media business analyst at Poynter. “I think Mark Zuckerberg is finding out, however, that he and Facebook are publishers, even if they would prefer not to be,” he told TechNewsWorld. Having an algorithm decide which stories trend does not absolve Facebook “from the obligation to publish responsibly,” Edmonds added. Addressing attempts to circulate fake news is part of that responsibility, he said, though he also emphasized that he did not believe fake news tipped the election results. “Facebook is becoming a de facto media company whether it likes it or not,” said Tim Mulligan, senior analyst Midia Research. “It already acts as a first point of contact for many digital consumers of new content. It is effectively the consumer’s digital dashboard for content,” With the decline in ad revenue margins, Facebook now needs to consider seriously the implications of moving beyond user-generated content, Mulligan suggested. It should focus more on professional licensed content, in a model similar to the Twitter deal with Thursday Night Football. However, it’s not likely that a handful of fake news stories led voters astray to pull the lever for a candidate they did not fully understand, said Sandy Close, executive director of New America Media.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3593
__label__wiki	0.764983	0.764983	New York - An art dealer who allegedly sold counterfeit paintings by 'Blue Chip' Abstract Expressionist artists to several top dealers has been indicted for fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. Glafira Rosales, 56, was arraigned in Manhattan on Friday for selling more than 60 bogus works by artists including de Kooning, Pollock, Motherwell and Rothko between 1994 and 2009, at a cost of $33.2 million. Art collectors of ArtKabinett social media network have been following these fakes for over two years {Ak Files 12 June 2011}. Rosales, pictured here in front of a fake Jackson Pollock, is also charged with sending the money to a number of foreign bank accounts and for filing false tax returns. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison . Preet Bharara, the US attorney in charge of the case said; "The indictment depicts a complete circle of fraud perpetrated by Glafira Rosales' fake paintings sold on behalf of non-existent clients with money deposited into a hidden bank account." According to prosecutors, Rosales convinced prominent galleries that the previously unknown works came from two clients, one in Switzerland the other in Spain. Rosales said the Swiss client was a'high net worth individual who had inherited the art works of art. Last year a New York millionaire filed a law suit against the now defunct Knoedler & Company, once New Yorks oldest commercial art gallery. The litigation sighted its former president, Ann Freedman with conspiracy to defraud by hard selling a fake Willem de Kooning painting for $4 million. The suit is the third filed by an art collector in the last two years. John D. Howard, Irving Place Capital CEO and former Bear Stearns senior managing director stated, that because the gallery paid a mere $750,000 for the painting in 2007 they must have known that it was suspect. Knoedler turned it around to him for five times the price paid days after purchasing the picture. “No genuine work of art by de Kooning with a $4 million retail sale value could be purchased in good faith for $750,000,” the lawyers for Mr. Howard, from Lynn Cahill LLP, state in the papers filed in federal court in Manhattan. Mr. Howard’s suit asserts that his painting is one of several unauthenticated works by Abstract Expressionist masters that were supplied to the gallery by the unknown Long Island dealer, Glafira Rosales. The case outlines that the Modernist landscape, sold as a work painted by de Kooning in 1956-57, was likely created recently by “someone who knew Rosales.” Another client, London- financier Pierre LaGrange, discovered there was a problem with his $17 million dollar Jackson Pollock when both Christie's and Sotheby's ‘refused to sell the work because of questions concerning its provenance and authenticity’. The gallery denies claims that they willfully withheld information, stating that ‘the allegations of misrepresentation are completely baseless’. But the damage had already been done and the 165-year-old gallery announced closure thereafter. An email from the gallery read; ‘It is with profound regret that the owners of Knoedler Gallery announce its closing, effective today. Gallery staff will assist with an orderly winding down of Knoedler Gallery’. The decision to close comes after a lengthy period of financial hardship for the gallery, having been forced into selling its opulent premises last February. The Knoedler Gallery has also been involved in another incident where they have been accused of conspiring to invent fake provenances for a series of fraudulent Robert Motherwell paintings. The case was resolved when the Knoedler gallery gave the buyer a full refund of $650,000. Pierre LaGrange Knoedler Gallery Glafira Rosales Ann Freedman de Kooning	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3594
__label__cc	0.59875	0.40125	Personal stories: Peter's story Following the involvement in the Victims Awareness Course, Peter become a ‘listener’ during his time in prison. He also volunteered as a peer mentor for drug and alcohol abuse and was involved with the Council (User Voice) as an admin in the educational and training department. On release from prison, his friend encouraged him to get involved with the Service User Council, which User Voice run with us. And so he did. His work progressed from there– from volunteering with expenses paid to being offered a paid position. ‘I worked one day a week and volunteered the rest. It then increased to two, then three days until I received the opportunity to work full time in July’. Since Peter’s release from prison in October last year, he has been on probation with KSS CRC and says thanks to the great support of his current Probation Officer Jo Willis, who always helps with positive words of encouragement and his first Probation Officer Lisa Harold, as she made Peter believe in himself. When asked about his time with KSS CRC, he confidently says that it has helped his confidence and communications skills as well as increased his self- esteem by being able to ‘give back to society’. He hopes his work with service users will, in turn, help them to achieve the same. After release, another system of support was his recovery based involvement with AA, where he believes the best thing was the honesty. ‘Everyone can be completely honest with each other, there is no need for lies’. In turn, Peter can be honest with his sponsees about the experiences he’s had and show he can relate to them. It is the change that he can promote in the lives of people struggling with certain issues that make him wake up with a smile every day: ‘I go to work and I know that each day I can go that bit further to making a difference.’ Despite being a completely different person before, Peter committed to change and this has had positive repercussions. His relationships with others have improved tremendously. He is now a present father figure to his two children, and although he is no longer with his former partner, they get along. He says he has made his Mum, older sisters as well as his son proud with the positive changes he has achieved. The burglary he committed is not something that can be reversed, but nevertheless Peter wishes to make amends and apologise for his past behaviour. He is taking part in restorative justice and has initiated a letter to his victim. Undeniably, Peter is bursting with enthusiasm about his work and is incredibly pleased, but humble. He expresses gratitude towards the team he works with and his Manager for the ongoing support he is receiving and being able to use User Voice as a platform for his work.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3597
__label__cc	0.627292	0.372708	Final concert of the season at Magic Springs August 15 Submitted by Magic Springs on Wednesday, August 12th, 2:53 pm HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Christian rockers Red and Thousand Foot Krutch will take the stage Saturday, August 15 at Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater in Hot Springs. The first show begins at 7 p.m. The “Celebrate the Word” weekend marks the final concert of the 2015 Magic Springs concert series. Red (also stylized as R3D) is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tenn., which incorporates sounds such as rock, alternative rock, alternative metal, hard rock, heavy metal and post-grunge. To date, Red has released five studio albums: “End of Silence,” “Innocence & Instinct,” “Until We Have Faces,” “Release the Panic,” and their latest album, “Of Beauty and Rage.” The first two albums earned the group Grammy Award nominations for Best Rock Gospel Album, while “Until We Have Faces” had a No. 2 debut on Billboard 200. The group has won six GMA Dove Awards. Dance-off festival in downtown Malvern Wednesday, July 29th, 2015, 3:45pm MALVERN, Ark. (KTHV) - The Hot Spring County Youth Council is hosting the 2015 Malvern Street Fest and Dance on August 15. This event happening on West Third Street will span from the back of the Panache building all the way down to the Chamber of Commerce. It will also span into the Mayor's Office parking lot. All of the festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and will last until 10 p.m. There will be a karaoke hour, games, rides, inflatables for children and a major dance-off happening in the middle of it all. Included in the fun, will be a large assortment of merchandise and food vendors. There are still spots available for any vendor that is interested. It is free for any booth that would like to set up. They will need to arrive for check-in and set up between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. that Saturday. Vendors will have to provide their own tents and tables. THV in Your Town for Brickfest MALVERN, Ark. (KTHV) - The annual Malvern Brickfest is set to kick off on Friday, June 26, and THV11 wants to join in on the festival fun. THV11 is holding its monthly THV in Your Town in Malvern during the month of June. Some of the newsroom team will be joining in on the Brickfest festivities as part of our visit. Be prepared for some interactive props and Craig O'Neill's standup comedy. Brickfest is a family-friendly event full of activities including face painting for the kids and shopping for the adults. There will also be live entertainment including Diamond Rio, followed by live bull riding at the rodeo arena. Join the THV11 team and the Malvern community for a fun night at the 2015 Brickfest. Smokelawn returns May 3 Submitted by Amy Geswein, Community Web Producer Friday, April 25th, 2014, 4:16pm HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Oaklawn) – For the second straight year, Oaklawn is combining the region’s best BBQ competition with the Kentucky Derby simulcast at its Smokelawn event in the Infield Saturday, May 3. Gates will open for the free event at 10 a.m. and it will continue through the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. Almost 50 teams have signed up to participate in the Smokelawn competition that is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and they will be competing for over $15,000 in prize money. Guests are invited to come enjoy the BBQ as well as live music from popular local artists, a Beer Garden offering craft beers, an antique motorcycle show and Kids Zone featuring inflatable rides and a petting zoo. Fans will also be able to enjoy all the racing action from Churchill Downs on the big screen monitor in the infield. Arkansas Foodbank's Empty Bowls event Friday, April 25th, 2014, 9:37am LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – The 12th annual Empty Bowls event was held Thursday in Little Rock. It's the Arkansas Foodbank's largest running and most consistently successful fundraiser. Our very own Tom Brannon emceed the event, where Arkansas artists create works of art for the auction. Along with great art, there was also a food court of sorts featuring some of Little Rock's top-rated restaurants. The Foodbank is celebrating 30 years of feeding the hungry this year. A sweet history Submitted by Jay Jackson, Community Web Producer Friday, July 1st, 2011, 3:02pm July is the sweetest month of the year. Not only is that beloved cooling sweet treat the perfect antidote to these sweaty dog days of summer, but July also happens to be National Ice Cream Month. How did it get started? Photos: Paintball Arkansas Zombie Hunt (34 photos) Nutrition data on popular Halloween candies (7 photos) Photos from Russellville (38 photos) Area photos: Batesville (51 photos) What's new at Arkansas State Parks (10 photos) Frost flowers form in Tull (8 photos) Buckles, Brown honored (3 photos) LRFW cleans park with Mayor Stodola (8 photos)	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3599
__label__wiki	0.717633	0.717633	Home / Features / Health & Wellness / 968 new HIV cases in the Philippines in March (Photo: HIV Test Kit Philippines Facebook page) 968 new HIV cases in the Philippines in March By Leilani S. Junio / Philippine News Agency The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 968 new human immunodeficieny virus (HIV) cases in March, the highest monthly figure since the virus was first detected in the Philippines in 1984. According to a DOH report, 942 of the new cases contracted the virus through sexual contact, while 22 were injecting drug users (IDU), and four involved mother-to-child transmission. A total of 926 of those diagnosed were male and the rest were female. Some 87 percent of the new HIV-positive people were men having sex with men. Four pregnant women tested positive for HIV in March: two from the National Capital Region (NCR), one from Region 4B (Mindoro, Marinduque, Roblon and Palawan provinces, or Mimaropa), and one from Region 7 (Central Visayas). A total of 860 individuals (89 percent) did not experience noticeable symptoms before they were diagnosed with the virus, while 108 progressed to having Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). According to a report from the HIV/AIDS and ART (anti-retroviral therapy) Registry of the Philippines (HARP), the March figure was 32 percent higher than the 735 cases recorded in the same month last year. “This is the highest number of cases ever reported since 1984,” the HARP report said, noting that the new cases brought to 42,283 the total number of infections logged since 1984. The median age of the patients was 27 years old. Half of the patients belonged to the 25-to-34 age group and an alarming 33 percent to the 15-to-24 years age bracket. Metro Manila registered the highest number of cases with 309 (32 percent), followed by Region 4A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces, or Calabarzon) with 135 (14 percent); Region 3 (Central Luzon) with 107 (11 percent); Region 7 with 76 (8 percent); and Region 11 (Davao) with 52 (5 percent). The remaining 289 were from the other regions. Previous CDC: Drug-resistant TB predicted to rise in Philippines, 3 other countries Next Filipino squash players seek two golds in Malaysia Sea Games	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3600
__label__cc	0.55958	0.44042	Posted on 20th July 2016 by Tim Cundle The Avengers: The Lost Episodes: Volume Six The Avengers: The Lost Episodes: Volume Six: Starring Julian Wadham, Anthony Howell, Lucy Briggs-Owen, Hugh Ross, Eve Webster, Michael Lumsden, Laurence Spellman, Ferdy Roberts, Chris Pavlo, Niky Wardley, Jon Culshaw, Dan Starkey, Barnaby Edwards, Charlotte Strevens, Pete Collis, Amy Eubank, Charles Davies & Tony Turner & Written & Adapted by Terrence Freely, John Dorney, James Mitchell, Ian Potter, Rae Leaver & Berkerley Mather – 3xCD / Download (Big Finish) Times, trends and places may change, but good stories, they last forever. This is why The Avengers, even though it’s very much of its era in terms of pacing, dialogue and the cultural and social norms and ideas that lie at its heart, also has a curious and idiosyncratic timeless quality pulsing through its veins. Because it’s built around, and thrives on, well written, well told tales and fantastic plots. It’s stiff upper lipped, square jawed heroes, John Steed and Doctor David Keel, always emerge triumphant despite risking all for Queen, Country, honour and decency and good always vanquishes evil in the fast moving underworld of villainy, tyranny and criminality that they protect Blighty, and sometimes even the rest of the world, from. Despite the fact that they took over the roles from the previous incumbents, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to imagine anyone other than Julian Wadham as Steed and Anthony Howell as Keel. It’s almost as if they’ve always played those characters, such is the ease with which they’ve inhabited the parts and made them their own. Of course, it isn’t all down to the performances of the leads, and always on point supporting cast, as the unfolding adventures in which they find continually themselves ensnared also contribute more than a little to the series. And in Volume Six of the Lost Episodes, Rae Leaver, John Dorney and Ian Potter have done a fantastic job of adapting, and transforming some of the original (and long since lost) Avengers stories for both the original, and a new generation of, fans. Beginning with The Frighteners in which Keel and Steed square up to a gang of brass knuckled and cut throat razor wielding thugs who use violence and brutality as a method of extortion, Volume Six gets off to a flying start and never looks back for an instant. It isn’t long before Steed, minus his partner who is relegated to dog sitting duties, is back in action preventing an enemy agent from wreaking havoc in one of Her Majesty’s Shipyards in Death on the Slipway. Blackmail, espionage, secrecy and the dark hand that uses them to his advantage are the enemies that John Steed finds himself facing down in this tightly paced, pot boiler that’s steeped in a Cold War sensibility, but feels oddly relevant in the dark age of Nationalism that our supposedly enlightened society has been recently submerged in. After all, the more things change, the more they stay the same, right? Finally, this all too brief sojourn in the company of The Avengers comes to a close in Tunnel of Fear, a tale in which official secrets are whisked away into the ether and sold to foreign powers through the haunted corridors and carriages of a Southend fairground. Once again, it’s left up Steed and Keel, with a little help from an unexpected quarter, to step into the breech and put paid to the unscrupulous machinations taking place behind the brightly painted veneers of the carnival attractions. They don’t make them like this anymore, but after spending a couple of hours in the company of Doctor David Keel and John Steed, you’ll almost certainly wish that they did. Tim Cundle Tagged Big Finish, David Keel, John Steed, The Avengers Massmovement Facebook Crazy Jim's Cheap Ass Video Show	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3601
__label__wiki	0.576397	0.576397	Participation in cycling marathon "The Iron Hundred" One of the basic factors of the successful company operation for Metso and LLC “SV TEK” is the universal support of responsible partnerships with employees and customers, providing maximum comfort at the working space and greeting a healthy lifestyle. Our employees do not miss opportunity to participate in various sporting events. This weekend, on September 8, our colleagues took part in the "The Iron Hundred" cycling marathon, which took place in Kryvyi Rih. The marathon route passes through the operating and forgotten Kryvyi Rih quarries, woodlands, dumps hills and man-made canyons, i.e. the most inaccessible areas of industrial Kryvyi Rih, which is exactly embedded in the name of the event. Despite the complexity of the 100 km route, rain and slush that accompanied the participants during the marathon, our colleagues, including the girl, ventured to test their strength and dignifiedly reached the final and demonstrated, first and foremost to themselves, what they are worth of, felt the team spirit of the competition and received a lot of unforgettable impressions. Congratulations to our colleagues on the successful passing of the bike marathon "The Iron Hundred" and wish you inspiration for the further sporting feats!	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3605
__label__wiki	0.618535	0.618535	Mermaid hero on Okinawa’s Moon Beach The Japanese island of Okinawa has a mermaid statue on Moon Beach on the western coast of the island. map Okinawa’s Moon Beach Mermaid. Photo © byMackenzie Bell. The bronze statue was made in 1987 by world renowned artist Naka Bokunen, famous in particular for his brightly colored woodblock prints of Okinawa’s nature. The statue commemorates local legends. One is about a mermaid who saved two swimming visitors to Moon Beach. Mermaids rescuing swimmers or fishermen is a recurring theme in many local legends. There is a related legend on the nearby Yaeyama Islands, about a mermaid who saved an entire village from a Tsunami in 1771. The legend goes as follows: On moonlight nights youngsters would sing and dance at a beach. From out at sea, music and singing could sometimes be heard. An old man fishing with nets was surprised by his extraordinary catch one night. One toss of the nets, gave him an unusually heavy load to haul ashore. When he raised his torch to see what was caught in the nets, he spotted this beauty. She cried, begging the fisherman to release her. To the man, she looked like a young maiden but, she explained, she was a mermaid. The gal had to be released to live in the sea. She had come to warn the villagers of Nohara about a tragedy about to happen. The fisherman untangled her from the nets and promised to let her return to the ocean. But, he wanted her to tell him about what terrible event was about to occur in the village. A tsunami would hit the island, the next day and, destroy everything, she told him. She warned him to go to the mountains before morning. The fisherman released her and, she swam away, singing once again. The villagers were warned and, went to the mountains. They dispatched someone to warn the people in the adjacent village. The villagers in the next town, didn’t believe the tsunami story and refused to evacuate. The next morning, from the mountaintops, the villagers of Nohara watched. The waves, reached high into he skies and, ripped the villages from the island. People from Nohara lost their homes but, their lives were saved. Those who didn’t believe the mermaid’s story were washed out to sea with their homes. Mermaid Statue on Okinawa’s Moon Beach. Photo by Travel67.com Moon Beach Mermaid Statue. Photo © by Innuent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMFPsSYfUNM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naka_Bokunen http://www.flickr.com/photos/innuent/6202761901 http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhornstra/380614039 http://www.ryukyulife.com/2015/06/okinawan-folktale-mermaid-and.html Additional images: If you would like to help with additional photographs of this sculpture, please contact us. Photos must be yours, preferably 10 megapixel or better.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3607
__label__wiki	0.791145	0.791145	Child of a Mad God: A Tale of the Coven (Mass Market) By R. A. Salvatore (Science Fiction Fantasy) Kobo eBook (February 5th, 2018): $9.99 Hardcover (February 6th, 2018): $25.99 From New York Times bestselling author R. A. Salvatore, the legendary creator of Drizzt Do’Urden, comes Child of a Mad God, the first novel in the epic fantasy series, The Coven. When Aoleyn loses her parents, she is left to fend for herself among a tribe of vicious barbarians. Bound by rigid traditions, she dreams of escaping to the world beyond her mountain home. The only hope for achieving the kind of freedom she searches for is to learn how to wield the mysterious power used by the tribe’s coven known as the Song of Usgar. Thankfully, Aoleyn may be the strongest witch to have ever lived, but magic comes at price. Not only has her abilities caught the eye of the brutish warlord that leads the tribe, but the demon of the mountain hunts all who wield the Coven’s power, and Aoleyn’s talent has made her a beacon in the night. R. A. Salvatore is one of fantasy’s most popular authors, with his books frequently appearing on the New York Times bestseller list and more than 10 million copies of his books sold. He is the author of The Bear, The Dame, The Ancient, and The Highwayman as well as Gauntlgrym, The Legend of Drizzt books, including the Dark Elf Trilogy—Homeland, Exile, and Sojourn— and the Demon Wars series, among many others. Salvatore was born in Massachusetts, and earned a B.S. in communications and a B.A. in English from Fitchburg State College. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Diane, and their three children. ""Salvatore has made a name for himself as an author who isn't afraid to go fantastically dark and to challenge what has come before. Child of a Mad God continues that legacy." —Den of Geek "Exciting action and a wealth of well-drawn characters mark Salvatore's series launch. Fans and new readers alike will be pleased."—Library Journal "Readers will eagerly await the next entry"—Booklist, starred review Publisher: Tor Fantasy Publication Date: December 31st, 2018 Series: The Coven Fiction / Fantasy / Epic Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy MP3 CD (May 15th, 2018): $16.49	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3609
__label__wiki	0.612206	0.612206	Sherlock Holmes I Presume Posted on October 11, 2016 October 11, 2016 by Leslie Woods Sherlock Holmes is the product of the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s very creative mind. The great private detective first made his mark on the literary scene in 1887 in the first of four novels in a short series. The private eye has since then been seen on television, movies, and even the stage. There have been over 200 movies made that feature the character, with over 70 lucky actors getting to play the part. Conan Doyle was said to have derived his inspiration for Holmes from Joseph Bell, a surgeon for whom Conan Doyle had worked under before. It was said that he had a very bohemian lifestyle, but was very clean and orderly in most aspects of his life. He also had a habit of smoking tobacco, and there are even some instances to him uses some harder drugs. The fictional history of Sherlock Holmes is somewhat vague, as Conan Doyle never went into too much detail, but it is said that he was born in 1854. He then became somewhat of a private investigator during his undergraduate time at the college he attended, and some of his very first cases were said to have come from those classmates of his that needed help. It was through this work, and his eventual financial need of a partner, that he came into contact with John H. Watson and that is really when the Sherlock Holmes stories started. After joining with Watson, the doctor joined him for at least 17 years of private detective work. It is said that Holmes was in the private detective game for 23 years total. They were roommates and worked together on many cases that were brought to them for whatever reason that they needed to be solved. They were of course, one of the best literary pairs of crime solvers and some of the best friends as well. At one point in his life, Holmes was killed off by his creator, Conan Doyle, only to be brought back a few years later after public outcry at his death. It was explained that he faked his death to trick those who were against him. He then retired for good in what many believe to be sometimes before 1904, and not much is known about his later days and his death. But what can be for certain is his legacy he left on all the private detectives that came after him, both in literature and on screen. Shawn Spencer – Psych Detective Agency → Shawn Spencer – Psych Detective Agency Jim Rockford – The Rockford Files Adrian Monk – Monk	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3610
__label__cc	0.616501	0.383499	Yuriy Yegorov. At the Bright Sun Curator: Kateryna Filyuk National Art Museum of Ukraine Yegorov Y.M. Fund Opening: April 20, 19:00, NAMU (Kiev, M. Hrushevsky St., 6) In the history of Ukrainian art of the 20th century, the name of Yuriy Yegorov (1926-2008) is mentioned not very often. However, the scale of his personality, considerable creative work, and the influence on subsequent generations of Odessa artists have led to speak of Yegorov as one of the key figures of Ukrainian art in the second half of the twentieth century. The three exhibition halls of the National Art Museum of Ukraine will feature Yuriy Yegorov's paintings of the late 1950s and mid-2000s. And also drawings, sketches, plaster patterns, tapestries. Photos, documents and video chronicles from the archives of the daughter of artist Irina Yegorova, the last wife of Tetyana Pskovitina, artist Victor Marinyuk and collector Anatoly Dymchuk. Curator - Kateryna Filyuk The exhibition runs from April 20 to July 01	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3611
__label__cc	0.723514	0.276486	12th Top Marques Show in Monaco The supercars show will take place at the Grimaldi Forum from 16 to 19 April 2015. Top Marques Monaco is the most prestigious supercars show in the world. It's also the only automobile exhibition where some visitors have the opportunity to test drive the latest vehicles on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit. The show is now considered the perfect place to unveil the latest cars from all over the world. For the 12th Top Marques, at least four brand-new models are expected. In addition to numerous luxury vehicles, the show also features exclusive products such as high-end watches and jewellery. For the first time this year, there will also be a boutique offering luxury products for pets. For more info, see: topmarquesmonaco.com	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3613
__label__cc	0.513484	0.486516	Download Morley’s Bio Ready to Cast The Shape of Longing Home Kmax 2017-11-19T22:15:52+00:00 About Morley Myers Morley Myers was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1956, and grew up primarily in the Medicine Hat region. A self taught sculptor, Morley has been working with stone since 1991 and has been involved in exhibits on the west coast and has displayed in galleries in New York, Vancouver, Victoria, Tofino, Salt Spring Island, Calgary, Winnipeg and Medicine Hat. Morley’s style is a unique blend of cross-cultural primitive imagery. Morley: “I feel the primal aspect of my work touches everyone on a basic level. Living on Salt Spring Island since 1989, I have had many opportunities to enjoy and be influenced by many of the artists that reside here. When creating a sculpture from a raw block of stone Myers often starts with the fault line, the unruly fracture, or some other perceived defect, not in order to make a correction, but rather to initiate a process of discovery. The chisel is guided into a series of moves and countermoves; shapes emerge and disappear and a hidden three-dimensional poetry is, in the end, revealed. Myers is like the archer who, though he knows where he is aiming his arrow, ultimately retains a certain indifference to its exact destination. The work is meticulously composed but open. If this approach sounds like the working method of a previous era – it is precisely that. Myers is one of a growing number of artists who have been struck by the disappointing results of the “new critical” artistic forms and styles. When compared to the art produced in the first part of the 20th century, it is hard not to notice that the results of postmodernism are sometimes little more than sociologically inspired one-liners with perhaps limited durability. Over the last 30 years postmodern critics have tended to emphasize the disruptions and downplay the continuities. This has lead, in certain quarters, to the belief that the art of the past is merely historical artifact, lacking in aliveness or contemporary relevance. Given the relative paucity of durable results, dealing in recoveries, re-developments and extensions is not only valid but perhaps necessary. In a conscious effort to disengage with the new orthodoxy, Myers has investigated anew pre-postmodern strategies and methods. Before settling on his current approach, Myers experimented with several artistic methods of the recent past. At one point, for instance, he took up the welding of found objects after being inspired by an exhibition of Anthony Caro but found the results lacking in the essential qualities he was looking for. He then reached further into the past, eventually coming upon a territory of high experimentation. It was here, among works by Picasso, Moore, Brancusi and Smith, that Myers not only found inspiration but a fertile ground of unrealized possibilities. An effort to redevelop and extend what he saw – and felt – in these sculptures began. The project became to see what emerged when, without seeking to pastiche or imitate in a nostalgic way, an artist immersed in postmodern culture takes up a working method that privileges experience over “reading”. Postmodernist sculpture relies, in general, upon symbols and their play to convey its meaning while Myers’ work evolves from a more direct encounter with the material itself. By beginning with what he identifies as “the defect”, Myers initiates a process of salvage or recovery. In the moulding of each “recovered” shape Myers puts into play both that which is already there and that which is anticipated but not yet realized. His compositional skills have, in addition, been finely honed by 20 years of hands-on experience with the chisel. The process is similar to that of creating a musical score since the play of shapes can be understood as a carefully constructed and organized set of tensions. A work such as Blink of an Eye, 2007, for instance, would emphasize the bass notes of our imaginary orchestra. The timbre of each shape is dark and moody and the cadence slow. The “play” unfurls gradually, with unexpected visual pleasures; feelings emerge like so many sounds. The surface of the piece is rich and sensuous, inviting the viewer to walk around it in order to experience how the individual forms emerge and dissolve, how they impact each other, how they influence the whole. We are simultaneously beguiled and surprised, aware of sequential, fluid and sometimes contradictory responses to an apparently static and finite object. Ultimately a work like Blink of an Eye asks us not only to reconsider the relationships between the different facets of our experience, but also to rediscover the shapes of our experience. – Kevin Steinke, artist/writer Contact Morley Myers Click here for Morley’s Google Map Studio Hours Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. 128 Graham Drive V8K 1J5 Copyright 2016 Morley Myers \| All Rights Reserved \| Site by Salt Spring Design FacebookFlickrTwitterYouTubeLinkedinEmail	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3614
__label__wiki	0.714387	0.714387	Because of New Hampshire's varied terrain, hikers can enjoy many types of delightful trail experiences. New Hampshire State Parks welcome hikers and walkers on their trails. Get out and explore, but please remember to Tread Lightly and Hike Safe! Camping in N.H. State Parks is only permitted in organized campgrounds. Bear Brook State Park - Allenstown (off Route 28). Bear Brook Trail Map Bear Brook Trail Information A myriad of trails criss-cross this 10,000 acre park. Bear Brook offers easy to moderate hiking challenges. Camping is available in the park. Cardigan Mountain State Park - Orange (off Route 4). Cardigan Hiking Map This park offers moderate to difficult hikes with great views into Vermont and the south side of the White Mountains. Crawford Notch State Park - Hart's Location (Route 302). Crawford Hiking Map This park, located in the White Mountains, offers popular family hikes to unique cliffs and brisk waterfalls including the highest in the state, Arethusa Falls. Camping is available in the park. Most trails leave the park and enter the White Mountain National Forest. Dixville Notch State Park - Dixville Notch (Route 26) This Park offers moderate to more difficult hikes which lead you to waterfalls and scenic vistas. Hiking trails to "Table Rock" feature interesting views of surrounding cliffs. Franconia Notch State Park - Franconia (I-93 Parkway). Franconia Notch Hiking Map The park provides access to many popular trails leading into the National Forest. Trails range from moderate to difficult. Camping is available in the park. Pets are prohibited on the paved multi-use "Franconia Recreational Path" and there are designated dog walk areas at the Tramway and Flume. Hiker Shuttle is also available from multiple parking areas. Flume Gorge Trail Map Parking can be challenging. We want you to be safe in our state. For this reason, please keep in mind that parking along the interstate highway is not permitted. We’re working with private and public stakeholders on an alternative to parking along the interstate. Miller State Park - Peterborough (Route 101). Miller Hiking Map ; View from Pack Monadnock Map Many easy to moderate trails begin at the park and access the Wapack Trail. Monadnock State Park - Jaffrey (Route 124). Monadnock Hiking Map The 40 miles of trails offer opportunities for cross country skiing, picnicking, and bird watching, as well as hiking to the spectacular 3,165 foot summit, with 100-mile views of the surrounding area. Monadnock is said to be one of the most climbed mountains in the world, second only to Mt. Fuji in Japan! Camping is available in the park. Moose Brook State Park - Gorham (just off Route 2 on Jimtown Road) Many of the trails in this park were laid out and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. These comfortable trails provide exhilarating family hiking experiences. Camping is available in the park. Mt. Sunapee State Park - Newbury (Route 103) Mount Sunapee Hiking Map Sunapee is the northern terminus of the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 48 mile footpath connecting Mount Monadnock and Mount Sunapee. The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway connects with the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway at Lake Solitude and crosses the State Park from Newbury Harbor via the Newbury Trail and Solitude Trails to Goshen via the Summit and Province Trails. Many interesting trails lead to Sunapee's summit. Camping is available in the park. The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway is a 75 mile loop trail that links four New Hampshire State Parks: Sunapee, Winslow, Rollins, Wadleigh. The trail also links three New Hampshire State Forests: Gile, Kearsarge and Shadow Hill as well as one Wildlife Management Area: Bog Mountain. See the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Coalition website for more information. Northwood Meadows State Park - Northwood (Route 4) Old logging roads and side trails abound on this park. The trails are easy to moderate and some are "handicapped accessible." Pawtuckaway State Park - Nottingham (128 Mountain Road). Pawtuckaway Trails Map The trails in this 5,500 acre park offer opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Experiences include hiking to the fire tower on top of South Mountain, with spectacular views of the surrounding area; walking or biking along Burhnams March to bird and wildlife watch; or hiking to Boulder Field, left when glacial ice melted near the end of the ice age! Camping is available in the park. Pillsbury State Park - Washington (Route 31). Pillsbury Hiking Map Pillsbury State Park is a link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. Pillsbury offers easy to moderate hiking in a fairly remote setting. Camping is available in the park. Pisgah State Park - Winchester/Chesterfield/Hinsdale (Route 119, Route 63). Pisgah State Park Trail Map This huge Park has many maintained trails offering families easy to moderate hiking in a fairly remote setting. Rollins State Park - Warner (south slope of Mt Kearsarge) Kearsarge Hiking Map A one-half mile trail to the summit of Mt.Kearsarge leaves from the picnic area. The picnic area, located in a natural wooded glen beneath granite ledges, is historically referred to as the "Garden." It affords views that stretch from Mt. Monadnock to the hills of New Hampshire's coastal plain. The summits of Pack Monadnock, Crotched and Uncanoonuc Mountains, the hills of central Massachusetts, and the Boston skyline are visible on the horizon, while the Mink Hills and Merrimack River Valley can be seen nearby. Winslow State Park - Wilmot (northwest slope of Mt. Kearsarge). Kearsarge Hiking Map A picnic area is located on a 1,820-foot plateau with outstanding views of the White Mountains to the north and the taller of the southern and central Vermont peaks. Mt. Sunapee, Ragged Mountain, and Pleasant Lake dominate the closer landscape. A one-mile foot trail leads from the picnic area to the summit of Mt. Kearsarge. A 1- 3/4 mile trail offers a loop possibility. Other areas to hike or walk include the following multi-use trails: Hopkinton-Everett Reservoir . . . Dunbarton to Weare Rockingham Recreational Trail . . . Derry to Fremont Sugar River Trail . . . Claremont to Newport Recommended State Parks for Equestrians: Bear Brook State Park (Allenstown, off Route 28)... Good riding opportunities for horseback riders. This park is heavily forested and is just under 10,000 acres. Pawtuckaway State Park (Nottingham, off Route 156)... This 5,600 acre park has trails open to horses. Pisgah State Park (Winchester/Chesterfield/Hinsdale, Route 119, Route 63)... In this largest of all of New Hampshire State Parks, 13,500 acres of rough forest terrain are interlaced with fine equine riding possibilities. Note: Monadnock State Park is CLOSED to equine use.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3616
__label__wiki	0.64062	0.64062	New Orleans Research Collaborative Classroom Initiatives The New Orleans Research Collaborative brings together individuals pursuing an historical and critical evaluation of New Orleans. With the creation of a non-profit, interdisciplinary online resource, we seek to facilitate and problematize understandings of the city’s rich history and culture, both before and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Bibliography: Labor Team: Michael Mizell-Nelson (Lead), Stacy Meyers, Christine P. Horn New Orleans’ rich labor history has yet to receive as much scholarly attention as it deserves. Eric Arnesen’s Waterfront Workers of New Orleans: Race, Class, and Politics, 1863-1923 stands as a watershed study in US history as well as New Orleans studies. More than two decades following publication of Waterfront Workers, students of New Orleans labor history seldom venture beyond the dockworkers and their realm. This bibliography seeks to highlight the lesser-known scholarship related to the city’s labor history and working-class culture, and encourage new approaches by providing pathways to less-utilized primary sources. It also seeks to include the histories of fur trappers, fishers, and workers in the sugar, lumber, oil and petrochemical, and similar industries in the region. Ongoing interdisciplinary research conducted by members of the Avondale Shipyard Research Group and participants in the series of New Orleans Labor Studies conferences sponsored by the University of New Orleans and Tulane University promises that this online resource will continue to expand. Some suggestions for essential starting places are noted with double asterisks in the Main Bibliography. Sub-categories are available for the following topics: Economics + Social Sciences Enslaved + Free Ethnicity + Race Periodicals + Literature Politics + Reform Radical + Utopian Sex Work Main Bibliography Ainsworth (Destroyer escort ship : DE-1090). Ocean escort, United States ship Ainsworth (DE-1090) : built by Avondale Shipyards, Incorporated, Westwego, Louisiana keel laid … [S.l.: s.n., 1973. “Alice W. Lyman Collection,” n.d. Special Collections. University of New Orleans. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/133.htm. Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America. Tenth Grand Picnic. The Entire Profit to Go to the New Orleans Chapter, American Red Cross. Southern Park, Monday, May 27, 1918. [New Orleans, 1918. Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America. Third Annual Outing of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America, Division 194 of New Orleans, Louisiana : Fair Grounds, Sunday, July 8th, 1906, for the Benefit. [New Orleans: The Association, 1906. Ambrose, Edith. “A Revolution of Hope: New Orleans Workers and Their Unions, 1923-1939.” Dissertation, history, Tulane University, 1998. “American Association of University Professors, L.S.U.N.O. Chapter Collection,” n.d. Special Collections. University of New Orleans. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/040.htm. American Federation of Labor. Handbook for Trade Unions. Washington, D.C: American federation of labor, 1929. Anthony, Arthé A. “”Lost Boundaries”: Racial Passing and Poverty in Segregated New Orleans.” Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 36, no. 3 (Summer 1995): 291-312. Arnesen, Eric. Black Protest and the Great Migration: A Brief History with Documents. The Bedford series in history and culture. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003. ———. “Up from Exclusion: Black and White Workers, Race, and the State of Labor History.” Reviews in American History 26, no. 1 (March 1998): 146-174. ———. Waterfront Workers of New Orleans Race, Class, and Politics, 1863-1923. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991. “Avondale Shipyards Collection, University of New Orleans Special Collections,” n.d. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/336.htm. “Avondale Shipyards, Avondale Industries, NGSB New Orleans, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems,” n.d. http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/1major/active/avondale.htm. Bailly-Blanchard, Th, and La. ) Th. Bailly-Blanchard & Co. (New Orleans. Remarks on the Chinese and Coolies. [New Orleans, La.: s.n., 1854. Bakery and Confectionery Workers’ International Union. Please Don’t Patronize These Bakeries, they are Unfair to Bakers Local no. 35. [New Orleans: The Union, 1935. Ban Federal Funds from Funding Avondale Closure, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUa7kN_9oQs&feature=youtube_gdata_player. Banks, Nathaniel. General Orders no. 122, 1864. Barrow, David H. “David H. Barrow Labor Agreement with Freedmen,” n.d. http://hnoc.minisisinc.com/THNOC/SCRIPTS/mwimain.dll/557/1/7/8075?RECORD. Barthe, Darryl. “New Orleans‘ Plasterers‘ Union Local 93: Afro-Creole Identity, Family and Organized Labor, 1898-1954.” MA Thesis, University of New Orleans, 2009. http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/NOD&CISOPTR=851&CISOBOX=1&REC=8. Becnel, Thomas. Labor, Church, and the Sugar Establishment: Louisiana, 1887-1976. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1980. ———. “Louisiana Senator Allen J. Ellender and IWW Leader Covington Hall: An Agrarian Dichotomy.” Louisiana History 23, no. 3 (1982): 259. Bellocq, E. J, and International Center of Photography. The Mysterious Monsieur Bellocq / Wallis, Brian,; 1953-. New York : International Center of Photography ; Rochester, NY : George Eastman House, 2004. Bellocq, E. J. Sontag. Bellocq: Photographs from Storyville, the Red-Light District of New Orleans / Friedlander, Lee. New York: Random House, 1996. Bienvenu, F.M. “F. M. Bienvenu Labor Agreement with Freedmen,” n.d. http://hnoc.minisisinc.com/THNOC/SCRIPTS/mwimain.dll/557/1/6/8074?RECORD. Biles, Roger. “The Urban South in the Great Depression.” The Journal of Southern History 56, no. 1 (February 1990): 71-100. Blackmon, Jack. The New Llano Cooperative Society, Louisiana and the R.F. Blackmon family, Fall 1917 – March 1918. Corpus Christi TX: J.R. Blackmon, 1994. ———. The New Llano Cooperative Society, Louisiana and the R.F. Blackmon family, Fall 1917 – March 1918. Corpus Christi TX: J.R. Blackmon, 1994. Bobo, James R. A Place to Live: Housing in New Orleans. Special study – Urban Studies Institute, University of New Orleans ;; no. 1; Variation: University of New Orleans.; Urban Studies Institute.; Special study – Urban Studies Institute, University of New Orleans ;; no. 1. [New Orleans]: Urban Studies Institute, University of New Orleans, 1978. ———. Statistical Abstract of Louisiana / Etheridge, Sandra A. New Orleans, Louisiana, 1967. ———. The New Orleans Economy: Pro Bono Publico? Research study – Division of Business and Economic Research, University of New Orleans ;; no. 19; Variation: Research study (University of New Orleans. Division of Business and Economic Research) ;; no. 19. [New Orleans]: Division of Business and Economic Research, College of Business Administration, University of New Orleans, 1975. Bobo, James R, and College of Business Administration Division of Business and Economic Research. Personal Income in Louisiana and Its Metropolitan Areas, Selected Years, 1929-1968 / Mumphrey, Anthony J. Louisiana State University, College of Business Administration, Division of Business and Economic Research; Research Study ;; 11;. New Orleans, 1969. Boscareno, Jared. “The Rise and Fall of the Louisiana Muskrat, 1890-1960: An Environmental and Social History.” MA Thesis, University of New Orleans, 2009. http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/NOD&CISOPTR=875&CISOBOX=1&REC=1. Bourg, Charles. “Interview with Avondale Shipyards Labor Relations Representative.” Interview by Maci Muscarello. Word processed file, November 16, 2010. University of New Orleans Community History Project. Bovenkerk, F. “The Year without Mardi Gras: The New Orleans Police Strike of 1979.” CRIME LAW AND SOCIAL CHANGE 20, no. 1 (1993): 53. Boyer, Jim, and WWL (Television Station : New Orleans, La.). New Orleans Police Strike, 1981. “Building Arts Collection,” 1998. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/312.htm. Built in Louisiana ; a Social History of Louisiana Carpenters. New Orleans, La: Louisiana Council of Carpenters, 1985. Byrnes,, William Henry, and Bar Association of New Orleans. “The Depression and a Suggestion: Unemployment the Paramount Problem, Make Labor Saving Machinery Rescue the Nation.,” n.d. http://hnoc.minisisinc.com/THNOC/SCRIPTS/mwimain.dll/526/1/11/13440?RECORD. Carpenter, Charles Gerald. Southern Labor and the Southern-Urban Continuum, 1919-1929, 1973. ———. The New Orleans Street Railway Strike of 1929-1930, 1970. Catholic Council on Human Relations, New Orleans, La., 1961-1964. “Records: Catholic Council on Human Relations, 1961-64,” n.d. Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. “AFL-CIO Collection,” n.d. http://www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/a_b/AFL-CIO_Collection.html. ———. “Ramsey Lumber Photo Collection,” n.d. http://www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/photo_collections/r_s_photos/ramsey_lumber.html. Central Trades and Labor Council (New Orleans, La. ). The Danger of the St. Lawrence Seaway to Organized Labor. [New Orleans, La.: Central Trades & Labor Council?, 1933. Central Trades and Labor Council of New Orleans. Souvenir Program … 1936 Labor Day Celebration. Municipal Auditorium, Monday, September 7, 1936, New Orleans, La. New Orleans, 1936. Central Trades and Labor Council, New Orleans. Great Industrial Edition of the Central Trades and Labor Council, New Orleans, La. [New Orleans?: The Council, Allied Printing), 1912. Central Trades and Labor Council, New Orleans, La. Great Industrial Edition of the Central Trades and Labor Council, New Orleans, La. New Orleans: The Council, 1912. Chai, Charles Y. W. “Who Rules New Orleans?: A Study of Community Power Structure..” Louisiana Business Survey, no. 16. Division of Business and Economic Research, College of Business and Administration, University of New Orleans (October 1971): 2-11. Chalaron, Claire. The Registered Nurse in New Orleans, New Orleans: Orleans Parish School Board, 1930. Chamber of Commerce of the New Orleans Area. Racial Aspects of Labor Supply and Employment in New Orleans. New Orleans, 1943. Chamberlain, Charles D. “Manpower, Region and Race: Mobilizing Southern Workers for World War Two, 1939-1948.” Dissertation, history, Tulane University, 1999. ———. Victory at Home: Manpower and Race in the American South During World War II. Economy and society in the modern South. Athens, Ga: University of Georgia Press, 2003. Chaplin, Ralph. When The Leaves Come Out: Poems of the Revolution. Chicago: Rebel Press, 1934. Children Bound to Labor: The Pauper Apprentice System in Early America. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2009. Choi, Kyou E. Employment Trends in Louisiana, 1947-1964. New Orleans: Division of Business and Economic Research, College of Business Administration, Louisiana State University in New Orleans, 1966. “Christian Woman’s Exchange (New Orleans, La.) \| Tulane University Special Collections,” n.d. http://specialcollections.tulane.edu/archon/?p=creators/creator&id=151. Clayton, Ralph. Cash for Blood: the Baltimore to New Orleans Domestic Slave Trade. Bowie Md.: Heritage Books, 2002. Cohen, Hennig. “The History of ‘Poor Boy,’ the New Orleans Bargain Sandwich.” American Speech 25, no. 1 (February 1950): 67-69. Colten, Craig E. “Cypress in New Orleans: Revisiting the Observations of Le Page du Pratz.” Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 44, no. 4 (Autumn 2003): 463-477. Committee on Ethnicity in New Orleans, and Cooke, John W., eds. Perspectives on Ethnicity in New Orleans. Vol. 1. New Orleans: Committee on Ethnicity in New Orleans, 1979. Condran, Gretchen A., and Harold R. Lentzner. “Early Death: Mortality among Young Children in New York, Chicago, and New Orleans.” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 34, no. 3 (Winter 2004): 315-354. Cook, Bernard. “Covington Hall and Radical Rural Unionization in Louisiana.” Louisiana History 18, no. 2 (1977): 227. ———. “The Typographical Union and the New Orleans General Strike of 1892.” Louisiana History 24, no. 4 (1983): 377. Cook, Bernard A. Louisiana Labor, from Slavery to “right-to-Work” / Watson, James R. Lanham: University Press of America, 1985. Cooke, John W, and Committee on Ethnicity in New Orleans, eds. Perspectives on Ethnicity in New Orleans. Vol. 2. 3 vols. New Orleans: Committee on Ethnicity, 1980. Cooke, John W., ed. Perspectives on Ethnicity in New Orleans. Vol. 3. 3 vols. New Orleans: Committee on Ethnicity in New Orleans, 1981. Cooper, Caitlin. The Press and Public Opinion in the 1929-1930 Streetcar Strike in New Orleans, 2001. Cooper, Patricia A. “Recasting Labor History: A Response to Philip Scranton.” International Labor and Working-Class History, no. 35 (Spring 1989): 23-30. Coyle, Katy, and Nadiene Van Dyke. “Sex, Smashing, and Storyville in Turn-of-the-Century New Orleans : Reexamining the Continuum of Lesbian Sexuality.” In Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South. New York: New York University Press, 1997. Craig, Anne O. Allen, Maia Harris, and Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Storyville the Naked Dance. Shanachie Entertainment Corp., 2000. Davis-Kram, Harriet. “Nontraditional Teaching: Social History in the Streets.” Magazine of History 5, no. 2 (Fall 1990): 11-13. Davis, Frank Marshall. Writings of Frank Marshall Davis: A Voice of the Black Press. 1st ed. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2007. Davis, William H. “William H. Davis Collection,” n.d. Special Collections. University of New Orleans. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/074.htm. DeLatte, Carolyn E, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Center for Louisiana Studies. Antebellum Louisiana, 1830-1860. The Louisiana Purchase bicentennial series in Louisiana history ;; v. 4;. Lafayette, La.: Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2004. Dethloff, Henry C., and Robert R. Jones. “Race Relations in Louisiana, 1877-98.” Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 9, no. 4 (Autumn 1968): 301-323. Deville, Winston, and Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. “Manuscript,” n.d. Down but Not Out Dos Americas: The Reconstruction of New Orleans. Upheaval Productions, 2008. Duvall, Mark. “The New Orleans Female Orphan Society: Labor, Education, and Americanization, 1817-1833.” University of New Orleans, 2009. http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/NOD&CISOPTR=880&CISOBOX=1&REC=9. Edler, Dorothy Ittman. Administration of the Child Labor Law in New Orleans, 1945. “Elizabeth Rogers Collection,” n.d. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/176.htm. Ettinger, Brian Gary. “John Fitzpatrick and the Limits of Working-Class Politics in New Orleans, 1892-1896.” Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 26, no. 4 (Autumn 1985): 341-367. Everard, Wayne. “NOPL: WPA Photograph Collection,” n.d. http://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/photos/wpa/wpaphotos.htm. Farrington, Clifford. Biracial Unions on Galveston’s Waterfront, 1865-1925. Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 2007. Fazendeville community members. “Fazendeville,” n.d. http://doyouknowwhatitmeans.org/fazendeville.html. Ferrell, Jeff. “”The Song the Capitalist Never Sings”: The Brotherhood of Timber Workers and the Culture of Conflict.” Labor History 32, no. 3 (June 1, 1991): 422-431. Fichter, Joseph H. “Joseph H. Fichter, S.J., Papers,” n.d. http://library.loyno.edu/services_collections/speccoll/finding_aids/fichter.php. Fichter, Joseph Henry. Social Relations in the Urban Parish. [Chicago] University of Chicago Press, 1954. ———. Southern Parish. Volume 1. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1951. “Firemen’s Charitable Association of the Seventh District Collection,” n.d. Special Collections. University of New Orleans. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/125.htm. Fletcher, Laurel, and University of California, Berkeley.;Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer.;University of California, Berkeley. Rebuilding after Katrina : a Population-based Study of Labor and human rights in New Orleans. Darby PA.: Diane Publishing, 2006. Flynn, Dandy. “A scab in Hell!,” 1902. Univeristy of New Orleans, Special Collections. Fogel, Robert, and Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. The New Orleans Slave Sale Sample, 1804-1862. 1st ed. Ann Arbor Mich.: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, 1976. Frank, Dana. “White Working-Class Women and the Race Question.” International Labor and Working-Class History, no. 54 (Fall 1998): 80-102. Gauthreaux, Alan. “An Inhospitable Land: Anti-Italian Sentiment and Violence in Louisiana, 1891-1924.” MA Thesis, University of New Orleans, 2007. http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/NOD&CISOPTR=482&REC=4. Germany, Kent B. New Orleans After the Promises: Poverty, Citizenship, and the Search for the Great Society. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2007. Giordano, Paul. The Italians of Louisiana: Their Cultural Background and Their Many Contributions in the Fields of Literature, the Arts, Education, Politics, and Business and Labor, 1978. Goldman, Gary. Yes, ma’am. G.L. Goldman, 1979. Gorman, Leo Braselton. “Latino Migrant Labor Strife and Solidarity in Post-Katrina New Orleans, 2005-2007.” MA Thesis, University of New Orleans, 2009. http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/NOD&CISOPTR=830&CISOBOX=1&REC=1. Gowland, Bryan. “The Delacroix Isleños and the Trappers’ War in St. Bernard Parish.” Louisiana History 44, no. 4 (2003): 411. “Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO Collection,” n.d. Special Collections. University of New Orleans. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/101.htm. “Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO Collection, Addendum 1,” n.d. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/187.htm. Green, James R. “The Brotherhood of Timber Workers 1910-1913: A Radical Response to Industrial Capitalism in the Southern U. S. A..” Past & Present, no. 60 (August 1973): 161-200. Haas, Edward F. “John Fitzpatrick and Political Continuity in New Orleans, 1896-1899.” Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 22, no. 1 (Winter 1981): 7-29. Hall, Covington. Battle Hymns of Toil. Oklahoma City: General Welfare Reporter, 1946. ———. Battle Hymns of Toil, by Covington Hall (Covami). [Oklahoma City, General Welfare Reporter,, n.d. ———. Dreams & dynamite : Selected Poems. Edited by David Roediger. Chicago: Charles H. Kerr Pub. Co., 1985. ———. Labor Struggles in the Deep South & Other Writings. Edited by Roediger, David. 1st ed. Chicago: Charles H. Kerr Pub., 1999. ———. Quivara, or, The quest of Alvarez, Rogers Ark.: Avalon Press, 1946. ———. Rebellion Made up of Dreams and Dynamite. New Orleans, La., 1915. ———. Rhymes of a rebel … 1st ed. Newllano La.: Llano Cooperative Colony Printing, 1931. ———. Songs of Rebellion. [New Orleans: John J. Weihing Print. Co., 1915. Hall, Covington, and Alabama Writers’ Project.;Federal Writers’ Project.;United States.;University Microfilms International. Mountain Merchant-Farmer. [S.l.]: Federal Writers’ Project, 1980. ———. The “Andrew Jackson of Southern Labor”. [S.l.]: Federal Writers’ Project, 1980. Hall, Covington, and Industrial Workers of the World. Fellow Workers, Hear Me! Chicago Ill., 1950. Hall, Covington, and Wayne State University. “Covington Hall papers,” 1930. Halpern, Rick. “Organized Labour, Black Workers and the Twentieth-Century South: The Emerging Revision.” Social History 19, no. 3 (October 1994): 359-383. Hankins, Jonn Ethan, and New Orleans Museum of Art. Raised to the Trade: Creole Building Arts of New Orleans / Maklansky, Steven. New Orleans: New Orleans Museum of Art, 2002. Harris, Harrietta Ruth. “Changing Labor Force Patterns for Women in New Orleans and the United States: A General Overview and Some Implications for Social Change,” 1979. Heartman, Charles, and Xavier University of Louisiana. The Heartman Manuscript Collection on Slavery,, 1751. Heberle, Rudolf, Louisiana, Division of Employment Security., and Louisiana Division. Survey of the War-Time Labor Force of Louisiana. [Baton Rouge] Dept. of Labor, United States Employment Service, Louisiana, Report and Analysis Dept., 1945. “Herman Lazard Midlo Collection,” n.d. Special Collections. University of New Orleans. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/107.htm. Herminghouse, Patricia. “The German Secrets of New Orleans.” German Studies Review 27, no. 1 (February 2004): 1-16. Hill, Herbert. “The Problem of Race in American Labor History.” Reviews in American History 24, no. 2 (June 1996): 189-208. Hill, Lance E. The Deacons for Defense: Armed Resistance and the Civil Rights Movement. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2004. Hirsch, Arnold. “New Orleans: Sunbelt in the Swamp.” In Sunbelt Cities: Politics and Growth Since World War II, edited by Richard M Bernard and Rice, Bradley Robert. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1983. Hirsch, Arnold M, Raymond A. “Harold and Dutch: A Comparative Look at the First Black Mayors of Chicago and New Orleans.” In The Making of Urban America, edited by Mohl, Raymond A. 2nd ed. SR Books, 1997. Hirsch, Arnold R. “Race and Renewal in the Cold War South: New Orleans, 1947-1968.” In The American Planning Tradition: Culture and Policy. Woodrow Wilson Center Press & Johns Hopkins University Press. Hirth, Trisha. “Building a Workforce Development System in New Orleans.” University of New Orleans, 2001. Howland, Wing. “A Tale of Terror.” Niles’ Weekly Register, 1822. Ingersoll, Thomas N. “Free Blacks in a Slave Society: New Orleans, 1718-1812.” The William and Mary Quarterly 48, no. 2. Third Series (April 1991): 173-200. International Wood Carvers’ Association of North America. Constitution and By-laws of the New Orleans Branch of the International Wood Carvers’ Association organized March 2d, 1902. [S.l.: s.n.] ;American Print. House), 1907. Jackson, Joyce Marie. “Declaration of Taking Twice: The Fazendeville Community of the Lower Ninth Ward.” American Anthropologist 108, no. 4. New Series (December 2006): 765-780. Jacobs, Claude F. “Benevolent Societies of New Orleans Blacks during the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries.” Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 29, no. 1 (Winter 1988): 21-33. “Jean Lafitte National Historical Park Collection,” n.d. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/144.htm. Johnson, Walter. “Masters and Slaves in the Market: Slavery and the New Orleans Trade, 1804-1864.” Dissertation, history, Princeton University, 1995. ———. Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market. Cambridge, Mass. :: Harvard University Press,, 1999. Jones, Arthur R. Louisiana’s Human Resources. Part II, Agribusiness and the Labor Force / Taylor, Lee,; 1930-. Bulletin / Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station ;; no. 562; Variation: Bulletin (Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station : 1955) ;; no. 562. [Baton Rouge, La.]: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Agricultural Experiment Station, 1963. Jong, Greta de. “”With the Aid of God and the F.S.A.”: The Louisiana Farmers’ Union and the African American Freedom Struggle in the New Deal Era.” Journal of Social History 34, no. 1 (Autumn 2000): 105-139. “Josie Arlington Collection,” n.d. http://library.uno.edu/specialcollections/inventories/270.htm. Jung, Moon-Ho. Coolies and Cane: Race, Labor, and Sugar in the Age of Emancipation. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006. Kaplan, Ben. A Study of Newsboys in New Orleans, 1929. 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Leche, Richard Webster. “Stamp out Murderous Wages : the Story of the Two Battles for Humanity.,” 1936. http://hnoc.minisisinc.com/THNOC/SCRIPTS/mwimain.dll/526/1/14/9693?RECORD. “Lemann family papers inventory \| Louisiana Research Collection,” n.d. http://specialcollections.tulane.edu/archon/index.php?p=digitallibrary/digitalcontent&id=226&q=labor. “Lemann family papers, 1801-1968 \| Louisiana Research Collection,” n.d. http://specialcollections.tulane.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=102&q=labor. Lemann, Nicholas. Revolutionary Patriots : Covington Hall and the Southern Anti-Capitalist Tradition, 1976. Lewis, Beverly, and Firefly Productions.;Louisiana Public Broadcasting. American Utopia: Louisiana’s New Llano Colony. Documentary. Louisiana Public Broadcasting,, 1994. Long, Alecia P. The Great Southern Babylon: Sex, Race, and Respectability in New Orleans, 1865-1920. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2004. “Louis J. 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Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes. New Orleans, n.d. Louisiana Works Progress Administration (WPA). Listing of mens’ and women’s clubs in New Orleans Louisiana, probably from the early 1900s., n.d. ———. New Llano Cooperative Colony, 1936. Louisiana. New Orleans: Employment Projections Program, 1970, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1985 : Industries, Occupations, Job Openings. [New Orleans: The Unit], 1976. ———. Report of meeting held by the Arbitration Committee appointed by the Governor of the State of Louisiana to inquire into conditions in the New Orleans milk shed … [milk strike]. [New Orleans: F.E. Zimmer & Co., 1947. Louisiana. Division of Employment Security. The Workers of the New Orleans Area. [Baton Rouge, 1959. Lutz, Dan. “”Us the Hoboes and Dreamers”: Covington Hall and the Search for a Southern Radicalism.” BA Thesis, 2001. Magnaghi, Russell M. “Louisiana’s Italian Immigrants Prior to 1870.” Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 27, no. 1 (Winter 1986): 43-68. “Major Shipbuilders in the US: 6 Active,” n.d. http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/1major.htm. Marshall, F. Ray. Labor in the South. Wertheim publications in industrial relations;. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press, 1967. Martinez II, Carlos M. “The “Re-Latinization” of New Orleans in the Twentieth Century: Multiple Waves of Hispanic Migration.” MA Thesis, University of New Orleans, 2010. http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/NOD&CISOPTR=981&CISOBOX=1&REC=1. McCoy, A. D. Thoughts on Labor in the South, Past, Present and Future. New Orleans: Blelock & Co, 1865. McDevitt, Paul Killian. A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Returns to Scale, Total Cost Determination, and Labor Productivity Change in Urban Mass Transit, with Special Reference to New Orleans, 1974. McNaspy, C. J. 1915- (Clement J. ), La. ) Loyola University (New Orleans, and Institute of Human Relations. At Face Value Father Twomey. New Orleans: Institute of Human Relations, Loyola University of the South, 1978. McNaspy, C. J. Clement J. Louis J. Twomey, S.J.: La Justicia Social Como Solución Cristiana. Ediciones Loyola, 1985. McNeill, Garnett. The History of Child Labor Legislation in Louisiana, 1935. ———. The History of Child Labor Legislation in Louisiana, 1935. Messner, William F. Freedmen and the Ideology of Free Labor: Louisiana, 1862-1865. USL history series ;; no. 12;. Lafayette, La.: Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1978. Miller, Carroll George. “A study of the New Orleans Longshoremen’s Unions from 1850 to 1962..” M.A., [S.l.]: Louisiana State University, 1962. Mizell-Nelson, Michael. “Challenging and Reinforcing White Control of Public Space: Race Relations on New Orleans Streetcars, 1861-1965.” Dissertation, 2001. ———. 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__label__wiki	0.934377	0.934377	North Devon Maritime Museum Appledore Odun Road, Appledore, Devon, EX39 1PT Emigration to Canada from North Devon One of the most significant features of the emigration is that many of the North Devon migrants departed not from the Atlantic ports of Plymouth and Bristol but from Appledore and Bideford (counted as a single port for customs purposes) and that they did so as paying passengers rather than assisted emigrants.. The North Devon Exodus Begins in 1830 Thomas Burnard Chanter advertised in the North Devon Journal that his ships Collina, Calypso, Sappho and Euphemia had been “conveniently fitted up for Families and will take out passengers on moderate terms to Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick” In the following year the North Devon Journal described some 5000 people lining the Quay and Long Bridge at Bideford to wave farewell to the Apollo, Calypso and Bacchus, bound for New York, St. Andrews (Newfoundland) and Montreal The Bideford ships made the round trip about two or three times during the summer season which began when the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence broke up. In 1838 the Bravo from Bideford sailed too early and was nearly broken to pieces by the ice, limping into Cascumpeque, P.E.I., on May 2nd badly damaged with two anchors missing. The average sailing time to Quebec lasted about 42 days. The return journey, when the ships had the prevailing south-westerly winds behind them, was always much quicker. Thomas Chanter's brig Sappho made the easterly crossing from Nova Scotia to Bideford in 1833 in an astonishing 12 days. The length of these sea journeys was nothing like that which faced emigrants to Australia and New Zealand in the nineteenth century and was much less expensive. David Norton writing in The Devon Family Historian in August 2008 provides the examples of John and Elizabeth Talbot who boarded the Accrington on 18th June 1863 at Plymouth and arrived at Lyttelton, New Zealand, on the 23rd September 1863, or John and Sarah Uplowman who sailed from London in the Zealandia in January 1862 but, almost unbelievably, did not arrive at Lyttelton until the 24th May. It may well be that the prospect of a relatively short and cheaper sea crossing, along routes which were known to North Devon sailors since the sixteenth century, was one of the reasons why so many from North Devon chose to go to Canada rather than the antipodes. The dynamic behind the emigrant trade of Bideford and Appledore was provided by the interacting needs of timber importing and ship-building. Without ship-building and timber importing the emigrant trade of North Devon might never have developed. Each of the 3 different economic activities could not have thrived without the other two. North Devon had, of course, long established maritime connections with North America to which the Newfoundland Inn on Bideford Quay bore witness. They began in the sixteenth century with the Newfoundland cod fisheries and a regular seasonal migration of fishermen to the Island. As late as 1758 Bideford was still petitioning parliament about its declining cod fisheries. (14) At the same time a growing trade in tobacco was developing between Barnstaple, Bideford and Appledore and Maryland and Virginia. By the beginning of the nineteenth century that trade was dead, following the end of the American War of Independence, but a completely new trade began with Canada based on the longstanding ship-building tradition of the Torridge estuary.(15) Between 1800 and 1809 alone no less than 107 merchant ships and 7 warships were built along the banks of the Torridge. Ships built in Prince Edward Island by North Devon shipwrights sailed to Appledore and Bideford with their holds filled with Canadian timber. The holds were emptied, final fitting out was done in the Bideford and Appledore shipyards and the ships then returned to Canada with the same holds filled with emigrants, who were landed in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and sometimes, New York. Without the emigrants the return journey would have been problematic since the colonies rapidly achieved self-sufficiency and did not require continuous supply. In any case most imported goods could be obtained more cheaply from the U.S.A. The necessity to fill the holds with emigrants for the return journey had the further effect of keeping fares low. For about a generation these activities were the backbone of the economies of both Bideford and Appledore. Between 1818 and 1855 no less than 106 known sailings of ships from Bideford to Canada took place. In 57 cases emigrants are known to have been carried, based largely upon evidence collected in Prince Edward Island by a group of local historians. Much of this evidence is drawn from shipping reports in the press which, as emigration became more commonplace, became less and less informative as to numbers of emigrants arriving in the Island. It is highly unlikely that only 57 of these ships carried North Devon emigrants. A list of known sailings and an estimate of the numbers of emigrants involved may be found on the www.genuki.org.uk website. Look for Bideford in the Devon section and then under Maritime. The names of three local merchants are particularly associated with this trade, William Yeo (1813-1872) of Appledore, whose lifetime more or less coincides with the heyday of the trade, Thomas Burnard Chanter (1797-1874) who was the nephew of Thomas Burnard, and Richard Heard of Bideford. William Yeo's father, James (1789-1868), had settled in Prince Edward Island where he had a shipyard at Richmond Bay and where his son, James junior, built a mansion called Green Park at Campbell Creek. William Yeo's mansion in Appledore (Richmond House) built in 1850, was named after Richmond Bay, as was Richmond Dock (1856) his shipyard in Appledore. When he died in 1872 his timber and ship-building enterprises died with him. Chanter owned a fleet of sailing vessels, some of which were built for him in Prince Edward Island and erected a signal tower at Appledore from which to obtain advance notice of his vessels crossing Bideford Bar. From this he could signal to Bideford as well as Appledore for labour to unload his vessels. This tower, visible from Bideford and later known in its derelict state as Chanter's Folly, was built in 1841 and demolished in 1952. He lived at Glenburnie, Orchard Hill, just inside the parish of Northam. North Devon's emigrant trade with North America died as the timber and ship-building industry died. Even without the death of William Yeo, without a male heir, in 1872, which was disastrous for Appledore, the factors making for decline were already in operation. When Britain turned away from the Baltic to North America for its timber supplies the bankers and financiers investing their capital in the new trade needed to know that in the future their investment would be protected. The government responded by erecting tariff barriers protecting the new trade from any future Baltic competition. But these tariffs were slowly removed and finally abolished in 1860 so that Baltic timber became competitive once again. In any case, by 1870 the age of wooden sailing ships was rapidly coming to an end, to be replaced by iron, steam-driven ships. The arrival of the railway at Bideford (East-the-Water) in 1855 signalled the era of cheap rail transport and made it easier for would-be emigrants to leave via Bristol or Plymouth. A fleet of 17th century Bideford Newfoundlanders running home in heavy weather The topsail schooner Geisha (built in Appledore in 1906) approaching St John's The brigantine Clio (Appledore-built in 1894) fighting her way to the westward on the Newfoundland run Newfoundland is a large Canadian island off the east coast of the North American mainland The North Devon Maritime Museum brings life to this story through two floors of fascinating exhibits, with dioramas, paintings, documents and models. These describe the lives of the North Devon sailors and shipbuilders and their families and tell the histories of the ships they built and sailed Special talk and display Local ships which traded in salt cod with Newfoundland	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3618
__label__wiki	0.517185	0.517185	Pentalithic Ramblings « The Transitive Planes: Astral The Lethfly » humanoids pentalithia The Succubus and Incubus 2018-10-21 4:09 pm No Comments The cubi (singular cubus) are an unusual offshoot of humanity. It’s not clear whether they are a subspecies or just humans with a congenital condition, but they have been around for thousands of years, and are reflected in myths as the incubus and succubus, among others. Indeed, the name “cubus” is derived from those two mythological creatures, though cubi are not demons like the myths claim. Cubi are physically indistinguishable from humans. Though they are generally reported as being more attractive than other humans, actual studies do not support this view. Cubi are almost as diverse as the wider human race, though dwarvish cubi have yet to be attested. A cubus is always born female from a normal human woman and an incubus father. Since the father reverts to female form after conception, a succubus is generally brought up without knowledge of their heritage. Their true nature starts to become apparent around the onset of puberty, when intense feelings of attraction surface. Partly because of this, an estimated 60% of succubi become sexually active before the age of twenty. Cubi are unable to reproduce between themselves. A cubi’s reproductive cycle is parasitic, mixing DNA from three parents rather than just two. A succubus receives sperm from a male parent and modifies it, mixing in their own DNA. Then, as an incubus, they pass it on to a female parent. Cubi eat the same things as humans. Powers/Abilities Under certain conditions, cubi undergo metamorphosis which changes their apparent physical gender characteristics. They cannot control this, though they can through force of will hold off the impending transformation, for example to ensure they are alone when it occurs. The transformation is triggered by sexual intercourse, and works both ways. Once the transformation begins, it takes between one and two hours to complete. Cubi also produce pheromones in their sweat that slightly fog the mind of the opposite gender, reducing certain inhibitions; the effect is far subtler than most people think, though. They can learn to exercise some control over these pheromones, and dressing in thicker clothing that exposes less skin also reduces the effect. Though the pheromones have no distinct odour to a normal human nose, a cubi can recognize the scent, allowing them to identify others of their kind. They are not affected by the pheromones themselves, regardless of their current form. In addition, cubi experience unusually intense feelings of attraction towards the opposite sex, relative to their current form. These feelings are more intense in male form than in female form. There is no such thing as a homosexual or asexual cubus, but bisexual ones do exist – in fact, nearly 30% of cubi experience attraction to both sexes in both forms. Cubi also do not put on weight easily. This is probably at least partially responsible for the stereotype of cubi being more attractive; the pheromones likely also play a role in this. Cubi hide within a human society that largely shuns them, due in large part to a history of rapes perpetrated by their kind, especially in male form (though in fact only about 30% of cubi have raped a woman; most manage to exercise more control over their urges, and most that don’t end up regretting the lapse). The magical society in particular dislikes them – the Ministry of Magic, for example, defines them as a “dangerous species”, and the Alpine elf kingdom, one of the few not to outwardly persecute them, still looks down on as cursed beings. About three in every million humans are cubi, though Europe and North America both have a proportionally higher concentration of them. Once a cubus discovers what they are, even if they don’t have a name for it, many cubi are ashamed and do their best to hide it from their friends and family. The suicide rate among cubi is quite high. According to a 2011 survey by the University of Atlantis, there were 1,067 cubus suicides in the UK, of which 536 killed themselves while in male form. The official 2011 UK suicide statistics from the government reported 4,552 male suicides and 1,493 female suicides; although these numbers miss quite a few cubus suicides, it still shows that around 35% of female suicides in the UK are actually succubi, while about 12% of male suicides are incubi. The total cubus population in the UK is estimated at 2,842,500, giving a suicide rate of around three times the reported suicide rate for humans (which also includes cubi). The study also covered the USA, where the situation is even worse – the estimated cubus suicide rate is seven times the reported human suicide rate. Occasionally, a cubus can go their entire life without learning of their condition, if they manage to get control over their pheremones and feelings enough to remain celibate. It is unknown how common this is, as such cubi may not be reflected in studies of their population. According to researchers at Atlantis University, there have been two or three reports of such cubi per decade, but it’s possible that many more go undetected. Since the early sixteenth century there has been an underground community, centered in eastern France and partially organized by the elves living in the area, which is dedicated to helping cubi to deal with their condition. For most of its lifetime, this community was fragmented across Europe and parts of North America, but in recent years it has been brought together by the Internet. This has allowed many cubi to realize that they are not unique, and some are even starting to question the common view of their condition as a curse. Cubi were the result of illegal genetic engineering experiments in ancient Atlantis around seven thousand years ago. In particular, they were a failed attempt to create hermaphroditic humans. Though the researchers planned to dispose of their failed creations, the cubi got wind of this plan and managed to stage an escape. (A number of other unusual species were also produced by these experiments, some of which are even still extant.) Since then, they’ve managed to blend into human society and spread all across the world, though they are still most populous in Europe and second-most in North America as a result of colonization. Since cubi tend to try to stay under the radar, there are few records of famous cubi. Even though there are legends of certain people (such as Merlin) being born of an incubus father, these are generally based on false rumour, not backed up by fact. {blog entries} {comments} Changelings The Akashic Records The Undead The Fires of Summer's End Merbirds Leylines of Earth The Festival of Lights The Feast of Brann Be the first to write a comment! Mail (will not be published - Required) conlangs djinnish insectoids penstrokes pentalithia sarlassia tarosir Pentalithic Ramblings is powered by Habari 0.9.1 - Atom Entries and Atom Comments	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3625
__label__wiki	0.830276	0.830276	HOME > NEWSROOM > ARTICLES > FREEDOM TODAY ARTICLES > Treasury Issues ‘Parking Tax’ Guidance Treasury Issues ‘Parking Tax’ Guidance The U.S. Treasury Department released a guidance document on Monday intended to help churches and nonprofit ministries compute and comply with a new looming “parking tax.” It also issued a notice to provide relief to charities that have not yet been paying estimated taxes on any such obligations. A senior Treasury official told the Wall Street Journal that the department couldn’t unilaterally delay or repeal the tax, which was a surprise provision in the tax reform package approved by Congress last year. However, the department’s release indicated it was sensitive to charities’ concerns. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “The guidance issued today aims to provide flexibility while minimizing the burden on nonprofit groups that provide employee parking.” Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) recently called on the Treasury Department to delay enforcement of this new parking tax for at least a year given confusion around its implementation. In a tweet this week, Coons criticized this week’s “minimal instruction” and said, “That’s not enough.” In a post providing initial analysis of the new rules, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) similarly commented that Treasury’s new rules “confirm that this tax brings unnecessary complexity and cost to nonprofits serving charitable purposes.” ECFA is continuing its call for Congress to repeal the parking tax – a call NRB has joined. During a recent interview on CBN News’ Faith Nation, Dr. Jerry A. Johnson, president & CEO of NRB, lamented that congressional leaders had overlooked the impact of this provision last year and said, “We should not be dealing with this now in the 11th hour of this Congress.” Even so, Congress is right now reviewing it, so Johnson urged viewers to contact their senators and representatives to tell them to fix this problem. Significantly, after advocacy by NRB and others, the House of Representatives added a full repeal of the parking tax in its new tax reform bill currently under consideration. Other new additions to that bill this week by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) are a Free Speech Fairness Act-like provision to fix the burdensome Johnson Amendment and an expansion of 529 education savings accounts to homeschoolers and, in what would be a first-time recognition in the tax code, unborn children. Unfortunately, if the House musters the votes to pass this bill before the end of the session, it is unlikely to be taken up as it is in the Senate where Democrat cooperation would be needed. Indeed, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), top Democrat on the Finance Committee, dismissed the House bill’s seriousness with its “ideological trophies.” Nevertheless, in addition to establishing a voting record, its provisions could also influence negotiations on a final end-of-year government funding package.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3627
__label__wiki	0.771381	0.771381	Court: Oklahoma ban on Islamic law can be challenged Published: Tue, January 10, 2012 12:00 AM Updated: Tue, January 10, 2012 11:56 AM Muneer Awad is seen in this Nov. 2010 photo by Jim Beckel. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An amendment that would ban Oklahoma courts from considering international or Islamic law discriminates against religions and a Muslim community leader has the right to challenge its constitutionality, a federal appeals court said Tuesday. The court in Denver upheld U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange's order blocking implementation of the amendment shortly after it was approved by 70 percent of Oklahoma voters in November 2010. Muneer Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Oklahoma, sued to block the law from taking effect, arguing that the Save Our State Amendment violated his First Amendment rights. The amendment read, in part: “The courts shall not look to the legal precepts of other nations or cultures. Specifically, the courts shall not consider international law or Sharia law.” Backers argued that the amendment intended to ban all religious laws, that Islamic law was merely named as an example and that it wasn't meant as a specific attack on Muslims. The court disagreed. “That argument conflicts with the amendment's plain language, which mentions Sharia law in two places,” the appeals court opinion said. The court also noted that the backers of the amendment admitted they did not know of any instance when an Oklahoma court applied Sharia law or used the legal precepts of other countries. Awad argued that the ban on Islamic law would likely affect every aspect of his life as well as the execution of his will after his death. The appeals court pointed out that Awad made a “strong showing” of potential harm. “When the law that voters wish to enact is likely unconstitutional, their interests do not outweigh Mr. Awad's in having his constitutional rights protected,” the court said. CommentsCourt: Oklahoma ban on Islamic law can be challenged	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3628
__label__cc	0.710645	0.289355	<<< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >>> Religious minorities should not be victim of Egypt’s power struggle Russian Orthodox Church sends money to Patriarchate of Antioch to help people affected by armed conflict in Syria Statement by Heads and Representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches on the situation in the Middle East Patriarch Kirill’s appeal regarding tragic events in Syria Patriarch Kirill completes his visit to the Orthodox Church of Greece His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia was on a visit to Greece from June1-7, 2013, at the invitation of His Beatitude Hieronymus, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, and the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece. Dialogue seminar CROCEU-BEPA "Promoting solidarity in the current economic crisis: the contribution of the Orthodox Church to European social policy" Meetings between the Orthodox Church Leaders and the President of the European Council Mr. Herman Van Rompuy Orthodox Church Leaders met with the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and propose a peace initiative for the Middle East On the fact of desecration of an Orthodox church in Kosovo by extremists Cyprus archbishop asks Russian Church to help wrench the north from Turkey ©2002-2014 Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3633
__label__wiki	0.654077	0.654077	A very creative and campy horror movie that goes even more for comedy than it does for scares. Cabin In The Woods is an extrememly entertaining movie that knows all of the cliches of this genre and intentionally works against them. the movie knows how the story of five kids going off for a weekend getaway to a secluded cabin is supposed to go. But it has some unusual ways of turning that story on it’s head. For one thing, there are a group of people watching these kids, and when the attacks start coming, we constantly cut back to the watchers, having fun. the result is very humorous. we are never too scared, because there is humor around every corner. The film really has three tones to it. there’s the horror, the creative, and the funny. For people wanting a straight up horror flick, this is not that movie. it tries to avoid the cliches instead of going right along with them like most horror movies do. the final act is where the campy humor comes in, and boy is it a lot of fun. The Cabin In The Woods is like a cross between cabin fever and cube with some Evil Dead 2 mixed in there just for fun. On the one hand, it’s a cabin in the secluded woods, horror movie. On the other hand, it’s about a sort of game and society much bigger then this. Like Cube, it’s about an elaborate sort of competition that revolves around technology. And the brilliance of the movie is that away from all of that machinery and game show-like televised atmosphere, this is really just the story of five kids out in a cabin and what they have to deal with. It’s very simple inside the box, but outside the box is where things get extremely interesting. The movie opens with two guys driving around a sort of factor, in a little cart, with people operating machinery all around them. The characters are played by veteran actors Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford. We don’t know who these guys are, or what they do, but we can tell they’re up to something. They exchange a couple of funny lines with each other, ending with a punch line, and then bam! The title of the movie flashes onto the screen and freezes, like the title to each episode of the Kenny powers HBO show, eastbound and down. Clearly humor will be king in this movie, and they’re setting that up from the very start. Following this brief introduction, we meet our characters as they pack up and get ready for their trip. First we meet two attractive young ladies, Dana and Jules. Dana is the nice, innocent one who is walking around in her underwear when we meet her. Jules is the wild and slutty blonde. Apparently she just died her hair that color recently. Jules has a jock for a boyfriend, named curt, played by Chris Hemsworth (Thor). Curt shows up, has a few words with the girls, and reminds Dana that she’s not wearing any pants. That’s when the other friends start to arrive at the house. There’s Holden, the scholar and friend of Kurt. And then there’s Marty, the stoner and fool of the group. Marty is absolutely hilarious. He shows up at the house, driving his car while simultaneously smoking out of a giant bong that he keeps in his lap. When the friends question him about this, he spews off a theory about how cops won’t pull over someone who is smoking and driving because they think that person is out of his mind and they don’t want to mess with him. The five-college students pile into a rave and head for the cabin that belongs to Kurt’s cousin. They have small conversations on the road, like about how gaps’ can’t even find this place because it is so far off the grid. And then they arrive at the obligatory run down gas station, right outside the woods. This scene has become a classic staple of the genre. It’s everywhere from deliverance to cabin fever, and there’s always a very weird owner working at the place. Here, in cabin in the woods, he is about as creepy as ever. Of course, the movie has fun with that in a later scene where this station owner calls the house operators and they make fun of him on the phone, putting him on speakerphone, and laughing at the ridiculous antics he has to say. Once the crew arrives at the cabin, they set up shop and start getting comfortable. I love how we get to spend a good amount of time with them in the cabin before the crazy starts to happen. We watch as Holden discovers a two-way mirror and is tempted not to say anything as Dana starts undressing in front of it. Then we join the five of them for a very lively game of truth of dare and watch what has got to be the greatest dare scene in movie history, or certainly a place holder high on the list. The scene involves Jules demonstrating just how far she will go to have some fun. The five of them find a trap door to the basement and head downstairs. Once there, they find a collection of all sorts of weird items and each one of them picks something up, or finds something different to pay attention to. At this point we have also seen a lot from the guys running the operation back in the lab, and we see how they have been taking bets about something. We’re getting close to finding out exactly what this is all about. Dana finds an old diary from a girl who lived in the house with a family of murderers back in the 1800s. She starts reading the diary out loud, including the Latin parts, and suddenly the crazy begins. For a while now, the attacks on the college kids are pretty routine. As soon as certain enemies start showing up, we know that the tone of the movie has changed. It is no longer realistic, funny horror, but is now just incredibly fake, campy fun. And we love it all the more for that. The only other time I’ve seen a tone change this drastic and this far into the movie was in from dusk till dawn. In that movie, we spent the first half alongside killers and criminals in what seemed to be a pure crime flick. And then the second half turned into a vampire-killing extravaganza. Well, cabin in the woods is made with the same kind of spirit and energy. Except it’s a whole lot funnier. The cabin attacks are the third act of the movie, and they are pretty good. But they’re nothing compared to what is coming. Part of the fun of this movie is that it is an unflinching mystery that keeps raising more and more questions as it goes on. They are all, or just about all, answered by the end, but the way the movie keeps us guessing until it is ready to reveal them is pretty brilliant. A scene where a character takes a motorcycle out and tries to ride it over a cliff, for example, has a very wild and shocking conclusion. The final act or two is where this movie becomes exceptional. It’s the aftermath of the cabin, as the characters find themselves making it to another level, just like in a video game. And this is where the real secrets start to come out. The action and ideas in the final act are nothing short of insane. And that’s meant in a good way. There is also a lot of revelation about things that came before this in the movie and why certain characters were the way they were. It is a fantastic film, with great humor around every corner and uncontrollably creative ideas, just waiting to pop out. This is a movie that does something different and its creativity is certainly to be commended. It is an incredible rush and a really wild film.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3638
__label__wiki	0.720945	0.720945	A dopey B movie that is actually kind of fun, so long as you check your brain (and sense of humor) at the door and just get on board for the decent story, effects, and action. A waste of a film, this movie takes everything that the first Turtles movie, in this reimagining series did, and throws it all away. Gone are the dark tone and attempts at believability. Gone are the memorable action scenes. In place of them is a ridiculous premise of inter dimensions and stupid mumbo jumbo. This movie wants us to just go along and accept everything it gives us, but it doesn’t even try to make us care. In the 1990s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were not only a financial mega hit, they were also a cultural phenomenon. They spanned multimedia platforms and different areas of entertainment, from comics to TV shows to toys to movies. The first Turtles movie, with its dark, but playful tone, was actually quite good. And then the series got worse and worse and the public lost interest. So the Turtles went away. But two decades later, producer Michael Bay decided the time was right to bring them back, and the first movie that came out of this reimagining wasn’t half bad. It’s quite unfortunate, then, that the sequel most certainly is. This sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, completely undermines and throws away everything that made the first movie work. And none of this is saying that the first movie was anything great. But it was better than could be expected, and the sequel is absolutely worse. That first movie, like the original nineties film, went for human characters and believability whenever it could. Now obviously human sized turtles and a human sized rat are not believable at all, but the world they were living in that really went for a dark and occasionally gritty tone. Other than the Turtles and Rat, the rest of the characters were all humans. The story was about crime and corruption. Compare that to the sequel which is all about another world with aliens, space ships, and different dimensions. It’s putting itself in a completely different league, and doing the exact opposite of what the first movie did. The first movie, while hardly a great film, actually tried. It was built on style and creativity. For example, the movie didn’t even show us the turtles until a solid ways into the film. It had reporter April O’Neil (Meghan Fox,) showing up on the docks based on tips about a crime ring, and the turtles getting there to fight while staying completely hidden in the shadows. This created mystery. After the docks scene, there was a subway platform scene. And still we did not see the turtles. And that was a good thing. In the sequel, it is all turtles all the time, and very little effort or care as to how they are presented. The second movie starts with the Turtles jumping off a building and then landing on each other, while hanging on a ledge, like gargoyles. The joke is about whether they were supposed to land in “turtle formation,” or “squirrel formation.” From there, we move to April at Grand Central Terminal in NY, and we actually get a decent scene. She has a watch that can hack into other people’s computers, if placed close enough to them, and she uses it to try to get information from Baxter Stockman, a scientist played by Tyler Perry. The scene has Fox steal a mini skirt off a rack, and use multiple disguises. It is probably the best scene in the entire movie. It’s fun, light, and Fox looks extremely hot. She’s got energy and ambition to boot. Too bad that doesn’t carry over to the rest of the film. Baxter Stockman, in this movie, is clearly meant to be a take on the world famous scientist and astronomer Neil De Grasse Tyson. As played by Tyler Perry, the character really does look just like the real life scientist. But then, just in case you missed it, the movie visits and calls out references to the Hayden Planeterium in the Museum of Natural History, the place where Tyson actually does work. This element of using the real location and being a reference to Tyson is kind of cool. And there’s still one more thing to like about the movie. A Knicks game scene where the Turtles watch from inside the jumbo tron on the ceiling, high above the game. This not only gives us a cool location, but then down on the court, we learn the story of how Verne from the last film, (Will Arnett,) took all the credit for saving the city from the Foot Clan, (in the last movie,) and now calls himself the Falcon. He has become a media sensation, and the Turtles resent him for it. There’s a decent Shredder escape scene, from a prison convoy, but at this point every good idea is accompanied by an equally prevalent bad one. The Knicks game rafters scene was accompanied by a stupid spitball moment with the turtles. The Shredder escape scene is accompanied by the idiotic idea of having giant sized nunchucks on the side of the van. But at this point, we are still only about fifteen minutes into the film, and whatever fun the movie was having suddenly stops. Shredder gets sucked into another dimension and meets Krang, an alien brain. The two of them decide to take over the world together. This is where the movie starts to become irredeemable. We are told that everyone has an animal spirit inside of them and that exposure to certain alien tools can bring that animal out. This is what I mean about the movie not trying at all. It leads to Bebop and Rocksteady, two henchmen characters from the original series. There’s also Casey Jones on hand here, played by Arrow’s Steven Amell. This guy wears a hockey mask and uses a goalie stick to beat on bad guys, but he is no Casey Jones. Instead of a regular guy vigilante, this dude is a policeman who gets put on leave because he’s too stupid and helpless to protect his cargo, Shredder, from escaping the convoy. In the nineties film, actor Elias Koteas got the Jones character just right. This new version is the pretty boy high tech robot like take. There’s nothing interesting about him at all. Pretty much everything about this movie that could have been good is wasted. Splinter does nothing. Shredder might look cooler then in the first film, but here he doesn’t even get to fight. He’s put on the sidelines and is literally frozen for the climax. Krang and Bebop and Rocksteady should have all been cool, but the movie puts no effort into making them work. This one goes full on sci fi in the very worst of ways. That means it tries to use a sci-fi storyline to shrug everything off and make excuses. What a waste.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3639
__label__wiki	0.581376	0.581376	PIL Hall of Fame » CyberMuseum » Franklin » 1960 School: Franklin Sports Played: Basketball High School Honors: Member of State Championship basketball team in 1959 as a junior Post High School Career: was outstanding player for University of Oregon; played in the American Basketball Association for eight seasons and was an All-Star for three years, averaging more than 20 points per game during two seasons; joined Portland Trail Blazers in 1975 and retired after one season; then became a television analyst for CBS, NBC, TNT, TBS and the Blazers.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3641
__label__cc	0.592306	0.407694	Download PNG image: Virus PNG In this page you can download PNG image - Virus PNG. Home » MISCELLANEOUS » Virus » Virus PNG Virus PNG image with transparent background Virus PNG with transparent background you can download for free, just click on it and save. A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. Since Dmitri Ivanovsky's 1892 article describing a non-bacterial pathogen infecting tobacco plants, and the discovery of the tobacco mosaic virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, about 5,000 virus species have been described in detail, although there are millions of types.[4] Viruses are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth and are the most abundant type of biological entity. The study of viruses is known as virology, a sub-speciality of microbiology. While not inside an infected cell or in the process of infecting a cell, viruses exist in the form of independent particles. These viral particles, also known as virions, consist of two or three parts: the genetic material made from either DNA or RNA, long molecules that carry genetic information; a protein coat, called the capsid, which surrounds and protects the genetic material; and in some cases an envelope of lipids that surrounds the protein coat. The shapes of these virus particles range from simple helical and icosahedral forms for some virus species to more complex structures for others. Most virus species have virions that are too small to be seen with an optical microscope. The average virion is about one one-hundredth the size of the average bacterium. The origins of viruses in the evolutionary history of life are unclear: some may have evolved from plasmids—pieces of DNA that can move between cells—while others may have evolved from bacteria. In evolution, viruses are an important means of horizontal gene transfer, which increases genetic diversity. Viruses are considered by some to be a life form, because they carry genetic material, reproduce, and evolve through natural selection, but lack key characteristics (such as cell structure) that are generally considered necessary to count as life. Because they possess some but not all such qualities, viruses have been described as "organisms at the edge of life", and as replicators. Viruses spread in many ways; viruses in plants are often transmitted from plant to plant by insects that feed on plant sap, such as aphids; viruses in animals can be carried by blood-sucking insects. These disease-bearing organisms are known as vectors. Influenza viruses are spread by coughing and sneezing. Norovirus and rotavirus, common causes of viral gastroenteritis, are transmitted by the faecal–oral route and are passed from person to person by contact, entering the body in food or water. HIV is one of several viruses transmitted through sexual contact and by exposure to infected blood. The range of host cells that a virus can infect is called its "host range". This can be narrow, meaning a virus is capable of infecting few species, or broad, meaning it is capable of infecting many. Viral infections in animals provoke an immune response that usually eliminates the infecting virus. Immune responses can also be produced by vaccines, which confer an artificially acquired immunity to the specific viral infection. Some viruses including those that cause AIDS and viral hepatitis evade these immune responses and result in chronic infections. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, but several antiviral drugs have been developed. In this page you can download free PNG images: Virus PNG images free download Keywords: Virus PNG, Download PNG image with transparent background, PNG image: Virus PNG, free PNG image, Virus Image category: Virus	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3646
__label__wiki	0.918867	0.918867	Review: My Generation A celebration of London in the swinging 60s, the heavily nostalgic documentary My Generation will appeal primarily to those who were between their late teens and early thirties during one of the most culturally, politically, and socially impactful decades in human history. It’s a crowd pleasing, back patting sort of work that looks at how a new generation of post-World War II Londoners established a new set of boundary pushing and traditional challenging social constructs out of previous stuffy and boring norms and attitudes. I’m pretty sure that this is the attitude that every generation has to the one that came before it, so the overall idea behind My Generation isn’t anything terribly original, controversial, or groundbreaking, but taken on its own modest, montage based terms, it’s still a charming and entertaining bit of pop culture history. Cockney actor Michael Caine leads director David Batty’s fast paced guided tour through the UK’s evolving counterculture; narrating, conducting interviews with those who became famous during the 60s, and offering plenty of personal anecdotes along the way. Caine is one of the best examples of an artist or performer who benefitted from a loosening of social constructs in the 1960s. Although he was a classically trained performer, his working class roots traditionally held him back from getting any steady or noteworthy work until he was in his early 30s. Caine speaks lovingly and insightfully about how much he credits the counterculture movements of the 1960s with giving him a career in the first place, and My Generation feels every bit a passion project for the actor as it does the team working behind the camera. It’s clear very early on that Batty and writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais have extensive television backgrounds. The majority of My Generation is comprised of montages set to a not inexpensive laundry list of chart topping pop and rock hits from the era. Given that a lot of influential art and political ideas came about from the era, the decision to lean heavily on archival material is understandable, but quite often My Generation feels like a bunch of low budget music videos strung together that have been cobbled together from various outside sources. The music and images are significant, by at its heart My Generation is nothing more than a clip show with a lot of name checking, albeit one that ranks higher than a Time-Life record compilation commercial or Billy Joel’s hit song “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” It takes a lot of assembly, and it’s well edited, but there’s nothing revolutionary about Batty and company’s depiction of cultural revolutionaries. My Generation also boasts an off kilter style of interview technique. Audio of Caine interviewing the likes of Twiggy, Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, and photographer David “makes love daily” Bailey can be heard over a lot of the assembled footage, but the conversations themselves are never shown. It’s a truly missed opportunity on Batty’s part, since the audio suggests that Caine boasts a remarkably candid, relaxed, and refreshing sort of interview technique, engaging with his subjects as peers first and period icons second. It was likely a decision to make the film feel more kinetic and less stodgy, but the people being interviewed (even in archival snippets from people who are deceased or otherwise couldn’t participate) were literally made for the camera by the era being discussed. To only have Caine captured in his current state feels like a disservice to everyone else being profiled and cited. Amid Batty’s many curious technical decisions, however, My Generation does lay a lot of political and social groundwork to explain why the 1960s were watershed years in London’s history. For the first time in the country’s history, artists, models, musicians, and performers from working class backgrounds were breaking into the mainstream consciousness, with many suffering pushback from cultural elites and elders. Not only were these new breeds of artisans and entertainers becoming popular at home amid rigid constructs that were designed to keep them repressed, but they were also garnering crossover appeal across the pond. Models like Twiggy, multi-faceted artists like Marianne Faithful, bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and The Who, and performers like Caine, Albert Finney, and Julie Christie were making major waves across the ocean thanks to the shifting tectonic plates of culture. My Generation explains how this was all possible by examining the frustrations of a new generation that were born to parents who lived through the Great Depression and World War II back to back. There was a time for safety, comfort, and healing in the UK in the immediate years afterwards, but this new generation and culture sought to rouse the country from emotional stagnancy. Most of the anecdotes and profiled subjects chosen for My Generation nicely draw parallels between an artist’s environment and their art, and since that’s basically Batty’s entire overarching point, his film can be deemed a modest success. It’s virtually impossible to whittle the popular culture of an entire decade to a single 85 minute volume, even when the work in question examines the contributions of only a single, major metropolitan city. That could be why My Generation ends in an oddly abrupt place once it starts talking about attitudes towards drug usage leading to the downfall of many celebrities in the eyes of the public. The lessons of the 1960s live on today, with many of My Generation’s figureheads now being representative of the first wave of modern cultural disruptors. Their story doesn’t have an end, and the sourest note of all here is how Batty attempts to put too fine a point on their chapter in history. Overall, however, this My Generation is meant to be taken as breezy, fluffy, and safe entertainment, and like many things that seemed shocking and novel at the time, Batty’s film feels old fashioned and like it’s had any rough edges sanded off. And while it is entertaining, there’s a distinct sense that its flashy visual graphics and elaborately assembled montages aren’t coming close to replicating what it was like to live through such an era. If it weren’t for Caine and his well spoken peers, My Generation would be wholly pointless and squarely redundant. Thanks to the participation of those involved and Batty’s eye and ear for great archival footage, My Generation charms in spite of its overly nostalgic and truncated construction.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3647
__label__wiki	0.547001	0.547001	Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy – Gazette No: 1933/13 dated on 21/09/2015 Right to Information Act No.12 of 2016 Public Service Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Gazette NO 1589/30 dated on 20/02/2009 Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009 Sri Lanka Electricity Act (Amendment) No.31 of 2013 Ceylon Electricity Board Act (Include all amendments up to 1987) Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act No. 40 of 2014 Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Board Act No. 35 of 2007	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3649
__label__cc	0.505893	0.494107	University of Idaho professor collaborates with CABI’s Swiss centre during sabbatical UK (Egham) A University Distinguished Professor from the University of Idaho is collaborating with CABI scientists based in Switzerland as part of a five-month sabbatical to investigate the chemical ecology of host specificity by weed biological control agents. Professor Sanford Eigenbrode, who is being hosted by CABI’s Switzerland Country Director Dr Hariet Hinz and the centre’s Head of Ecosystems Management Dr Urs Schaffner, will also strengthen his involvement with a Swiss National Science Foundation-funded Woody Weeds in East Africa project (WWEA) directed by Dr Schaffner. Professor Eigenbrode has studied plant insect interactions, biological control, host plant resistance, the ecology of vector borne plant pathogens, climate change, and the science of team science during a 23-year career at the University of Idaho in the United States. He works with his colleague Professor Mark Schwarzlander, also from the University of Idaho, on aspects of the chemical ecology of host specificity by weed biological control agents as part of ongoing collaborations with Dr Hinz and Dr Schaffner. Since the inception of the WWEA project in 2015, Professor Eigenbrode has been helping to implement novel approaches to improve communication among its scientists, students, and stakeholders in Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia. At CABI he is working closely with Dr Schaffner and with CABI scientist Dr René Eschen, also a leader in WWEA. In January, Professor Eigenbrode participated in the annual meeting of WWEA project in Moshi, Tanzania, and will use part of his time in Switzerland to visit colleagues at other European institutions. The visit strengthens the long-standing formal relationship between the University of Idaho and CABI that includes Dr Hinz’s and Dr Schaffner’s appointments as adjunct faculty members at the university. Professor Eigenbrode said, “When the opportunity for a sabbatical arose, CABI Switzerland was a natural choice based on previous enjoyable visits here and the stimulating scientific and collaborative atmosphere that exists at the center. I am thoroughly enjoying working more closely with my valued colleagues here.” He has been joined at CABI’s Swiss centre in Delélmont by his wife, Sara Pepper, who will be working remotely in her position at Washington State University. Managing the invasive threat to Europe’s forests Over the last few decades, European trees and forests have experienced dramatic losses caused by introduced non-native invasive pests and pathogens. As part of an international project, CABI is developing cost-effective and environmentally friendly tools for the prevention, detection and control of the invasive threats to Europe’s forests. >> Biological control of lesser calamint Lesser calamint is an aromatic perennial herb that has been introduced to New Zealand from Europe. Currently present on the east coast of the North Island, lesser calamint is considered an emerging weed; it is affecting desirable pasture species and having negative economic impacts. CABI is conducting field surveys and searching for natural... >> Biological control of the Spotted wing Drosophila - Drosophila suzukii Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a fruit fly from East Asia, is now a serious economic pest of soft fruits and berries across Europe, the Americas and North Africa. In this project we are focusing on finding natural enemies (parasitoids) of the pest to introduce into Europe. This involves surveys for parasitoids where it... >> Integrated weed management in Europe Weeds are ubiquitous and cause substantial yield losses across all arable and horticultural land. The goal of this European-wide project is to optimise the efficacy, applicability and use of environmentally friendly weed control measures that can replace or complement current chemical control methods. >> Restoring grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Halting and reversing land degradation is one of the biggest challenges to meeting the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals. This project aims to assess the effects of grassland degradation on soil functions on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and determine whether manipulation of plant functional diversity can accelerate the restoration of... >> GIZ Crop Protection Baseline Study Pests and diseases often limit how much smallholder famers can produce. They affect crops both pre and post-harvest by reducing their value or making them unsafe for human consumption. Farmers try to reduce losses through a range of techniques, some of which have human or environmental health impacts. This project aims to understand and report on... >> Beneficial nematodes to control rootworms in European maize production The western corn rootworm is a major invasive maize pest in North America and Europe. Control options become more and more limited as problematic pesticides are being phased out. 10 years of joint efforts in research and development by academic, legislative and commercial partners have led to a nematode-based biological control solution for this... >>	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3650
__label__wiki	0.757963	0.757963	What: All Issues : Making Government Work for Everyone, Not Just the Rich or Powerful : (H.R. 3269) On passage of a bill that gave federal regulatory agencies authority over the level of executive pay and bonuses, and also increased the level of shareholder input on the way the pay and bonuses are determined (2009 house Roll Call 686) (H.R. 3269) On passage of a bill that gave federal regulatory agencies authority over the level of executive pay and bonuses, and also increased the level of shareholder input on the way the pay and bonuses are determined house Roll Call 686 Jul 31, 2009 This was a vote on passage of H.R. 3269, a bill that gave federal regulatory agencies the authority over the level of executive pay and bonuses, and also imposed new restrictions on the manner in which executive pay and bonuses are determined. The bill had been developed partly in response to the great outcry during this period of economic decline about the large bonuses that executives at banks and other financial institutions were receiving, particularly at those receiving federal “bail outs” in order to remain in business. H.R. 3269 also required all publicly traded companies to hold an annual, non-binding, shareholder vote on pay and bonuses for executives. Rep. Frank, (D-MA), the chairman of the Financial Services committee that developed H.R. 3269, said that Democrats “believe the federal government has (an) interest--not in the level of compensation, that's up to the shareholders -- (but) in the (pay) structure. When you have, as we have seen, structures whereby companies lose lots of money . . . but the people who made those deals make money on them, that has a systemic negative impact on this society because it incentivizes much too much risk.” He claimed that “the Republican approach” is to do nothing except “admit that these are problems.” Frank referred to the charge by opponents of the bill that it essentially creates wage controls as “nonsense.” He explained that “what it says is that the SEC shall impose rules that prevent excessive risk-taking, and the reference to wages is only in that context . . . What this bill explicitly aims at is the practice whereby people are given bonuses that pay off if the gamble or the risk pays off, but don't lose you anything if it doesn't. That is, there is a wide consensus that this incentivizes excessive risk . . . All we are saying is that there has to be some balance to the risk-taking.” Frank also referred to the charge by opponents “this will cause us a problem with international competition.” He noted that England, which he referred to as “our major financial competitor” has adopted the same rules as are in H.R. 3269. Rep. Bachus (R-AL), the Ranking Republican on the Financial Services Committee, was leading the opposition to the bill. He said “Republicans have introduced legislation, which gets the American people out of the bail out business--that is our response--and prohibits the government from picking winners and losers. We believe that's the solution.” He went on to argue that Republicans have sponsored legislation that “clearly establishes a structure where failure is not rewarded and market discipline is reestablished . . . .” Bachus summarized his opposition to H.R. 3269 by calling it a “sweeping power grab into the private sector under the guise of the government's riding to the rescue”, which relies “on the government to fix the problem . . . (that) . . . to a great extent was caused by . . . (a) lack of regulation by the government.” The legislation passed by a vote of 237-185. Two hundred and thirty-five Democrats and two Republicans voted “aye”. One hundred and sixty-nine Republicans and sixteen Democrats voted “nay”. As a result, the House approved and sent on to the Senate a bill that gave federal banking regulatory agencies authority over executive pay and bonuses, and also increased the level of shareholder input on the way pay and bonuses are determined. GOVERNMENT CHECKS ON CORPORATE POWER — Banks/Credit Card Companies GOVERNMENT CHECKS ON CORPORATE POWER — Securities/Brokerage Industry MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST THE RICH OR POWERFUL — Special Protections For The Wealthy Under Bankruptcy Laws Abraham, Ralph (R-LA) Adams, Alma (D-NC) Aderholt, Robert (R-AL) Aguilar, Pete (D-CA) Allen, Rick (R-GA) Allred, Colin (D-TX) Amash, Justin (I-MI) Amodei, Mark (R-NV) Armstrong, Kelly (R-ND) Arrington , Jodey (R-TX) Axne, Cindy (D-IA) Babin, Brian (R-TX) Bacon, Don (R-NE) Baird, Jim (R-IN) Balderson, Troy (R-OH) Banks, Jim (R-IN) Barr, Andy (R-KY) Barragán, Nanette (D-CA) Bass, Karen (D-CA) Beatty, Joyce (D-OH) Bera, Ami (D-CA) Bergman, Jack (R-MI) Beyer, Don (D-VA) Biggs, Andy (R-AZ) Bilirakis, Gus (R-FL) Bishop, Rob (R-UT) Bishop, Sanford (D-GA) Blumenauer, Earl (D-OR) Blunt Rochester, Lisa (D-DE) Bonamici, Suzanne (D-OR) Bost, Mike (R-IL) Boyle, Brendan (D-PA) Brady, Kevin (R-TX) Brindisi, Anthony (D-NY) Brooks, Mo (R-AL) Brooks, Susan (R-IN) Brown, Anthony (D-MD) Brownley, Julia (D-CA) Buchanan, Vern (R-FL) Buck, Ken (R-CO) Bucshon, Larry (R-IN) Budd, Ted (R-NC) Burchett, Tim (R-TN) Burgess, Mike (R-TX) Bustos, Cheri (D-IL) Butler Demings, Val (D-FL) Butterfield, G.K. (D-NC) Byrne, Bradley (R-AL) Calvert, Ken (R-CA) Carbajal, Salud (D-CA) Cardenas, Tony (D-CA) Carson, André (D-IN) Carter, Buddy (R-GA) Carter, John (R-TX) Cartwright, Matt (D-PA) Case, Ed (D-HI) Casten, Sean (D-IL) Castor, Kathy (D-FL) Castro, Joaquin (D-TX) Chabot, Steve (R-OH) Cheney, Liz (R-WY) Chu, Judy (D-CA) Cicilline, David (D-RI) Cisneros, Gil (D-CA) Clark, Katherine (D-MA) Clarke, Yvette (D-NY) Clay, William (D-MO) Cleaver, Emanuel (D-MO) Cline, Ben (R-VA) Cloud, Michael (R-TX) Clyburn, Jim (D-SC) Cohen, Steve (D-TN) Cole, Tom (R-OK) Collins, Chris (R-NY) Collins, Doug (R-GA) Comer, James (R-KY) Conaway, Mike (R-TX) Connolly, Gerry (D-VA) Cook, Paul (R-CA) Cooper, Jim (D-TN) Correa, Lou (D-CA) Costa, Jim (D-CA) Courtney, Joe (D-CT) Cox, T. J. (D-CA) Craig, Angie (D-MN) Crawford, Rick (R-AR) Crenshaw, Dan (R-TX) Crist, Charlie (D-FL) Crow, Jason (D-CO) Cuellar, Henry (D-TX) Cummings, Elijah (D-MD) Cunningham, Joe (D-SC) Curtis, John (R-UT) Davids, Sharice (D-KS) Davidson, Warren (R-OH) Davis, Danny (D-IL) Davis, Rodney (R-IL) Davis, Susan (D-CA) Dean, Madeleine (D-PA) DeFazio, Peter (D-OR) DeGette, Diana (D-CO) DeLauro, Rosa (D-CT) DelBene, Suzan (D-WA) Delgado, Antonio (D-NY) DeSaulnier, Mark (D-CA) DesJarlais, Scott (R-TN) Deutch, Ted (D-FL) Diaz-Balart, Mario (R-FL) Dingell, Debbie (D-MI) Doggett, Lloyd (D-TX) Doyle, Mike (D-PA) Duffy, Sean (R-WI) Duncan, Jeff (R-SC) Dunn, Neal (R-FL) Emmer, Tom (R-MN) Engel, Eliot (D-NY) Escobar, Veronica (D-TX) Eshoo, Anna (D-CA) Espaillat, Adriano (D-NY) Estes, Ron (R-KS) Evans, Dwight (D-PA) Ferguson, Drew (R-GA) Finkenauer, Abby (D-IA) Fitzpatrick, Brian (R-PA) Fleischmann, Chuck (R-TN) Fletcher , Lizzie (D-TX) Flores, Bill (R-TX) Fortenberry, Jeff (R-NE) Foster, Bill (D-IL) Foxx, Virginia (R-NC) Frankel, Lois (D-FL) Fudge, Marcia (D-OH) Fulcher, Russ (R-ID) Gabbard, Tulsi (D-HI) Gaetz, Matt (R-FL) Gallagher, Mike (R-WI) Gallego, Ruben (D-AZ) Garamendi, John (D-CA) Garcia, Jesús (D-IL) Garcia, Sylvia (D-TX) Gianforte, Greg (R-MT) Gibbs, Bob (R-OH) Gohmert, Louie (R-TX) Golden, Jared (D-ME) Gomez, Jimmy (D-CA) Gonzalez, Anthony (R-OH) González, Vicente (D-TX) Gooden, Lance (R-TX) Gosar, Paul (R-AZ) Gottheimer, Josh (D-NJ) Granger, Kay (R-TX) Graves, Garret (R-LA) Graves, Sam (R-MO) Graves, Tom (R-GA) Green, Al (D-TX) Green, Mark (R-TN) Griffith, Morgan (R-VA) Grijalva, Raul (D-AZ) Grothman, Glenn (R-WI) Guest, Michael (R-MS) Guthrie, Brett (R-KY) Haaland, Debra (D-NM) Hagedorn, Jim (R-MN) Harder, Josh (D-CA) Harris, Andy (R-MD) Hartzler, Vicky (R-MO) Hastings, Alcee (D-FL) Hayes, Jahana (D-CT) Heck, Denny (D-WA) Hern, Kevin (R-OK) Herrera Beutler, Jaime (R-WA) Hice, Jody (R-GA) Higgins, Brian (D-NY) Higgins, Clay (R-LA) Hill, French (R-AR) Hill, Katie (D-CA) Himes, Jim (D-CT) Holding, George (R-NC) Hollingsworth, Trey (R-IN) Horn, Kendra (D-OK) Horsford, Steven (D-NV) Houlahan, Chrissy (D-PA) Hoyer, Steny (D-MD) Hudson, Richard (R-NC) Huffman, Jared (D-CA) Huizenga, Bill (R-MI) Hunter, Duncan (R-CA) Hurd, Will (R-TX) Jackson-Lee, Sheila (D-TX) Jayapal, Pramila (D-WA) Jeffries, Hakeem (D-NY) Johnson, Bill (R-OH) Johnson, Dusty (R-SD) Johnson, Eddie (D-TX) Johnson, Hank (D-GA) Johnson, Mike (R-LA) Jordan, Jim (R-OH) Joyce, David (R-OH) Joyce, John (R-PA) Kaptur, Marcy (D-OH) Katko, John (R-NY) Keating, Bill (D-MA) Keller, Fred (R-PA) Kelly, Mike (R-PA) Kelly, Robin (D-IL) Kelly, Trent (R-MS) Kennedy, Joe (D-MA) Khanna, Ro (D-CA) Kildee, Dan (D-MI) Kilmer, Derek (D-WA) Kim, Andy (D-NJ) Kind, Ron (D-WI) King, Pete (R-NY) King, Steve (R-IA) Kinzinger, Adam (R-IL) Kirkpatrick, Ann (D-AZ) Krishnamoorthi, Raja (D-IL) Kuster, Annie (D-NH) Kustoff, David (R-TN) LaHood, Darin (R-IL) LaMalfa, Doug (R-CA) Lamb, Conor (D-PA) Lamborn, Doug (R-CO) Langevin, Jim (D-RI) Larsen, Rick (D-WA) Larson, John (D-CT) Latta, Bob (R-OH) Lawrence, Brenda (D-MI) Lawson, Al (D-FL) Lee, Barbara (D-CA) Lee, Susie (D-NV) Lesko, Debbie (R-AZ) Levin, Andy (D-MI) Levin, Mike (D-CA) Lewis, John (D-GA) Lieu, Ted (D-CA) Lipinski, Daniel (D-IL) Loebsack, Dave (D-IA) Lofgren, Zoe (D-CA) Long, Billy (R-MO) Loudermilk, Barry (R-GA) Lowenthal, Alan (D-CA) Lowey, Nita (D-NY) Lucas, Frank (R-OK) Luetkemeyer, Blaine (R-MO) Lujan, Ben (D-NM) Luria, Elaine (D-VA) Lynch, Stephen (D-MA) Malinowski, Tom (D-NJ) Maloney, Carolyn (D-NY) Maloney, Sean (D-NY) Marchant, Kenny (R-TX) Marshall, Roger (R-KS) Massie, Thomas (R-KY) Mast, Brian (R-FL) Matsui, Doris (D-CA) McAdams, Ben (D-UT) McBath, Lucy (D-GA) McCarthy, Kevin (R-CA) McCaul, Michael (R-TX) McClintock, Tom (R-CA) McCollum, Betty (D-MN) McEachin, Donald (D-VA) McGovern, Jim (D-MA) McHenry, Patrick (R-NC) McKinley, David (R-WV) McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (R-WA) McNerney, Jerry (D-CA) Meadows, Mark (R-NC) Meeks, Gregory (D-NY) Meng, Grace (D-NY) Meuser, Dan (R-PA) Miller, Carol (R-WV) Mitchell, Paul (R-MI) Moolenaar, John (R-MI) Mooney, Alex (R-WV) Moore, Gwen (D-WI) Morelle, Joseph (D-NY) Moulton, Seth (D-MA) Mucarsel-Powell, Debbie (D-FL) Mullin, Markwayne (R-OK) Murphy, Stephanie (D-FL) Nadler, Jerry (D-NY) Napolitano, Grace (D-CA) Neal, Richard (D-MA) Neguse, Joe (D-CO) Newhouse, Dan (R-WA) Norcross, Donald (D-NJ) Norman, Ralph (R-SC) Nunes, Devin (R-CA) O'Halleran, Tom (D-AZ) Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria (D-NY) Olson, Pete (R-TX) Omar, Ilhan (D-MN) Palazzo, Steven (R-MS) Pallone, Frank (D-NJ) Palmer, Gary (R-AL) Panetta, Jimmy (D-CA) Pappas, Chris (D-NH) Pascrell, Bill (D-NJ) Payne, Donald (D-NJ) Pelosi, Nancy (D-CA) Pence, Greg (R-IN) Perlmutter, Ed (D-CO) Perry, Scott (R-PA) Peters, Scott (D-CA) Peterson, Collin (D-MN) Phillips, Dean (D-MN) Pingree, Chellie (D-ME) Pocan, Mark (D-WI) Porter, Katie (D-CA) Posey, Bill (R-FL) Pressley, Ayanna (D-MA) Price, David (D-NC) Quigley, Mike (D-IL) Raskin, Jamie (D-MD) Ratcliffe, John (R-TX) Reed, Tom (R-NY) Reschenthaler, Guy (R-PA) Rice, Tom (R-SC) Rice, Kathleen (D-NY) Richmond, Cedric (D-LA) Riggleman, Denver (R-VA) Roby, Martha (R-AL) Roe, Phil (R-TN) Rogers, Hal (R-KY) Rogers, Mike (R-AL) Rooney, Francis (R-FL) Rose, John (R-TN) Rose, Max (D-NY) Rouda, Harley (D-CA) Rouzer, David (R-NC) Roy, Chip (R-TX) Roybal-Allard, Lucille (D-CA) Ruiz, Raul (D-CA) Ruppersberger, Dutch (D-MD) Rush, Bobby (D-IL) Rutherford, John (R-FL) Ryan, Tim (D-OH) Sanchez, Linda (D-CA) Sarbanes, John (D-MD) Scalise, Steve (R-LA) Scanlon, Mary Gay (D-PA) Schakowsky, Jan (D-IL) Schiff, Adam (D-CA) Schneider, Brad (D-IL) Schrader, Kurt (D-OR) Schrier, Kim (D-WA) Schweikert, Dave (R-AZ) Scott, Austin (R-GA) Scott, David (D-GA) Scott, Bobby (D-VA) Sensenbrenner, Jim (R-WI) Serrano, José (D-NY) Sewell, Terri (D-AL) Shalala, Donna (D-FL) Sherman, Brad (D-CA) Sherrill, Mikie (D-NJ) Shimkus, John (R-IL) Simpson, Mike (R-ID) Sires, Albio (D-NJ) Slotkin, Elissa 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__label__wiki	0.538797	0.538797	River Ave. Blues » Alex Rios Scouting The Market: Last Minute Trade Targets August 26, 2014 by Mike 327 Comments Thanks to their five-game winning streak, the Yankees come into Tuesday only 2.5 games back of the second wildcard spot with 33 games left to play. FanGraphs puts their postseason odds at only 12.8%, but the Yankees have a knack for outperforming expectations and projections and run differential and all that. Two and a half games with 33 games to go is a sneaky big deficit but it’s hardly insurmountable. The non-waiver trade deadline was four weeks ago now, but the real trade deadline is midnight this coming Sunday. Players must be in the organization by 11:59pm ET on August 31st to be eligible for the postseason roster and there are no exceptions. No injury loopholes, no waiver tricks, nothing. If the player is not in the organization by midnight Sunday, they can not play in the postseason, end of story. It’s a hard deadline. The Yankees swung four trades leading up to the July 31st deadline but they still have some holes to fill. They dumped Matt Thornton on the Nationals a few weeks ago and have yet to reinvest his salary — this is despite reports saying they were working on other things — though it’s unclear exactly how much wiggle room the team has financially. That’s up to Hal Steinbrenner, of course. Here are some last minute trade targets who could help the Yankees in the final five weeks of the season. (Joe Robbins/Getty) OF Alex Rios, Rangers New York reportedly had interest in Rios prior to the trade deadline, but instead they opted for the more versatile Martin Prado. The 33-year-old Rios went into last night’s game hitting .283/.313/.401 (91 wRC+) with four homers and nine steals in 122 games this year, so his production has dropped off quite a bit from last year (104 wRC+) and the year before (126 wRC+). Even his usually strong outfield defense has slipped according to the various metrics. Even after making those deals at the trade deadline, the Yankees are still short a right-handed bat or two in the lineup. I mean, Zelous Wheeler has started four times in the last five games, and as long as that continues to happen, the Yankees are short a righty bat. Rios has put up a .343/.374/.581 (155 wRC+) batting line against southpaws this year, so he’d fill a definitely need, especially now that Carlos Beltran is locked back in at DH following his recent elbow problem and Prado seems to have taken over at second base. Rios is owed approximately $2.5M through the end of the season with a $13.5M club option ($1M buyout) for next season, so he’s essentially a pure rental at $3.5M. Calvin Watkins reported Rios cleared trade waivers earlier this month, meaning he can be traded to any team at any time. The Rangers traded Geovany Soto over the weekend and they failed to move Neal Cotts after he was claimed off waivers, so, if nothing else, they’re active on the August market. Rios is available and would address a need. Ludwick. (Joe Robbins/Getty) OF Ryan Ludwick, Reds Not thrilled with Rios? The lower profile Ludwick is hitting .250/.310/.390 (94 wRC+) with eight homers in 97 games overall, plus he has a .253/.318/.506 (124 wRC+) line against lefties. He was once a really strong defender but his glovework isn’t quite what it once was — Ludwick has a bunch of experience in right but also hasn’t played there since 2011 — but he’s not a butcher either. Besides, acquiring Ludwick is about adding another right-handed bat, not upgrading an already strong outfield defense. Bob Nightengale reported the Reds were letting teams know Ludwick was available before the trade deadline, though it’s unclear if he has cleared or even been placed on trade waivers yet. He is owed roughly $1.6M through the end of the season, and his $9M option for 2015 comes with a pricey $4.5M buyout. The total investment (~$5.1M) is quite a bit more than Rios’ ($~3.5M). Ludwick is very available — the Reds have fallen out of the playoff race this month — and might be easier to attain, however. DH Adam Dunn, White Sox If Beltran is eventually going to return to right field, the Yankees will have an opening at DH, at least in the sense that there won’t be one dedicated player for the position. (Joe Girardi tends to rotate players in that spot whenever possible.) Dunn, 34, has a .220/.343/.429 (114 wRC+) line with 19 homers this year, though he won’t help the team’s right-handed bat problem. He does offer made for Yankee Stadium left-handed power though, and there is no such thing as too much of that. There is roughly $3M left on Dunn’s contract through the end of the season and he’ll become a free agent this winter. He only makes sense if Beltran can play the outfield regularly and right now there is no evidence that is the case. It’s a less than perfect fit. Dunn. (Jim McIsaac/Getty) RHP Matt Lindstrom, White Sox I feel like I write about Lindstrom as a trade target every August. The 34-year-old has a 5.09 ERA (5.05 FIP) in 23 appearances and 23 innings this year, though that is inflated by two disaster outings earlier this month (six runs in one inning). Lindstrom missed three month with an ankle injury — he just returned two weeks ago — and at this point he’s just a ground ball pitcher (50.0%) who doesn’t miss many bats (5.48 K/9 and 13.6 K%). He’s owed about $800k through the end of the season and, given all the late-game experience he’s built up over the years, he could be a decent complement in the sixth or seventh inning as he gets further out from ankle surgery. If it doesn’t work out, then who cares? They can bury him in the back of the bullpen with expanded rosters in September. As always, the key to these late-August trades is the price. You’re only getting five weeks of the player, and in the cases of Ludwick and Dunn, their teams would be motivated by dumping salary and not necessarily acquiring a real live prospect. If the Yankees have to give up anything more than a nondescript prospect for these guys, then forget it. They can only have so much of an impact at this point of the season. If they can get Rios or Ludwick for next to nothing to add another right-handed bat for the rest of the year, then they should be all over it. The Yankees only have six more days to make any additional moves and have that player potentially be available in October. Filed Under: Trade Deadline Tagged With: Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, Matt Lindstrom, Ryan Ludwick, Scouting The Market 2014 Trade Deadline Open Thread July 31, 2014 by Mike 1,036 Comments (Brian Garfinkel/Getty) The non-waiver trade deadline is 4pm ET this afternoon, and over these next few hours there will be a ton of rumors and speculation. A bunch of actual moves too. The Yankees have already swung trades for Brandon McCarthy and Chase Headley, but Brian Cashman has said he is still seeking another starter and another bat. I can’t imagine they’ll get through the day without doing something. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we learned the Yankees are “in on everything” but do not want to part with their top minor leaguers. Josh Willingham, John Danks, Jake Arrieta, Justin Ruggiano, Chris Denorfia, Joaquin Benoit, James Russell, Marlon Byrd, Ian Kennedy, and Brett Anderson were among the names connected to the club. They do not have interest in Matt Kemp and were not targeting Justin Masterson before he was traded to the Cardinals, however. We’ll keep track of the day’s Yankees-related rumors right here in this post, so make sure you check back throughout the day. All the timestamps are ET. 3:42pm: Apparently the Yankees are getting Stephen Drew from the Red Sox. Huh. [Gordon Edes] 3:36pm: The Yankees are out on Byrd. [Jayson Stark] 3:01pm: The Yankees are one of several teams talking to the Rays about Price. I can’t see this happening but I’d love to be wrong. [Bob Nightengale] 1:55pm: There is a false rumor going around saying the Yankees have acquired Byrd. They have not. At least not yet, anyway. It’s bonus. No deal. [Sherman] 1:48pm: The Rays will trade David Price today. I doubt it will be to the Yankees, but geez. This is fun! [Joel Sherman] 1:34pm: The Yankees are going to take things right down to the wire. They’re still discussing Willingham, Denorfia, and Byrd. [Ken Rosenthal] 1:25pm: Just in case you’re wondering, Danks is currently pitching for the White Sox, which wouldn’t happen if he was close to being traded. Pretty slow day for the Yankees thus far. 11:17am: The Yankees continue to work on small deals. Nothing big is expected to happen today. Lame. [Feinsand] 9:48am: The Red Sox have traded Lester (and Jonny Gomes) to the Athletics, according to multiple reports. Yoenis Cespedes is the primary piece going back to Boston. Wow. 9:30am: The Yankees are not working on anything huge at the moment. Their focus is on upgrading in right field and adding depth to the bullpen and pitching staff. [Joel Sherman] The Yankees and Phillies have discussed Byrd, but nothing is close. Apparently there’s some concern about how he’d fit in the clubhouse. They are not in on Alex Rios and maintain interest in Willingham. [Jon Heyman] Despite the connection to Danks, the Yankees have no interest in picking up the $28M or so he is owed from 2015-16. He is scheduled to start at 1pm ET this afternoon. They also did not bother to call the Red Sox about Jon Lester. Seems like that would be a gigantic waste of time. [Mark Feinsand & Nick Cafardo] Filed Under: Open Thread, Trade Deadline Tagged With: Alex Rios, John Danks, Jon Lester, Josh Willingham, Marlon Byrd 2014 Trade Deadline Open Thread: Monday July 28, 2014 by Mike 135 Comments “There’s always money in the banana stand!” (MLB.com) The non-waiver trade deadline is 4pm ET this Thursday, and between now and then there will be a ton of rumors and speculation. Some actual moves too. The Yankees have already swung trades for Brandon McCarthy and Chase Headley, but Brian Cashman has said he is still seeking another starter and another bat. I don’t know if they’ll get another deal done, but I fully expect plenty of Yankees-related rumors this week, hence a full week of open threads rather than one or two days. Over the last few days we’ve heard New York connected to John Danks (link) and Ian Kennedy (link). They do not have interest in Matt Kemp (link), however. The Rockies and White Sox are said to be keeping an eye on Francisco Cervelli (link). Obviously young catching is one of the team’s most tradeable assets. We’ll keep track of the day’s Yankees-related rumors right here in this post, so make sure you check back throughout the day. All of the timestamps below are ET. 5:35pm: The Yankees have been connected to outfielder Chris Denorfia, but they are not engaged in talks with the Padres about him. [Sherman] 5:11pm: The Red Sox are getting “hit hard” with inquiries about both Jon Lester and John Lackey, including from other AL East clubs. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Yankees called, but it would make sense if they did. [Ken Rosenthal] 4:03pm: The Yankees are “in on everything” but they are very reluctant to trade away their best prospects. If true, they won’t be able to make any big upgrades, just smaller, incremental ones. [Joel Sherman] 3:05pm: The White Sox have been scouting New York’s minor league catching depth in recent days, furthering speculation of a Danks trade. The Yankees are also focusing on a right-handed platoon partner for Ichiro Suzuki, which doesn’t really make sense given his splits the last few years. [Jayson Stark] 12:25pm: The Yankees and Cubs have discussed Jake Arrieta, though it would take a huge offer to pry the right-hander away from Chicago. Arrieta is in the middle of a breakout year following some mechanical and pitch selection adjustments. [George Ofman] 11:00am: The Yankees are eyeing Josh Willingham as well as other outfield bats like Alex Rios and Marlon Byrd. They prefer Willingham because he is a pure rental. The Yankees are included in Rios’ six-team no-trade list. Here’s my Scouting The Market post on Willingham. [Jon Heyman & Ken Rosenthal] Danks remains a target and is among the most likely players to be moved. There is no evidence they’ve talked with the Padres about Kennedy and they aren’t focused on Cliff Lee because his contract ensures he’ll be available in August. The Yankees do not appear to have interest in Wade Miley, Bartolo Colon, or Edwin Jackson. [Heyman] Just in case you got your hopes up after his appearance at Yankee Stadium yesterday, Troy Tulowitzki is not close to being traded to the Yankees. “I’m with my family. I wanted to see (Derek) Jeter play one more time,” he said. Tulo was in the area seeing a specialist about his hip injury. [Nick Groke] Filed Under: Open Thread, Trade Deadline Tagged With: Alex Rios, Bartolo Colon, Chicago White Sox, Chris Denorfia, Cliff Lee, Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Jake Arrieta, John Danks, Josh Willingham, Marlon Byrd, Troy Tulowitzki, Wade Miley 2013 Trade Deadline Eve Open Thread (Victor Decolongon/Getty) The annual non-waiver trade deadline is 4pm ET on Wednesday, so pretty much one day away. The Yankees have already pulled off one pre-deadline deal by acquiring Alfonso Soriano and a bunch of cash from the Cubs for minor league righty Corey Black. They were desperate for a right-handed power bat and the trade has already paid dividends, as Soriano hit a two-run homer and a walk-off single on Sunday. That move was a good first step, but the Yankees need much more help than that. They need an everyday third baseman — seven different players have combined to hit .217/.276/.288 (55 OPS+) at the hot corner this year — especially since it looks increasingly unlikely Alex Rodriguez will return to the team at some point. A righty platoon bat for Lyle Overbay, a catcher, and maybe even a starting pitcher should be on the trade deadline shopping list as well. The Yankees haven’t made a notable trade at the deadline since way back in 2006, when they brought in Bobby Abreu. By notable trade, a mean a legitimate above-average player. Someone who didn’t require you to squint your eyes and say “maybe he has something left in the tank.” I don’t know if the team will buck that trend in the next 24 hours or so, but if they were ever going to do it, this would be the perfect time. We’re going to keep track of the day’s Yankees-related rumors right here in this post, so check back often. All times are ET, obviously. Talk about anything trade deadline related — rumors, crazy hypotheticals, etc. — here as well. 10:33pm: Forget about Callaspo, he has reportedly been traded to the Athletics. [Rosenthal] 7:16pm: Young has ruled out a trade to the Yankees and the team no longer has interest in Rios. [Andrew Marchand & Buster Olney] 6:40pm: The Yankees have interest in Alberto Callaspo and have spoken to the Angels about him. Unclear if talks are serious at all. [Danny Knobler] 5:49pm: Mike Morse is very available, but the Yankees and Mariners have not yet had any serious talks. When the Nationals made Morse available over the winter, they wanted Ramon Flores and Jose Ramirez in return. [Sherman & Josh Norris] 4:41pm: The Yankees have renewed their interest in Alex Rios. He recently said he would agree to waive his no-trade clause to come to New York after reports to the contrary. [Scott Merkin] 3:59pm: With 24 hours to go before the deadline, the Yankees are focused on finding a righty platoon partner for Overbay and perhaps a trade to rid themselves of Joba Chamberlain. I suppose they could accomplish both at once. [Sherman] 3:01pm: The Yankees are not completely out on Young at this point, but their chances of landing him are “very limited.” [Heyman] 1:50pm: Young will only waive his no-trade clause to return to the Rangers. So much for that idea. [Ken Rosenthal] 1:05pm: If Young is indeed being traded soon, the Yankees say it won’t be to them. [Joel Sherman] 12:19pm: The Phillies are planning to call up third base prospect Cody Asche, which is a pretty strong indication Young will be traded soon. Not necessarily to the Yankees, mind you. Several other clubs (Red Sox, Rangers, etc.) are said to be interested. [Jeff Passan] 12:00pm: The Yankees are still bugging the Giants about Hunter Pence, but there doesn’t appear to be a match at this point. San Francisco plans to make the outfielder a qualifying offer after the season, so any trade return would have to be greater than the value of a supplemental first round pick. [Jon Heyman] The team continues to monitor Michael Young, which they’ve been doing for quite some time now. The Phillies recently indicated they are willing to move their third baseman as well as some other players. [Andy Martino] Ownership has a “strong desire to reinforce this team and find a way to get in the playoffs,” said Brian Cashman. The Soriano trade is a prime example of that. [Bryan Hoch] Filed Under: Open Thread, Trade Deadline Tagged With: Alberto Callaspo, Alex Rios, Hunter Pence, Joba Chamberlain, Jose Ramirez, Michael Young, Mike Morse, Ramon Flores Update: Alex Rios says he would have agreed to trade to Yankees July 28, 2013 by Mike 54 Comments Sunday: Conflicting reports! Rios told Bruce Levine the report is false and he would have accepted a trade to the Yankees had he been asked. “No, it is not true at all because if I was asked I was willing to waive my no-trade clause to go to the Yankees … It hasn’t been brought to me at all but I never turned a deal down to New York,” he said. Friday: Via Joel Sherman: The Yankees called the White Sox about outfielder Alex Rios recently, but were told he is unwilling to waive his no-trade clause to come to New York. That’s when the club moved on to Alfonso Soriano, who was acquired today. The Yankees are one of six teams included on Rios’ no-trade list. Rios, 32, is hitting .276/.330/.437 (107 wRC+) with 12 homers and 21 stolen bases this season, including a 133 wRC+ against left-handers. He’s also a very good defensive player and is owed a reasonable ~$17M through the end of next season with an affordable ($13.5M) club option for 2015. Rios is clearly a better player than Soriano and would have been a better pick-up, though the Yankees would have had to surrender more/higher-quality prospects. Filed Under: Asides, Trade Deadline Tagged With: Alex Rios Gonzales: Yankees one of six teams on Alex Rios’ no-trade list July 4, 2013 by Mike 19 Comments Via Mark Gonzales: The Yankees are one of six teams included in Alex Rios’ no-trade list. The others are the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Astros, Royals, and Athletics. Good luck finding some kind of pattern there — he didn’t just select big market teams for leverage. There have not yet been any indications the Yankees are interested in the White Sox right fielder this summer. Rios, 32, has hit .268/.325/.439 (104 wRC+) with eleven homers and 15 steals in 339 plate appearances for the ChiSox this year. He put up a 125 wRC+ in 2012 after spending a few years alternating between being really good and really bad. It’s also worth noting he’s a very good defensive outfielder. Rios is owed approximately $6.25M for the remainder of 2013 plus another $12.5M next year with a $13.5M club option for 2015. The Yankees could use a right-handed hitting two-way outfielder they can control for another year or two, but Rios’ up-and-down career makes me nervous. Even if they did have interest, they’d have to jump through the no-trade clause hoop to make it happen. 2013 Potential Trade Targets — Part II June 26, 2013 by Matt Warden 88 Comments Quentin. (Doug Pensinger/Getty) Last week, I scoured through some of the RAB comments (bold!, I know), and wrote a post on a few potential trade candidates. Since then, we’ve received several trade suggestions. So, what was initially expected to be a two-part series has now become a four-part series. With that said, let’s dive into part deux. A former Diamondbacks first round draft pick (2003), Carlos Quentin, has done fairly well this season, batting .262/.364/.482 (.367 wOBA, 143 wRC+) over 195 plate appearance heading into last night’s game. He’s spent time throughout his career at both outfield corners, and would represent a noticeable upgrade over the cumulatively less-than-stellar production of Ichiro Suzuki, Vernon Wells, Thomas Neal, Brennan Boesch, and former Yankee, Ben Francisco. Eventually, Curtis Granderson will return, though who knows how he’ll do after having sustained injuries to both the wrist/forearm and the hand. Zoilo Almonte has been a feel good story thus far, though I think it’s unrealistic to expect him to be a productive full-time starting big leaguer right away. Much to Carlos’ credit, he takes a fair amount of walks (9.2 BB%) and doesn’t give up a ton of strike outs (15.5 K%). He also fits the Yankees hit-for-power mantra (.237 ISO). On the surface, Quentin (who’ll be turning 31 years old in August), makes for a sensible choice in trade targets. As an added bonus, the Yankees would never have to wonder who’d be willing to fight Zack Greinke should he get mouthy on the mound again, so there’s that. Just as with all players, there are some concerns though. For starters, Quentin’s never been particularly consistent. He had a really solid season in 2008 (4.7 fWAR) in which he ended fifth on the MVP balloting. Other than that though, he’s been very mediocre through limited play (just twice in his career has he amassed over 500 plate appearances). Why the limited exposure, you may ask? Well, the answer is simple — injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Here’s the run down: 2003 — Tommy John Surgery 2007 — Partial tear of left labrum 2008 — Injured wrist after slamming bat in frustration (later reported that he had a fractured wrist and would undergo season-ending surgery). 2009 — Plantar fasciitis 2011 — Sprained left shoulder on a diving catch (would make only two more plate appearances the rest of the season) 2012 — Opened the season on the DL after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus (his knee bothered him again later in September which resulted in another season-ending surgery) 2013 — Sore left shoulder, sore right knee, sore right wrist (all have kept him day-to-day this season) Quentin is also currently signed to a three-year, $27M contract (with a mutual option for 2016) with the Padres, though he has expressed a willingness to waive his no-trade clause for an AL club if he could take on a designated hitter role. These last two points are what make this scenario challenging. The team would be taking on a defensively limited guy for a couple seasons who’s not only injury prone, but also earns an average of $9 million a year. Moreover, we’re talking about a guy who is realistically only capable of playing in the lineup as a DH on any sort of regular basis (if at all). To make matters worse, over the past few seasons, Quentin has also shown an increased tendancy of not hitting lefties. Quentin wouldn’t necessarily resolve the outfield concerns, nor would he help with the inevitable log jam at DH. It’s also difficult to say what this would cost the Yankees in terms of prospects. Perhaps San Diego requests a couple mid-level prospects and some salary relief. Or maybe they ask for more given the lack of options available by the trade deadline. Basically, I think this is one of those ideas that’s kind of nice in theory, but isn’t the most practical in reality. Mike Morse My gut reaction to Morse was “Here’s another guy that I have absolutely no interest in.” He’s been generally regarded as sub-par defensively and on the bases. While he does showcase some power (career .197 ISO), he doesn’t take walks at all (career 6.1 BB%) and strikes out often (career 22.2 K%). So with proper bias in place, I visited FanGraphs. To Morse’s credit, he’s actually produced relatively well the past few seasons, basically since getting the opportunity to play full-time (148 wRC+ in 2011, 113 wRC+ in 2012, and 115 wRC+ so far in 2013), though he too has been limited in exposure throughout his career overall (only one season with 500+ at bats). Oddly, this season Morse has had some difficulty with righties despite being a .284 career hitter against them (through 138 plate appearances in 2013, he’s batting .225). I don’t think that that would be a deal-breaker by any means, but it would be something to keep an eye out on. The Mariners owed Morse $7 million this season so the Yankees would only be on the hook for about $3.5M or so at most, depending on when the deal is done — granted that’s not really cheap for a rental. He’s also a free agent next season, so I don’t think the Yankees would be necessarily forced to give up a whole lot despite Morse’s solid start to the season, especially if the Mariners are expecting any salary relief. Again, maybe a middling prospect and some cash gets it done. As an added bonus, Morse can also play first base, which would alleviate some of the burden currently being caused by a cooling Lyle Overbay and an injured Mark Teixeira. In other words, I actually give this proposal a relunctant thumbs up. I think it may make sense now given the overall lack of power production, and wouldn’t hinder the team too much down the road. Hart. (Mark Hirsch/Getty) Corey Hart A guy like Hart sure is tempting, huh? We’re talking about a guy who’s been pretty good offensively the past few seasons (career .276/.334/.491, .354 wOBA, 117 wRC+), has hit over 25 home runs in each of the past three seasons, and who is only 31 years old. Hart’s concluding his three-year commitment with the Brewers (owed $10.3M this year) and is expected to be a free agent after the season. Better yet, we’re talking about a guy who plays Right Field and First Base — a guy kind of like Nick Swisher. The Brewers are currently sitting in last place in the N.L. Central at 31-43, so they may even be sellers by the deadline (or perhaps before). So what’s the catch? Well for starters he’s been sidelined all season recovering from knee surgery. He was supposed to be back in May initially. Then he was expected to return in June. Now he’s not going to be back until after the All-Star break at the earliest. Knee injuries are a pain (literally) and they take time to recover from. It’ll be interesting to see how he does when he returns. He may go back to being his old self, or he may struggle at the plate if he’s unable to deal with the impact of pivoting through the swing. Hart is the kind of guy who wouldn’t necessarily come cheap either. Aside from some salary relief, I’d imagine the Brewers would be looking for an above-average prospect despite the injury. That said, Hart would be the type of player who I would hope the team seroiusly considers in the offseason if he has a strong second half of this season. Who knows, maybe another short-term deal is plausible if enough teams question his durability heading forward. Alex Rios Mike discussed Rios briefly in last Friday’s mailbag. He hit on my two biggest gripes against Rios, age 32. He’s been very inconsistent throughout his career and would cost quite a bit (he’s owed $13M this season and next, so the Yanks would presumably be on the hook for up to as much as $20M). Frankly, it was viewed as an act of brilliance when the Blue Jays managed to dump both Rios’ and Wells’ contracts onto other teams; I’m not sure I want to be cheering on the team that intentionally acquires both after having already committed two years too many to Ichiro. That’s a lot of cash for a potentially disasterous outfield. To be fair, Rios was pretty solid last season, and has been pretty good this season so far (.280/.340/.465, .348 wOBA, 116 wRC+ with 11 home runs), and would certainly mark an upgrade over what the team’s been marching out into right field. On the plus side, Rios has been relatively healthy throughout his career, has some speed on the bases, and can handle pitchers of either handedness (which is a nice change of pace given all the platoon players the team currently employs). One interesting tidbit is that almost all of Rios’ home runs are hit to left field (he’s a dead pull hitter). When I checked out his home run trajectories and then overlaid Yankee stadium, they all would have been Home Runs. The point is, maybe Death Valley in left-center wouldn’t be that much of a hindrance to Rios despite less-than-ideal dimensions for his swing. I guess what it comes down to is whether you think Rios will continue his production for another season and a half. He seems to have figured it out these last couple seasons with the White Sox. Given that it’s not my money (or my ass on the line), I’d be tempted to take this gamble assuming the cost of acquiring Rios is reasonable beyond the dollars and cents. The White Sox also currently stink (31-43), so they very well could be realistic sellers by the trade deadline. Aramis. (Mike McGinnis/Getty) The first thing I’ll say about Aramis is that I didn’t realize he was already 35 years old. I forget that he’s been in the league since 1998 having spent time with the Pirates, Cubs and Brewers. The second thing I’ll say about Aramis is that he’s a Third Baseman, which by default, makes him appealing to me given the nonsense the Yankees are currently fielding at the position. As it turns out, Ramirez has actually been pretty good too. After posting a strong season last year (5.8 fWAR), he’s continued to swing the bat well this season (.267/.347/.413, .336 wOBA, 113 wRC+). He provides some power (.151 ISO) and patience (10.2 BB%). He doesn’t strike out a ton either (18.1%), and has been pretty effective throughout his career when it comes to hitting for average (.285 BA) which is fueled by a career .292 BABIP. And as mentioned above, the Brewers will be a team likely to sell. So, time to bring him on board, right? Well, not so fast. There are some hurdles. First, Alex Rodriguez could potentially return to the roster not too long after the All-Star break. This creates a bit of a lineup logjam. I assume they would try to to keep both Ramirez’s and Rodriguez’s bat in the lineup which means one will have to play DH — a spot already occupied by Travis Hafner, and eventually shared with Derek Jeter and probably Teixeira (should he not go the season-ending surgery route). Secondly, Ramirez wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon if the Yankees did acquire him. He’s owed $10M this season and $16M next season, with a $14M dollar mutual option ($4 million buyout) in 2015. So what else is new with the expensive 35-year-old you might ask? Well, he’s also recovering from a knee injury. I’m not sure he’s the type of guy you want to break the bank on when it comes to rejuvenating an already severely injured lineup. I assume the Brewers will look for at least a couple decent prospects in addition to salary relief. Right idea, wrong timing here maybe. Then again, that seems to be the case for a lot of trade candidates, really. Filed Under: Trade Deadline Tagged With: Alex Rios, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Quentin, Corey Hart, Michael Morse	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3657
__label__wiki	0.606491	0.606491	Parliament supports the ANSDF Previous Article Care for the Heroes Next Article Anderson: Australia remains committed to the long-term partnership with Afghanistan In a recent symbolic event, members of Afghanistan Parliament announced their support for the Afghan National Security and Defence Forces (ANSDF) by wearing their uniform. Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, speaker of the Parliament, praised the action of the House of Representatives and ordered to discuss Representatives’ resolution for approval at their general meeting. Farkhunda Zahra Naderi, a Member of Parliament who wore the uniform of the Afghan National Civil Order Police, said: “Police and other security forces are fighting to keep peace and democracy in the country. I ask other Afghan women to join the ANSDF because maintaining peace and security is not the duty and responsibility of men only, women should also take part in this regard.” Sayed Anwar Sadat, another Member of Parliament, said: “I wore ANSDF uniform, and I feel like a soldier. ANSDF are capable of providing security for our people, but we still need the international community to equip our ANSDF. Our people will never forget the bravery and sacrifice of the security forces.” In a resolution, the MPs expressed their respect for the ANSDF fallen soldiers and their families.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3663
__label__wiki	0.657201	0.657201	How Not to Ingratiate Yourself with an English Teacher 2001: Mr. Sidle, on his first day of teaching English 101 at NIU, comes face to face with his worst nightmare: a smart student. SIDLE: So, that's the difference between simile, metaphor, and personification. ME: Could you explain personification again, please? SIDLE: It's when you give an inanimate object the qualities or characteristics of something living. ME: Then, how does this relate to anthropomorphism, say in children's writing? SIDLE: What do you mean? ME: Well, say you have a children's book about, I don't know, a talking garbage can. Is the garbage can anthropomorphic, or just personified? SIDLE (fumfahing for an answer, sweat breaking out): Okay, well, personification is when the garbage can, for example, is described as being alive, but... ME (just fucking with him now and enjoying it WAY too much): Would you say that anthropomorphism is when you write an inanimate object with human characteristics. Like speaking and such? SIDLE: I suppose... yeah. I'm not sure I've heard the word... ME: It's Greek, it means "in the shape of a man," anthropos meaning man and morph meaning shape. SIDLE: Oh, I see. Well, no, personification is different. ME: Is it like prosopopeia? I think that was the one time I came closest to making him cry. Here's another exchange, just for the hell of it. We had just read E.M. Forster's riveting "Shooting an Elephant," and we were asked to write a short narrative essay about a personal experience of our own. ME: And here I was going to write about how I'd once shot an elephant in my pajamas. SIDLE (with genuine fascination and near-concern) : Oh my God, really? ME: Uh, yeah. And how he got in my pajamas I'll never know... Ba-zing! You just don't get openings like that very often, do you? Labels: On the Subject of Me, Words Words Words Wanted: For Crimes Against Cinema I’m starting to think that it’s time for a major shakedown in English-speaking cinema. Films today are too long, too dull, too pointless, and too humorless. Does every film today need to be as long and wearisome and boring as Sideways or Kingdom of Heaven? Film is reaching that same out-of-control state that it reached in the early sixties, and like then, there needs to be some culling of the ranks. I think, at this point, directors--especially well-established directors--should have to prove why they should remain financed by major studios. If you haven’t made anything truly worthwhile since 2000, you’re gone. Step aside and make room for newer talents that might bring us something truly worthy of consideration, or for directors who’ve been around for awhile and have never had the money they deserve to flourish. And if they want to make interesting films, they can do it for cable; let them make some decent HBO movies before we trust them again. This is by no means a complete list, but these are my choices for directors who, honestly, we don’t need anymore. Not exhaustive; just exhausting. Case Against: Boorish egomaniac who thinks people still care about what he has to say about reel three of a Cary Grant movie from 1937. Thinks he invented the legacy of John Ford. The Cat’s Meow (2001) was arguably his first good film since 1973. When your dry spell is three decades, you’re just not pulling your weight. The Cat's Meow could easily have been made for cable. Case Against: Innovator of some of the greatest horror films of all time, embarrassingly reduced in the nineties to either parodying himself (the lame, endless Scream series, for which we can blame the current plague of cinema’s irony misuse), shamelessly apologizing to the audience (New Nightmare, in which we’re told that he can't stop making horror movies because the fans won’t let him do anything else), and embarrassing attempts at other genres (Vampire in Brooklyn, Music of the Heart). Now nothing more than a director of teen soap operas with occasional horror bits, which has to be a hard artistic pill when you’re 66. Case Against: A director so depressingly average most of the people reading this list have probably never heard of him. Here’s a few key films: The Bounty, No Way Out, Cocktail (which alone should get him flushed out of the filmmaking system), Cadillac Man, The Getaway, Species, Dante’s Peak, and The Recruit, which abets the greatest cinematic crime of the 21st century: furthering the acting career of Colin Farrell. I’m tempted to give him a reprieve since he did direct one great film, Thirteen Days (2001), but the evidence for the other side is just too overwhelming. Case Against: Well, now that his wife is no longer the head of Paramount Pictures, perhaps this will no longer be a problem. I can’t believe after all this time he still gets by on his reputation of having directed The French Connection and The Exorcist. In the nearly four decades since, his career has amounted to embarrassing miscalculations (Crusing, To Live and Die in L.A.) and stuff only thrown his way because his wife was doing him a favor. The director of Jade, Rules of Engagement, and The Hunted no longer needs a home at a major studio. Lasse Hallstrom Case Against: Here’s the last decade of Hallstrom’s career: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Something to Talk About, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, The Shipping News, An Unfinished Life, and the current Mary Jane Fan Fiction version of Casanova. These films fall into a category I call: "Oh, Judi Dench is wonderful." These are films generally liked by women ages 46-75, because they’re cozy and not very challenging, and provide pat conclusions to what deceptively feel like adult problems, but when pressed as to what they liked in the film, they always say, "Oh, Judi Dench is wonderful." Well, yes, Judi Dench is wonderful, but since she’s usually playing the same cantankerous old grump who’s listed fifth in the credits, it’s not much of a recommendation, is it? Case against: Hill directed two of the greatest action films of all time (The Warriors, The Long Riders), made the best guitar movie of all time (Crossroads, which managed to make Ralph Macchio look tougher than The Karate Kid did), brought Eddie Murphy to stardom (48 Hrs.) and produced Alien and Aliens. So, how could he make this list? Sadly, he also produced all of the other Alien movies (including Alien vs. Predator) and directed Another 48 Hrs., Johnny Handsome, Trespass, Geronimo: An American Legend, Wild Bill, Last Man Standing, and Supernova. IN A ROW! Get out! Case Against: Sure, he’s a nice guy, but his career has been uneven (putting it at its kindest). Far and Away, EdTV, The Grinch, The Missing, and I think we can all predict how bad The Da Vinci Code is going to be. Kind of makes Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind (among some other very good movies) look like flukes. Case Against: The Star Wars prequels. Admit it, except for the last hour of the third movie, they’re ridiculous. Case Against: People always want to cut him slack, just because he directed Die Hard, Predator, and The Hunt for Red October. They’re all good films, of course. But since then, he’s directed only one good movie, the terribly underrated The Thirteenth Warrior. Otherwise, the man made Last Action Hero for god’s sake. Two bad remakes of Norman Jewison (The Thomas Crown Affair, Rollerball) and yet another embarrassing John Travolta movie (Basic) later, and no one wants to cut him any more fucking slack. Case Against: Troy. 'Nuff said. Case Against: Look, we could debate all night whether or not Tootsie really had anything to say. We all know that Out of Africa didn’t deserve any Oscars. But Sabrina, Random Hearts, and The Interpreter speak for themselves. Boooooooooring. Case Against: I used to love his movies. I could defend every movie he made. Even The American President made up for North. But then came Ghosts of Mississippi. And The Story of Us. And fucking Alex & Emma, which only furthers the myth that Luke Wilson is an appealing movie star. And now we have Rumor Has It, which expects us to believe that Jennifer Aniston is a movie star and that women still want to sleep with Kevin Costner. In a just universe, Rob Reiner would be making movies for the ABC Family Channel right now. Case Against: How does the director of St. Elmo’s Fire and fucking The Lost Boys get handed the driver’s keys to the Batman franchise and then get rewarded by the studio for driving it into the open sea? And then setting it on fire before it can sink with dignity? And then pissing on it? This man has not made one decent movie in his life, and there’s no reason he needs to keep trying after 32 years as a filmmaker. Case Against: Yes, yes, he made Alien, the overrated Blade Runner, the underrated Legend, the heavily flawed Gladiator, and the surprisingly good Hannibal. But, come on, Someone to Watch Over Me? Black Rain? The soulless Black Hawk Down? Fucking Kingdom of Heaven??? This guy should be directing Nike commercials right now, not major motion pictures. And I think, personally, once you’ve cast Orlando Bloom as the lead in anything, you deserve to have your good fortunes reversed. (NOTE: Tony Scott should also be on this list, but the case against him seems too obvious to have to make.) Case Against: Apparently, after making Schindler’s List, this talented filmmaker’s body was invaded by aliens who forced him to make nothing but pretentious crap afterward. He is the definition of an overindulgent, directionless filmmaker: he can’t edit, he can’t fit a story in less that seven hours or something, and he never has anything to say beyond "childhood is magic" and "I hate my mother!" (And if we're being honest, some heavy edits could be made to Schindler's List, anyway.) His films are so bad now, one can easily go back and see all of the flaws in his earlier, better movies (especially The Color Purple and E.T.). Time to put him on the ice floe. Case Against: As if any proof other than Alexander were needed, the last uneven decade since Natural Born Killers (the last time he had any balls) should provide a portrait of a once brave filmmaker slowly neutering himself in a desperate bid to become PC without drawing attention to it. John Woo Case Against: Since coming to America ten years ago, he’s made one good film. Well, thanks for nothing, then. Sometimes a lack of cash flow works for a filmmaker... Case Against: See Spielberg, Steven. Apply exact same problems, as all Zemeckis has ever done is riff on Spielberg, anyway. Some Brief Mentions Paul Thomas Anderson needs to be reminded that what saved Boogie Nights was characterization and editing, the two things sorely missing from Magnolia. Michael Bay...come on, after Pearl Harbor, you’re willing to give this guy another chance? And Martin Brest may have made Beverly Hills Cop, but he made Meet Joe Black (a nine-hour film about Anthony Hopkins dying that takes place in real time) and Gigli. And, hey, look at how cheesy Titanic comes across these days and tell me that rip-off artist James Cameron needs another go-around (his career is in a permanent state of performance anxiety, anyway; let’s just take the pressure off). Rob Cohen is a man in his sixties pathetically trying to shape the youth culture with XXX and The Fast and the Furious, two phony and synthetic films (plus, he ruined Dragonheart, the greatest screenplay I’ve ever read, by aiming it at children). Jan de Bont made Speed, but the rest of his filmography reads like a litany of prison sentences. Roland Emmerich made his good movie (I still defend Independence Day), but after Godzilla, The Patriot, and The Day After Tomorrow, he needs to exit. Nora Ephron has yet to make a single watchable movie, I don’t care if she did write a movie as great as When Harry Met Sally; it still redefined the romantic comedy for the modern era as a riff on Howard Hawks movies, so she ultimately has to answer for Dawson’s Creek. Am I the only human being who thought Fight Club had nothing original to say and that David Fincher is just a hack with a decent sense of cinematography? And who the fuck is Antoine Fuqua? Another director from the Bruckheimer Hack Factory who screwed up his decent chances in order to be yet another Bruckheimer slave. Christopher Guest is a good writer, sure, but Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind are all the same film: This Is Spinal Tap. Renny Harlin...well, just hearing his name should make you want to kill yourself (and I liked Cutthroat Island and The Long Kiss Goodnight, which says a lot about my tolerance levels). Stephen Herek has never made a good film, unless you’re one of those saps who think Mr. Holland’s Opus and Life or Something Like It were moving rather than insulting. Ken Kwapis may make some great episodes of Malcolm in the Middle and The Office, but give him a movie camera and he’ll whip up something truly awful like Dunston Checks In, The Beautician and the Beast, or The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Does anyone remember the movie Heathers? Its director, Michael Lehmann, was rumored to be quite talented, but then came Hudson Hawk. And My Giant (and, honestly, if you make a Billy Crystal movie past 1991, it should be an automatic ticket to movie jail). And then he made 40 Days and 40 Nights. So much for innovation... And how about we terminate the career of Shawn Levy, the director of Just Married, Cheaper by the Dozen, the delayed Pink Panther remake, and, wait for it, Cheaper by the Dozen 2? He’s had a lot of opportunity to make something at least remotely likeable, and he’s failed each time. And as for John Madden, look me in the face and tell me that Shakespeare in Love, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and Proof were good movies, and you’ll have to leap out of the way to avoid getting sprayed by the spittle of my intense laughter. I know he’s directing the new Harry Potter, but how much longer are we going to let Mike Newell get by on having made Four Weddings and a Funeral decades ago? He’s also the director of such pathetically average fare as Amazing Grace and Chuck, Into the West, Enchanted April, An Awfully Big Adventure, Pushing Tin, and Mona Lisa Smile. Frank Oz used to make good movies with the Muppets (or at least, in the case of Little Shop of Horrors, great puppet effects), but the man who directed Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Housesitter, In & Out, The Score, and The Stepford Wives shows that he’s too willing to compromise to make anything worthwhile. Harold Ramis, too; he may have served as director on three of the funniest movies ever made--Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Groundhog Day--but he needs to be stopped before he makes yet another Analyze This sequel. His good work is a long time in the past. And the same goes triple for Ivan Reitman, who hasn’t made a good movie since Ghostbusters (except perhaps Dave, but if it was never made, would you really care?). Joe Roth is one of those smart-assed producers who thinks he can show people how it’s done, and then he makes crap like America’s Sweethearts (anyone ever remember that piece of crap?) and Christmas with the Kranks, proving he’s still just the shlub that made Revenge of the Nerds 2: Nerds in Paradise. All Tom Shadyac does is add a lot of overweening emotions to Liar Liar, Patch Adams, and Bruce Almighty to make those films not just less funny, but also pathetically desperate to be liked. And finally, Gore Verbinski... his only good film was Pirates of the Caribbean, which was a nice little 90-minute adventure that he managed to stretch out by an hour in order to make it convoluted and shrill, and then cast idiot non-actors like Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. Yay, American cinema! There are so many others I could name. Tim Burton, hanging by a thread since 2001. Penny Marshall, a name too horrible to mention near any theater. The two worst directors working today, Brett Ratner and Tony Scott. And there’s probably a whole dissertation one could pen on the veritable worthlessness of the Steven Soderbergh canon (has there ever been a director who so willingly and fearfully guts his own potential?). But, frankly, I’m too tired to keep up this level of whining for long. Labels: Films A Note for the Members of My Writing Class pedagogue: (noun) 1. A schoolteacher; an educator. 2. One who instructs in a pedantic or dogmatic manner. pedagogy: (noun) 1. The art or profession of teaching. 2. Preparatory training or instruction. pedagogical: (adjective) 1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pedagogy. 2. Characterized by pedantic formality: a haughty, pedagogic manner. pedology: (noun) The scientific study of soils, including their origins, characteristics, and uses. Study the above before the next meeting of English 300A, so I don't have to hear any more about how you finished your latest "pedological" exercise. Labels: Words Words Words Boy, they'll let anyone be a documentarian these days, won't they? Last night I saw a documentary on HBO called Pretty Things. Here's what Liz Goldwyn thinks her documentary is about: burlesque dancers are feminist icons who bravely took control of their own sexuality and broke new ground for glamorous women everywhere, and how it effects Liz herself in the present day while she tries to gain some self-esteem through glamour. Now here's what her documentary is really about: a little girl has a condescentive interest in a bunch of old strippers who poke holes in her feminist fantasies by telling her about the reality of burlesque, but the little girl won't listen to anything that doesn't play into her naive dreams about sexuality, and instead focuses the entire documentary on herself and her quest to make herself feel better by stripping. This is the messiest, most unfocused documentary I've seen in a long time; first year film student bad. Liz Goldwyn has managed to score interviews with some of the burlesque greats, and praises them for being feminist pioneers and owning their own sexuality. But when, for example, Zorita (who used to put on a show that looked like she was making love to a snake) tells her "I think you're giving me qualities that you wish you had yourself, obviously," Liz doesn't want to hear it and pulls back. It's a shameful little movie; Liz is not interested in these ladies as people, but as her imagined dreams of feminism and glamour. Which makes this movie a supremely missed opportunity. She had a chance to really document these women and their stories, but she's much more interested in how they reinforce her preconceived notions, and therefore completely misses out on knowing them as real people. And so does the audience. This is all summed up in the way Liz inserts herself into the film over and over again. Apparently, she's decided that learning to do a striptease is going to make her some kind of fully-rounded woman, so we get a lot of her trying out makeup, trying out her dance moves, recording a song ("Hey, Big Spender") to dance to. This film has less to do with her pioneering heroines than it does with her telling us over and over again how she's been influenced by them. It's a selfish focus, and it makes Liz Goldwyn impossible to like. Perhaps the most egregious moment in the entire thing is when Liz takes personal offense at the stories some of the women tell about how they were sometimes prostitutes, often sex objects, and how some men would pay to have the ladies sit on their laps, or how many men would masturbate watching them. Like a Women's Studies major who insists that an erection is a sexual assault, Liz takes this as an affront. She goes as far as to equate burlesque with ballet (makes sense; both are performance art), but then seems to suggest that burlesque is about women showing themselves off for themselves. In fact, burlesque is about women being paid to show themselves off to men. To suggest that stripping doesn't have 95% to do with money and horny guys who want to see women naked is either extremely stupid or dysfunctionally naive. As the film goes on, Liz Goldwyn becomes harder and harder not to hate. Other problems? The soundtrack is incredibly unimaginitive (songs like "Hey, Big Spender," "I Wanna Be Loved By You," and "Fever," all sung flatly by Liz herself on the soundtrack at some point or another), suggest that Liz's unrealistic ideas about burlesque mostly come out of old movies and Tex Avery cartoons. Over the credits, she uses an edited version of David Bowie's "Oh! You Pretty Things," apparently because it uses the words "pretty things" in the refrain (even though the lyrics, about the replacement of humans by superior beings, are incongruous with the film's intent...or at least I hope they are). Liz's climactic black and white strip routine is a bore, too; her makeup and hair are ridiculous, and she looks like she's wearing a big diaper instead of pants. Zorita died while this film was being made. Her viewpoint was more interesting than anyone else's, which only makes Pretty Things more tragically sophomoric, more wastefully self-serving. Liz Goldwyn is an untalented narcissist who has made a film that fails even to push the agenda she so selfishly insists is the truth. Read a Steve Sullivan book instead. Don't waste your time on this. ▼ 12 February - 19 February (4) How Not to Ingratiate Yourself with an English Tea... Boy, they'll let anyone be a documentarian these d...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3664
__label__cc	0.515353	0.484647	The Joys of Misperception Here's something that annoys me. My mom has the worst, dumbest taste in movies. And every Saturday, she always calls to tell me that she went to see some stupid movie, knowing that it's going to annoy me, but she just has to tell me she saw something and she liked it. And this week, it was Norbit. And when I groan in derision, she always has the same answer: "Sometimes you just want to see something stupid and funny." Why? I don't know why people want to see something stupid and funny. And I don't understand why people wear that as some sort of badge of normalcy that they defend to the death. The explanation I got this morning is this: "Everything doesn't always have to be serious and stone-faced. Sometimes people need to laugh." And that's where I always get pissed off. It's not like she's taking time out from her busy schedule of watching the films of Godard while simultaneously reading all of Remembrance of Things Past and playing chess with Deep Blue. She's tearing herself away from Seinfeld reruns and Anne Rice novels to relax herself with Eddie Murphy's umpteenth feature-length fat joke. Am I supposed to be pleased? And the other thing that pisses me off about it is this: Why do people assume that, just because you're not watching The King of Queens and reading the new Stephen King novel, you want everything to be serious? Why do they assume you don't like to laugh just because you don't feel the need to, every once in a while, physically take your brain out of your head, fart on it, and giggle as a means to relax. Look, I'm the first guy to say that what people find funny is purely subjective. But what I find funny is what engages my brain or strikes a chord or is just plainly bizarre. It doesn't have to be intellectual, it just has to engage me enough to make me laugh. Christ, I'm a Disney fan, I love the Three Stooges, I could recite entire bits from Monty Python and The Simpsons, I think Eurotrip is a funny movie--I'm not sitting here watching Schindler's List on a loop and taking myself seriously. I just try not to rush headlong into obvious crap and then justify it with something as ridiculous as "Not everything has to be serious." I guess I'm just not desperate enough to hide from reality that I go to those lengths and come up with self-serving explanations about my penchant for liking crap. Everyone likes crap. Who fucking cares? I just get offended by the idea that I don't know how to take a joke because I think something you like is incredibly retarded. Why don't you try to justify your appreciation instead of attacking my lack of it? Labels: Films, On the Subject of Me, Pop Culture Theory The Bible Summarized by a Smartass, Part Nineteen: Esther News dispatches from Susa, the capitol of the Persian Empire: Terrible news today: women realize they have autonomy as Queen Vashti refuses King Ahasuerus’s simple request to show herself off to the crowd. . .Social fabric could rip at any second. . .Queen to be done away with as an example. . .King: “Every man must be master of his own house”. . . Success at last: King ends his years-long search for a new bride. . .Esther to be the new Queen of Persia. . .King personally test-rode every virgin in the kingdom to find which one was the best. . .Banquet celebration was disrupted by two would-be assassins, who were foiled by the Jew Mordecai. . .Assassins to be hanged tomorrow. . . Haman named Royal Prime Minister. . .Moredcai refused to bow to Haman, creating a public scene. . .In other news, King Ahasuerus today signed a bill authored by PM Haman to create a systematic program of ethnic cleansing to wipe out the Jew from all 127 provinces of the Empire. . . Mysterious confrontation today between Mordecai and Queen Esther. . .Mordecai at the head of a large group of Jewish mourners in the streets. . . Queen Esther to throw a banquet. . .PM Haman to attend by royal invitation. . .King Ahasuerus sure thinks the queen is purdy. . .In other news, Persia is slaughtering away at its Jews. . . King Ahasuerus to finally honor Mordecai the Jew for saving him from assassination. . .PM Haman to put together something special. . .attendance at parade will be required. . .Haman seen leaving the palace in tears. . .PM’s wife Zeresh says PM is unavailable for comment. . . Queen Esther’s banquet was marred by tragedy today. . .Esther reveals hidden identity as a Jew. . .Scandal: Mordecai is the queen’s cousin and adoptive father. . .King promises justice. . .PM Haman slain by the king’s men for attacking the queen. . . Chapter Eight King Ahasuerus ends ethnic cleansing program at wife’s request. . .Queen Esther inherits all of Haman’s estate; gives it to Mordecai. . .Mordecai is authorized to call for sectarian violence against “enemies of Israel”. . .provinces terrified of Jewish retaliation. . .many people pretending to be Jews in a bid to be spared. . .Mordecai’s plot endorsed by the king himself. . . Chapter Nine Slaughter in every province today as Mordecai carries out his revenge. . .75,000 killed in bloody reprisals. . .Haman’s entire family among the dead. . .Mass murders to be remembered and celebrated as Jewish feast of Purim. . . Chapter Ten Peace reigns. . .And fear. . .Peace and fear. . . Next week: The Book of Job (or, I Want to Tell You: The O.J. Simpson Story) Labels: Religioisity, Summarized by a Smartass Because We All Love to Talk About Ourselves Otherwise, we wouldn't have blogs. 1) Do you have a crush on somebody? I think my love for Charisma Carpenter is pretty well-documented by this point. 2) Do you hate more than 3 people? Oh my, yes. 3) How many houses have you lived in? If military housing counts (and it shouldn't), I've lived in two. Then one condo and two apartments. 4) Favorite candy bar? Watchamacallit. (I have no idea why question five is missing here.) 6) Have you ever tripped someone? Of course. I had a sister growing up, what the hell else was I going to do with her? 7) Least favorite school subject? I sucked at anything scientifical. 8) How many pairs of shoes do you own? Three. My regular shoes, boots, and a pair of dress shoes. I don't need anymore, right, ladies? 9)Do you own a Britney Spears CD? Only all of them. Even the Chaotic EP. And the remix album. 10) Have you ever thrown up in public? I once threw up in Sunday School. All of the Sunday School classes, from first grade to high school, would all sit together for a prayer before breaking off into our separate classes. I was sick that morning, and I sat there and tried not to do anything, and then I just spewed all over. Seriously, it was like a projectile just shout out, spattered onto the floor, and then ran all down my shirt. And that wasn't even the worst part; I didn't have time to feel humiliated, because I had to rush into the bathroom so I could unleash even more vomit. And then I felt my bowels rumbling. Ah, fourth grade; the year I was on my hands and knees in the church bathroom, puking my guts out while filling my pants with enough shit to power a lamp for three days. I had to get replacement clothes from the lost and found. Hooray for me! 11) Name one thing that is always on your mind: Pussy. Sorry, but it's true. 12) Favorite genre of music? Any. Seriously, any. I think I love Romantic-era Classical music best, though. 13) What's your sign? Open for Business, Ladies Get In Free But Men Have to Talk Me Into It. Oh, I mean, Cancer. (For the record, it doesn't take much to talk me into it.) 14) What time were you born? 6:55 on a Saturday evening. 15) Do you like beer? Not especially. I like a stout or an ale. 16) Have you ever made a prank phone call? Please, how immature. I haven't prank called anyone since I was, like, 20. 18) Are you sarcastic? No, I'm not sarcastic. This is just a speech impediment. I want to be your friend. 19) What are your favorite colors? Purple, then green. 20) How many watches do you own? Two. And they're both analog, because I prefer to look at them. And yes, one is a Mickey Mouse watch. 21) Summer or winter? Summer. I hate the snow and root for its eventual destruction. Or for me moving to the tropics. 22) Is anyone in love with you? I should say so. 23) Favorite color to wear? I don't care, but I notice I do wear a lot of charcoals and olives. 24) Pepsi or Sprite? Pepsi is superior to all other colas. 25) What color is your cell phone? Yo no nintendo "cell phone." 26) Where is your second home? Oh, it's in Australia in the hills. I can't go there right now because they're moving in the Greek sculptures and it's a lot of noise, but Elle Macpherson looks in on things for me. I wish! 27) Have you ever slapped someone? Yes, indeed. 28) Have you ever had a cavity? No. Almost, but they covered it with a little bit of sealer. That was a long time ago. I haven't been to the dentist in about eight years, though, so who knows? 29) How many lamps are in your bedroom? One, but it has two actual lights in it. 30) How many video games do you own? I don't know, I'm not the gamer here. The only game I'm crazy about is Civilization II on my PC. 31) What was your first pet? I'm not sure. Hamster, maybe? Or fish. 32) Ever had braces? Yes, for two or three sucky years. 33) Do looks matter? Sadly, yes. Not that I don't have obvious fun objectifying women on my blog, so... 34) Do you use chapstick? No. 35) Name 3 teachers from high school: Mr. Crandus (best teacher in my high school years), Mrs. David (who I totally wanted to sleep with), and Mr. Mango (the chauvinist gym teacher my mom hated who became one of my regular Hollywood Video customers almost a decade later. 36) American Eagle or Abercrombie? Honestly, I barely even know what that question means. 37) Are you too forgiving? Depends. Did you earn it? 38) How many children do you want? Seven or so, besides all of the illegitimate bastards running around now. 39) Do you own something from Hot Topic? Yes, actually. A tee shirt. 40) Favorite breakfast meal: Eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice, fruit. Preferably at my beloved diner, the Junction. 41) Do you own a gun? No. 42) Ever thought you were in love? Yes. 43) When was the last time you cried? It was recently, but I can't remember when or why. 44) What did you do 3 nights ago? Watched TV. Just like every night. 45) Olive Garden? Ew. Why don't I just eat feet with garlic bread? 46) Have you ever called your teacher mommy? I did in second grade. 47) Have you ever been in a castle? No, but that would be pretty cool. Unless you count White Castle. Which I don't see why you would. 48) Nicknames? None that were meant with any affection. Does SamuraiFrog count? 49) Do you know anyone named Bertha? No. 50) Ever been to Kentucky? Yes. My youth group went to a gathering in Atlanta right before the '94 Olympics, and we stopped in Kentucky. The nicest waitress I ever met in my life stood there and talked to me and Carl and John for a long time about some movie she'd seen on TV the night before about a retarded kid. I think the hospitality was lost on my fellows, but I like nice people who want to talk. That was my only experience in Kentucky, but it was a nice one. 51) Do you own something from Banana Republic? Do they even still exist? Seriously, I have no idea. 52) Are you thinking about somebody right now? Yes, a few somebodies. 53) Ever called somebody Boo? No, and I think that's fucking lame. I want to strangle people when I hear them call each other that, especially if they're white. 54) Do you smoke? Yes, for a while. Not anymore. 55) Do you own a diamond ring? No, there are no African children on my conscience. 56) Are you happy with your life right now? Christ, no. Unemployed, broke, fat, tired, lazy, depressed, and frustrated is not exactly how I hoped I would be at 30. 57) Do you dye your hair? I never have. 58) Does anyone have a crush on you? Yes, a few of you. 59) Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? I can't decide which one I hate more. 60) What were you doing in May of 1994? Graduating from high school. I got set up with two girls, one of whom (Inez) I had been watching for years, and the other (name not even remembered) who had been watching me. Neither worked out. 62) McDonald's or Wendy's? When I want to poison myself, I like both of them. Though not at once, obviously. 63) Do you like yourself? Not very much, honestly. 64) Are you closer to your mother or father? Mother. She's overemotional where my dad is emotionally detached. 65) Favorite physical feature of the preferred sex? This: Not the breasts, but just above, that great area from the collarbone to the sternum. I don't know why, but it drive me absolutely wild. 66) Are you afraid of the dark? Sometimes, I still am. Bad dreams. 67) Have you ever eaten paste? I don't think so... Although, when you lick an envelope, isn't that the same thing? 68) Do you own a webcam? No. Who wants to see that? 69) Have you ever stripped? No. Who wants to see that? I don't even like to see me nude. I wear a wetsuit in the shower. No, I'm kidding; I don't take showers. 70) Ever broke a bone? My ankle, although the break wasn't complete. Very nearly was. It was a stupid thing, too; it happened in high school gym class, while I was playing basketball. I spun around and, for some reason, my foot stayed where it was but I heard a crunch in my bone. Thank the gods for adrenaline; I didn't even feel it. 71) Are you religious? No, I'm a grown-up. Fairy tales don't govern my life. 72) Do you chat on AIM often? I'm on Yahoo chatting sometimes. 73) Pringles or Lays? Pringles, if I have to pick one, but I'm not really into chips. 74) Have you ever broken someone's heart? Yes. 75) Rugrats or Doug? Ouch, dude. 76) Full House or The Brady Bunch? If I have to watch one, it's The Brady Bunch. I used to have all these masturbatory fantasies about Jan, where I was her neighbor/dad's friend from work, and I set up this camera and invite her over and... nothing... 77) Do you like your high school guidance counselor? No. 78) Has anyone ever called you fat? Gee, do you think so? 79) Do you have a birth mark? Those are three nines on my forehead. 80) Do you own a car? Flynn, my poor 96 Ford Escort who is on her last legs. She's been good to me for a long time. Longer than Falcon was, at any rate. 81) Can you cook? A fair bit. But no one likes my experiments; is chocolate powder in scrambled eggs really so wrong? Seriously, is it? I'm afraid to try and find out for sure. 84) Money or love? Why can't I love money? Or get money for my love? 85) Do you have any scars? I have a significant dent in my skull from an accident that happened when I was a kid. In the days before excessive childproofing, when I was three or so, I slid on a catalog and cut my head open on the sharp edge of an end table. 86) What do you want more than anything right now? Seriously? A banana split. Maybe on Jessica Pare's body. Come on, you knew I was gonna get tits in here somewhere. 87) Do you enjoy scary movies? If they're good. 88) Relationships or one night stands? Both. 90) Do you enjoy greasy food? Who doesn't? Seriously, who? We have to find them and weed them out. 91) Have you seen all the Rocky movies? Not the new one, but the other five, definitely. And I want to see the new one. 92) Do you own a box of crayons? No. 93) Who was the last person that said they loved you? My mom. 94) Who was the last person that made you cry? I'm not sure. 95) Who was the last person that made you laugh? I'm not sure. 97) Who was the last person that called you? My mom. Norbert Milken Loves Billy Idol In one of my many searches on YouTube for stuff to put on my blog, I found myself wishing I could see something I've wanted to see again for years. Something that Becca and I still quote. So I typed in the following magic words: "Norbert Milken." And I found this: Thank you, Jebus. That's exactly what I was looking for. And now I am sated. I saw this sketch for the first time in 1999, during a marathon viewing session of Video from the Id. My friend Carl used to work at a public access TV station with Joe Kreml, one of the guys who worked on the show. They made and aired the show there, and it was one of the funniest fucking things I've ever seen. I know, I know. A comedy sketch series on public access...is it really any good? It's great. Kids in the Hall great (KOTH being the only sketch comedy show I've never gotten tired of watching, so that's a high compliment from me). This show was brilliant. Carl turned me on to the show, and let me watch all of the episodes. Oh, how I loved those things. I sorely miss them now; I want to see them again badly. I want them on DVD. Jeff Madden, mastermind behind the series, hear my prayers: put them on a DVD so I can buy them from you. Put them on your new website so I can order them and buy two copies. I love the show, and I desperately want to see the "Ten Commandments of Sweeping" sketch again. Anyway. Seriously, I am in unrequited love with this show. I met one of the actors on the show and was practically celebrity-struck. And I even got to work with some of the guys once, acting in a sketch as--wait for it--a fat guy. But who cares, I got to work with some of the guys. Am I gushing enough? Hey, how about another clip? And for the hell of it, some more music-related clips. There's so much more to this group than what I've got here. So, I recommend you hie thee to the website, Monsters from the Id, and watch some more stuff. Now, how do I get my copy of Norbert Milken Loves Supertramp? Jeff Madden, command me! Labels: Music, TV Report Mindlessness of Mencia Carlos Mencia's real name is Ned Holness. He is half-Honduran and half-German, but pretends to be a Mexican named Carlos Mencia, putting on a Cheech accent and telling jokes that a fourth-grader would find hilarious. Mob drew my attention to this video in which Joe Rogan, of all people, goes after "Carlos" for being a joke thief. And, funnily enough, backs it up with video evidence. I can't believe Joe Rogan is the voice of reason here, but he seems to be. There's more at his MySpace page, in which he explains that calling Carlos out on stage has got him banned from the Comedy Store and dropped by his agent. Carlos Mencia is also running trying to get any copies of the linked video removed from online, so see it while you can. He's already taken it off of YouTube. (What? YouTube caved in on something? Never!) The sordid world of comedy. Dane Cook steals from the much funnier Louis CK, and the audience sides with the incredibly unfunny Cook. Now they're siding with the incredibly unfunny Mencia, who steals from a lot of people. And what's this I hear about Denis Leary stealing from Bill Hicks? I've not heard enough Hicks to know the score there. Labels: Pop Culture Theory, TV Report Baby Got Links I'm not going to do a Throwdown this week. All of the news is about Anna Nicole Smith, and I'm really not interested in rubbernecking that; it's not really interesting, and who cares? The other news is about Britney Spears dressing slutty and, again, I don't care. I should've linked this before Valentine's Day; according to Women's Health, women who get laid regularly save money. More Valentines: Coming Soon has some Meet the Robinsons ads with a Valentine theme, and The Gilded Moose has found a perfect e-card for Paris Hilton. The Film Experience has a roundtable discussion of the 20 most anticipated films of the year. Links to all 20 entries are in this post. It's great stuff, you should read it. Can I just say though: P.T. Anderson? Really? Still? Zaius Nation talks about asinine Republican attempts to stick it to Nancy Pelosi over her apparently unreasonable insistence that politicians should do, um, their jobs. The Rude Pundit discusses this week's Bush press conference. Heather Graham and Bridget Moynahan kissing. I see why everyone linked to this; it's fucking hot! New Carl Sagan book! Yes! Postmodern Barney ponders the thoughts of Tobey Maguire and his ever-expressive face. Becca continues her tour of our apartment at No Smoking in the Skull Cave. This week: the library. Man vs. Clown! goes off on Neal Pollack's parenting boook. Hey, he deserves it. I had braces once. Didn't take. Good Tidings on a Bad Day has a horrifying story about how getting fitted almost killed her. Are you excited that Lost is back? Yeah, me neither. Slowly Going Bald has some interesting thoughts on the return and the problems facing the show. Ebaum's World has pictures of the nerdiest car ever... oh, man, I want one! All things Star Wars are still in vogue. Exquisitely Bored in Nacogdoches pulls the best parts of the saga out for us, while College Humor tells us all we really need to know about the first movie, and Popholic gives us a new take on the movie. One more? Okay. Cinematical carries this "revelation" about George Lucas. I love to tell fans about this one; been doing it for years. It always put the prequels in perspective for them. RetroCRUSH has some good stuff this week: Pop culture's best pigs (for Chinese New Year) and an interview with one of the men I want to be when I grow up, Joe Bob Briggs. You know I'm not going to let a bunch of comics links go by, right? The Absorbascon talks about the rise (and in some cases, ridiculousness) of the DC supporting cast throughout the eras. In other DC Comics commentary, Living Between Wednesdays has some things to say about Lois Lane here, here, and especially here. One Diverse Comic Book Nation talks about superhero couples. I see I've made the right choice in leaving the comic book world behind a bit. Because according to Tom the Dog, I Against Comics, and many others, everyone at Marvel Comics has finally lost their minds. The Last Visible Blog ponders things such as continuity, canon, and fandom here and here. An old favorite of mine: Jay Pinkerton's new version of Lost in Translation. Here Comes Johnny Yen Again with a post about one of the great comedies, which seems under-appreciated these days, and how neat it is that he watched it with his son. Pass on the great ones. I've never seen a single episode of Gray's Anatomy, but even I found this writing guide hilarious. X-Entertainment salutes sodas that no longer exist. Stuff has the best speeches in movies. TrailerSpy lists the 15 best trailer remixes. Happy Fifth Anniversary, As Little As Possible! Click the link to read some of his best posts. This is actually a cool little experiment at Entertainment Weekly. Two producers come up with an idea for each others' TV shows. Not only does one of the Family Guy staff get to show off the creative bakruptcy that's been a hallmark of Family Guy for a long, long time, but the other guy neatly rips apart Family Guy and, the cherry on top, its audience of loyal retards. There are Blogger Wars going on right now, aren't there? First, everyone danced on Perez Hilton's well-deserved grave, and now The Gilded Moose finally fires a much-needed shot at Pink Is the New Blog. Ever watched porn? Then you know what to expect from sex. O-Meon salutes the late Peter Ellenshaw, Disney's legendary matte artist. Woody Woodpecker cartoons are finally coming to DVD! Classic Cartoons runs you through the first one. Sclerotic Rings finds the point of it all. (More here.) Labels: Occasional Links She Shall Become...a Bat! Last night's episode of The Office reminded me of this story. In the fall, we get some good, terrifying thunderstorms in DeKalb. Since this is mostly farmland and still somewhat of a rural area (suburban at best), when those storms whip up they get downright violent. We don't have near enough tall buildings to slow it down at all, so we get the works: strong wind, torrential rain, and so much thunder and lightning you'd believe the Four Horsemen were finally making their big entrance. A couple of years ago, such a storm woke me up. They always do, and I always have to check the Weather Channel to make sure tornadoes aren't coming through. After my TV check, I went back to bed; the storm was sudden, and it was over just as suddenly. Whenever it precipitates heavily, I sleep hard. But this early, early morning was different. I heard a noise in the bathroom, as though someone were messing with the blinds, trying to peek through them. My eyes shot open and I looked at the bathroom (I can see it from the bed), but nothing was there. Hmm, okay. Weird. Back to sleep. I woke up an hour or so later. Becca was still sleeping next to me, so when I got up to go out in the living room and watch TV, I closed the door behind me. 20 minutes later, I heard Becca give a yelp and rush into the living room. "There's a bird in the house!" she yelled. It took a few seconds for me to process this. A bird? Again? One had come in through the open door by accident a few weeks earlier, but how this time? Then something flew out of the bedroom and right over her head. She squealed and ducked, and the bird flew right at my head. Except, of course, that it wasn't a bird. "That's a bat," I pointed out, watching it buzz my head. I ducked, too, and watched it fly around the room. I think bats are neat, but all I could think about is that they can carry rabies. Becca was still standing, not sure what to do. And it was kind of funny, because she sleeps naked. Everything was frozen and this poor, terrified bat was flying around the room, flapping its wings like hell, trying to figure out how to get out. "Well, open the door," I told her. There was a tone in my voice that implied, retard. This was too hilarious. Becca ran to the door, ducking as the bat flew near again, freaking out and naked. She opened the door to the building hallway, then actually screamed and ran into the kitchen while the bat flew past her and into the hallway. "Quick, close it!" I yelled. And she ran into the living room and shut the door. Then she took a breath and looked at me. I shrugged. "It's someone else's problem now." She went back to bed. Apparently, the bat had been flying around the room, and she opened her eyes and saw it. I don't know how long it was in the apartment, but obviously that's what I heard in the bathroom; the poor thing was trying to get out. We never heard anything else about it. I'm pretty sure the suddenness of the storm led the bat to try and seek immediate shelter; it must've gotten in through the air exchange on the roof, folded its little body down, and come in through the piping where the furnace is. How he got out of this building, I have no idea. Last night, as Dwight was trying to catch the bat on The Office, Becca and I laughed about the bat that briefly visited us in the early morning. "Oh, and thanks for telling everyone we know that story," she said. Which, of course, is always a clear signal to me to blog about it. A few days after that incident, Becca met up with a bat again, this time at work. She works at Borders, and one morning when only she and the cleaning lady were in, they found a bat sleeping in their receiving room. "What are the bats following me for?" she came home and asked. "What are they trying to tell me?" "Well," I answered, "obviously that you should become Batman." Labels: On the Subject of Me Something's Different About Paris A FEW MONTHS AGO... NOW... I just can't put my finger on them... er, on it. Labels: Celebutards Men Who Step Up This has been a week on reality television that actually confirmed my faith in humanity a little bit. Can you imagine that? On, of all things, reality television? And it happened twice this week. The first time happened on Surreal Life Fame Games. I know, right? This week, the two teams (A consisting of Vanilla Ice, Sandy "Pepa" Denton, Ron Jeremy, C.C. DeVille, and my little lovely Andrea Lowell; B consisting of Verne Troyer, Joanie "Chynadoll" Laurer, Emmanuel Lewis, and my chocolate stiffener Traci Bingham) had to work up a Vegas act with the help of professionals, and whichever team had the best act would be safe from having a member eliminated. The A team worked with a prop comic and came up with a pretty loose, crappy show. The B team worked with a magician and came up with a fun, professional show. The B team won; they deserved to. The problem with the A team was that Vanilla Ice put himself in charge and didn't take input from anyone else. Ron Jeremy has the sense of humor of an 8 year-old, and apparently so does Ice, because his brilliant idea was to have Ron open with comedy. Well, turns out even a Vegas audience isn't that hard up for laughs, because Ron didn't get any. Pepa and Andrea had zero input and almost zero to do except act as emcees, and they ended up giving C.C. this really lame act that he tripped during. The trip becomes important in a minute. The B team, meanwhile, put on a fun and lively show featuring magic, comedy, and a fake orgasm contest with audience participation. They felt really proud of themselves after and deserved to. They won because they put together a good show. But when the A team lost, Ice decided to be a dick about it and say that it was because the B team had the help of props and showgirls and everything in the magician's act, and that's why they won. He was an asshole, and he took the accomplishment away from everyone on the B team. At least Andrea and Pepa knew why they'd lost; because no one but Ice had any input on the show. Now, here's where I got really pissed off. The A team has to pick three players to go into an elimination game. As seen on The Surreal Life 5, C.C. DeVille is just a good guy. He's class all the way, and even though he sometimes lacks confidence, he's compassionate as hell; I think he'd take a bullet for just about anyone. And that's what he did here. He seemed to genuinely feel that what ruined the show was his tripping onstage, and he decided to take the bullet and put himself up for elimination. Ron, who at least knew that everyone was getting tired of his shitty jokes and constant name-dropping, volunteered. I'll give him that; he was an asshole about it, but he stepped up to the plate. But Vanilla Ice... if he was a real man, a real stand-up guy, he'd realize that the failure of the A team was largely his fault. He masterminded the whole thing, the audience didn't like it. But does he step up and take the blame? Of course not. He decides it would be "fair" for him, Pepa, and Andrea to draw cards. And Pepa lost. Fuck you, Vanilla Ice. You washed your hands and didn't accept responsibility for yourself. Aren't you all born again now? Some compassion. So, Ron, Pepa, and C.C. have to play Go Fish. And whomever gets the least amount of quads goes home. Pepa kept asking for jacks, but no one ever had them, and she was lagging desperately behind. Ron, meanwhile, was mowing through them, getting quad after quad. And that's when C.C. stepped up again. He didn't want Pepa to lose because Ice was a dick. And he asked Ron Jeremy, "Do you have any jacks?" And that was his clear signal to Pepa that he had what she needed; when it was her turn, she went right for them, and he gladly gave them to her, smiling at her like he was proud that she wouldn't be going home. Pepa quickly finished the game, and it came down to Ron and C.C. And C.C. lost. I was so into the game that I actually teared up a little. C.C. DeVille, who never hurt anyone, took the bullet and got killed. He saved Pepa at the cost of being eliminated. Let me tell you: that's a man. That's behavior that is becoming more and more rare today. He stepped up to the plate and took one for the team. And that's the kind of nobility that Vanilla Ice will never, ever know. Because he has no idea why C.C. is a decent man, and he's just the prick who shouts the loudest. The other event happened last night on Beauty and the Geek. Of the two couples remaining, it was genuinely a tough call as to who should win. Scooter and Megan were always nice, but in a way they were non-entities. There wasn't a lot of personality there from the beginning. In fact, Megan seemed purposefully set on not being interesting enough to get noticed. On the other side, Nate and Ceci. And Nate really, really was a great guy. The kind of guy you'd like to have as a friend. But Ceci... She's just a horrible, awful, disgusting human being. She's that kind of ugly ignorant where she sits around and says mean things and then throws up her hands, as if she's telling the truth and you can't argue with her for that. This shit we have in this country about always respecting the beliefs and opinions of others has led to people like Ceci. The kind of people who can spout ignorance and not expect to be challenged for saying stupid things because, you know, she doesn't know any better. They pulled out a nice twist; the former contestants would be voting on who had changed the most and deserved to win. And from that moment on, Ceci was on edge. She spent the whole episode assuming that everyone loved her and wanted her to win, and saying that people didn't like her because she was the prettiest one (which is actually the opposite of the truth, really, especially when her terrible personality is taken into account). I think it's safe to say that everyone wanted Nate to win--of the guys, he really had changed the most--but only one person thought Ceci deserved it (and that guy, it has to be said, only liked her because she was nice to him in what was clearly a manipulative and condescending way; dude, just because a chick plays dress-up with you doesn't mean that she likes you as a person, it means she needed something to play with and she couldn't bring her puppy into the house). Ceci spent a lot of time last night whining about how she shouldn't have to kiss everyone's ass and pretend to like them. Her worst moment came when she was talking to Nate and said that she thought anyone who said that an experience like this could change their lives was "as stupid as they look." And that's when Nate finally couldn't stand it anymore. He had been growing more and more disgusted with her throughout the run of the show, and finally had had enough. He knew what he had to do. And he stepped up. He went around the house and talked to everyone else. He told them very specifically that the experience meant more to him than winning the money. He explained that his team didn't deserve to win because Ceci hadn't changed at all; that winning would only validate her belief that all she has to do in life is be pretty and she'll get everything she wants. And everyone listened. They listened to him explain why voting for he and Ceci to win would be wrong. And in the end, only two people sided with them. Scooter and Megan came out on top. That's another act of a noble human being. To recognize people for what they are, and to give up $250,000 so that the wrong person won't be rewarded. That's a real man. And at the end of the day, he had the satisfaction of doing the right thing, even if it meant giving something up. Even if it meant not winning. He was honest with himself and others, and he deserves to be proud right now. And in the end, all Ceci could say was that anyone who said they learned something from some nerd was an idiot. She doesn't get it, and she never will. Thank God some people still do. Here are some random facts and observations about Valentine's day, marriage, love, and women. Where did Valentine’s Day come from? In Ancient Rome (4th century BC), young men had a rite of passage called Lupercalia. This festival to the god Lupercus was marked by a lottery; the names of willing young women were placed in a box, and young men drew them at random and were subsequently assigned a companion for the year. In AD 496, Pope Gelasius sought to remove this pagan celebration, and did so by the usual Church means: he simply stole the holiday and gave it to a saint. Lupercalia was a “lovers’ holiday,” so Gelasius found a saint with a similar purpose: St. Valentine. A Christian martyr, Valentine was supposedly put to death in AD 270 by Emperor Claudius; the Emperor had banned marriage as a way to keep soldiers’ minds on duty, but Bishop Valentine of Interamna continued to conduct secret marriage ceremonies for Christians. When he refused to give up his Christianity (and had the audacity to suggest Claudius take it up), he was clubbed, stoned, and beheaded on 14 February. Gelasius outlawed Lupercalia and declared St. Valentine’s Day, but kept the lottery; men and women now drew the names of saints they were to emulate for the year. Can you imagine the disappointment? Eventually, men started the tradition of sending notes or cards to the women they loved on the holy day—make no mistake, it’s yet another Catholic tradition stuffed down our throats in America (although the Church itself removed St. Valentine’s Day from the Catholic calendar in 1969 as part of an effort to minimize the number of saint’s days based on purely fictitious saints). This is a remnant of the Lupercalian lottery, one of two Roman symbols that survive in our modern, commercial version of St. Valentine’s Day. The other is the use of Cupid (or Eros) as a symbol of love. Herodotus considered it the wisest of Babylonian customs. In Ancient Babylon, women were auctioned off as brides every year; the money paid on the bids went to dowries for the less attractive women that no one bid on. No flowers or diamonds? Cards were the tradition until modern times. Some time in the fifties, typical greedy Americans turned it into a day for giving elaborate and expensive gifts. In the 1980s, the diamond industry turned Valentine’s Day into a deadly free-for-all by promoting it as a day to give jewelry. Get the swords ready, a-courtin’ we will go. The Goths used to abduct brides from neighboring villages; for the important task of helping the groom steal the bride from her home, only the Best Man would do. The groom would literally sweep his bride off her feet, which actually gave rise to the tradition of carrying a bride across the threshold. The best man stood at the couple’s side to help defend them in case the bride’s family showed up to take her back by force. He also stood sentry outside their door for a period of time. The threat of retaliation was so real that weapons were stored under church altars. The bride stands to the left of the groom to free his sword hand in case of sudden use. Make the dress white, but not the gloves. Roman women wore yellow on their wedding day. In the Middle Ages, color was not as prized as rich fabrics. In the sixteenth century, white became the color in England and France for women who were virgins; the Church did not like seeing a woman’s virginity advertised to anyone who looked. An X is still a kiss. X is a symbol for the Calvary cross, and the first letter of Xristos, the Greek word we get Christ from (X, or Chi, is pronounced kai). In days when many were illiterate, the signature cross (X) was a legal substitute for a signature. To show one’s sincerity, they kissed the cross. Eventually, XXX became a shorthand symbol for kisses. Announce it in writing first. Charlemagne created the marriage announcement in the 9th century. Infidelity led to unclear parentage in the Holy Roman Empire, and too often half-brothers and half-sisters would unknowingly (or knowingly) marry one another; Charlemagne, alarmed by the high rate of sibling marriage and wishing to stop the production of genetically deficient offspring, required a proposed marriage to be announced so that anyone with information revealing that the bride and groom were related could come forward. It proved extremely successful. Why February? To the Romans, February was sacred to Juno Februata, the aspect of the goddess Juno who created the “fever” (febris) of love. And they lived happily ever after. Griselda (“patient Griselda”) married a high-ranked man who abused and neglected her, flaunted his infidelities, took away her babies to kill them, and ordered her not to shed a single tear, lest her grieving anger him. She endured it all very humbly, and in the end her husband declared that she had passed all of his tests and rewarded her with his true love. This legend was held up as a model for Christian wifely behavior. The Rule of Thumb. A husband can beat his wife with a whip or rod no thicker than his thumb “in order to enforce the salutary restraints of domestic discipline.” The man who invented this, Sir William Blackstone, wrote a book that was the basis of British and American law. Martin Luther is only one of many famous wife-beaters throughout history. Aw, royal weddings are like fairy tales. Ivan the Terrible was married eight times; the first three died within weeks of the wedding, the third one dying as a result of his “excessively enthusiastic foreplay.” His fourth wife almost died of fright at the mere prospect of meeting him, and after a proxy marriage went to a convent for the rest of her life. He drowned his seventh wife the day after they were married when he discovered she had lied about her virginity. Frederick the Great was horrified by the idea of getting married, and threatened to kill himself rather than go through with it. His father told him that was fine; he was going to kill his son if he didn’t marry, anyway. After the wedding night, Frederick never looked at his wife again. Peter the Great was so incensed that one of his wives took a lover, he had the man executed and preserved his head in a jar of alcohol. He forced his wife to keep the head in her bedroom. Peter III married the legendarily sexual Catherine the Great but had no use for her; he kept his war toys in bed and played with them instead of her. Then he raised spaniels in his room and shared the bed with them. Catherine later led a palace revolution and murdered her husband. Emperor Joseph II could not stand to touch his wife, who was apparently covered with boils. The marriage was never consummated. King George IV hated his wife so much that he had to get drunk to take her the only time they slept together; they never bothered to hide their loathing for one another. In 1821, a messenger brought the king news of Napoleon’s death by saying “Your Majesty, your greatest enemy is dead.” George asked back, “Is she, by God?” Emperor Ferdinand I was a victim of centuries of Hapsburg inbreeding; he was severely handicapped both mentally and physically, and his only recorded coherent thought was “I am the Emperor, and I want dumplings.” He never had children; he had five epileptic attacks on his wedding night. Queen Isabel II of Spain was pressured into marrying her cousin, a homosexual. She had to get blind drunk to make it through the ceremony, and later claimed her husband wore more lace than she did. King Leopold II married a teenage duchess who said the day after her wedding night: “If God hears my prayers, I shall not go on living much longer.” That was either the worst Valentine’s Day ever, or, given Catholic character, very fitting. St. Valentine’s Day 1349 saw 2000 Jews burned to death in Strasbourg. It was misguided revenge for supposedly poisoning the city’s wells and starting the bubonic plague. Much more of a massacre than some gangsters getting popped. The cynical origin of the honeymoon. The honey comes from mead, the honeyed wine that newlyweds traditionally drank, one cup a day, for the first month of marriage. The moon signifies the first month; the words put together, honeymoon (original Norse hjunottsmanathar), imply that no month of married life is as sweet as the first. Missionary position only, please. Muslim saying: “Accursed be the man who maketh woman heaven and himself earth.” Catholics said that any other position, especially with a woman on top, was a sin. Notice how it’s the woman-fearing patriarchal religions that say that… The problem was, they didn’t have an Amendment back then. St. Ambrose said that marriage was a crime against God because it changed the virginity that was man’s natural state. Tertullian said marriage was immoral. St. Augustine said it was a sin; he was unwilling to even look at a woman. In Christian Syria, only celibate men could attend church or even be considered Christian. Saturninus said men were naturally good and women were naturally evil. St. Paul, Origen, St. Jerome, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Athanasius all spoke against marriage. Pope Leo, the sainted one, supposedly cut off his hand because a woman had kissed it. Marriage was especially considered evil because it was a pagan tradition that invoked Aphrodite, and the demonization of it was justified by the “fact” that women had brought death into the world and used sex to reinforce it. Marriage did not become a sacrament until the 16th century, and then the ceremony was just lifted from pagan law. Who says the Church has always been sick about sex? They died virgins. The following men remained celibate their entire lives: Hans Christian Andersen, J.M. Barrie, Lewis Carroll, Edgar Degas, George Freiderich Handel, Soren Kierkegaard, Sir Isaac Newton, and Nikola Tesla. Also celibate was the poet Edward Lear, who thought his epilepsy was the result of excessive masturbation. Eat your cornflakes, or you’ll go blind. John Harvey Kellogg invented the cornflake as a substitute for sex; he believed that bland food and not eating meat helped cure deviant sexual urges. He spent his honeymoon writing Plain Facts for Old and Young, a 644-page treatise on the evils of sex and masturbation. It included a 97-page essay with 39 telltale signs that someone was masturbating. So much for cute traditions. In Ancient Rome, the wedding cake was thrown at the bride as one of many symbols of fertility. Wheat was originally thrown at the bride, and women would scramble to gather them up the same way they do the bouquet today. Roman bakers baked the wheat into cakes meant to be eaten; but people threw them because they didn’t want to abandon the tradition of throwing the wheat. As a compromise, the wheat cakes were crumbled over the bride’s head, and she and the groom were expected to eat a portion together. A mixture of nuts, dried fruits, and honeyed almonds called confetto were then thrown at the bride and groom. It symbolized abundance and fecundity. But in the Middle Ages, when food was scarcer, the cakes became simple biscuits and scones contributed by the guests and piled together on a table. A French chef who attended a ceremony was so disgusted (many Frenchmen held all things British in high contempt), that he returned to France and invented the multi-tiered, opulent wedding cake in the 1660s. In Australia, it’s tradition to smear a bit of wedding cake on your new spouse’s face. In 1993, a German woman ignorant of this custom responded by smashing a bottle over her new husband’s head. It killed him. Clinton was nothing new. George Washington had adulterous affairs with at least nine prominent men’s wives; he died of a chill that many believe seeped in when he jumped out of a window without his pants into the snow after an afternoon tryst with an employee’s wife. Thomas Jefferson had affairs with several married women, including the wife of General John Walker while he was off fighting in the Indian Wars. James Garfield had an affair with an 18 year-old woman who was a reporter for the New York Times and visited brothels during his presidential campaign. Grover Cleveland had an illegitimate son that was revealed to him when he was running for president; he owned up to what he had done and won; when he ran a second time, his opponents circulated a pamphlet accusing him of bestiality, wife-beating, and whoring—he won the majority vote. Warren G. Harding had a fifteen year affair with the wife of a friend, another affair with a seventeen year-old he claimed in public was his niece, and may have died either of a sexually transmitted disease or from being poisoned by his vengeful wife. Franklin D. Roosevelt had an affair with his wife’s 22 year-old secretary, then an open affair with his own; he might actually have died of a heart attack while receiving oral sex. John F. Kennedy…do I even need to go there? He used to have sex with a prostitute before every debate because it relaxed him (it helped him defeat Nixon, at any rate). Lyndon B. Johnson had “more women by accident than [Kennedy] had on purpose,” and even felt up Imelda Marcos while dancing with her once. Come on, who was going to challenge her taste? Brides traditionally walk down the aisle to the “Bridal Chorus” from Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin, and the newlyweds exit to the “Wedding March” from Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This “tradition” was merely fashion at the time; Queen Victoria’s daughter, Victoria, chose them for her wedding ceremony to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858; she loved German composers, especially Wagner. The people of Britain simply loved to emulate the royals whenever they could. Wait, the authors or the books? John Bowdler made his mark on history by “bowdlerizing” great texts; that is, by taking risqué words and sentiments out of Shakespeare, the Bible, and other important works. He said that he couldn’t take the chance of women learning about things that offended “male delicacy.” In Victorian times, the fear of sex was so great that books by male and female authors were kept on separate shelves, unless they happened to be married. And they all became homosexuals. Aristotle said that a husband should be more than twice the age of his bride in order to dominate her. Ancient matrilineal custom dictated the importance of marriage, but men hated their wives so much that they concentrated on fighting and philosophy and took other men as lovers. It was, however, thought that a woman’s life began on the day she was married, and her age was counted from that day. Just keep it in your pants. These famous men all had or were thought to have syphilis: Pope Alexander VI, St. Thomas Aquinas, Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Baudelaire, Al Capone, Emperor Commodus, Captain James Cook, Hernan Cortez, Albrecht Durer, Erasmus, Frederick the Great, Paul Gauguin, King George I, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Francisco Goya, King Henry VIII, Adolf Hitler, Ivan the Terrible, Julius Caesar, John Keats, Pope Leo X, Ferdinand Magellan, Guy de Maupassant, John Milton, Edouard Monet, Benito Mussolini, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jonathan Swift, Emperor Tiberius, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Voltaire, and Oscar Wilde. Even popes do it. Pope John XII was murdered by an irate husband who found His Holiness in bed with his wife. The husband beat him to death with a hammer. It seems too pat to be true. Apparently, birds and fowl choose their mates on 14 February. Chaucer’s poem Parlement of Foules (1382) is the earliest literary reference to Valentine’s Day: For this was on seynt Volantynys day / Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [chose] his make [mate]. Ophelia also mentions it in Hamlet. It just keeps getting sadder. Some people are now celebrating 14 February as Singles Awareness Day, or SAD. The greeting is “Happy SAD!” That just about sums up how self-important Americans really are, I think. But once a year we give them candy and flowers and pat them on their heads and say we love them, so it’s okay. There are over 148 million women in America, making up 52% of the population. They still make significantly less money than men (76 cents on the dollar), and in fact the amount of money they make is dropping (on average, women make about $30,000 a year). That should change, since women are doing better in schools than men, earning more bachelor’s degrees than men, and in fact just finishing high school more often than men. The meaning of life, in a nutshell. Bertrand Russell, one of our greatest modern philosophers and writers, had several high profile affairs while in his seventies. When he was eighty, he married his fourth wife. On a lecture tour, the dean of a prominent girls’ college asked him: “Why did you give up philosophy?” Russell’s answer: “Because I discovered fucking.” Labels: History, Misc. Holidays Aw, I Got a Valentine from Miley Happy Valentine's Day, Miley. Call me. Hey, give me a break, the Disney Channel should have known not to put "pie" in the pool of available words. It's the only fun I've had on their website since they put up the Lizzie McGuire page, and I could use the story game with voice clips to make Hilary Duff say "I can't get enough monster dog gunk. I'm not kidding, I love it." Yes, I am apparently 12 years old. DATE MOVIE (2006) What actually pisses me off about this movie is that some of the less sophisticated critics went to town on it, and it really doesn’t deserve it. It doesn’t suck; for it to suck, the filmmakers would’ve had to have tried. There’s no effort in here, and it’s not worth dissecting. Mediocre at best. * star. I laughed one time. A GOOD WOMAN (2004) Will they never get Oscar Wilde right? This update of Lady Windermere’s Fan suffers from the same problem most Wilde movies do; they assume from the get-go that everything is cute, witty, and whimsical, without building to it. It’s not justified. Plus, Helen Hunt is in it. Scarlett Johansson, what are you doing in this movie? * star. P.S. (2004) A mature but ultimately predictable take on the older woman/younger man formula, with Laura Linney (perfect, as always) romancing a grad student applicant (Topher Grace) who looks like a dead former lover. The reasoning behind the affair is a little silly, but it makes the movie and the characters interesting. Like the thoughtful version of Prime. *1/2 stars. SARAH SILVERMAN: JESUS IS MAGIC (2005) Disappointing. Sarah Silverman’s cute and all, but she’s not funny enough to justify repeating the same joke over and over again, both in tone and in content. Her whole shtick is to say something really offensive in her innocent little cute Jewish girl voice. Okay, but what’s the point? Vulgarity for the sake of vulgarity gets boring after a while, and without anything fresh, the movie feels too long even at 75 minutes. And playing up that she’s in love with herself wouldn’t be so grating if it weren’t so obviously true. stars. I noticed she’s still repeating jokes she told a decade ago on The Larry Sanders Show. HAMLET (1948) I still don’t like Laurence Olivier overmuch, but I did love this movie. I always watch versions of Hamlet closely, and this one was riveting and energetic. Olivier as director comes up with some clever shots, and I liked his use of thought dialogue for some of the scenes. It ended up being very intense, and the final duel is the best part; there’s nothing civil about it, Hamlet and Laertes really want to kill each other. My only disagreement is on a matter of interpretation; I don’t buy the whole Oedipal thing. But Olivier sells it a lot better than others have. ** stars. LOVEWRECKED (2005) I am physically incapable of not liking something starring Amanda Bynes, so I’m not sure if my word has much meaning here. * stars. She’s just so damn cute and funny. THE GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE (1968) A strange but undeniably fascinating movie about a woman (sexy Marianne Faithfull) who travels on her motorcycle to see her lover. Interesting meditation on fidelity, happiness, sexuality, and feminism, sort of a companion to Easy Rider, although this film came first (Easy Rider seems to borrow the last shot). It doesn’t reconcile the dichotomy of the film’s techniques; it uses the ideals of free love, but ends up condemning those ideals. But at least it thought about them; impossible to forget. ** stars. SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943) Hitchcock thought this was his best movie. Joseph Cotten stars as a man who comes to visit his sister’s family to get away for awhile, but his niece, Teresa Wright, suspects he’s a murderer on the run from the cops. I can’t go into more detail without giving it away. Suffice it to say this is a tense, well-shot movie, and if not my favorite Hitchcock, definitely among his best. Great finale. stars. JARHEAD (2005) A lot of people thought this was anticlimactic, but that was the whole point. Jake Gyllenhaal stars (in a performance good enough for me to completely reverse my opinion of him) as a Marine who endures basic training and is then deployed to Operation Desert Shield. He’s trained as a sniper and, when it becomes Operation Desert Storm, hopes to get in a kill. The whole movie is a portrait of Marine life and the mental and emotional state of the men who serve, and it’s actually quite moving. What you have to understand is that many soldiers who were in the Persian Gulf in 1990 didn’t fight the war the way earlier wars were fought; a lot of them just drifted through weirdness, contradictory orders, and tense feelings. It’s an excellent achievement. stars. Jaime Foxx is great in this movie, too. A cute CGI movie about carrier pigeons in World War II. It’s pleasant, with a nice cast that includes Ewan MacGregor, Ricky Gervais, Hugh Laurie, John Cleese, and Jim Broadbent. Pleasant, but not really, like, a great movie. For little kids, though, good stuff, I guess. Cute. 1/2 stars, KINKY KONG (2006) Poor Darian Caine. She was supposed to be the star of Seduction Cinema’s straight-to-cable porn parodies, like The Erotic Witch Project, Mistress Frankenstein, and Gladiator Eroticus. Then she got sidelined in favor of Misty Mundae, whom she ended up playing sidekick to more than once. Now, she gets top billing in this movie, only to be in a supporting role in a movie meant to introduce the new starlet, Rebecca Faire. I love Darian, she’s so tuff and awesome. In this movie, she turns to Rebecca Faire, pissed off, and yells: “Bend over! Bend over or I’ll skull-fuck you!” How can you not love a girl who says that? I want her to be my fucking girlfriend. *** stars, this one is very funny. The humor’s stupid, but it’s fucking funny. BODY OF EVIDENCE (1993) No. Just…no. No stars. The Health Report: Week 9 I'm still as depressed as I was last week. In fact, it keeps coming and going, which is actually worse; I could get used to a state of depression that was constant. Instead, I think I'm doing okay, and something just comes along and destroys it. And the worst part is, I don't know if I care. Here's what I know, warts and all: 1. The weight is starting to come back. 2. The sickness is starting to come back. 3. The phlegm in my throat from before is coming back. 4. The depression is almost out of control. 5. There's junk in my system that's making it harder to control my temper, which means my blood pressure is starting to go back up. 6. My stomach hurts a lot. 7. Sometimes, I find myself really wanting to cry; sometimes, I have to, and it's uncontrollable. 8. At least once a day, I think about killing myself. At least once. 9. I feel like my life's never going to get any better. 10. I feel like I don't deserve to be thin and healthy, so why bother eating right anymore? 11. I was doing good on this thing, too. Before I got so upset. So, there's all of that. I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me right now, or when/if it will ever stop. But I am just tailspinning into a depression worse than anything I've felt in a long, long time. I'm tempted to just give up and call it yet another of life's failures. My mom bought me a recumbent bike. This one here: It's a nice one, very easy to use. It was $80 on clearance. We've only had it since Sunday, and I put it together and I've been using it. It's much easier on my back than the step machine was, and I can use it for longer. Maybe that'll give me some focus. Besides, maybe it'll get me closer to this. Someone sent me a link to The Love Calculator, which is a fun thing to play around with. Anyway, I haven't chosen my new celebrity girlfriend yet (Biel was a fling, it turns out), but I do notice Charisma Carpenter and I have a 93% chance of working out. I know she's already married, but it'll still hold up in court, right? Provided I get happy and employed and stop being a fuck up. Because the stress actually gave me a panic attack last week. Yay me. The End Result of American Idol Is Beside the Point As we've seen in the last few years, being on or even winning American Idol is no guarantee of success. How many careers have actually been launched because of that show? I'd argue three: Kelly Clarkson, who managed to pull away from the lowest common denominator blandness of the show's output; Jennifer Hudson (who didn't win), the Oscar nominee; and Clay Aiken (who also didn't win), basically just because certain women in their forties don't demand quality from their music as much as they demand a false sincerity. I don't count Carrie Underwood, because country music fans seem to have the same problem. After Jennifer Hudson, I thought the person with the best voice ever on AI was Katharine McPhee, and I found myself foolishly looking forward to her debut album. And, well, here it is... And I don't think I'd say it sucks, but that's because making something sucky takes a real effort. And this album sounds tossed off, put together out of throwaways and filler material. Nowhere is the cynicism of the music industry more apparent than in the American Idol end product. There's no attempt to grow the artist, to find music that is right for him/her; it's just a cash grab aimed at people who love the show and will buy its ancillary cash-ins. You know they're marketing her wrong from the misguided cover, but just for the hell of it, here's another track-by-track. Right away, we get the foul stench of Kara DioGuardi. In fact, she's all over this album, which is all the proof I need that this is going to be a bad album. It certainly isn't going to be cohesive, everything is going to sound like everything else, and it's not going to be fun to listen to. This song tries hard to sound like Joss Stone's Motown soul pastiche album. It's not a strong opener, though Kat's certainly got the voice for it. OVER IT Aargh! Not another one of these songs with a girl attesting she's "so over" a guy who made her feel bad! Fuck, stop doing these! There is never any point to these damn things! I don't care how these fucking girls are so fucking defiant--sing about something outside of yourself! Have a genuine emotion! Stop writing this same song. The only saving grace is that Kat sings it well, almost effortlessly. She's got a beautiful voice that's just being wasted here. ...sigh... This is just embarrassing. Seriously, embarrassing. Remember that Fantasia song "Babymama"? It's that embarrassing. I hope her label has the good sense not to make this piece of shit a single. She's not built an audience yet, and this isn't going to do it for her. Oh, Christ, Kara DioGuardi and Satan himself, John Shanks. It's generic but, sadly, so far it's the best song on the album. Kat sings it so well and reads it so dramatically. It's too hit-ready, too conscious of being radio-friendly to sound genuine, but Kat gets to show off her wonderful voice. It's produced like someone pretending to be Tori Amos, though. NOT UR GIRL DioGuardi again. What's an "ur" girl? Is Kat saying she's not the original girl from history, the "ur-girl"? Maybe the kids just like misspelling and think it's all "rebellious." Except that they were misspelling in my day; I think now people just can't spell anymore. Anyway, these are the things that come into my mind because the song is totally unnoticeable. DioGuardi again. Pretty typical; same drum machine beat as a thousand other songs. It sounds like a slight rewrite of the previous songs. Seriously, do 19 Entertainment and RCA Records just not give a shit about creating a singer anymore, or what? If this is all the effort they're going to put into it, they deserve a failed record. Maybe then Kat can take her beautiful voice and go to a record label that will actually give a shit about tailoring the record to her abilities instead of trying to force her into a niche she doesn't belong in. I mean, are they writing these things out of a kit now, or are they feeding random stuff into a computer program? It's...okay. It's not utterly silly, but it plays like filler. ORDINARY WORLD Requisite piano ballad. Actually, though, it's well-produced, sincere, and she sings it so damn well. It blows the rest of the album absolutely away. Is this the song she sang on American Idol? It sounds perfectly tailored to her. The rest of the album should sound this good. Kat really makes it her own. Just awful. Seriously, figure out what you have; she's Katharine McPhee, not Brooke fucking Hogan, alright? The production tries for a more bluesy mien that Kat just sounds so at home in. It's not a great song, but it's a good showcase for her. Thanks to the general shittiness of the album, it ends up being the second-best song here; if they had made the album her voice deserves, this would have been the least of it. They just didn't put the effort in. Kara DioGuardi (who did not work on this track) is the kind of person you call when you have absolutely no ideas. It pastiches Aretha a little, but Kat can fucking sing. Kara DioGuardi comes back and ruins the soft effect of the previous song. Forgettable, but infuriating. EVERYWHERE I GO Produced well (by Babyface, no less), good vocals, not a bad exit. Seriously, Kat should be doing music like this--more grounded, unashamed to be pop, playful, not so self-important. Yet another missed opportunity for the music world to make a real artist. The funny thing is, on Idol they make such a big deal about choosing the right songs for your voice and finding your musical personality. Here, they couldn't care less about it; seriously, Katharine McPhee has a gorgeous voice that they've completely abused by forcing her to make this shitty, awful album. It's like asking Etta James to record the type of music Britney Spears makes. You know, that's fine for Britney, but Kat has a chance to really become a great singer. She should do an album of soul and jazz music with Emanuel Kiriakov, the producer who recorded "Ordinary World" and "Better Off Alone." That would be something worth listening to. Labels: Album Reviews, Music It's Fucking Cold! I'm sure everyone's seen this in an email already, but just looking at Versoix, Switzerland, makes me feel better about being in a blizzard in Chicago right now. Anyway, these pictures are prettier to look at. The History of the Middle East I'm going to start culling these things together now, even though it isn't finished yet. People are having trouble finding them all on the crappy Blogger search, so here's the whole list. Part 1: Pre-History; Sumer; The Akkadian Empire Part 2: The Amorite Empire; Anarchy; The Assyrian Empire Part 3: Iron; Arameans and Israelites; The Second Assyrian Empire Part 4: The Third Assyrian Empire; The Sargonid Dynasty Part 5: The Neo-Babylonian Empire (or Chaldean Empire) Part 6: Cyrus the Great; The Persian Empire; The Ten Thousand Greeks Part 7: Alexander the Great Part 8: The Generals of Alexander; The Seleucid Empire Part 9: The Parthian Empire; Armenia; Crassus Part 10: Rome in the Middle East Part 11: The Sassanid Empire (or Neo-Persian Empire); Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism; Zoroastrianism and Christianity Part 12: Bahram Gor; Heresy; The Endless Peace Part 13: Chosroes II; Islam Part 14: Islam Factioned; The Abbasids; Harun al-Rashid; The Turks Part 15: The Seljuk Turks; The Assassins Part 16: The Mongols; Tamerlane; Islam Renewed Part 17: The Ottoman Empire; Abbas the Great; Ottoman and Persian Declines; Afghanistan Part 18: European Tensions in the Middle East; Babism and Baha’ism; The Tensions Increase; World War I Part 19: Iraq; Oil and Zionism Part 20: World War II; The Cold War Begins; Israel; The 1953 Iranian Coup; The Baghdad Pact Part 21: The Suez Canal Crisis No, This Is Not How This Gets to Go Down Via the Internet Movie Database: TV host Rosie O'Donnell raised fears about Anna Nicole Smith's health live on air Thursday, just hours before the former Playboy Playmate collapsed and died in a Florida hotel room. Speaking on TV show The View, O'Donnell alleged that Smith was dabbling in drugs and was clearly struggling with the heartbreak of losing her son Daniel last year. She said, "If I have to see Anna Nicole Smith on television one more time... She can hardly speak now. It's a tragedy all around. Her son died. She has this little baby. Obviously some kind of medication or substance involved." Are you serious? Rosie O'Donnell, obviously mocking Anna Nicole and bitching about seeing her on TV, was not "raising fears" about Anna Nicole's health--she was making fun of her! She was complaining about having to see her all the time in the news. Rosie O'Donnell does absolutely nothing on The View but bitch and moan and start inane celebrity feuds with people who aren't worth the trouble. She was being her usual bitchy, worthless self. That's all. And for her to paint it as concern now instead of just owning up to it makes her even more worthless than we already knew she was. 2008 Election: The Early Democratic Contenders Platform: She's still being a little vague about it. She has a pro-abortion record and seems to just be running on her promise to end the war, which is an easy promise to make, but a harder thing to do. There's her ever-present promises on health care, which seem to get more and more vague, and she supports the ridiculously bigoted Defense of Marriage Act. Reality Check: Just like Joe Lieberman, she's basically a Republican in Democrat form. She became a senator in 2000 basically so she could mark time until she could run for president. She pretends to be a moderate, but what has she really done other than make it a bigger hassle for kids to buy violent video games? And have you seen her in interviews now? It's like somebody kidnapped her and replaced her with a robotic construct. There's something very unsettling about her. My Opinion in One Sentence: My fear is that a lot of women, who have certainly not been voting for pro-feminist candidats so far in history, will vote for her because they believe that claptrap about how "if a woman was president, there'd be no more war," when in fact Hillary's only interested in power for herself. Platform: Unlike most of the candidates, he lists his priorities right on his website: strengthening our role overseas, ending the war in Iraq, ending corruption in Washington (good luck!), becoming energy independent, increased benefits for veterans, improving education and health care, reforming Homeland Security so it actually works, protecting the right to vote, and defining the role of faith in politics. Reality Check: Seriously, he's only been a senator in Illinois for two years. I've lived in Illinois since I was four, and I still have almost no idea what he's actually done. He seems like a great guy, and I like some of his positions, but he's promising a lot. On the other hand, having a short political record means he doesn't owe things to a lot of special interest groups; he hasn't been around long enough. The fact that he's an unknown quantity is both intriguing and confusing. My Opinion in One Sentence: Nothing definitive yet; Woodrow Wilson was only a governor for two years before being elected, and Bush Jr. was only a governor for six years before doing the same--but they were both crappy presidents. Platform: Universal healthcare and "undoing the president's mistakes." Reality Check: You've got to love the audacity on this guy. And his website actually details how his universal healthcare program is going to work, which is a nice change of pace from the usual "I've got a system ready to fix everything, but you'll have to elect me to find out how it works!" He comes across as a really nice guy. But he didn't have the strength to fight through last time, and he won't this time, either. He's too quiet. My Opinion in One Sentence: Nice kid, but does anyone really think he has a realistic chance? Platform: Getting out of Iraq, strengthening our national security and foreign policy, ending partisan bickering, fixing the environment, becoming energy independent, tax cuts and more jobs (you can't do both), "quality, affordable healthcare"TM, and fixing the "state of emergency" on the US-Mexico border. Reality Check: Is he reading all of that out of a book? It sounds like he's reading all of that out of a book. Are you reading that out of a book? Actually, all the bullshit aside, he's worked for the United Nations, and actually negotiated tense situations in Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Cuba, and Afghanistan. Hell, he was just negotiating a cease-fire in Sudan last month. My Opinion in One Sentence: The more I read about him, the more I think I like him; isn't it time we had a president who's good with foreign nations? Platform: The same as the others, only with an added emphasis on crime. Reality Check: An old-school plagiarist. Astoundingly inauthentic and, frankly, kinda creepy. He seems to have terminal foot-in-mouth disease, and that's probably already ended his candidatorial race before it's even begun. Having a well-spoken president would be a nice change for the 21st century, wouldn't it? My Opinion in One Sentence: Meh; he's just so easy to not notice. Tom Vilsack Platform: I honestly have no idea. Reality Check: Well, he has no international experience, but his campaign has been sucking up to young people by using YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace. My Opinion in One Sentence: Who the hell is Tom Vilsack? People I'm Not Yet Taking Seriously: Wesley Clark, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, Al Sharpton (please, God, not again!). A Personal Plea: Help us, Al Gore; you're our only hope! Song of the Week: "Love" Because it's a gentle morning and John Lennon is the closest thing to God. Are There Still Fans of Literary Science Fiction? I found this book meme at Byzantium's Shores. 1. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror? I honestly don't make the distinction anymore and just refer to everything as genre. Some of the authors I like, Joe Lansdale for instance, fall into all three categories. My favorite author, Harlan Ellison, flirts with science fiction but calls himself a fantasist, which is a really good description. H.P. Lovecraft's work is horror, but could easily be called science fiction. As long as it's interesting and engrossing, I don't really care which category it falls into. 2. Hardback, trade paperback, or mass-market paperback? Again, I don't really care. I like the way they all look on a bookshelf, and when it comes to reading them, I grab anything. I like the portability of the mass-markets, so those are what I read between classes in school. 3. Heinlein or Asimov? I love them both, but if I had to read one over the other I'd pick Dr. Asimov. He's just a better writer. Heinlein's early works are great, but he fell into a sort of trap that Stephen King fell into (for a contemporary reference); after Stranger in a Strange Land, they stopped editing Heinlein and told him he was great, which let him ramble on and on into embarrassing books like The Number of the Beast and even in potentially great novels like Time Enough for Love, which is somehow both incredibly pretentious and wonderful. I've never been disappointed by any of Asimov's work. Still, as great as his fiction is, I prefer Asimov's non-fiction, especially his essays, his history, and his autobiographies. 4. Amazon or brick-and-mortar? Either one. I love to browse in bookstores (especially used bookstores), but Amazon's good when you know what you want and either can't find it anywhere or don't want the hassle of being asked if you want a Barnes & Noble discount card. 5. Barnes & Noble or Borders? Borders, but it's a weighted question for me, because I used to work at Barnes & Noble and wouldn't piss on one if it were on fire. Plus, Borders is much more relaxed; somewhere along the line, B&N got uptight, and now you can't look in their music section for three minutes without being hassled by someone with a nametag who wants to appear helpful but is just watching in case you steal anything. Borders, all the way. 6. Hitchhiker or Discworld? Until halfway through the third book, I love the Hitchhiker novels (the fourth one is a good sort of companion book). I've not read Discworld and I don't know if I'm going to. 7. Bookmark or dog-ear? Bookmark. I generally throw in a small piece of paper or something, which is weird because I do have actual bookmarks somewhere. 8. Magazine: Asimov's Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction? I notice when I pick one up, it tends to be F&SF. I don't know why that is. 9. Alphabetize by author, by title, or random? By author. I have two separate bookcases for my genre collection, but I desperately need a third. Actually, in my non-genre books, I just kind of throw them together in categories (graphic novels, animation history, art books, etc.). 10. Keep, throw away, or sell? I keep most of it, and anytime I go through to get rid of things, I always sell the paperbacks. The hardcovers usually get donated. 11. Year's Best Science Fiction series (edited by Gardner Dozois) or Years Best SF series (edited by David G. Hartwell) Hartwell. There's something about Gardner Dozois that just irritates me, though I can't put my finger on what it is. 12. Keep dustjacket or toss it? I always keep it. Why wouldn't you? When I'm reading the book I tend to remove the dustjacket until I'm done, but then I put it back on. 13. Read with dustjacket or remove it? See above. 14. Short story or novel? As long as it's well-written, who cares? Harlan Ellison is primarily a short story author, and he's my favorite writer. I love to read new short genre fiction. Some authors, like Julian Barnes, do both spectacularly well. Robert E. Howard's short stories beat his novels any day of the week. 15. Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket? I've not read the Lemony Snicket books, but I love the Harry Potter novels. 16. Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? Chapter breaks. If I'm tired I'll just try to get to it faster. 17. "It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"? To be honest, those are both pretty hackneyed ways to start a story. 18. Buy or borrow? I prefer to buy, but of course that's not always possible, so I check a LOT of books out from the library. 19. Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation, or browse? I read reviews of genre novels, and sometimes they influence me. I don't actually know anyone anymore who reads the same kinds of books I do, except for the 'zine circle I write for, and I take their recommendations over anyone else's. But I mostly browse. 20. Lewis or Tolkien? Tolkien, but I actually like Lewis. For years I thought I hated him, mostly because I really did not like the Narnia books as a kid, but you know, I didn't like The Hobbit when I was a kid, either. I re-read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe recently and quite liked it, and I think The Screwtape Letters is one of the best novels I've ever read. 21. Hard SF or space opera? Either one, though I tend to like Hard SF over Space Opera these days. 22. Collection (short stories by the same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)? Again, either one. There's nothing like a Harlan Ellison collection, but a great anthology (like Gunn's The Road to Science Fiction series or Ellison's own Dangerous Visions) is a treasure trove. 23. Hugo or Nebula? I don't honestly pay attention to the awards. 24. Golden Age SF or New Wave SF? I don't have a strong preference; sometimes Golden Age stories are boring and meticulous, sometimes New Wave stories are less thought out and more gimmicky. I take it piece by piece. 25. Tidy ending or cliffhanger? It had best be a really, really fucking good cliffhanger. Luckily, I've read a lot of those. If the ending doesn't work, it doesn't matter how good the story was before hand, it's all for shit. 26. Morning, afternoon, or nighttime reading? Any time is the right time for reading. Gawd, can you believe I just said that? 27. Standalone or series? I don't go in too much for series, because I'm afraid of getting stuck in one of those unending, masturbatory, can't-tell-a-single-story-without-15-Bible-sized-novels, Robert Jordan things. That said, I've read every Tarzan and Oz novel, the Ian Fleming James Bond series, and even some of the Star Trek and Star Wars novels. It takes a special author to pull me into a Harry Potter or Song of Ice and Fire series, but when they do, I get caught up. 28. Urban fantasy or high fantasy? Either one. You must be tired of reading that answer. I'm not sure what qualifies as "urban fantasy," though. Paul di Filippo and Joe R. Lansdale might qualify, and I love them, so I guess I like both. 29. New or used? I love to scour used bookstores to find out of print books. I've actually managed to find two Robert E. Howard paperbacks in the last three years, and nothing beats the thrill of actually nabbing one. (For the record, those books were Three-Bladed Doom and a flawless copy of The Book of Robert E. Howard). 30. Favorite book of which nobody else has heard? Gee, I don't know, I'm not all into being the guy who relishes the fact that no one has heard of the books he likes; I like to share things with people. And I have no idea what people have or haven't heard of. Most of the people I talk to about such things don't know who Julian Barnes is, but the literary establishment does, so... 31. Top X favorite genre books read last year? (Where X is 5 or less) I don't really keep track of the books I read; conversely, I keep a list of every movie I've seen. I should start with the literature, but after 30 years, I don't know if I could keep up. Okay, in 2006, based on what I would term genre and what I actually read, here's the five best I can think of, in no particular order. Writer of the Purple Rage, Joe R. Lansdale The Clan of the Cave Bear, Jean M. Auel The Valley of Horses, Jean M. Auel A Feast for Crows, George R. R. Martin The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo 32. Top X favorite genre books of all time? (Where X is 5 or less) Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick The Last Unicorn, Peter S. Beagle 33. X favorite genre series? (Where X is 5 or less) James Bond (shut up, yes it is) 34. Top X favorite genre short stories? (Where X is 5 or less) It's harder to pick, but here's the first five genre stories I love that come to mind. "A Boy and His Dog," Harlan Ellison "Deathbird," Harlan Ellison "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman," Harlan Ellison "Jeffty Is Five," Harlan Ellison "Paladin of the Lost Hour," Harlan Ellison Do you see a theme developing here? ▼ 11 February - 18 February (21) The Bible Summarized by a Smartass, Part Nineteen:... The End Result of American Idol Is Beside the Poin... A Most Unusual Pairing	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3665
__label__cc	0.691462	0.308538	Marine and Coastal Science—Oceans and the Earth System Our oceans account for more than 96 percent of the world's water, and few of the world's coastlines are beyond the influence of human pressures. The interdisciplinary Marine and Coastal Science major highlights the terrestrial-marine interface, coastal issues and human impacts on the marine environment. Student and pupils develop a broad foundation in marine and coastal sciences while focusing on Oceans and the Earth System. The Oceans and the Earth System emphasis concentrates on our changing oceans in the context of earth system history, including climate change, paleoceanography, ecological shifts, conservation and marine policy. With global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 and an increasing reliance upon oceans, scientifically-based management of marine and coastal environments is critical to sustainability of these valuable resources. Graduates will meet these challenges with a strong foundation for post-graduate study or careers in research, teaching and policy in government and private sector positions. More examples of what you can do with this major Courses, fieldwork and research opportunities encourage students to think collaboratively and draw upon globally-recognized experts from a wide variety of disciplines as well as the resources of UC Davis' and . Coursework in mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, and earth sciences lays the foundation for core curriculum in marine science. The Oceans and the Earth System emphasis provides mastery through advanced coursework in subjects such as atmospheric science, environmental science and management, environmental policy, evolution and ecology, geology, international relations, science and society and wildlife, fish and conservation biology. The major concludes with a capstone research course. Mandy Rousseau Agriculture, Natural Resource and Environmental Studies Biological and Life Sciences 別れさせ屋　香川	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3672
__label__wiki	0.675773	0.675773	Home Championship “It’s a decision for him” – Continued pushing on Leeds United’s Marcelo... “It’s a decision for him” – Continued pushing on Leeds United’s Marcelo Bielsa taking Mexico job By Sport Witness Team - Mexico won’t give up on Marcelo Bielsa. Every couple of days or so someone involved in the country’s football comes out and states the Leeds United manager is the one who can lead the country’s national team forward. Despite already being in a job he’s in all the lists of potential managers, although the difficulty of contracting him isn’t ignored. It’s a dream for many within the country’s game, and until Mexico have a new boss, the Leeds coach is going to be in the mix. Now they’ve got some help from Argentina. Cesar Delgado is one of the many South American footballers to have worked with Bielsa and been left a disciple of the manager. The former international is quoted by Reforma as saying: “If you give me a choice, I choose Marcelo Bielsa, to revolutionise Mexican football, I would love for Marcelo Bielsa to take the Mexican national team. “For his way of working, for his demands, for his way of thinking, he lives for football, every second, very intense, every training is an official match, and treats everyone equally, respectfully. “He is very organised, he does a very good job, which in his time has helped me a lot and would be good for Mexico. “He worked here in Mexico and he knows football in Mexico, he could contribute positive things to the Mexican national team, it’s a decision for him, he’s a very experienced manager…” It does all make perfect sense. On the face of it, Bielsa is the perfect coach to take Mexico forward, especially given some of their play at the World Cup in Russia. But, despite the countless links and claims, and borderline pleading, the major problem still remains: Leeds United. Given the good start it’s unlikely Bielsa would consider an exit and it’s even less likely the Championship club would be willing to release him from his contract. Maybe next time. Previous articleArsenal contact transfer target to reveal their interest, and tempt over January transfer Next article“You have to ask him” – West Ham player in controversy after 3am photograph with rival Sport Witness Team	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3674
__label__wiki	0.739502	0.739502	Swiss Chemical Society Helvetica Chimica Acta SCS Foundation CLARIANT bestows CleanTech Award 2016 Britta Fuenfstueck (left), member of the Executive Committee at Clariant Martin Vollmer (right), Chief Technology Officer at Clariant, and the winner of the first price of the Clariant CleanTech Award Luo Jingshan (middle) of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). (Photo: Clariant) Presented for outstanding achievements in the field of "Sustainable Chemistry" Third Clariant Chemistry Day at the University of Basel Knowledge sharing between industry and academia Muttenz, October 13, 2016 – Clariant, a global leader in specialty chemicals, yesterday presented the CleanTech Award for outstanding scientific achievements in the field of "Sustainable Chemistry" as part of the third Clariant Chemistry Day. This year, the accolade was awarded throughout Switzerland for the first time in collaboration with the University of Basel and the Swiss Chemical Society. First prize went to Luo Jingshan of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) for his accomplishments in hydrogen fuel generation as a future energy source via solar water splitting . Britta Fuenfstueck, member of the Executive Committee at Clariant, presented the award to the beaming winner: "Today's awardees achieved remarkable results that contribute to tackling the challenges of our society by creating product and process innovation." Clariant CleanTech Award Switzerland 1st: Jingshan Luo, EPF Lausanne «Hydrogen fuel generation via solar water splitting» 2nd: Markus Jeschek, ETH Zürich/University of Basel «State of the art for artificial metalloenzymes» 2nd: Amit, Nagarkar, University of Fribourg «Catalytic living ring-opening metathesis polymerisation : Significant reduction of the ruthenium catalyst loading» 4th: Fang Song, EPF Lausanne «Development of efficient catalytic materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as a key step for renewable energy storage.» Clariant Chemistry Award at the University of Basel 1st: Laura Allegra Büldt, University of Basel «A New Class of Luminophors and Photocatalysts for Challenging, Visible Light Driven Reactions Based on Earth-Abundant Metals» Before the award ceremony, more than 100 students and industry representatives took part in an exciting event dedicated to the exchange of information between industry and academia. In addition to the nominees for the CleanTech Award, Laura Allegra Büldt, winner of the Chemistry Award at the University of Base, also presented her research results. Guest speaker Professor Ronny Neumann from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel also gave a talk. In addition, almost 30 other attendees presented their science projects on the theme of sustainable chemistry with posters and presentations. At the end, the jury named Christian Fischer from the University of Basel as the winner of the Poster Award for his work. Explaining the idea behind the Clariant Chemistry Day, Dr. Martin Vollmer, Chief Technology Officer at Clariant, said: "It is important to us that we actively promote knowledge sharing between students, researchers, and companies, and foster young talent with their research projects in the field of sustainable chemistry." Professor Marcel Mayor of the University of Basel was equally enthusiastic about the concept: "The Chemistry Day creates a better understanding of how cooperation between academic researchers and industry can add value for our society." This is the third Chemistry Day organized by Clariant, and the company has also used the event to give insights into current research projects. http://www.clariant.com/en/Corporate/News/2016/10/Clariant-bestows-CleanTech-Award Anne Maier, Clariant Ltd	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3675
__label__wiki	0.525027	0.525027	SKPA FMC merges with Sebi: unprecedented merger of regulators Marriage of Regulators: FMC to merged with Sebi The amalgamation of Forward Markets Commission (FMC), the erstwhile commodities regulatory body, with capital markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) came into effect today, marking the first major case of two regulators being merged. Although, the merger of these two independent regulatory bodies was under discussion for long time, the move gathered pace, especially, after the commodity market was rocked by the outbreak of a multi-crore scam at National Spot Exchange (NSEL) unearthed two years back. What led to the eventual convergence with the capital markets regulator Sebi. 1) History of the two regulatory bodies: The Forward Markets Commission regulated commodities market since 1953, while the Securities and Exchange Board of India was set up in 1988 as a non-statutory body for regulating the securities markets and became an autonomous body in 1992 with full independent powers. Currently, India boasts of three national and six regional bourses for commodity futures in the country. The persisting global economic slowdown coupled with slackening growth in China fuelled a sharp fall in commodity prices over the past year or so. So much so that the consolidated turnover of all the exchanges put together fell to nearly Rs 60 lakh crore in 2014-15 from over Rs 101 lakh crore in the preceding financial year. 2) Issues stifling commodities markets: FMC oversaw the commodities market for over 60 years, but it lacked powers which led to wild fluctuations and alleged irregularities remaining untamed in this market segment. Also, the commodities market faced challenges with respect to speculative activities and illegal activities like 'dabba trading' flourishing in this segment. Cautioning small investors, Sebi chairman UK Sinha had once said, "If you put your hard-earned money into this market, it may not be ultimately good for you. The commodities market is for those who are experts in this space. For non-experts, it is a risky area." 3) Talks of merger: The merger talks between the two regulatory bodies was first mooted in 2003, and continued in next few years before the Rajan committee in 2009 reiterated consolidation of all financial sector regulators under one umbrella. In the events before the outbreak of NSEL crisis came to light, Justice BN Srikrishna-led FSLRC recommended unified regulation. But the fallout of NSEL prompted finance ministry to bring FMC under its fold in that same year. Finally, in his budget speech this year in February, finance minister Arun Jaitley announced the merger of FMC with Sebi. 4) What merger aims to achieve: The merger is aimed at streamlining the regulations and curb wild speculations in the commodities market, while facilitating further growth there. “The merger will increase economies of scope and economies of scale for the government, exchanges, financial firms and stakeholders,” finance minister Arun Jaitley has been quoted as saying in reports. The minister also promised a more steps measures to further develop the market. He said there is no reason why the commodities market should not have options or index futures. He also said in future banks and foreign portfolio investors will also be allowed to participate in the markets. 5) Measures by Sebi: Sebi has also created a separate Commodity Cell and has set up new departments for regulation of commodities derivatives market. Sebi has formed a Commodity Cell by posting its senior officials, while two internal departmental committees (one each in Integrated Surveillance Department and Market Intermediaries Regulation and Supervision Department) have been set up. The market regulator has also sought help from the Agriculture Ministry with regard to the data sources for the prices and to improve the methodology for determination of final settlement price. It will also give up to one year time for those in commodities market to adjust to new regulations. now it is testing time for sebi as the regulators powers will be put to test when it begins to regulate the commodities market.It is the second biggest event of government after creation of sebi........who will fill in the regulatory gaps??? Posted by Sudhir at 02:37 FMC merges with Sebi: unprecedented merger ofregul... Sudhir	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3676
__label__cc	0.723706	0.276294	Dell Technologies to accelerate Abu Dhabi Port’s digital transformation journey Created: Tuesday, 07 May 2019 06:23 Abu Dhabi Ports has signed an MoU with Dell Technologies that will see the organisations combine their expertise in maritime and IT to develop technology-based concepts, solutions and services specifically for the maritime industry The MoU with Dell Technologies is designed to provide Abu Dhabi Ports with consulting services and help them leverage high value-added technologies such as blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) to fuel their digital transformation journey. In addition, this strategic partnership will also see an exchange of industry best practices and expertise needed to develop truly integrated smart ports that can better serve the customers and other stakeholders of Abu Dhabi Ports. Over the past few years, Abu Dhabi Ports has made significant strides in harnessing innovative digital solutions for trade and port communities. In 2018, it launched Silsal, a blockchain-based solution aimed at streamlining trade flows and supply chains. The MoU was signed by Abdullah Al Hameli, executive vice-president – Corporate Support at Abu Dhabi Ports, and Mohammed Amin, senior vice-president, Middle East, Turkey & Africa at Dell Technologies. Al Hameli said, “At Abu Dhabi Ports, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We are excited about the growth and opportunities created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and we are constantly striving to deliver products and services that transpose the latest emerging technologies into a maritime context. “We are delighted to partner with Dell Technologies on our ongoing digital journey. Dell has long been a leader and pioneer in IT, and we look forward to combining their knowledge and insights with that of our own maritime experts. Together, we will explore ways to harness the most exciting technologies to make the future of maritime operations and services safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.” Amin added, “We are well-positioned with end to end solutions to enable Abu Dhabi Ports modernise their IT infrastructure to efficiently operate their traditional applications as well as run their cloud-native applications allowing them to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence and blockchain to develop new services. According to Ahmed Auda, managing director Middle East, Turkey & North Africa at VMware, as Abu Dhabi Ports drives ahead with its digitisation agenda, VMware, a Dell Technologies company, is excited to provide cutting edge technologies that will help Abu Dhabi Ports leverage the full strengths of its network and tap into the benefits of fast developing technologies including cloud, AI and blockchain.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3678
__label__cc	0.60697	0.39303	Tenacatita Bay Bugle News from Tenacatita, La Manzanila, Arroyo Seco and La Costa Alegre Tenacatita update: Limited beach access now, but no bathrooms The following email was received by people on the Tenacatita Bay email list of Dobie Dolphin. The news is that basically 8 years into this struggle, the struggle goes on. Haven’t sent a beach update in a long time; maybe you’re wondering what’s going on. After more than 8 years, we’re still fighting for the beach and the surrounding properties that were taken illegally. Sometimes it’s 2 steps forward and 1 step back. The beach scene - before the takeover Last year the lawyer who’s been helping us for the last few years, was able to secure a permit so people could legally be on the beach renting umbrellas (for shade) with tables and chairs, and also selling food, beach toys, coconuts, etc. Food can’t be cooked there, but thanks to cell phones, people can sit in the shade, order their food from one of several restaurants on the road to the beach and have it delivered to their table. Other vendors walk around selling fruit (hollowed out pineapples with lots of cut up fruit inside), flan (Mexican custard), drinks, etc. It’s been a blessing for the town as most of the money made by the people working on the beach stays in town. Plus, the more amenities and services locals can provide, the more visitors come. Many spend a few days, eat in town, buy supplies at the grocery stores and generally help the town economy. It certainly isn’t the same as when there were 20 restaurants and stores on the beach, but it’s better than it’s been for the last 8 years. The big problem is there are no bathrooms. The county was supposed to build them last year, but they didn’t start until the spring, and squandered much of the money through inefficiency and poor administration. Elections were held in July and a new party won control of the county. Unfortunately the old administration left the county in debt, so at the moment there are no funds available. Last year we rented porta-potties, but they were very expensive and had to be emptied daily. The nearest place is in Manzanillo which is a couple of hours away. We had to cover them with palm fronds, but even so, sitting in the sun all day with not much ventilation, they started to smell. Not pleasant. We can’t legally build any permanent buildings but we can make some portable ones that will be on a trailer with a tank underneath. The tank will be emptied in a designated site not too far away. We’d like to have 2 sets, to place in different parts of the beach – each would have 2 women’s bathrooms and one for men. There have been many expenses dealing with the ongoing lawsuits. The people renting the umbrellas and selling food on the beach have had major expenses getting their permits as a surveyor had to come to measure and provide exact coordinates for each permit. It won’t cost so much when it comes time to renew (the permits are good for 3 months). Tourist season is about to begin, and without bathrooms on the beach, many of the tour buses and families won’t come. We’re estimating that each set will cost about $3,500 (for the bathrooms, the trailer and the holding tank). The Tena Fund has generously offered to donate $2,500 which I was told is the balance of the money in the fund. Last year a new group was started here in town called La Junta Vecinal (The Neighborhood Council). It’s composed of people who lost their businesses on the beach, members of the fishing cooperative and anyone who lives in El Rebalsito (the town closest to the beach, where I live) or who owns land here. There are over 140 members. I’m the treasurer and I’ve offered to help fundraise (along with others). So, anyone who would like to contribute towards having bathrooms on Tenacatita beach – all donations are accepted! Donations can be made via Pay Pal, to Dobie Dolphin, or checks may be sent to: Savings Bank of Mendocino, P.O. Box 687, Mendocino, Ca. 95460 Checks can be made out to Dobie Dolphin. On the back of the check write For Deposit Only, acct# 3274 Please let me know if you send a check so I can keep track of who sent what as the bank statement just shows deposits, but doesn’t say who they’re from. All contributions will be acknowledged and an accounting will be provided of how the money is spent. I realize there are many needs and more so now with the fires in California. Anything that can be spared will be greatly appreciated. Peace, health and happiness to all. dobie Posted by Michael J. Fitzgerald at 9:13 AM No comments: Tenacatita Bay land-ownership court fight grinds on and on TENACATITA BEACH, Jalisco, Mexico - The long-running legal saga over control of the Tenacatita Bay beach and property seized in August 2010 by wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos continues. And despite occasional (erroneous) reports that things have returned to a version of normal, the New Year's report from Dobie Dolphin (printed below) suggests that things are, in fact, virtually the same as they have been since an army of armed goons working for Villalobos seized the land, forcibly evicted residents and then bulldozed most of the buildings. The land that was stolen from Mexicans and non-Mexicans is still controlled by Villalobos-owned Rodenas Corporation. And even where landowners have won in court, they still are being blocked from taking possession of their property. Some beach access is now allowed. But even that access can be iffy. Here is a report from Dobie (who lives nearby), plus two recent photos... New Year's Day 2016 Tenacatita Hi to all, As we start the new year, the various Tenacatita lawsuits still haven’t been resolved. Although several people have won their lots back, they still haven’t been able to take possession of them. The state prosecutor gave an order to the guards on the beach to allow the rightful owners to fence their lots and use their land. A couple of weeks ago, several land owners went, along with a lawyer, engineer with GPS measuring equipment to mark the boundaries, fence posts, barbed wire, workers to set the posts and fence their properties, and about 10 pounds of papers relating to their case. When we got there (I try to go along when possible), the guys started digging holes for the fence posts and within 15 minutes, the private security guards came up (we were at the top of a hill with a fantastic view of the ocean and the bay) and said they had an order and people had to stop working and leave. Since the lawyer had the paper signed by the state prosecutor he said they could legally be there, and the guards left. But a few minutes later, the state police came and said the same thing. When the lawyer asked who told them that the owners had to leave, they said it was the state prosecutor – the same one who signed the order telling the police not to stop the owners from taking possession of their property. A few people had their cell phones out and were recording the conversation. The state police got aggressive, grabbed the cell phones and erased what had been recorded. The lawyer was able to get the cell phones back and he noticed that one was still recording, so he asked the policeman his name, who told him that the land owners would have to leave, etc. So in the end, everything was videoed and recorded and we all left without incident. The lawyer then filed several more lawsuits, against the private security police, the state police, the state prosecutor and the father of the governor of the state of Jalisco who’s a judge. The governor keeps saying he supports the people who won their land back, but it's only in words, not deeds. So in a sense, nothing has really changed. People continue to enjoy the beach and many came and camped over the holidays. Although no one can sell anything on the beach, the police didn’t stop locals from renting umbrellas, tables and chairs to the beach goers. Restaurants were able to leave menus, and people could call on their cell phones and have food delivered to the beach. At least it brought some income to the locals. Every year we hope that this will be the year the conflict is resolved. Hard to believe it’s gone on this long. There has been more media coverage - to read newspaper articles and watch 2 short videos (all in Spanish), you can go to: www.tenacatita-libre.blogspot.com Wishing everyone a healthy, peaceful year, Posted by Michael J. Fitzgerald at 3:59 PM No comments: Labels: corruption, court cases, goons, Jose Villalobos, land stolen, Mexico, Tenacatita, Tenacatita beach Tenacatita Bay and community - what was then and what is now TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - I went back to Tenacatita about a week ago, my second visit since the land was stolen in August 2010 by Jose Villalobos and goons hired by his company, Rodenas. Photos tell the story best of what was then, and what is now: Tenacatita Beach before the illegal seizure Tenacatita Bay beach, January 2014 There are no services there - not even a bathroom or fresh water. The guards, of course, have both, though they seemed unlikely to share. Along the road leading into the beach, several rather nasty looking, heavily armed guards patrol the road, ensuring that no one wanders off to look at the properties on the Pacific Ocean beach. It's there most of the gringos owned property. Some built houses, all improved the land. What few gringo houses remain (the ones Villalobos didn't bulldoze in a fit of pique) are vacant with nature slowly reclaiming them. As part of the trip, I had a brief conversation with one of big chiefs of the ejido who said the major court case has been settled - in Villalobos favor, of course. He will be keeping the 42 hectares he claimed all along, but the balance of the land he seized (maybe another 42 or more hectares) is likely to be returned to the people. The people, in this case, are members of the ejido. Exactly where gringos who lost their land fit in to this scenario is unclear at best. Perhaps they will have to buy it again. So although the beach is reopened - and subject to close surveillance - the ownership of the land is still in question. There is no conversation at all about reopening any restaurants or restoring services on the public beach. Posted by Michael J. Fitzgerald at 7:26 PM 9 comments: Two sets of guards at Tenacatita now - Villalobos' and state of Jalisco TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - There are two sets of guards now at Tenacatita Beach, those in the employe of wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who seized the beach and surrounding land by force in August 2010 - and those in the employe of the state of Jalisco. Checkpoint Charlie being torn down The Villalobos people are the same ones who kept the public out at gunpoint for nearly three years until the beach was reopened June 2. The guard shack - nicknamed Checkpoint Charlie by some gringos - was pulled down. Until it was removed, anyone wanting to go to the beach had to stop, answer often-rudely asked questions and frequently had their cars searched by the guards. None of the Checkpoint Charlie guards spent much time at charm school, most visitors reported. And if you were one of the people who owned land taken in the seizure, the guards would not let you in. The Jalisco state police at Tenacatita are there now to help keep the peace. Tensions are still high as the eviction in August 2010 forcibly removed people from their homes and places of businesses. Most of the structures were destroyed by Villalobos' bulldozers and workers in the interim. A number of court cases against Villalobos and his company (Rodenas) are still winding their way through the labrynith of the Mexico judicial system. There are claims against him for the illegal seizure as well as the damage and destruction. But for now it appears no restaurants or other facilities will be allowed in the Federal Zone. The beach is open for day use only, no camping. The beach road is closed to traffic. The head of Villalobos guards, warning people off land Villalobos claims is his (Photo by John Jankovsky) A Jalisco state police officer there to keep the peace (Photo by John Jankovsky) Posted by Michael J. Fitzgerald at 6:12 AM 2 comments: Tenacatita Bay Beach gate is gone, but Rodenas guards remain TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The Tenacatita Bay Beach - once the site of restaurants, shops and various commercial concessions is now open to the public after nearly three years of being closed off. August 2010 eviction of Tenacatita residents But the dispute over the properties seized in an armed takeover August 4, 2010 remains. In that morning surprise attack, nearly 800 Mexican citizens and handful of gringos were rousted from homes by police and forced to leave at gunpoint. Visitors to the beach report that a contingent of heavily armed guards are patrolling the area behind the beach and other adjacent areas where wealthy developer Guadalajara Jose Villalobos claims ownership. The tearing down of the guard shack and reopening of the public highway to the beach was a cause for great celebration June 2, drawing hundreds of people. But as jubilant as the crowds were, it's only a first step towards regaining what was once one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Costalegre. The public access is limited to the Federal Zone beach area. And for now there are no announced plans for rebuilding any restaurants or recreating any of the infrastructure that was destroyed by Villalobos. Villalobos maintains that he is the legal owner of all the properties his security forced seized in 2010. Some of the property owners are still fighting in court to regain their lands. Tenacatita Bay Beach in its glory days - before the August 2010 seizure Posted by Michael J. Fitzgerald at 5:01 AM 1 comment: A link to some pre-August 4, 2010 Tenacatita Photos Tenacatita Fotos Interesting Bay Links La Manzanilla Message Board Guadalajara Reporter La Brisas RV Park in Arroyo Seco Palapa Joes Tenacatita Blog Tomzap website - Jalisco Visit La Manzanilla Captain's Blog Looking for La Manz and Tenacatita Links If you know a website that you believe should be linked to the TBB, (Tenacatita Bay Bugle), please send it along to: Mikefitz56@gmail.com. Michael J. Fitzgerald Michael J. Fitzgerald has been a journalist for 40 years, working as a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines and web publications. In 2014 he published his first novel, "The Fracking War," followed in 2015 with "Fracking Justice." In 2018, he published "The Devil's Pipeline." He writes or contributes to five blogs. He and his wife Sylvia Fox are the owners and principal partners in *Subject2Change Media, a multi-media firm involved in print, video and broadcast. He writes a weekly column, "Write On" for the daily 'Finger Lakes Times' newspaper in Geneva, NY. He was a journalism professor at CSU Sacramento from 1986 to 2011 teaching Newswriting, Column Writing and Magazine Writing. Search the Bay Tenacatita update: Limited beach access now, but n...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3679
__label__cc	0.687597	0.312403	> Useful Information > Location and how to get here Trstenik municipality is situated in the central part of Serbia, in the fertile valley of the West Morava and on the slopes of the Gledić Mountains and Goč. Approximately 45000 habitants live in 51 settlements. Trstenik is economic, administrative and cultural center of the municipality which has approximately 16000 habitants. In the vicinity of Trstenik, 10 km west of the town is the most celebrated Vrnjačka Banja Spa. 21° longitude goes through the municipality, that line symbolically connects us with the rest of the world in space and time and tell us that we are geographically, historically and culturally part of Europe. Trstenik is at the crossroads of important transportation routes since the ancient times. It is located on the national road Kruševac-Kraljevo-Čačak-Užice, 52 km away from a connection to highway E75 Belgrade –Niš nearby Pojate and 30 km away from the Ibar highway, actually, from the national road for Kragujevac. The nearest airport is “Constantine the Great” Airport in Niš, 100 km away. The airport is 230 km away from Belgrade airport. The vicinity of Vrnjačka Banja Spa (10 km) and Kopaonik (90 km) has the great significance for the touristic position of Trstenik, as well as the position on the Wine Route. In the vicinity of the town, 2 km east, there is touristic-sports airport “Trstenik”. If you travel by car, Trstenik can be reached: by highway (E-75) Belgrade-Niš, exit at Batočina (115 km), and then by national road via Kragujevac and Kraljevo to Trstenik (92 km); by highway (E-75) Niš-Belgrade, exit at Pojate (69 km), then by national road via Kruševac to Trstenik (52 km); by highway Ljig-Preljina (E763), then by national road via Kraljevo to Trstenik. Or if you travel by bus: by bus from Belgrade Bus Station (about 11 departures/day; price: about 10 EUR); by bus from Niš Bus Station (7 departures/day; price: about 7 EUR) by train from Belgrade to Stalać, and then by a local bus. Belgrade Bus Station – Information +381 11/ 2627-146, 2622-526,180-377 (international bus transport) +381 11/2636-299 (domestic bus transport) www.bas.rs Niš Bus Station – Information http://www.nis-ekspres.rs/index_en.php These are useful links regarding ticket offices and telephone numbers: http://www.srbvoz.rs/eng	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3686
__label__cc	0.558857	0.441143	The Passing of Hugh McIlvanney by Ian \| Jan 25, 2019 Throughout the winter of 2004/2005, I had an afternoon off work every week. My depression was back again, but on this occasion my employers were pretty determined to do something about it before I did something to myself and booked me in for three months of CBT in a townhouse overlooking the northernmost corner of Regents Park in London. I would take the train back from the office in Hertfordshire, have my hour of venting, and by three o’clock the afternoon was mine, all mine. Although I am by nature a champion procrastinator, for once I used this couple of hours at the tail end of the afternoon productively. I’d abandoned reading books several years earlier, but had started to feel that I should redress this balance, so for around six months every Thursday afternoon, I would walk back from Regents Park, through Camden Town and up to a book shop on Kentish Town Road, whereupon I’d choose a book and buy it, giving myself six and a half days to read it before repeating the cycle after my next visit. On one of these Thursday afternoons, one book in particular stood out to me. My relationship to football and literature had previously been somewhat sporadic. I’d been a When Saturday Comes reader since 1988 and a subscriber since 1993, but my conscious lack of literary voraciousness had meant that I’d missed out on a great deal of outstanding football writing. I read The Independent rather than The Guardian, but I was fully aware of the name Hugh McIlvanney, a titan of sports writing and journalism, and to see an anthology of his football writing, McIlvanney On Football, on the shelf in this shop was an opportunity too good to pass up. The CBT didn’t “cure” my depression. You can’t “cure” depression. All you can really do is learn to try and live with it, and I haven’t always managed that with unqualified success in the intervening decade and a half. This particular Thursday afternoon, however, did change my life. To be present a major sporting event is to witness something unique within our culture. It will make newspaper headlines around the globe, so you’re watching the news unfold before your very eyes. There is no script, but you’re watching a piece of unscripted theatre to which nobody knows the ending until the whistle to call time blows. For all the benchmarks within our world against sport is measured, it occupies its own space, plays by its own rhythm, carries its own urgency. And expressing that to a mass audience, to be able to convey the blood, sweat and tears that come with it, and frequently under the most punishing of time constraints, is a rare, rare skill indeed, which very seldom receives the praise it deserves. The past, so goes the truism, is a foreign country. They do things differently there. It’s easy to forget this, of course. These days, we can see just about any sporting event that we want to live, in crystal clear high definition. Fifty or sixty years ago, however, the world was a different place. Far from everybody even owned a television set, and the majority of those who did would be watching on black and white sets, often through a blizzard of the snow of interference. Even the biggest football matches would only be documented from at best a couple of camera angles. Until 1966, there weren’t any in-play replays of things that had just happened. And the same constrictions applied to reporters. There were no on the whistle reports or think-pieces, automatically produced for instant gratification. No broadband access points, only (often unreliable) telephone lines down which reports would be transcribed back to newsrooms, in the midst of a din of background noise. Yet Hugh McIlvanney wrote about football like somebody producing poetry whilst being prodded with sharpened sticks. His words were peppered with love, humour, and more than occasionally cynicism. He could articulate the sights, sounds and scents of any sporting event at which he was present. Sometimes he would wander from his subject, yet the retained the skill to make every word that he wrote feel vital. And in an era during which relations between the press and those within the game were considerably more relaxed than they are now, he could tease memorable quotes from the giants of the game, managing to be a friend of the likes of Jock Stein or Matt Busby – it is surely no coincidence that these managerial goliaths shared such a kinship with him when they all came from similarly tough working class environments in Scotland’s central belt – without ever compromising on either his or their integrity. Hugh McIlvanney brought football to life for me, and he remains a pinnacle of sport writing to which anybody who ever commits words to paper or screen should aspire, even though the likelihood of any of us ever getting close to matching him are vanishingly small. When I started writing about the game myself, almost thirteen years ago, his work was the first that I returned to, if only to get a sense of how it should be done, a feeling of what I should aspire to, however remote and unlikely it may have seemed then, and continues to seem now. I still stand at the bottom of that particular mountain, squinting at the summit, but how could I be unhappy at this when the view is so exquisite? The word “legendary” is vastly overused in the modern world, but in this case its entirely appropriate, and the gushing eulogies that will pour out onto news websites and social media this weekend couldn’t be more fitting as well as being, on the part of those who write them, completely heartfelt. We will, in a very literal sense, not see his like again. Thank you, Hugh. My depression will never be cured, but your writing sure as hell cheered me up. PreviousThe Disappearing Football Club & The Supporter For Hire NextLook Away Now: Match Of The Day, 27th January 1996 AFCON 2017: Seconds Out, Round Two The 200% World Cup Breakfast: Passing the Mantle A New Beginning – At Last – For Wrexham Football Club The 2012 Olympic Games: Womens Football – The Quarter-Finals	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3687
__label__wiki	0.776686	0.776686	Much Reaction to the Property Settlement in Pittsburgh The property settlement reached by nine ACNA parishes with the Episcopal Diocese has been widely covered, making front page news in Pittsburgh's Post-Gazette and the Tribune Media, and in stories by Anglican.ink, Christian Today, two in the Living Church, and both the Episcopal News Service and the Anglican Communion News Service. Most have hailed the announcement as being a path towards reconciliation and avoidance of further expensive lawsuits. The Post-Gazette made the agreement the subject of a positive editorial. The agreement covered the property and endowments of nine parishes whose titles ran in the name of the parish rather than the Board of Trustees and thus were not covered in the court decision of 2009 and implementation decision of 2010. Comments on some of the more conservative sites (such as Anglican.ink) have noted that the agreement requires payment in perpetuity to the Episcopal Diocese of a small percentage of operating income. Special Committee Appointed on Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment The Rev. Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies has appointed a committee of 47 to look at all aspects of sexual harassment and exploitation within the Episcopal Church. Jennings will chair the committee, which has been divided into 5 separate sub committees, looking at theology and language, truth and reconciliation, structural equity, social justice, and Title IV (disciplinary canons). The committee is tasked to bring matters to the House of Deputies and General Convention. All members are women of whom 31 are clergy. The composition of the committee has raised some comment, including a piece by the Rev. Mark Harris. Another Nudge in New Zealand to Allow Church Blessing of Same-Sex Unions The General Synod for the Anglican Province of New Zealand has on its agenda a revised report recommending local option in the matter of Church blessings of Same-Sex Unions. The Diocese of Christchurch held a special synod to on the subject to inform the representatives they will send to that synod. After a full discussion, a majority of the synod voted that it supported the local option approach. They are the first regional synod to do so. The decision was reported widely in the New Zealand press including here and here, and with less enthusiasm in Anglican.ink. Church of England Begins Tough Scrutiny on Cover-Up of Child Abuse Hearings on the mishandling of reports on child abuse within the Church of England have begun with some very critical statements using words such as "amateurism", "cover-up," and "excessive deference to those at the top" and more. The hearings are on-going and are causing considerable commentary and follow-up stories in the media in England. Thinking Anglicans has a set of links to all aspects of the hearings. Church of England Attracting Middle Eastern Immigrants The Church of England is reporting a source of new members - immigrants from the Middle East, especially Iran. Some were born into Christian families in Iran but were never baptized due to the persecution of the church there. Others were members in Christian churches in the Middle East, and still others are finding their way to Church from other faiths. Many of the immigrants are still in the process of applying for permanent residency, but have responded to the help given immigrants by the Church. For more, look here. ACNA Bishop Riles GAFCON Waters Bishop Jack Iker of the ACNA diocese in Fort Worth is a determined opponent of women's ordination. The recent ACNA decision to continue to allow local option of women's ordination to the priesthood provoked Iker in November 2017 to vow to work to reverse that decision and declare impaired communion with those dioceses that do ordain women. Now nearly a year after the event occurred, it is becoming public that the Province of South Sudan had consecrated a woman as bishop. The province participates in GAFCON (originally Global Anglican Futures Conference), but now the shadow Anglican Communion created by dissidents within the Anglican Communion. GAFCON primates had agreed on a voluntary moratorium on consecrating women as bishops. Iker is now demanding an explanation from the Sudanese and GAFCON. The letter hints that there should be some form of disciplinary action or non-recognition of the consecration. More Federal Court Developments in South Carolina Property Suits The Episcopal litigants in the federal case on trademark infringement have just filed papers to broaden the issues. In a series of filings the Episcopal Church and the local diocese merged their suits, asked the court to include within its jurisdiction all remaining matters concerning parish property, including appointing parish trustees/vestry members who are willing to act as fiduciary agents for the Episcopal Church, and inclusion of the parishes that are participating in the break-away diocese, but did not become plaintiffs in the state property suit. Meanwhile the U.S. Supreme Court has under review the appeal by the break-away group of the South Carolina Supreme Court decision awarding diocesan and parish property to the diocese participating in the Episcopal Church. The court may delay a decision on whether to hear the case, however because they have asked the Episcopal Church and participating diocese to file responses to the appeal filed by the break-away group. That response is not due until March 27, after the date the court originally was going to take up review.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3693
__label__wiki	0.867146	0.867146	Deeping St Nicholas Deeping St Nicholas CP/ExP Parish-level Unit How people made their living: identifying farming communities, pit villages, mill towns and so on. Social class and socio-economic groups. Concentrations of professionals, and of unskilled labourers. Total Population 1801 to 1961: Population grew from 370 in 1801 to 1,834 in 1961. Occupational Structure in 1881: Extra-Parochial Area (until 1856) Civil Parish (after 1856) F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. Deeping St Nicholas CP/ExP, Lincolnshire The following alternative names exist: DEEPING FEN Official English 1856 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. DEEPING ST NICHOLAS Preferred English 1856 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. This unit was associated with the following other units: Nature of association Other unit involved was succeeded by DEEPING ST NICHOLAS EP Ecclesiastical Parish F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. LINCOLNSHIRE Ancient County F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. BOURNE PLU/RegD Poor Law Union/Reg. District 27 May 1862 1861 Census of England and Wales, Table 1, 'Area; Houses and Inhabitants, 1851 and 1861, in Districts, Sub-districts, Parishes and Places'. SPALDING PLU/RegD Poor Law Union/Reg. District 27 May 1862 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. DEEPING Registration sub-District 27 May 1862 Registrar General, Decennial Supplement (HM Stationery Office) DEEPING ST NICHOLAS Registration sub-District 27 May 1862 1911 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Registration Counties, Districts and Sub-districts with their constituent civil parishes. - Urban or Rural District in which each parish is situated; Area; families or separate occupiers, and population, 1901 and 1911; and population enumerated in Institutions, large establishments, and on vessels, &c., 1911'. ELLOE Wap Ancient District F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. NESS Wap Ancient District F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. SPALDING RSD Sanitary District F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. SPALDING RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Northern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1991), p. 257. This unit was affected by the following changes: Area transferred 01 Apr 1932 was enlarged by gaining part of SPALDING CP/AP Area: 1478 acres. Population in 1931: 124. 1931 Census of England and Wales, Table B, 'Areas altered between 26th April, 1931 and 30th June, 1934, showing constitution as at the latter date, in terms of constitution as at the former date, together with particulars of acreage and population'.; M. of H. Order No. 75838. The Parts of Holland (Alteration of Districts & Parishes) Order, 1932 GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, Deeping St Nicholas CP/ExP through time \| Census tables with data for the Parish-level Unit, A Vision of Britain through Time.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3694
__label__cc	0.666734	0.333266	Like King Lear but for girls The Vagenda Book Yesterday, the synod of the Church of England voted against allowing women to be bishops (bishopesses? Bitchops?) For those of us who see the church as our family (stubborn, sometimes embarrassing, sometimes incredibly hard to live with, but nonetheless family), the results of this vote are akin to your one rowdy uncle falling into the cake and ruining your wedding day for everyone. It’s disappointing, it’s cringeworthy, and you’d all held your breath and believed that it wouldn’t actually happen this time around. I, like most members of the church, had hoped that the result of this vote would signal the beginning of the end of institutional misogyny in the Church of England. And unfortunately, I was wrong. Just to put my frustration in perspective, this wasn’t a straightforward decision, or even one that seems particularly democratic. The motion was passed by the first two houses of the synod, but not by the final House of Laity. It needed a two-thirds majority to pass, and fell short by just six votes. All seems a bit George Bush and Florida to me, particularly when all but two – TWO – of the 44 dioceses of the Church of England, and three-quarters of the general Synod, had already voted strongly in favour. The hard-line minority opposition seems to have missed the fact that its Supreme Governor (er, yeah, the one over there in the crown) is, inescapably, a woman. The whole rulebook on what trumps what in C of E rock-paper-scissors has clearly been flung out of the stained glass window. I’m not a theologian, a biblical scholar nor a expert on the C of E. But I am a woman, a feminist, and I have spent a lot of my life involved with churches. And a lot of us out there – not just the teenagers sporting rubber bracelets with the initials ‘WWJD’ stamped on them – still ask ourselves: ‘What would Jesus do?’ Therefore, I reckon there’s a bit of clearing up to do where the actual Bible’s position on women is concerned. Because there are a huge amount of passages in this context which are misread, mostly due to translation or (perhaps more likely) wilful misunderstanding. The first example, and ones used most often by gender equality dissenters in the church, is Genesis, right after God makes Adam, when he says (English translation) “I’ll make a helper for him”. Actually the word ‘helper’ has been mistranslated from the ancient Greek “ezer” which we don’t have a precise word for but means “one who surrounds, defends and nourishes” – a word which is only used elsewhere to describe God himself. He then makes it clear that they are both responsible custodians of all of creation. Funnily enough, in this light the whole thing has new meaning. Later, in a letter to a church in Corinth, the apostle Paul says that ‘women’ should remain silent in church. There is reason to believe that this was directed at two women in particular, who according to historical accounts, were loud and disruptive. Actually, we know from elsewhere in the Bible and historical texts that Paul was very encouraging of women as leaders in these early churches – as was Jesus himself, who preached leadership equality between the genders, and was often chastised for it. If you’re in any doubt about such messages in the Bible, Galatians 3 also states: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, man nor woman, slave nor free – for you are all equal in Christ Jesus.” Boom. The twisting of a message of inclusivity into its direct opposite by the vote against female equality this week has been hugely disappointing for those of us who had hoped that the Church of England was about to make the most positive progression it had in years. I don’t believe that God discriminates, or that whether women and men are as good as each other is a complex theological debate. Like most members of the church, I was shocked by the outcome of, er, Bishopsgate – and I think the issue is a no-brainer. By privileging the viewpoint of hardline minority groups, the decision threatens to turn the church into precisely what it fears becoming: irrelevant and unrepresentative. The winds of change have been blowing hard across Britain of late, and a church that relies largely on sexist interpretations of our central text risks enacting its own undoing. The Bible includes a plethora of women who lead nations, advise kings, run businesses, save thousands of starving refugees and outwit evil dictators. And it’s time for the men at the top in the big hats to realise that those women weren’t included by accident. -RA ← Ten Reasons Not to Buy Grazia What Your Party Outfit Says About You → 11 thoughts on “What Would Jesus Do?” LNKruger says: It’s nice to have a clever and thoughtful look at this issue. Too often, as someone who identifies as Christian (of the not mental variety) and Feminist (also not mental), it can feel a bit lonely and misunderstood. Ciara says: Such a well-written and thought-provoking piece. I’m very glad that Vagenda decided to have a committed member of the Church of England weigh in on this debate in such a balanced and intelligent manner, as it would have been so easy to have an external scream-fest from a disinterested party (such as myself) criticising the institution of the CofE in general and missing the real issues at stake. It’s very interesting to hear the voice of a feminist member of the Church, as it is a voice that is often forgotten or not heard very loudly but that, not only in light of this debate in particular, but also with regards to how the Church needs to position itself in the modern world if it wants to gain more followers or simply survive, has never been more relevant. Neophita says: An interesting look at this issue, but I have a few questions: Firstly, the Old Testament wasn’t written in Greek but Hebrew. So what does the Hebrew mean? Does it mean the same as the Greek? If not your argument does not stand, I’m afraid. Secondly, the whole of your fifth paragraph has some major problems from a historical persepective. We have almost no historical sources for this period other than the New Testament, certainly none that can point us to two particular women whom this passage in Scripture is aimed at. Therefore, what source are you referring to?? And concerning this sentence: ‘Actually, we know from elsewhere in the Bible and historical texts that Paul was very encouraging of women as leaders in these early churches – as was Jesus himself, who preached leadership equality between the genders, and was often chastised for it.’ I would say (along with most NT scholars) that the Bible reveals the complete opposite (about both Paul and Jesus)! What passages are you using to support your interpretation? And, as above, there are no historical texts from this period that tell us anything about Paul, beyond that he existed, certainly not this level of detail. Which texts are you referring to that you think provide this information? And concerning: If you’re in any doubt about such messages in the Bible, Galatians 3 also states: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, man nor woman, slave nor free – for you are all equal in Christ Jesus.”‘ this is spiritual equality which is very different to social & earthly equality, hence why Christians could still own slaves, believed in a hierarchical society etc. Spiritual equality is about salvation being open to everyone and equally available to everyone. Remember that before this time it was only available to Jewish people, and that some Greek philosophers questioned whether women had souls like men’s souls. That said, thank you for an interesting article! God Bless you + RaquelitaDLL says: Yes! Amen to this (appropriately enough). What LNKruger said. It is important to recognise that those two things (Christian faith and being a feminist) are not at all incompatible. And yes to the bit about family – for better and for worse. In absolute fairness, the motion fell at the House of Laity (i.e. non-clergy), so the men in big hats were not at fault – they are overwhelmingly in favour, in fact. But it is of course very sad that what really is a minority in the C of E has managed to wield disproportionate power to hold many brilliant women back from serving as bishops, on essentially a technicality. Also, I love the word bitchops. I may have to use this from now on. Keep up the good work, Vagenda! TheUnlikelyBallerina says: “Ezer” is Hebrew, the word does to the best of my knowledge not exist in Greek, but RA is right that God is the only other “person” described as “ezer”. The word is thought to derive from two different roots, one meaning “power” the other “strenght”. What is traditionally translated as “helper fit (for him)”, new research indicates should rightfully be translated “power/strenght equal to him”. Jesus would at least pass round a tin of biscuits whilst debating about this Twenty-something says: Thanks for all the lovely comments ladybros. Jesus would definitely have been biscuit passer (and voice of reason). With regards to the theological questions,apologies to Neophita, “ezer” is a Hebrew word not ancient Greek (although the Torah was also translated into ancient Greek). This website (which is actually Jewish) provides a nice explanation of ezer as coming from dual roots, meaning power and strength. http://www.godswordtowomen.org/ezerkenegdo.htm There is a super good book called Why Not Women, which is written from a Christian theological perspective, by Loren Cunningham, you can get it off Amazon if interested. It puts all this a million times better than I can and is a ruddy great read. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Women-Scripture-Missions-Ministry-Leadership/dp/1576581837/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353952572&sr=1-1 The whole misreading of the bible discussion seems to me like more excuses from Christian leaders so as to not alienate 50% (statistically speaking) of it’s members, while still undermining the position of women within the church. Members of the church often blame atheists or those of different faiths of misreading the bible, and that it shouldn’t be taken literally, but my rationale tells me that it is a book rife with misogyny and hypocritical messages on how everyone should “love thy neighbour” but on the other hand men who lie with men shall be put to death, and women should remain silent in church and ask their husbands questions in the privacy of their own home. Speak when spoken to laydeez. I hope this doesn’t come across as disrespectful as I respect people of all faiths, but the whole “there are a huge amount of passages in this context which are misread, mostly due to translation or (perhaps more likely) wilful misunderstanding” argument just doesn’t stand in my eyes. The church has always been a patriarchal institution. Thank you for this article! I have to grant that the issue is far more complicated than can be articulated in such a short piece and the questions commenters like Neophita and Anon have raised are valid. The Bible is a religious book but it is also a collection of historical documents and therefore we need to take great pains to interpret what it’s message might have meant in the historical/cultural contexts of its original writers and hearers. As Neophita notes, many Greek philosophers questioned the existence of the female soul and often described women as deformed men. This philosophy was very influential in the Greco-Roman world of Jesus’ time. The man of a household had power over the life or death of his family including his wife, sisters and mother. There was little to no recourse for women whose husbands abused or cheated on them. In contrast to this environment, Jesus defends a woman who is about to be stoned after being caught in adultery and speaks with prostitutes openly. Furthermore the early Christians were renown for rescuing discarded female babies and requiring faithfulness in marriage from both husbands and wives. From a modern point of view, Paul’s admonitions about gender essentialism and gender-specific order of worship sound stilted and misogynistic but female participation in church services that were primarily educational was unheard of at that time. I believe the message of Christianity is one of equality and redemption but that it is also a continuous project of the Holy Spirit working in real-world contexts of oppression and hierarchy. It involves people and therefore it often fails but what we who identify as Christians must do is exactly what this article says: try to figure out what Jesus would be doing in our contexts. Personally, I don’t think he would be a great leader in the ecclesiastical hierarchy (he was often opposed to the religious leaders of his own time), rather he would be hanging with hookers, drug-dealers, those who are abused and hurting… including women who have been trampled by patriarchal institutions. Teabag says: I think this is an area in which feminists need to think more clearly. It is a tenet of western liberalism that all faiths should be ‘respected’, and comments like Anon’s above toe that line nicely. RaquelitaDLL goes further and says that feminism and Christianity are compatible – although she doesn’t say why she thinks so. Feminists are not in the business of ‘respecting’ any other form of misogyny. We don’t respect men who abuse women in any other way, so why would we respect the fountainhead of global misogyny: patriarchal religions, which universally assign women a second-class place in society? It is like trying to treat the symptoms of cancer while not doing anything to treat the cancer itself. In order to be respected, something has to deserve respect. Women need to get the hell out of patriarchal religions, not keep on kidding themselves that if they read the bible carefully enough, they’ll find that centuries of women being told that God wants them to subordinate themselves to male authority was all a big misunderstanding. Because it wasn’t. The men who wrote the bible, the koran, and the rest of it, thought exactly that. And they’ve been enjoying the benefits ever since. Why are we talking about bible scriptures as a form of argument? This whole issue has nothing to do with C of E allowing women to be bishops anymore. It’s about equality in our legislature. In the House of Lords, C of E is given 26 AUTOMATIC SEATS which are occupied by bishops. By excluding women from being able to take some of these seats, C of E have broken the law. “Sex discrimination is discrimination on the ground of sex” – and they have done this by not voting for equality. Whilst The Church of England are well within their right to practice their religion how they see fit, this is not in compliance with how the rest of our country is run. Legally, by excluding women from important levels of leadership I think The Church of England should be asked to give up their 26 seats in The House of Lords. I’m sure there would be complete uproar about that but maybe then they’d change their minds, or maybe the seats could be shared out to other representatives of many other religions. I’m an atheist and a feminist. To me, the fact that this particular church has power given to it automatically is completely ridiculous. It should be questioned, especially after something like this. 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__label__wiki	0.832311	0.832311	You are here: Home / Faculty / Prominent Faculty / Gertrude Buck Gertrude Buck Gertrude Buck, VCSC Born on July 14, 1871 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Judge George M. Buck and his wife, Annie, Gertrude Buck received all her higher degrees from the University of Michigan: a B.S. in 1884, M.S. in '95, and a Ph.D in rhetoric and composition in '98. She joined the Vassar faculty in 1897 as an English instructor, and rose quickly within the department, becoming an Associate Professor in 1901 and a Professor in 1907. She taught at Vassar until her death in 1922, and she revolutionized the English department while also making a name for herself as a talented rhetorician. Modern rhetoricians and feminist scholars have found in Buck's writings the beginnings of feminine rhetoric. The study of rhetoric is the study of communication. Long overlooked, this field of study has seen a recent reemergence. Buck's individual work in rhetorical studies laid the foundation for the recent rise of New Rhetoricians, scholars who believe that writing is a social action, and communication is a community experience. Miss Buck considered language a fundamentally social instrument used to further an organic conception of society, and thus approached writing and teaching democratically. She believed, "Only as we relate other people's experiences and ideas to our own are we able to see what we have to contribute, however small it may be, to the sum of human consciousness." A former student recalled of her class, "At no other time have I, for my part, held the appreciative attitude toward the environment in such constant activity." The student spoke of Miss Buck's insistence on sincerity, a standard that Buck applied to herself as well as her students. She held all writing to a standard of truth, for she felt, "Without sincerity, no writing can be good literature." The result was a body of work universally recognized for its detailed insight and mastery of description. A colleague described her poems as "delicate and poignant in beauty." Another said of Buck, "Her originality depended upon her power of turning an exceptionally lucid logical faculty to the task of escaping from its own abstractions and cleaving through to the truth of human experience." The impressions of Miss Buck held by her colleagues continue to hold sway among contemporary scholars. Colleges and universities throughout the country still study Buck's writings on literary criticism and rhetoric. Her textbooks and articles illustrate the fundamentals of writing and teaching, while her poetry and prose expose neglected artistic talents. The 1914 edition of Woman's Who's Who of America and the 1921 edition of Who's Who Among North American Authors both included articles on Buck's achievements, and she was posthumously mentioned in the 1943 edition of Who Was Who in America. Unfortunately, Miss Buck's scholarly and creative achievements were relatively few. Always a frail woman, Miss Buck focused her limited energies upon renewing and reinventing the curriculum at Vassar rather than building up a portfolio of work. When she wasn't working on campus, Buck spent her time connecting with the Poughkeepsie community. She lived in the city of Poughkeepsie with her closest friend, and head of the English department, Laura Wylie, foregoing the usual campus habitation for a home that allowed her active participation in local issues. The two women worked together in the community, first as members of the Equal Suffrage League of Poughkeepsie and then on the board of directors of the Women's City and County Club. Buck also became a member of the Socialist Party of the State of New York. President MacCracken described the "creative group" of his faculty, which included Miss Buck and Miss Wylie, when he said, "… Dangerous women all of them. They rejoiced in every conflict of ideas. The times were ripe for change." Buck and Wylie capitalized on the new President MacCracken's impression of their "creative group" and his progressive mindset. Together they radically changed the methods and courses of the department, forwarding the methods and ideas of John Dewey. They drastically reduced class sizes, and petitioned year after year for an expansion of the faculty, bringing such notable professors as Hallie Flanagan Davis to campus. The variety of writing courses swelled during Buck and Wylie's time at the college. Miss Buck taught a wide array of the courses, teaching a class until she understood the most efficient way to convey the material, then writing a textbook and guiding a new teacher into her place. This strategy assured the survival of her ideas and methods beyond her immediate association with the material. Buck's impact on Vassar extended beyond the English department. In 1915 Buck participated in George Baker's 47 Workshop at Radcliffe College, the playwriting course that is considered the beginning of the student theater movement. Upon her return, she created the first playwriting course at Vassar, and, in 1916, guided the Vassar Dramatic Workshop into existence. The Workshop arose from the playwriting course as a chance for students to write, produce, and act in entirely original productions. The second performance of the workshop featured senior Edna St. Vincent Millay as writer and star actress. It was such a successful program that President MacCracken created a drama fund of $1,000 in 1918 to support future endeavors. After Miss Buck's death in 1922, the fund was renamed the Gertrude Buck Drama Fund, and earmarked for the "purchase and care of books on drama and allied themes." Though a Drama Department did not exist during Miss Buck's time at Vassar, this fund, and the workshop that motivated it, laid the foundation for the Division of Drama that would be established in 1934 by Winifred Smith '04. The Workshop inspired Professor Buck to fuse her campus and community efforts by founding the Poughkeepsie Community Theatre. President MacCracken observed, "She had long carried on her plan of an association with the community by residence on Market Street and by participation in town life. She wished now to bring Poughkeepsie the fine art of drama in connection with the little theatre movement." With the Community Theatre, Buck hoped to create an environment in which all social classes worked together to find self-expression. According to MacCracken, "Miss Buck's method was always stimulation of the inner motives, so that the results should be the actual product of the group engaged in the activity. The result of her efforts was the development in Poughkeepsie of a group genuinely devoted to the art of the theatre." Considered by Gertrude Buck and her colleagues as her greatest achievement, the Poughkeepsie Community Theatre probably also hastened her physical decline. The efforts of founding a quality community theater took their toll on Miss Buck, who was never a strong woman, and in August 1921, a sudden paralytic stroke cut her work short. As a Christian Scientist, she refused treatment, and for months she suffered through a partial recovery. On January 8, 1922, Gertrude Buck died from a second stroke. Gertrude Buck was not forgotten. The home she had shared with Miss Wylie became the headquarters of the Women's City and County Club in November 1933, in recognition of both women's dedication to the organization. On August 29, 1976, a group from the Drama Department, English Department, Development Office, and the office of the Secretary of the College dedicated a plaque to the memory of Professor Gertrude Buck in the lobby of Avery Hall. Finally, in 1984 the Rhetoric Society Quarterly officially recognized Miss Buck as a talented rhetorician whose work paved the way for modern rhetoric studies. Miss Buck's legacy continues today in Vassar's commitment to small class sizes, innovative teaching methods, and Vassar's widely acclaimed Drama Department. Hallie Flanagan Davis Greek Plays Henry Noble MacCracken Biographical File. Gertrude Buck. Vassar College Special Collections (VCSC). Biographical File. Gertrude Buck. Henry Noble MacCracken Papers 65.70. Letter to Mr. Ernest R. Acker. (VCSC) Biographical File. Gertrude Buck. "Through the Campus Gates" by Katherine Warren in the Vassar Quarterly, May 1922. (VCSC). Biographical File. Gertrude Buck. "Gertrude Buck, The Suffrage Movement, and Progressive Education at Vassar" by Suzanne Bordelon, Asst. Prof. of English, U. of Alaska Fairbanks, June 16, 1999. (VCSC) Biographical File. Gertrude Buck. Vassar College Library, H22 Gertrude Buck Drama Fund. (VCSC) SRH, 2006 Vassar Encyclopedia, by the Vassar Historian 124 Raymond Ave., Box 74, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604–0074 Office: Judith Loeb Chiara '49 Center at the Maria Mitchell Observatory \| Phone: (845) 437–7233 \| Contact Departments Admissions © Vassar College Make a Gift	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3698
__label__wiki	0.977252	0.977252	Town in Me Network of Ambassadors Anne Murray \| Singer 20Apr 2017 by 1000T0wns 1 Comment From: Springhill, Nova Scotia Morna Anne Murray is a singer in pop, country, and adult contemporary music whose albums have sold over 55 million copies worldwide. Born in 1945 in Springhill, Nova Scotia Murray led the way for a generation of Canadian divas, who have also conquered the world – Celine Dion (Humans of Small Towns person), Shania Twain, k.d. lang, Alanis Morissette and Sarah McLachlan. Morna Anne Murray was born in the small coal-mining town of Springhill. Her father was the town doctor. Anne studied piano for six years. At age 15, she began taking classical voice lessons. Anne Murray at home, 1971: CBC Archives Anne Murray’s debut album was on the Canadian Arc label, titled What About Me (1968). The lead single was a sizable Canadian radio hit. Anne Murray was the first Canadian female solo singer to reach No. 1 on the US charts. She is also the first woman and the first Canadian to win “Album of the Year” at the 1984 Country Music Association Awards for her Gold-plus 1983 album A Little Good News. Her second album, This Way Is My Way (1969) featured the single that launched her career, “Snowbird“, which became a No. 1 hit in Canada. Murray has received four Grammys. She has been inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Juno Hall of Fame, and The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame. In 2007, Canada Post issued the limited edition Anne Murray stamp. She was recognized along with three other Canadian recording artists: Paul Anka, Gordon Lightfoot, and Joni Mitchell (Humans of Small Towns persons). In 2008 Murray appeared on the popular TV program Canadian Idol as a mentor. In 2010, Murray was one of the eight Canadians who carried the Olympic flag during the opening ceremonies of the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Murray has always kept ties with her hometown, Springhill. The Anne Murray Centre is a registered Canadian charity. The Anne Murray Centre aims to foster tourism in the area and promote awareness of the music of Nova Scotia and Canada. Springhill is a community located in central Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. The community was originally named “Springhill Mines.” Coal mining lead to economic growth, with its incorporation as a town in 1889. The community is famous for both the Springhill Mining Disaster and being the childhood home of Anne Murray, who is honoured by the Anne Murray Centre, a popular local tourist attraction. U2 – The Ballad of Springhill Mining Disaster: One thought on “Anne Murray \| Singer” 1000towns.ca: Humans of Small Towns […] 1990 he starred in his own TV special for the CBC and guested on Anne Murray‘s Family Christmas […]	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3701
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__label__wiki	0.643348	0.643348	My Favorite Monsters When it comes to iconic horror/Halloween characters, I think there are really two major categories. You’ve got the classic monsters like those popularized on film by Universal beginning in the 1930’s, and then, of course, the less fantastical serial killers and slashers. Today, we’re going to take a look at the former category and various interpretations in film (and occasionally TV) of some of the most iconic characters of all time. Dracula – Bram Stoker’s Dracula Geeks + Gamers Staff Halloween Picks: TV Shows Wednesday October 31, 2018 Whether you’re getting your content in the form of microwaves received by the “rabbit ears” of your TV set or through a cable which delivers digital data to your Apple TV so you can watch Netflix and YouTube on your flat screen, TV is, without a doubt, the staple of entertainment of the modern age. Back... The post Geeks + Gamers Staff Halloween Picks: TV Shows appeared first on W88top. Dracula has always been one of my favorite stories and characters to enjoy around Halloween, and I’d say I’m not alone based on the sheer number of times Stoker’s timeless novel has been brought to the big screen. A Russian film and a Hungarian film based on the book were made in 1920 and 1921, but they’re considered lost now. The earliest film adaptation you can see today is Nosferatu; Prana film and director F. W. Murnau infamously adapted the story against the will of the late Stoker’s family, changing character names and omitting plot details to make it different enough from the source material. However, it really is very similar to the story of Dracula the novel and has, in fact, added to the mythos surrounding the enigmatic Count. In the original Dracula sunlight weakens his powers, but in Nosferatu sunlight is deadly to Count Orlock. Despite the idea originating from an unauthorized adaptation, sunlight is considered deadly to vampires to this day. The next famous iteration was, of course, Bela Lugosi in the classic 1931 film that has eclipsed Nosferatu in the conscious of the public. Lugosi is much more conventionally handsome in Dracula than Max Schreck was in Nosferatu, and this likely popularized the notion of the Count as a welcoming, good-looking, seductive force. Count Orlock pretty much seems creepy from the get-go; Thomas Hutter (the film’s analog for Jonathan Harker) knows something’s wrong almost immediately, but he goes along with the sale for the money. This is more or less true in most interpretations of Dracula, but in many of them, his victims are drawn in by his intoxicating nature and irresistible allure. Lugosi walks with grace and speaks eloquently, and by the time his intentions are clear, it’s too late. 1958 brought us Christopher Lee’s interpretation of the iconic vampire, and his is very different from either Shreck’s or Lugosi’s. Lee is tall and handsome and has hypnotic eyes, but unlike the articulate Lugosi, Lee rarely speaks and lets his body language do the talking. He’s an imposing figure, and his allure is entirely supernatural; Lugosi’s Dracula certainly had an aura that worked on his victims as well, but Lee’s doesn’t have good manners. He doesn’t care about being nice or seeming normal; only about feeding. His brides are treated like animals, tossed around and ignored, denied food so that he can have it. Christopher Lee was a great performer, and I think it’s admirable that his Dracula for the Hammer horror films was so distinct from the hugely influential versions that came before. He also stands as the longest acting Dracula, starring in Dracula films between the years of 1958 and 1973; in 1974, Hammer continued the series with The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, but Lee declined to appear in the final installment. Another thing I find notable in this iteration is that Van Helsing is as much a star as Dracula, and, naturally, does most of the talking; Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are eternally linked by co-starring in numerous Hammer horror features, but the Dracula series is far and away the best remembered. In 1979 Frank Langella took up the cloak and fangs, but I consider this a weak, boring version of the story. Langella himself does fine, although he doesn’t reinvent the wheel or anything like that. The film isn’t horrible, but if you’ve seen the other versions, you’re not missing anything by skipping this one. I won’t talk too much about Duncan Regehr in Monster Squad as I covered it independently, but his version of Dracula is very scary and unscrupulous. They don’t play around with the monsters in this film, even though it’s a family movie, and that’s commendable. In 1992, Gary Oldman portrayed perhaps the most human Dracula to date; Francis Ford Coppola’s take on the classic tale is heavy on romance, as well as blood and mystery. Oldman’s Count does despicable things and undoubtedly uses his supernatural abilities to victimize the innocent, but his love for Mina (Winona Ryder) is genuine, Dracula believing her to be the reincarnation of his lost wife. Oldman shows the widest array of emotions, and his ability for depth of feeling may make his actions all the scarier. In 2012 Adam Sandler voiced Dracula in Genndy Tartakovsky’s Hotel Transylvania. This version, being for kids and not evil, is wildly different from any other on this list; however, I would recommend checking out at least the first movie for Sandler’s surprisingly effective performance and a good amount of laughs. 2014 saw the gritty Dracula Untold with Luke Evans in the lead. This is supposed to be a backstory to how Vlad the Impaler became Dracula, and they try to make you sympathize with the character and his loss. Honestly, it ends up being a pretty lame attempt, in spite of decent performances by Evans and Charles Dance. I don’t think this is really what people want from a Dracula movie, as the film basically ends when the real story begins. I guess I’d recommend it if you’re a huge fan of Evans or gritty prequels. Personally, I don’t have a favorite Dracula because so many of the actors have brought something unique to the character and re-shaped the mythology in their own image. While I love Lugosi and Lee, though, the strongest overall movie for me is Coppola’s starring Gary Oldman. As I mentioned, this movie is full of romance, action, and great performances. I’d recommend checking out most versions of the story, but to me, this is the most complete. Frankenstein and his Monster – Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein REVIEW: Game of Thrones – Season 8, Episode 3 “The Long Night” SPOILERS “The Long Night” opens with everyone preparing for the coming battle. Sam arrives at the front. Melisandre comes and enchants the fighters’ swords. She tells Davos that she’ll be dead by the dawn. The dead attack, and Jon and Daenerys mount their dragons to set them ablaze. Edd dies protecting Sam from a walker.... The post REVIEW: Game of Thrones – Season 8, Episode 3 “The Long Night” appeared first on W88top. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein had been adapted thrice before Boris Karloff’s turn as the creature in the 1931 Universal classic: in a 1910 Edison Studios silent film, the lost 1915 film Life Without Soul, and an obscure 1920 Italian movie. However, the Universal film was the one to put the doctor and his monster on the Hollywood map. There are things I dislike about this version, such as the changing of characters’ names; they arbitrarily switch Victor and Henry’s first names, and the first time I saw the film this was confusing. They also try to make the doctor sympathetic in this one, which is just mind-boggling. This was before it became cool in Hollywood to make monsters pitiful and scientists merely hubris-filled children playing with their toys; nonetheless, this is a very strange take, especially if you’ve read the novel. I think it’s noteworthy that Karloff as the Creature is all people really remember from this film, as he’s the one who gives the most memorable performance. When most people think of Frankenstein’s monster, this is the one they envision. I would recommend the film for Karloff’s performance, and some very effective atmosphere created by the visuals and lack of a musical score. The 1935 sequel, Bride of Frankenstein, is actually even better: more visually striking, more thematically rich, and adapting one of the most interesting plot elements of the novel that was left out of the first film. This movie uses a different framing device from its predecessor: Mary Shelley herself appears as a character, telling the main story. Peter Cushing starred as Victor Frankenstein in numerous Hammer horror pictures, but Christopher Lee surprisingly only appeared in one of them: 1957’s The Curse of Frankenstein. Peter Cushing was a fantastic performer, but the absence of his on-screen rival can be deeply felt in the other installments. Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein offers a completely different, comedic take on Shelley’s tale of science and barbarity. It’s a comedy classic, and I definitely recommend checking it out. In The Monster Squad, Tom Noonan gives a funny and heart-warming turn as the gentle giant. 1990’s Frankenstein Unbound again reinvents the seminal story, this time introducing time travel and including Mary Shelley in the story of her creation. The monster is hardly the best thing about this movie, but I definitely recommend giving it a try. In 1994, Kenneth Branagh directed an adaptation and starred as Victor Frankenstein, with Robert De Niro playing the Creature and Helena Bonham Carter portraying the gorgeous Elizabeth. This film isn’t held in very high regard with critics or movie buffs, but much like the 1992 Dracula, I think it offers the most nuanced, multi-faceted take on the literary classic. It displays the hubris and arrogance of Victor and the way he prioritizes his scientific conquest even over his own happiness, but there is tenderness in his scenes with Elizabeth and his family. I also find De Niro to be a revelation in the role of the Monster, and possibly the most pitiful version. I hate the scene where the peasants shoo him out of their house, not even considering that he may have been the one helping. Devastating. The look on his face as he flees is crushing. Frankenstein’s Monster makes an appearance in 2004’s Van Helsing, but as with many other facets of this film’s production, they don’t do much with him. Like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster appears in the Hotel Transylvania movies, though his character isn’t as relatable as Drac, and he doesn’t grow and change like the former. He is voiced competently by Kevin James. 2014 saw the release of I, Frankenstein, a movie based on a digital comic in which the Creature is immortal and played by Aaron Eckhart. The main story is set in the future, with a prologue showing his creation by the doctor. I love Aaron Eckhart, but this is a bad movie. They try too hard to be edgy instead of just telling the story. 2015’s Victor Frankenstein stars James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe. This movie is actually set in the proper time period, but it’s exceedingly modern in every other way. Despite having an excellent pair of lead actors, this is another stinker I’d skip if I were you. My favorite newer version of the character actually comes from the small screen; Rory Kinnear portrayed the creature on the Showtime series Penny Dreadful from 2014-2016. He does despicable things and exacts a terrible revenge on his creator, but like the show’s other flawed heroes, he just wants to find his place in the world. The performance, makeup and just everything about this character is very much to my liking. However, my very favorite version of both Frankenstein and his monster is Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 film. You Should Be Watching: Paranorman (2012) “I didn’t ask to be born this way.” “Funny, neither did we.” Welcome back to You Should Be Watching, where I recommend movies and TV shows that deserve more attention than they’ve gotten. In keeping with the Halloween theme I’ve adopted for the season, this week we’ll be communing with ghosts in the town of... The post You Should Be Watching: Paranorman (2012) appeared first on W88top. Unlike his literary comrades, the Mummy has been popularized as a scary monster almost entirely by films. Out of the Universal Mummy film series, I’ve only seen the initial entry starring Boris Karloff as the eponymous corpse. It’s a really fun movie to this day, and Karloff gives another great performance as an imposing, creepy monster. In 1959, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee teamed as John Banning and Kharis the mummy, respectively. This is another fun, actiony monster movie. I won’t say it’s great like their early versions of Dracula, but I would recommend checking it out for a good time. My favorite version of The Mummy is the 1999 film starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. When I was a kid, the scene where one of the American travelers loses his eyes to mummy Imhotep really freaked me out, and I’ve never been scared easily by movies. I don’t care much for this film’s sequels, particularly 2008’s Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, though I do like the first Scorpion King spin-off movie OK. The 1999 film has comedy, romance, action and just about anything you could ask of a movie. The backstory with Imhotep and Anck Su Namun is really interesting and well done, the music is good, and the film looks great. Fraser is very charismatic as Rick O’Connell, and this movie introduced me to Rachel Weisz, who I quite like. It feels very much in the vein of films like Indiana Jones, and it’s not trying to be gritty or reinvent the wheel; it’s just a ton of fun. I’d recommend this version of The Mummy to anyone who likes movies. Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman – Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” The only versions of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” I’ve seen are the 2013 TV series, Tim Burton’s 1999 film, and, of course, the 1949 Disney short. The first season of Sleepy Hollow the TV series was surprisingly good; it offered a refreshing take on the story, the cast had great chemistry, the music was good, and the whole setup was very atmospheric. The only downside is that they should have stopped there; everything about season one worked, and the surprise at the end really got me. But the following seasons were more interested in repeating villains and stale plotlines than in organically continuing the story. The Tim Burton film is one that I initially thought was just dumb; however, every time I see it, I like it a little bit more. It’s very much in the vein of the Hammer horror movies, with the exaggerated blood and homemade props. It seems like an homage to those films, and Christopher Lee makes an appearance alongside several other great British actors. This film’s aesthetic and atmosphere are really well constructed, and even if you’re not a big Burton fan, I’d recommend giving it a shot. The Disney “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” short, later combined with “The Wind in the Willows” in The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, stars Bing Crosby and is surprisingly effective at creating scary imagery and an unsettling atmosphere. The designs are also influential on future Disney movies; tell me Katrina doesn’t look like a more well-fed Cinderella, and Brom Bones is a precursor to Gaston in every way. I love the songs, especially the one Brom sings to scare Ichabod. The character designs and backgrounds in this short are impressive, and it’s only 34 minutes long, so if you haven’t seen this one, I’d definitely put it on the to-do list. Overall, I have to say my favorite is a tie between the two films, as the TV show, while impressive at first, declined quickly and tragically. Those are my choices for the best versions of some iconic movie monsters. Do you have a favorite Halloween icon? Who do you think portrayed them best? Leave your choices below, and happy Halloween! The post My Favorite Monsters appeared first on Geeks + Gamers.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3707
__label__wiki	0.962498	0.962498	New York City Guide For New Yorkers Pier 57 - Hudson River Park Thread: Pier 57 - Hudson River Park February 5th, 2003, 08:35 PM #1 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?B...=461&rfi=9 Park advocates consider Pier 57's future uses By: Albert Amateau January 29, 2003 The city bus depot is expected to leave Pier 57 in the third quarter of this year and neighborhood waterfront advocates want to have a say in how the pier, which is within the Hudson River Park, will be developed. * Community Board 4, along with the Friends of Hudson River Park, earlier this month called on the Hudson River Park Trust, the city-state agency developing the five-mile riverfront park between Chambers and 59th Sts., to begin a public dialogue on the future of the T-shaped pier between 15th and 17th Sts. Under the Hudson River Park legislation, several Hudson River piers are designated as park space, others are reserved for commercial development and a few are designated for a mix of commercial and park use. But the park legislation does not specify a use for Pier 57 except for a walkway on the perimeter of the pier. "That's the only bone thrown to public use," said John Doswell, co-chairperson of C.B. 4's waterfront committee and a founder of Friends of Hudson River Park. Only the general provisions of the H.R.P.T. legislation, city waterfront zoning and the Army Corps of Engineers permit process govern the future of the pier. Moreover, there is no funding in the H.R.P.T. budget for developing Pier 57. The Community Board 4 resolution notes that representatives of Chelsea Piers Management, the private-sector operators of the sports and entertainment complex on Piers 59, 60, 61 and 62 in the park, have toured Pier 57 several times in recent years. "We recognize that commercial development generates revenues for the park, but we have an opportunity to expand the park and we can do both," Doswell said last week. "The time for significant input is now," Doswell added. Connie Fishman, executive vice president of the Hudson River Park Trust, has spoken about the future of the park only in the most general terms. At a Jan. 16 Community Board 2 waterfront committee meeting, Fishman said that the superstructure of the pier cannot be dismantled, so "whatever happens, Pier 57 will have an indoor use." The original Pier 57, used by the Grace Lines, burned in 1947. The replacement was built between 1950 and 1954 at a cost of $12 million using techniques developed during World War II. Three concrete caissons - two of them 33 ft. deep and one 26 ft. deep - were built in Haverstraw, N.Y., and floated downriver to serve as foundations of the pier. Although the caissons rest on the river bottom, 90 percent of the pier's weight is supported by buoyancy. The pier has been found eligible for inclusion in the State Register of Historic Places. A Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesperson, Adrienne Taub-Kane, said earlier this month that the Hudson Bus Terminal would move from Pier 57 this year sometime after September, but she declined to specify a date. Municipal non-water-related uses on the waterfront, such as the Department of Sanitation's garbage truck parking and salt pile on Gansevoort Peninsula and the garbage truck parking on Pier 97 (W. 57th St.), the city tow pound on Pier 76 at 35th St., as well as the Hudson Bus Terminal on Pier 57, are all supposed to move out of the park, according to the park legislation. Pier 57 is located to the south of the golf range of Chelsea Piers (Pier 59). On the left, construction continues on Time Warner Center. 22 September 2002. The original Pier 57, used by the Grace Lines, burned in 1947. The replacement was built between 1950 and 1954 at a cost of $12 million using techniques developed during World War II. Three concrete caissons - two of them 33 ft. deep and one 26 ft. deep - were built in Haverstraw, N.Y., and floated downriver to serve as foundations of the pier. Although the caissons rest on the river bottom, 90 percent of the pier's weight is supported by buoyancy. March 9th, 2003, 10:33 PM #3 The city bus depot is expected to leave Pier 57 in the third quarter of 2003. On the left, construction continues on 10 Times Square skyscraper. 9 March 2003. Hoping for a Waterfront Makeover Just South of Chelsea Piers By DAVID W. CHEN The Hudson River Park Trust, which runs a five-mile sliver of waterfront, is seeking proposals to turn Pier 57 into something other than a bus depot. For the last three decades, Pier 57, a hulking three-story structure that juts more than 700 feet into the Hudson off 15th Street in Manhattan, has functioned as a parking garage for New York City Transit buses. And for the last three decades, the pier has not changed much, even though the landscape around it has been overhauled, most notably by Pier 57's next-door neighbor, the recreational behemoth Chelsea Piers. But soon, Pier 57 may undergo a major makeover as well. Yesterday, the Hudson River Park Trust, which operates a five-mile stretch of Manhattan waterfront from Battery Park to 59th Street, announced that it was seeking proposals to develop the site into something other than a bus depot. The trust also indicated a preference for a combination of cultural, educational, maritime and possibly artistic uses for a place that offers more than 300,000 square feet for development. If successfully redeveloped, Pier 57 would be the latest piece of that five-mile sliver of waterfront, dubbed Hudson River Park, to be transformed into a refuge of recreation and greenery for residents of TriBeCa, Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Clinton. In May, city and state officials dedicated the first portion of the park — a 10-acre swath in Greenwich Village near Pier 45 between Clarkson and Horatio Streets. And in June, the trust announced that it would build more playing fields and take over the operation of Pier 40 at the foot of Houston Street, which, at 15 acres, would be the biggest slice of the park. "Pier 57 has the potential to be a great destination for the people of New York, and a crowning jewel of the Hudson River Park," Gov. George E. Pataki said in a press release yesterday announcing the endeavor, formally called a Request for Expressions of Interest. Pier 57, built in 1952, is eligible for listing on the National and State Registers of Historic Places because of its unusual design, according to the trust's proposal. The pier is supported mainly by the buoyancy of three hollow concrete boxes, giving it the feel of "a lateral skyscraper laid down on its side," said Carter Craft, program director of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. Since 1971, the pier has been called Hudson Depot, accommodating up to 165 buses. But on Sept. 7, the buses were moved to other parts of the city, paving the way for redevelopment, said Charlie Seaton, a spokesman for New York City Transit. Some people have offered suggestions on what they would like to see, or not see. Pam Frederick, co-chairwoman of Community Board 4's Waterfront and Parks Committee, would like to see the roof of the structure be used as a public park, and not see any big-box retailers. Mr. Craft finds promise in the idea that a part of the pier be used as a transportation hub for ferries and buses. Potential bidders have until Jan. 20 to submit their ideas. And already, Chelsea Piers says that it is looking forward to competing, said Erica Schietinger, a spokeswoman. But beyond the promise of Pier 57, the waterfront project as a whole still faces significant obstacles, said Albert K. Butzel, president of the Friends of Hudson River Park, an advocacy group. Only half of the estimated $400 million needed to finish all six park segments has been allocated, Mr. Butzel said, and the park's builders have yet to find places for the sanitation trucks and tow pound that occupy some piers now. billyblancoNYC Garden City, LI Great spot for a Home Depot, maybe a Staples. July 21st, 2004, 09:56 AM #6 PIER DEVELOPERS SEEK A BERTH Insiders say the two leading candidates to redevelop Pier 57 at West 15th Street are Original Ventures, which proposes a performing arts center, and the Pier 57 Preservation Trust, which would build a Cousteau Society visitor center and museum. The Hudson River Park Trust wants to revamp the pier, now used as a bus depot, for cultural, educational, maritime or possibly artistic uses. It solicited ideas in October, then invited four respondents to submit proposals. James Ortenzio--a former chairman of the trust, who now serves as Manhattan's Republican Party chair--is said to be championing The Witkoff Group's plan, which would create an Italian heritage center featuring shops, a marina and a Cipriani restaurant. A fourth idea, from Chelsea Piers Management, emphasizes a marina and incorporates recreational facets. Mr. Ortenzio says he's not backing any one proposal and would prefer to see key elements of each combined. Copyright 2004, Crain Communications, Inc ZippyTheChimp http://www.downtownexpress.com/ Trust considers two plans for Pier 57 By Albert Amateau Citing doubts about the financial feasibility of two of the four proposals to redevelop Pier 57 at 15th St., the Hudson River Park Trust this week eliminated from the project Original Ventures, a consortium of private and community groups proposing a Hudson River Performing Arts Center, and Discover 57, made up of community and environmental groups and private developers. The decision left Chelsea Piers Management and Leonardo at Pier 57 (a consortium of the Cipriani restaurant group with Plaza Construction Corp. and The Witkoff Group) as the only proposals presented to the public at the Trust’s Sept. 22 hearing. The 300,000 sq. ft pier, a city bus garage until last year, was most recently used to detain people arrested in connection with protests during the Republican National Convention. The Wednesday hearing was a step in the process to convert the pier into a mixed commercial and public destination in the riverfront park being built between Chambers and 59th Sts. Elected officials and some members of the local Pier 57 working group, which advised the Trust on the selection of the original four proposals, were dismayed at the decision to eliminate the two development teams that had significant involvement of not-for-profit agencies. Connie Fishman, president of the Hudson River Park Trust, said the two development teams were eliminated because they did not meet the financial requirements written into the Request for Proposals in July. The two teams also failed to respond to questions the Trust asked on Sept. 8 and Sept. 10 about financial details, Fishman said. The two surviving proposals, like the eliminated plans, include an array of community activities, berthing for historic boats and public walkways. Steve Witkoff, who owns Lower Manhattan’s landmark Woolworth Building, and Giuseppe Cipriani, principals in the Leonardo on Pier 57 plan, made the presentation Wednesday with a major change from an earlier public presentation: the addition of a pedestrian bridge from the High Line at 10th Ave. and 15th St. over the West Side Highway to Pier 57. The High Line, the derelict elevated railroad that runs from Gansevoort St. to 33rd St. along the west side of 10th Ave., is to be converted into a 1.5-miled elevated park as part of the redevelopment of West Chelsea and the Hudson Yards district to the north. Cipriani would also establish a floating swimming pool, which could serve in winter as an ice rink, on a barge at 14th St. just south of Pier 57. In addition, the barge now on the north side of Pier 63 and operated as Pier 63 Maritime by John Krevey, would become Pier 57 Maritime and move to the end of the swimming pool barge. Pier 57 Maritime would have a flotilla of historic ships including the Lightship Frying Pan, the Fireboat John J. Harvey and the sailing vessel Anne, whose owner and builder, Reid Stowe, testified on Wednesday for the Cipriani project. An Italian crafts, retail and cultural center in a two-story arcade simulating an Italian street is the central feature of Leonardo at Pier 57. The plan also has a restaurant, event space and a marina and nautical store. The plan also calls for parking for more than 300 cars, in the deep caissons that secure the east and west ends of the pier. The Chelsea Piers proposal for Pier 57 would have a covered tennis center with nine courts on the roof of the pier. Tentative plans call for a public area between the fourth and fifth courts, but the kind of structure has not been determined. It could be a fabric bubble or a solid structure, or even a combination of solid and fabric sections, Roland Betts, chairperson of Chelsea Piers, said. However, several Chelsea residents at the Wednesday hearing feared the tennis center would obstruct the view corridor. Chelsea Piers Management plans an aquatics center with a competition-size pool and a 16-ft. deep diving section. Boating, a row of art galleries, studios and a 40,000-sq.-ft. dance center is also part of the plan, along with an arts center with classes in plastic and visual arts. The Chelsea Piers plan also calls for parking in the caisson that supports the shore end of the pier. The caisson that supports the west end of the pier would be leased to the city or a federal agency like FEMA for use as an emergency center, according to David Tewksbury, vice president of Chelsea Piers. Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, co-author of the 1998 Hudson River Park Act that established the Trust as the state-city agency building the five-mile-long park, said at the Wednesday hearing that the two rejected applicants should be reinstated and given a chance to deal with financial feasibility questions again. Assemblymember Deborah Glick said in a prepared statement that although she is a member of the Pier 57 working group, she was not told until the day before the hearing that two proposals were being cut. The two teams, she said, should continue through the development process. The Trust has rushed the Pier 57 development process, Glick contended. “Instead of working to ensure that the most appropriate proposal is chosen, the Trust seems overly concerned with quickly developing Pier 57 so that they will no longer have to make monthly maintenance and operation payments for the pier,” she said. Congressmember Jerrold Nadler also issued a statement that he was dismayed and urged the Trust to reinstate the two bids. In private banter, Hudson River Park activists were saying this week that the contest between the two remaining contenders is a duel between two Republican power centers: “Ortenzio vs. Betts.” Betts, a former business partner of George W. Bush and a classmate and fellow member of Skull and Bones at Yale with the president, is a founder of Chelsea Piers Management, which has been operating the sports and entertainment complex on Piers 59, 60, 61 and 62 just north of Pier 57 for nearly 10 years. Betts is also an appointee of Governor George Pataki on the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. board of directors. He made the presentation on Wednesday of the Chelsea Piers Pier 57 proposal. James Ortenzio, a prominent Republican fundraiser and ally of Governor Pataki, was quoted earlier this year in Crain’s New York Business as supporting the Leonardo proposal. Perhaps only coincidentally, his park name, bestowed a few years ago by the then city Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, is “Leonardo.” Ortenzio, former chairperson of the Hudson River Park Trust board of directors, said in a telephone interview that the Crain’s quote was taken from remarks he made supporting any developer who offers the highest annual rent for Pier 57. “I would be in favor of a government of Finland proposal to keep reindeer or cheese on part of the pier if they paid $3 million or more a year. At the same time I’d convince them to include a lot of great public uses on the pier,” he remarked. The Leonardo financial package includes an extremely high offer of annual rent, and Ortenzio said he sees revenue from commercial uses on Pier 57 as vital for maintaining the entire Hudson River Park being built between Chambers and 59th Sts. The Pier 57 developer should be the one that offers the highest annual rent, Ortenzio said. Pier 40 is to be permanently redeveloped with at least 50 percent of its 14 acres for park uses and the rest for commercial uses that will also generate revenues for the entire park. But proposals for the Pier 40 redevelopment were rejected last year and the Trust is installing interim playing fields with public parking as the only revenue-producing source. However, even after Pier 40 is permanently redeveloped in the as-yet-unspecified future, it would not be enough to maintain the park, according to Ortenzio. “I’ve always seen Pier 57 as the second source of major revenue for the park. You don’t want to wait and go begging to the city or the state for money and a park like this requires maintenance,” he said. Nevertheless, the elimination of Discover 57 and Hudson River Performing Arts Center from consideration dismayed local activists. “Many of us are not completely surprised but we’re unhappy that two community-based groups have not made the cut,” Edward Kirkland, a member of Community Board 4 and head of the Pier 57 working group, said the day before the hearing. Hudson River Performing Arts Center, one of the rejected proposals, includes Hudson Guild, the National Maritime Historical Society and Riverkeeper, the nonprofit group headed by Robert Kennedy, Jr. Michael Kramer, a Chelsea resident and former member of Community Board 4, is a partner. Discover 57, the other rejected proposal, includes LCOR Development Services, Bovis Lend Lease as project managers and Meta Brunzema, a member of Community Board 4 as architect. John Doswell, also a member of Community Board 4 and a founder of Friends of Hudson River Park, is a partner. The Trust will accept written testimony on the two proposals until Oct. 18 and the plans will be on display from Sept. 15-Oct. 18 in the lobby of the Trust headquarters on Pier 40 at Houston St. A decision could come by the end of November. Albert@DowntownExpress.com Downtown Express is published by Community Media LLC. Email: news@downtownexpress.com The Other West Side Story A new stadium isn’t the only waterfront boondoggle. By Greg Sargent The battle over the Jets’ stadium has been so noisy that it’s easy to forget about the other West Side throw-down: over developing Pier 57. That’s the 700-foot-long bus depot turned convention-protester holding cell (“Gitmo on the Hudson”) off West 14th Street. Duking it out are President Bush’s buddy Roland Betts, master of the Chelsea Piers super-gym, which he wants to expand south, and a coalition of the Witcoff Group, Plaza Construction, and the Cipriani restaurant family, who want to set up a theme-parkish celebration of all things Italian. A group appointed by the mayor and governor should annoint a winner by the end of the month. Illustration Courtesy of Hudson River Park Trust Chelsea Piers Extension Basic idea: Expand the jock wonderland with nine rooftop tennis courts, squash, a 25-meter pool, plus kiddie pools. Bonus features: Community roof garden, space for galleries and arts education, 40,000-square-foot dance center. Or possibly: An electrical-power-generating facility, new studios for WNYC, FEMA emergency offices, a seafood restaurant. The politics: Betts isn’t popular with some community groups, who feel bullied by his empire of sweat, so they’re backing Cipriani. Neighborliness factor: We’re already used to the big brown barns of Chelsea Piers. Leonardo at 57 Basic idea: Little Italy supercenter with restaurants, a 70,000-square-foot event space, and a branch of the Triennale di Milano design museum. Bonus features: A DeLonghi appliance store with cooking classes, a rooftop park with a private pool and club, cheap artists’ studios. Or possibly: Glass-blowing demonstrations, floating swimming-pool barge, Fashion Week HQ, and an overhead link to the High Line. The politics: Politicos Jerrold Nadler and Richard Gottfried are backing it, but Betts and crew recently slammed Gottfried in a letter as “ill-informed, out-of-touch, and not credible.” Neighborliness factor: The meatpacking district goes to sea. From the January 24, 2005 issue of New York Magazine. Copyright © 2004 , New York Metro, Llc. TLOZ Link5 I favor Cipriani's plan, though if I'm familiar with the political atmosphere of construction in this City, Betts will probably have his way. Both the projects are great and should be built out. I would like to see Chelsea Piers take Pier 57 as it is a logical expansion. The other proposal should be built out on one level of Pier 40, as that project needs to get moving. Why can't we have both? BrooklynRider Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY The thing sticking out like a sore thumb in Betts' proposal is the the "FEMA emergency offices". What the hell? Betts > LMDC > FEMA. I don't favor the Chelsea Piers extension. If this is supposed to be a park, active recreation should be spread out, not concentrated in one area. There are opportunities for this at Pier 40 and Gansevoort. an overhead link to the High Line I am beginning to like this myself... did someone said pasta? February 4th, 2005, 11:39 PM #14 On the Waterfront, Dueling Developers By CHARLES V. BAGLI A vacant two-story building now occupies Pier 57, off 15th Street on the West Side; development would bring public access and commercial uses. he Ile de France and other grand ocean liners once tied up there before steaming off to Europe, and later the location served a far grittier purpose as a garage for transit buses. But Pier 57, a vacant finger of Manhattan jutting far into the Hudson River off 15th Street, is suddenly hot again, the focus of a furious rivalry between two powerful developers with ties to the mayor, the governor and even President Bush. One group, led by Steven C. Witkoff, a developer, and Giuseppe Cipriani, the banquet king of Manhattan and scion of the family behind Harry's Bar of Venice, wants to convert Pier 57's dilapidated two-story structure into what it calls the Leonardo. The plan would combine a branch of the Triennale di Milano design museum with stores, cultural workshops by Italian-owned companies and the largest banquet and event space in the city. They have also proposed a marina and a 46,000-square-foot rooftop park. The other group, led by Roland Betts, an owner of the large Chelsea Piers complex three blocks to the north and a friend of the president's, wants to turn the 880-foot pier into a family swimming center and a marina, with space for art galleries, studios for WNYC, the public radio station, and dance companies, as well as a tennis bubble on the roof and a small community garden. Local politicians and many residents in the neighborhood have lined up behind the Leonardo, but the heated debate over the relative merits of the two proposals has become entwined in speculation over the city's bid for the 2012 Olympics, allegations of mob ties and potential traffic snarls on the West Side Highway. The choice will be made by the Hudson River Park Trust, the city-state organization that oversees Pier 57 and a five-mile stretch of the waterfront from Battery Park to 59th Street. The pending decision has made the agency the target of intense pressure. Supporters of the Chelsea Piers proposal have been circulating testimony from the recent trial of Peter Gotti, the mobster, that Mr. Cipriani had paid a $120,000 bribe to settle a dispute with union waiters, an allegation that the restaurant owner dismissed as nonsense. Supporters of the Cipriani plan charged that Daniel L. Doctoroff, vice chairman of the park trust and the deputy mayor for economic development, is too close to Mr. Betts, who has assisted the city's bid for the 2012 Olympics and could put in a good word at the White House. A spokeswoman for Mr. Doctoroff said the choice between the proposals would be made strictly on the merits. Three board members said the trust was leaning toward the Cipriani proposal, but the matter was not on the agenda when the trust met on Jan. 27. Charles Dorkey, chairman of the trust, said that was because it was still scrutinizing a number of issues, including financial terms and potential traffic problems connected to a large banquet and event space. "We're trying to get the best possible project," Mr. Dorkey said. "Waiting a couple of months isn't a big deal. I look at this as a 50-year gift to the people of New York. I want it done right." Franz S. Leichter, who is also on the 13-member board, agreed, but added that politics is never far off. "There were just too many outstanding issues," said Mr. Leichter, a former state senator. "But I also think that the political decisions haven't been made yet in Albany or at City Hall." Jennifer Falk, a spokeswoman for Mr. Doctoroff, said that the Bloomberg administration had not made a decision on Pier 57. "While both finalists present strong proposals," she said, "they also present significant issues, including the impact on traffic, commitments from subtenants and issues related to design and open space that the trust needs to completely evaluate before making a decision." Both bidders said that the trust had asked them not to discuss their projects publicly. The Witkoff-Cipriani group appears to be offering a bigger economic deal. An internal review of the proposals by the trust staff indicates that the group would invest $154 million in the project and pay a starting annual rent of $1.5 million, rising to $2 million six years later. The Chelsea Piers plan calls for a $65 million project, offering annual rent payments starting at $300,000 and rising to $900,000 three years later. If successfully developed, Pier 57 would become the latest element in the development of a five-mile waterfront park along the Hudson River. But in opening up the waterfront to the public, tension has risen between the cultural and recreational uses the trust wants to promote, and the commercial uses needed to pay for them. The trust hopes that Pier 57 will generate enough rent to allow the group to maintain and expand Hudson River Park, even though board members say they prefer educational and maritime uses for the pier, which is as large as an 80-story building placed on its side. With the Leonardo group gaining momentum among board members, Mr. Betts and Chelsea Piers Management peppered the trust with a series of angry letters, criticizing the competing proposal as a "thinly disguised knockoff of the Chelsea Piers." At the same time, they commissioned a transportation study showing that the 3,000 or more people traveling to the Leonardo's "massive banquet halls will stop the West Side Highway in its tracks." Mr. Betts also chided the trust for even considering a proposal to build a huge banquet hall that would compete with his own, a few blocks away. The banquet hall at Chelsea Piers is one of the most profitable elements of the complex, but Mr. Cipriani's proposed hall would be roughly three times larger. While the trust assessed the traffic issues, an uglier issue surfaced. The board received letters describing the Dec. 8 testimony of Michael DiLeonardo in the racketeering trial of Peter Gotti, the head of the Gambino crime family. At one point, Mr. DiLeonardo, a Mafia turncoat, testified that he had met Mr. Cipriani through Mickey Rourke, the actor. He said that in the spring of 1998, Mr. Cipriani "wanted to know if we could help keep the unions off his back." According to a transcript of the testimony, Mr. DiLeonardo said he had Mr. Cipriani funnel $120,000 through Francis Leahy, a contractor known as Buddy who was doing work for Mr. Cipriani, in return for helping him with his labor problem. Mr. Cipriani, in an interview last week, dismissed the testimony as nonsense. He said he knew Mr. Leahy, a contractor who did work for him at three banquet halls. "It's true we gave him a lot of money," he said, "but it was for construction." The hotel and restaurant workers union did wage a bitter eight-month campaign against Mr. Cipriani in 1999, after he took over the Rainbow Room and fired hundreds of union workers. Peter Ward, the current union president, said the union stopped its picketing only because Mr. Cipriani gave in and agreed to rehire the workers and sign a union contract. Asked if Chelsea Piers had distributed the trial transcripts, Tom Bernstein, the company's president, declined to comment. According to a director of the trust, the testimony regarding Mr. Cipriani was referred to the city's Department of Investigation, which declined to comment. March 5th, 2005, 08:26 AM #15 projectsnyc stalemate? It looks like the Pier 40 RFP process all over again. Nobody gets the award after years of planning and lobbying until the next Mayor/Governor arrives. Last Post: April 2nd, 2015, 04:15 AM Hudson River Park Last Post: July 3rd, 2014, 05:21 PM Last Post: July 10th, 2012, 10:58 PM Willis Avenue Bridge - Swing Bridge across Harlem River - Designed by Thomas C. Clark Last Post: April 26th, 2011, 04:09 AM Third Avenue Bridge - Across Harlem River Last Post: February 10th, 2002, 06:36 PM hudson river park, parks, pier 57, piers	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3710
__label__wiki	0.931882	0.931882	Sir Paul McCartney to write It’s A Wonderful Life musical Arrest of hundreds of migrants sparks outrage in S. Africa Last month, the South African government launched a security operation aimed at clamping down on illegal immigrants, drug dealers and other criminal elements. Codenamed “Feila,” meaning “sweep” or “clean” in the local Sotho language, the operation was launched days after a spate of anti-immigrant attacks that claimed seven lives and displaced hundreds of African migrants from their homes and businesses. http://worldnewsreport.in/arrest-of-hundreds-of-migrants-sparks-outrage-in-s-africa/"> By Hassan Isilow Rights groups have condemned the recent arrest of hundreds of illegal immigrants in South Africa, saying the move served to undermine the ongoing integration process following last month’s anti-immigrant attacks. “Over the last fortnight, we have witnessed human rights violations and arbitrary detentions of primarily foreign nationals under the controversial ‘Operation Fiela-Reclaim’,” the People’s Coalition against Xenophobia, which represents a number of organizations, said in a Tuesday statement. Last month, the South African government launched a security operation aimed at clamping down on illegal immigrants, drug dealers and other criminal elements. Codenamed “Feila,” meaning “sweep” or “clean” in the local Sotho language, the operation was launched days after a spate of anti-immigrant attacks that claimed seven lives and displaced hundreds of African migrants from their homes and businesses. The army, police and Department of Home Affairs have cordoned off areas inhabited by migrants and searched them for illegal weapons, drugs and identification documents. Over 800 people, mostly illegal immigrants, have since been arrested. Nearly 300 illegal immigrants were arrested in Johannesburg last Friday when police, the military and home affairs officials raided the Central Methodist Church, where several poor migrants had sought shelter. “Lawyers have been repeatedly denied access to consult with those arrested during the raids on May 8. Most detainees still have not had the opportunity to speak to an attorney,” the statement read. The people’s coalition revealed that an urgent application would be heard on Wednesday in the South Gauteng High Court, where human rights lawyers were seeking an order granting legal representatives access to the detainees. They also want security officials to provide them with a full list of detainees and their locations and to halt all deportations until all detainees have had the opportunity to consult attorneys. The South African government has denied claims that the new security operation was aimed at targeting foreign nationals in the country. “We would like to categorically and emphatically state that these claims are far from the truth,” Inter-Ministerial Committee spokesperson Phumla Williams was quoted as saying by local media on Tuesday. She said law-abiding foreigners and citizens should not fear the operation, which is aimed at restoring order and ensuring people abide by the law. Last month, violence broke out in the coastal city of Durban, where mobs descended on the homes and shops of foreign migrants, who were accused of stealing jobs from native South Africans, committing crimes and putting an undue burden on the country’s social services. Hundreds of migrants from Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and other African countries have since left the country. Calm has since returned, with most temporary refugee camps closed. But most undocumented migrants still live in fear, as officials are determined to arrest and deport them for being in the country illegally. (Anadolu Ajansi) Hundreds of migrants sink in the Mediterranean The world is turning a blind eye to the disasters that keep occurring in the Mediterranean as more and more people are dying while trying to reach a safe haven out of their war-torn hometowns World's first penile transplant performed by Surgeons in South Africa By World News Report Bureau A team of South African scientists from Stellenbosch University and… South Africa: the man who walked 321km for harmony Duncan Nyawo is a teacher by profession who is troubled by a few things deep in his soul, and this caused him to walk from Nelspruit to Pretoria which is about 321 km just to deliver a message of peace and hope to the Presidency at Union Buildings in South Africa. Over 10 percent growth in foreign tourist arrivals India ranks third among countries with the fastest growing tourism industry. New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai account for the maximum tourist arrivals, followed by Bangalore, Goa, Haridaspur, Kolkata, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. Australia, Russian Federation, France and Germany contribute roughly 4% each while Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan, China and Korea constitute aout 3% foreign tourists.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3712
__label__cc	0.733273	0.266727	Video Games Did Not Rot This Brain Remember how worried everyone was when video games first came out? Remember the headlines? VIDEO GAMES WILL ROT YOUR CHILD'S BRAIN! This just in: video games made me what I am today, and I'm a happy, well-adjusted creative person with an awesome job. The Author's Video Game History My first video game was Ultima II on an Apple 2+ with a green monitor. It was 1980. I was ten years old. Before that, I had played Pong and Atari's Space Invaders and Asteroids and PacMan, but I was never a fan of TV-console or arcade action games. My sister liked those. I liked sitting in front of a computer, and I liked role playing games (RPGs). I liked saving my game on a disk and having inventories of stuff and keeping track of money earned and lost, and clues. I loved clues. Between the ages of 11 and 14, I spent a lot of time trying to solve Ultima II, and killing stick figure orcs, and searching the cloth map I had tacked to the wall above the computer to find the answers to the riddles posed. This was problem solving at its best. Make no mistake - my room was cleaned (READ: lots of clothing stuffed under my bed) and my chores were done, and my homework was finished. For me, video games came after learning basic human responsibilities. Up until the time we got the Apple 2+, my best friend and I played in her stream and caught crayfish, or climbed trees and built tree houses. I read books into the night, concealed in my closet with the light on, long after the rest of my family was asleep. And I was always an imaginative child, excelled in school, read above my grade level, and had an insatiable interest in math. But then....I got my first RPG. We played for hours on end. We'd cramp ourselves into my basement on sunny days and play for marathon overnight sessions during the summer, in order to raise our magic points so we could cast new spells. We'd get our asses kicked by bands of roving thieves and have to start over where we last saved, until we finally figured out how to win. You get the picture. We were hooked. I remember dreaming in green stick figures. This did me way more good than harm. For those ready to pounce on the fact that I've admitted to a healthy outdoor crayfish-catching existence pre-Ultima II, let me say this: most other teenage kids in the early 1980s were watching TV all day. More specifically, MTV. So, as far as I can see, as a girl growing up during a time of slutty-is-good-because-it's-what-ZZ-Top-likes-in-their-videos, I was lucky to avoid the more socially acceptable road. Yes, that made me weird. Whatever. I didn't care. Once I got home from school, I'd be back in Ultima II, and there were orcs to kill. Better still, playing RPGs made me want to make RPGs. I'd gone to computer camp (Yes. Geek. I know.) and knew how to program. I built my first game when I was 13. It started as a tablet full of flow charts and sketches and lines of code. It was very basic, and the graphics were horrible, but it told a story, required players to solve riddles, and rewarded those who got to the end with some of the lamest green fireworks the world has ever seen. But it was mine. Before I made it, it didn't exist. This feeling is what brought me here - to my present day life as a writer at 38. It's what took me to art school, and what took me to the farm in Ireland where, before I planted them, those potatoes didn't exist, and before I hatched them, those chickens didn't exist, either. Let's call it a creative complex - the love of making new things. But to take it one step further - could I have lived self-sufficiently on that farm, or forged my way into a writing career without those well-honed problem solving skills? Who gets credit for those? My parents. My teachers. My RPGs. Seriously. I'm not just saying this. It's true. At times, I have been addicted to RPGs. Most notably in 1997, when I was addicted to Daggerfall. I'm not kidding when I tell you that we played that game for four months straight. We did. It's how we got through our first winter on the farm. We had no central heat, no TV, a limited amount of food, and we'd just bought our first 'real' computer - a 486 PC with 8 whole megs of RAM. We bundled ourselves into my little office with an oil-filled electric heater, and played non-stop. The game was mind-blowing. I loved it. I loved it so much I eventually had to stop playing it. At the time, I was writing my third novel and we only had one computer. So, it's safe to say I - uh - wasn't writing my third novel. When the internet came along, and I eventually got connected by something other than Irish dial-up, which was slower than my five-year-old takes to put on her sneakers, I went to see some (really amazing) internet-based RPGs. And then I ran screaming. No way was I getting anywhere near this stuff. I was writing my seventh novel, was close to finding an agent, and was not going to let anything distract me. But in a way, it was sad. I am a child of video games. Some of the RPGs out there right now are what I daydreamed about in 1980. I was MADE to play these games. But there are times to play and times not to play. Up until last night, it was not time to play. Though I'm not saying being a serious writer and game playing are mutually exclusive. It was a video game that inspired a (very important) portion of my novel The Dust of 100 Dogs. What Happened Last Night When I saw Cynthia Leitich Smith was going to be appearing at the American Library Association's main stage in Second Life, I figured it was about time I checked out this Second Life thing. I'd heard about it. I'd even heard about authors who were using it as promotion, but I knew I was susceptible to RPG addiction, and also, since I last played games, my life has changed quite a bit (READ: two kids, real writing career & other life responsibilities.) But I decided I'd join, and have a look at the event, because I love Cynthia's blog and her reviews, and I was curious how an author could have an event in Second Life. Because I am a child of RPGs, I caught on to the interface rather quickly, and I showed up for the event at 8PM EDT to find a crowd of about ten people, who were really friendly and obviously, interested in the same sort of stuff I was. (Remember, this was an author event at the ALA main stage!) Mostly, these were very cool librarians. Cynthia put on a great presentation for about 40 minutes (no different really, than a regular talk in First Life) and then opened a Q&A time for 20 minutes, where we introduced ourselves and asked a few questions about Tantalize, and the upcoming books in the series. After the talk, the organizers stuck around and broke down the set and when I complained that I was a total noob and hated the lame suit my character was wearing, I was given a comfy pair of faded jeans and a READ BANNED BOOKS t-shirt. So maybe what I'm about to say makes me a complete geek, but LAST NIGHT WAS ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS EVER. Okay, so I'm easy to impress. I'm still wowed by the internet (which is a far cry from the Apple 2+ modem, which is the size of a small dog and pretty useless.) Seriously. A cyber author event? Sign me up. It was so awesome, I can't wait to do one myself. And I dreamed in Second Life last night. Does this mean I might get addicted? Probably not. Does it mean I might rot what's left of my middle-aged brain? Maybe. Does it mean that I might - oh no - say it ain't so - waste some time? Yes. It does. So far, wasting a little time playing video games has done nothing but good things for me. Anyway, I work too hard and pressure myself too much. It's about time I had some fun. Posted by A.S. King at 8:38 AM Joanne Levy said... I (heart) you even more now than I did yesterday. I played Asteroids and Space Invaders also, but never really got totally addicted until university when I discovered Myst and couldn't leave my apartment for the three solid days it took to finish the game. Now I'm a Wii addict. and by the way, you can't call yourself middle-aged until you're at least Lisa's age. I still don't do TV console games, and I haven't tried a wii. Now that I have second life (though I haven't actually been back since Cynthia's talk) I don't think I will, either. Anyway, if I got a wii, the baby would probably puke on it. Sherman Alexie is Made of Serious Awesome Readers' Rants Review and Other Stuff Jen Robinson Digs Me! Como es tu trabajo? Bookshelves of Doom Review Quick Update - Construction	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3716
__label__cc	0.547423	0.452577	Welcome to Shanghai Jiao Tong University ( 上海交通大学 ) Scholarship: Since its adoption of the reform and opening up policy in China, SJTU has taken the lead in the management system reform in the institutions of higher learning, thus regaining its vigor and vitality as well as momentum for rapid growth as never seen before. A number of its disciplines have been advancing towards the world's first-class level, such as communication and electronic system, naval architecture and ocean engineering, automatic control, composite materials, and metal plasticity processing. A batch of burgeoning branches of learning have occupied an important position in the country, such as Large-scale integrated circuit, computer science, optical fiber technology, systems engineering. Today SJTU boasts 20 academic schools: the schools of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Mechanical & Power Engineering, Electronics & Electric Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Sciences, Life Science and Technology, Humanities and Social Science, Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Management , International and Public Affairs, Foreign Languages, Agriculture and Biology, Environmental Science and Engineering , Pharmaceutics, Medical, Law, Media & Design, Micro-electronics, Information Security, Software and 2 directly affiliated departments: Department of Plastic Technology and the Department of Physical Education, plus a Graduate School. Besides, it also has School of Continuing(adult) Education, School of Online Learning, School of International Education, and a Vocational School. There are 60 undergraduate programs, 152 masters-degree programs, 93 Ph.D programs, 16 post-doctorate programs, 16 State key doctorate programs and 14 State key laboratories and National engineering centers. SJTU boasts a good number of famous scientists and professors, including 22 academicians of the Academy of Sciences and Academy of Engineering, 31 "Changjiang Chair Professors" and more than 1, 420 professors and associate professors. Its total enrollment of full-time students amounts to 38,000. There are 18,000 undergraduates and 18,100 candidates for Master's Degree and Doctor's Degree. The centennial Jiao Tong University has inherited its old tradition "high starting points, solid foundation, strict requirements and extensive practice" which has cultivated one group of qualified students after another. Today the old tradition is endowed with new content and has become the fine style of learning of Jiao Tong students. With such tradition SJTU is training students into excellent qualified talents with solid and broad theoretical foundation, complex knowledge structure, international communicative ability and comprehensive development in morality, intelligence and physical fitness. Students from SJTU have achieved top prizes in various competitions, such as the International Mathematical Contest in Modeling and Electronics Design Contest. Teachers from SJTU have won a number of top prizes in the national Award of outstanding achievements in Education for their teaching, research and textbooks compiled. SJTU has beautiful campuses, occupying an area of more than 200 hectare in total, and possesses plenty of advanced teaching and research equipment and facilities. Now, it has six campuses, the Xuhui, the Minhang, the Qibao, the Shangzhong Road , the Fahuazheng Road and the Chongqing Road(south). Over the past decade, the number of students in SJTU has grown from 5,000 to more than 38,000, the floorage of various buildings from 230,000 square meters to 800,000 square meters, and the area of campuses from 40ha to 200ha. Apart from the major buildings such as the Lecture Buildings, Laboratory Buildings, Dormitories and Gymnasiums, SJTU also has the Bao Zhaolong Library which is well-known throughout the country. Various laboratories, including university central laboratories such as "Computer Center" and "Audio-visual Education Center" are equipped with advanced research and teaching equipment and facilities. SJTU has been actively involved in International academic exchange programs with foreign universities. To date, it has established relations with more than 100 renowned universities and colleges in the world as well as connections with many research institutions, corporations and enterprises at home and abroad. SJTU has invited more than 100 famous scientists and specialists as honorable professors or consulting professors, including the Nobel prize winners and physicists Yang Zhenning, Li Zhengdao and Ding Zaozhong. SJTU sends excellent teachers and students abroad every year to give lectures, to study or to attend international academic conferences, meanwhile SJTU invites foreign specialists and scholars to give lectures or to have academic exchanges. SJTU is the nodal point of "China Education Science and Research Networks" in east China region, and through computer networks, SJTU has faster and closer connection with universities, scientific research institutions and corporations both at home and abroad. In the new century, SJTU has formulated a grand blueprint for future development and is determined to make continued efforts to build itself into a first class university in the world. Welcome to study at Shanghai Jiao Tong University(上海交通大学)	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3718
__label__cc	0.639497	0.360503	Michael Tymn's blog About Michael Tymn Was Adin Ballou the First Psychical Researcher? Posted on 19 May 2014, 12:34 Although the formation of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in London during 1882 is considered by many to be the beginning of scientific research into psychic phenomena, it is clear to anyone delving into the subject that there was considerable research going on well before then, beginning shortly after the “Rochester Knockings,” which triggered the mediumship epidemic in 1848. My book, The Afterlife Explorers: Volume 1 discusses the research that took place between 1848 and 1882, suggesting that Judge John Edmonds was the first dedicated psychical researcher. Edmonds, who served in both branches of the New York legislature, for some time as president of the Senate, before being elevated to the New York State Supreme Court, of which he would become Chief Justice, began his 23-month investigation of mediums in January 1851. “I was at the time a disbeliever,” he wrote. “I had all my wits about me, and was on the sharp look out for deception.” After witnessing several hundred manifestations in various forms and keeping detailed records of them, he co-authored, along with Dr. George T. Dexter, a book entitled Spiritualism, published in 1853. The book attested to the genuineness of much of the phenomena he had witnessed. But it appears I may have been mistaken in naming Edmonds as the first dedicated psychical researcher. That distinction may very well belong to Adin Ballou, (below) remembered primarily as an influential pacifist, abolitionist, and Unitarian minister. I recently discovered his 1852 book with the lengthy title, An Exposition of Views Respecting the Principal Facts, Causes and Peculiarities Involved in Spirit Manifestations Together with Interesting Phenomenal Statements and Communications. It is not clear from the contents of the book when Ballou began his investigation of mediums, but the publication of his book definitely preceded Edmonds’s book. Ballou was clearly an objective and discerning investigator. He discussed nearly all of the concerns that SPR researchers had relative to mediums many years later, including the coloring of messages by the medium’s subconscious. He expressed his skepticism toward some phenomena. “I believe that spirits in the flesh, i.e., the mind of the medium, or the minds of persons surrounding the medium sometimes thwart, warp, peculiarize, or modify the manifestations and communications made,” he wrote in the first chapter. “I also believe that low and very imperfect departed spirits sometimes manifest themselves. This is the ground I take. It enables me to account for the multifarious reliable and unreliable developments of this mysterious agency more satisfactorily than any other.” After summarizing phenomena reported by credible witnesses, Ballou tells of his own observations beginning with a wide range of communicating “raps” and “taps”—from some like the ticking of a watch to that like someone pounding on the door, while also including a sound like scratching of a hard finger nail on a board. “I have heard the time and metre of tunes beaten out with utmost accuracy, and by several rappers in unison – not only while the tune was being played or sung, but afterwards, without accompaniment,” he recorded. “And I am as certain that these sounds were not made by any conscious mortal agency, as I am of the best authenticated facts in the common transactions of life. “I have seen tables and nightstands of various sizes moved about in the most astonishing manner, by what purported to be some invisible agency, with only the gentle and passive resting of the hands or fingerends of the medium on one of their edges. Also, many distinct movings of such objects, by request, without the touch of the medium at all. I have sat and conversed by the hour together with the authors of these sounds and motions, by means of signals first agreed on; asking questions and obtaining answers – receiving communications spelled out by the alphabet – discussing propositions sometimes made by them to me, and vice versa – all by a slow process, indeed, but with every possible demonstration of intelligence, though not without incidental misapprehensions and mistakes. I have witnessed the asking of mental questions by inquirers, who received prompt and correct answers as when the questions were asked audibly to the cognition of the medium. “I have know these invisibles by request, to write their names with a common plumbago pencil on a clean sheet of paper – half a dozen of them, each in a different hand. To make sure of this, as an absolute fact, the medium was required to lay her left hand, back downwards, in the hollow of a veracious person’s hand, both open; when a piece of pasteboard paper was laid on her hand, a well examined bland sheet of writing paper placed thereon, and a lead pencil on top of that; in which position (the medium’s right hand being held up to view) both the hands, with these fixtures resting on them, were placed under the leaf of the table, as insisted on by the writers. After a minute or two, at a given signal by the spirits that they had done, the paper was exhibited with various names written thereon, as above affirmed. This was repeatedly tested with the same results, under circumstances putting all suspicion of fraud and jugglery entirely at rest. “I have requested what purported to be the spirit of a friend many years deceased, to go to a particular place, several miles distant from that of the sitting, and to bring me back intelligence respecting the then health and doings of a certain relative well-known to the parties. In three minutes of time the intelligence was obtained, numerous particulars given, some of them rather improbable, but every one exactly confirmed the next day, by personal inquiries made for that purpose.” In one sitting, a spirit communicator asked if Ballou had selected his subjects of discourse for the next Sunday service. He replied that he had selected only one subject and asked the spirit if he would like to suggest another topic. The spirit replied that he would and spelled out the word “The,” after which the message ceased. Another spirit then communicated and informed Ballou that the spirit giving the message had been called away for a few moments but would continue upon his return. Within 15 minutes, the spirit returned and completed the suggested topic, being “The second chapter of first Corinthians; the twelfth and thirteenth verses.” Neither Ballou nor anyone else in the room could recall what that Bible passage covered, but upon checking a Bible, Ballou saw that it had to do with spirit communication, stating in part, “Which things we also speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth….” Ballou went on to say that he had seen a medium “gently magnetized and thrown into a trance in one minute, by the imperceptible influence of the spirits.” The spirits then used her organs of speech and answered numerous questions, instead of responding with the usual raps. “That these trances were not superinduced by mortal agency, and were not feigned but real, I am as certain as I can be of anything not absolutely beyond the possibility of mistake,” he wrote. Nevertheless, there were discrepancies and contradictions in the information coming from the spirits. “Sometimes it has been found that if the medium was strongly prejudiced, or was overawed by associates of that character, the teachings of the first few weeks were biased considerably by those influences,” he explained, “whereas afterwards, when the communications seemed to be made more freely and independently of the medium’s mind, these peculiarities ceased, and the doctrines attested became accordant with the general current.” Among the consistent “teachings” of the spirits recorded by Ballou were: * There are seven spirit spheres, or circles, inferior to the heavenly or celestial spheres, and each sphere or circle has several degrees. Man progresses through these spheres, drawing nearer and nearer to God, or nearer to the divine standard of perfection. * Death does not change man’s real character, nor his proper spirit sphere, nor his capability to make progress, nor the laws of progress. * Many spirits remain very long in the lower spheres, but while they are “spirits in prison” there is no such place or state as a hell, of unmitigated, hopeless mercy. * God, angels, and all the higher spirits are forever seeking the elevation of the inferior spirits, by all just, wise, and appropriate means. * Spirits in the higher spheres are employed in three general exercises: 1) in striving after a more perfect knowledge of and communication with God, whom they cannot see there any more than here, as a personal being, but only in spirit by faith and intuition; 2) in study, self-examination, contemplations of truth, and acquainting themselves with all useful knowledge attainable to them; 3) in ministering to struggling spirits on earth and in the lower spheres – endeavoring to elevate and bless them. * Spirits in any circle can descend into all the circles below their own, but cannot, except by special permission, ascend into a higher sphere, until qualified by spiritual progress. More about Adin Ballou in my next blog on June 2 Michael Tymn is the author of The Afterlife Revealed: What Happens After We Die is published by White Crow Books. His latest book, Resurrecting Leonora Piper: How Science Discovered the Afterlife is now available on Amazon and other online book stores. His latest book Dead Men Talking: Afterlife Communication from World War I will be published by White Crow Books in July, 2014 That was a really interesting and informative article, Mike. Thanks. And the archived book is useful, too. But your question was - was he the first psychical researcher? Go to Jeffrey MIshlove’s book, The Roots of Consciousness, page 40. This tells of Herodotus reporting on the King of Lydia, Croesus, sending a psychical test to seven different Oracles in different parts of Greece. On the hundredth day after his messengers were sent to them, each Oracle was asked to describe what Croesus was doing on that day. Only the Oracle at Delphi got it completely right! Croesus had cut up a lamb and a tortoise and cooked them together in a brass pan covered with a brass lid. Was Croesus the first psychical researcher? !! Keith P in UK, Wed 28 May, 09:52 Free and archived book as mentioned in the article https://archive.org/details/expositionofview1852ball https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofa00ball A leader in the American Christian Nonresistance Movement. Waller Joel, Tue 27 May, 21:13 The seven spirit spheres mentioned by Mr. Ballou have a very strong resemblance to the seven steps of progress required for souls to accomplish in order to return to God, that were mentioned in Dr. Marti Barham’s book: 47 Billion Years of Evolution - A Case Report. Paul J. Hauser, Tue 20 May, 17:26 Please enter the word you see in the image below: Please note that all comments are read and approved before they appear on the website	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3725
__label__wiki	0.597201	0.597201	CATEGORY C : 18 - 24 YEARS Day 5: Urban Koti and Kira Chamath Kalanaka Vithanawasam Nipun and Hari were in the newly built rapid transit system for what seemed to be forever. This new system was apparently 10 times faster than what his grandparents used, but then again, cities take up a much larger land area now, thanks to the great population boom of 2070. Public transport was almost ridiculously fast, so it was practical for residents to live far from the heart of a city. This explained the two friends’ being bored in a monorail that was considered one of the fastest to date. Nipun hailed from an Electronics background, and Hari had a degree in Information Technology, specializing in artificial intelligence. They met in university and had been best friends ever since. Modern day advancements meant their qualifications were in high demand, there was hardly a rural community in sight, and they were employed by the city council itself. The thirst for the most populous cities to become smarter, more efficient, and simply put, appealing was fascinating to observe. Mayoral offices would act like corporations, stealing promising officials from other cities with assurances of higher pay, and shutting down any part of their own city that was deemed unappealing, with no regard to people doing their businesses there. The police force was equipped with an incredibly powerful, almost military-like arsenal of guns and riot-suppressing equipment. The municipal council of Metrovia had no issues regarding the loyalties of Nipun and Hari. They loved their city very much. The two lads had purchased tickets for one of the most aggressively sought out events of the year. Tickets were priced at outlandish amounts, but people would flock online to purchase the tickets upto months in advance. Ten of thousands of citizens would attend from Metrovia itself, and thousand more came from all around the world. As they stopped at their station and got off, they saw almost everyone in their monorail double checking the time and date on their phone for the event. They were all going to the same place. The two friends were glowing with anticipation. This amount of attention for this event was new to the world, it was not something people were interested back in the old days, when a movie at a theatre would have sufficed for entertainment. This event was unique to Metrovia, and each year it garnered the attention of the entire world. Nipun knew it was something he couldn’t witness for much longer; his future children will likely not see anything like it. He, therefore, wanted to get the most out of it. Nipun and Hari sat at their seats and looked in anticipation as a man came to the middle of the football field-like structure. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said in his commanding tone, “you came from far and wide to witness this amazing event. Without further ado, please help me welcome Koti and Kira!" The audience went wild with excitement. "Bask in their glory, people. Our two Cheetahs, the last two wild mammals on earth!” Nadia Mikail They met at the edge of the City, at the hole in the border. You had to pay your way to use it. Oliver had money. “I have something for you,” Jeyne said, and rootled around in her bag. She produced a small bunch of squashed wildflowers, the kind that didn’t grow in the City anymore. Oliver smiled. Oliver and Jeyne had met two years ago, when Jeyne had been waiting for a smuggled parcel from inside the City, medication that her brother needed to survive. Oliver had been exploring. (He often thought, in another life, that he would have been an adventurer, to which Jeyne often replied, “You mean you want to think that.”) Startled, Jeyne had produced a knife and pointed it at his neck. Oliver had managed to convince her he wasn’t a threat, just a bored City boy living out his adventuring dream. They had kept meeting after that. Ten years ago, with the very real, very dangerous threat of climate change, leaders had proposed Cities all over the world. Cities filled with green technology and no pollution. Cities living cleanly and protecting its people, with fortress-like walls and climate-controlled areas where people could breathe freely. But only some could afford to live in those Cities. Those who couldn’t had to live outside their walls, without anything that had previously damaged the environment. No cars, no plastics. No oils, no emissions. Not much of anything else, either. Most people had their own little homesteads, their tiny farms. Jeyne had never been in the City nearest her. She was not a resident; its borders kept her out. When Oliver talked about the sleek, sustainable buildings that rose high into the sky, vehicles that purred and hovered above ground, his new phone, Jeyne could not imagine it. He made it seem like something out of a science fiction novel. He made it seem like an urban utopia. Oliver offered to give her things. But Jeyne’s family did not want to smuggle more than what was necessary: there were strict penalties on this. Residents of the City did not like things being given away to those who they deemed did not deserve their charity. They met at the edge of the City, at the hole in the border. They watched the slight flutterings of dawn. “One day I’ll bring you in,” Oliver promised. “You and your family.” Jeyne laughed quietly. “Who says I wanna be brought in?” Oliver wondered if he was saying something wrong. There were dirt marks on her face from the morning’s plow. She lay back against the wall. She looked exhausted, but she looked right at him. “I don’t want to be one of the Residents, Oliver,” she told him. “Lavish lifestyles when people are suffering out here— at least we’re suffering good honest lives. I couldn’t live with myself.” Oliver looked up at the cold, uncaring lights of his city. Looked at it through Jeyne’s eyes, finally. Saw an urban hellscape.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3727
__label__cc	0.642332	0.357668	Top 15 Lies About Bankruptcy. Lie #13: You Can’t Get Rid of Back Taxes in Bankruptcy. Home > Bankruptcy Basics > Top 15 Lies About Bankruptcy. Lie #13: You Can’t Get Rid of Back Taxes in Bankruptcy. 07 Feb Top 15 Lies About Bankruptcy. Lie #13: You Can’t Get Rid of Back Taxes in Bankruptcy. Posted at 21:18h in Bankruptcy Basics by Brett Weiss, Esq. 0 Comments Brett Weiss, Esq. Brett Weiss, a senior partner at The Weiss Law Group, LLC, represents people and businesses in all phases of bankruptcy. He has experience in complex individual Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, and in Chapter 11 small business restructuring and reorganization. Mr. Weiss lectures nationally on bankruptcy issues. He has testified before the Federal Bankruptcy Rules Committee, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and has twice testified before Congress on bankruptcy and credit issues. Brett Weiss is the co-author of Chapter 11 for Individual Debtors, and has written Not Dead Yet: Bankruptcy After BAPCPA, for the Maryland Bar Journal, as well as hundreds of blogs for the Bankruptcy Law Network. With his colleague, Daniel Press, he recorded a 13-hour basic bankruptcy training series, and leads intensive three-day Chapter 11 training boot camps. Mr. Weiss has received international media attention in connection with his work. He was interviewed by Barbara Walters on The View, has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, ABC News with Peter Jennings, the Montel Williams Show, National Public Radio, AARP-TV, the BBC World Service, German state television, and numerous local radio and television programs, and been quoted in Money magazine, The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun, among others. Brett Weiss is the previous Maryland State Chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, a founding member of the Bankruptcy Law Network, on the board of the Maryland State Bar Consumer Bankruptcy Council, and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Bankruptcy Bar Association of Maryland. He has received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys for his work on behalf of consumers across the country. Mr. Weiss is admitted to practice before Maryland and District of Columbia federal and state courts, the United States Courts of Appeals for the DC, Fourth and Eighth Circuits, the United States Tax Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States, and has been practicing law since 1983. Latest posts by Brett Weiss, Esq. (see all) Student Loans and the Elderly: How to Stop Student Loan Collectors and Social Security Garnishment - October 15, 2017 Sears, Payless and the Future of Retail - March 23, 2017 Judge Neil Gorsuch on Bankruptcy - February 24, 2017 Filing for Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer - January 3, 2017 Monthly Statements in Chapter 13 Cases - December 16, 2016	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3730
__label__wiki	0.832252	0.832252	Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - Live From The Ryman (2 x 12" VINYL LP) SER99891 1. Hope the High Road 2. 24 Frames 3. White Man's World 4. Flagship 5. Cumberland Gap 6. Something More Than Free 7. The Life You Chose 8. Elephant 9. Flying over Water 10. Last of My Kind 11. Cover Me Up 12. Super 8 13. If We Were Vampires Four-time grammy award winner Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit release a thirteen track live album via Southeastern Records. Live from the ryman was primarily recorded during the group’s six sold out nights at nashville’s legendary ryman auditorium in 2017. The album features 13 live versions of songs from their last three critically acclaimed, award-winning studio albums – southeastern (2013), something more than free (2015), the nashville sound (2017). Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - Live From The Ryman (CD) Joe Bonamassa - British Blues Explosion Live (BLURAY) Joe Bonamassa - British Blues Explosion Live (DVD) Hawkwind - Road To Utopia (CD)	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3735
__label__wiki	0.824465	0.824465	Home→Reading Symphony Orchestra Reading Symphony Orchestra Saturday February 6th 2016 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Great Hall Reading University Join Reading Symphony Orchestra in the University Great Hall for our fabulous winter concert. We are delighted to be joined by the young and incredibly talented Harvey Liu for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Harvey (12) is the winner of the RSO / Hickies Young Musicians’ Competition 2015 and has recently made it through to the Keyboard Category Final of the BBC Young Musicians’ Competition 2016 – a competition which has launched the careers of internationally-acclaimed artists including Alison Balsom, Nicola Benedetti, Natalie Clein and Stephen Hough. Hear Harvey as he prepares to compete in the Keyboard Category Final in Cardiff on 6 March 2016.The second half of the concert will feature Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Written in response to his fall from Stalinist favour in 1936, the symphony heralded Shostakovich’s return and was seen as a phenomenal success by both the Soviet authorities and the public. The symphony is both triumphant and melancholy, and received a standing ovation of over half-an-hour at its first performance in 1937. Our concert starts with Glinka’s rollicking overture to the opera Ruslan and Ludmilla – one of the best-known orchestral showcases around. A concert not to be missed Tickets: £15 adults; £13 concessions; £5 students and under-18s RG6 6AH tickets@rso.org.uk http://www.rso.org.uk/ @rso_reading	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3736
__label__wiki	0.693961	0.693961	Into the Ashes She's Just a Shadow Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Raj is a rich, carefree, happy-go-lucky second generation NRI. Simran is the daughter of Chaudhary Baldev Singh, who in spite of being an NRI is very strict about adherence to Indian values. Simran has left for… All unemployed, Ki-taek's family takes peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident. Framed in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During… Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son… High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen… The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II. In the continuing saga of the Corleone crime family, a young Vito Corleone grows up in Sicily and in 1910s New York. In the 1950s, Michael Corleone attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood… A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family. A supernatural tale set on death row in a Southern prison, where gentle giant John Coffey possesses the mysterious power to heal people's ailments. When the cell block's head guard, Paul Edgecomb, recognizes Coffey… A touching story of an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry who lives in his own little fairy tale. His creative and happy life would come to an abrupt halt when his entire family is deported to a concentration… Movies Genres Watch Idris Elba Dance with Taylor Swift in Behind-the-Scenes ‘Cats’ Video David Gordon Green to Team with ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Writers on Film about Cambridge Analytica ‘Ghostbusters’ Maze Set for Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2019 ‘Mr. Robot’ Final Season Clip Teases Elliot Finally Facing His Past Hans Zimmer Explains Why He Chose ‘Dune’ Over Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ 123Last ›	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3737
__label__wiki	0.977453	0.977453	Jimmy Savile Royal VIPaedophile for MI5, Tories, Police, BBC 9/11, 7/7 & the War on Freedom Forum Index -> The War On Children, Marriage and the Family scienceplease 2 wrote: Now at scriptonite daily http://www.scriptonitedaily.com/2013/12/18/uk-establishment-closes-ran ks-as-organised-paedophile-network-leads-back-to-no-10/ For decades, vulnerable children from care homes and other institutions were booked to order by rich and powerful men, for sex. This is the allegation put forward in ‘Nightmares at Elm Guest House’, in an interview with Chris Fay of the National Association for Young People in Care. As another significant member of the Conservative party is about to be outed this weekend, we take a closer look at these allegations and ask: how much longer can the UK establishment keep this story suppressed? Elm Guest House ...Names... The register of Elm Guest House... includes the names of major establishment figures. The full list is below: Anthony Blunt, Royal Connections, MI5, traitor, Russian spy deceased. Harvey Proctor, Monday Club, well known convicted paedophile. Sir Peter Bottomley. Worthing MP and Monday Club Charles Irving Leon Britton, Lord, ex Thatcher Minister (likely the Tory ex minister referred to anonymously in recent newpaper reports) Peter Brooke, Life Peer John Rowe, MI5, former MP Cyril Smith, deceased, ex Rochdale MP Ron Brown Colin Jordan, ex National Front Leader George Tremlett, Former GLC Leader Peter Campbell, Monday Club Gary Walker, Sinn Fein Cliff Richard,aged Pop Star, known at Elm Guest House as ‘Kitty’ Jess Conrad, aged ex Pop Star. Ron Wells, aged Musician, aka ‘Gladys’ at Elm Guest House. Richard Miles, Monday Club Chris Denning, ex BBC DJ, convicted paedophile. R Langley, Buckingham Palace Equerry Terry Dwyer Patrick Puddles Louis Minster, Head of Richmond Social Services Colin Peters, QC – a convicted paedophile sentenced to 8 years in 1989 Steve Everett, Senior Westminster Social worker Ray Wire, so called expert on Paedophile therapy Peter Glencross, editor of Monday Club newsletter Guy Hamilton Blackwell, son of Westland Helicopters Chairman Jimmy Savile had also been protected from prosecution for rampant paedophilia, from when rumours first began circulating in 1964, to his death in 2011, which meant another key name and holder of secrets had left the scene. But immediately after his death (a sign of how open his secret must have been), BBC Newsnight began an investigation into the allegations….and the whole network began to blow up, by tracing Savile’s movements and interactions. The latest series of press interest and police investigations was triggered by Labour MP Tom Watson, who timed judiciously a question to PM David Cameron at the height of the furore over Jimmy Savile. Tom Watson requested a full investigation of allegations of a “powerful paedophile network linked to Parliament and No 10” at Prime Minister’s Questions on 24th October 2012. Leon Brittan, former home secretary, dies aged 75: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/22/leon-brittan-former-ho me-secretary-dies 'Tory also served as chief secretary to the Treasury, trade and industry secretary and vice-president of European commission. Former home secretary Leon Brittan died at his home in London on Wednesday night, his family has announced. He was 75. In a statement his family said he had been ill with cancer for some time and paid tribute to his “extraordinary commitment to British public life”. During a long political career as a Tory minister and peer, Brittan also served as chief secretary to the Treasury, trade and industry secretary and vice-president of the European commission. He was a particularly influential figure during the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, taking a key role during the miners’ strike. His cabinet career ended when he resigned over the Westland helicopter affair after it was revealed he had authorised the leaking of a letter which was critical of defence secretary Michael Heseltine, who also resigned. John Gummer, the former Conservative cabinet minister who now sits in the upper house as Lord Deben, was the first to break the news, tweeting: “Very sad to see Leon Brittan has died. A good & honourable servant of his country. A decent and lasting friend. He will be sorely missed RIP.”..' So another 'suspect' dies before being grilled... Jimmy Savile's secret daughter: 'Mum was abused by monster - I fear he is my father' 21 February 2015 10:30 PMMatthew Drake http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jimmy-saviles-secret-daughter-mum -5207352 The 29-year-old wants a DNA test after her mother Georgina Martin was snared by the paedophile at a railway station in 1982 aged just 13 A 29-year-old woman has spoken of her fears that she could be the daughter of child sex monster Jimmy Savile. Her mother Georgina Martin was just 13 when she was snared by the paedophile at a railway station in 1982. He had sex with her more than 20 times over three years, but ended the relationship when she told him she was pregnant. Georgina was 16 at the time and also sleeping with a boyfriend. But she has always secretly feared the paedophile DJ was the baby’s dad. Now she has confessed all to her stunned daughter – and both have decided to push for a DNA test. The daughter told the Sunday Mirror: “I want to know the truth, but I hope to God I was not fathered by that man. "It would be the worst nightmare imaginable to find out Jimmy Savile was my dad. “I remember as a child watching Jim’ll Fix It on TV and Mum saying she knew Savile. "But at the time I thought it just meant she could get me a badge from the show like the ones all the other children wanted.” Georgina, 46, said: “I have carried the terrible secret that my child is likely to belong to Jimmy Savile for three decades. "Now I have found the strength to speak out because we need to have a test to draw a line under this for her sake.” Her mum’s fears only deepened as her daughter grew up. Family pictures show the youngster with bright blonde hair, dark eyes and distinctive cheekbones bearing a strong resemblance to the DJ. Now Georgina is determined to help her child pursue her quest for the truth. She is to ask Operation Yewtree detectives for help in getting a DNA comparison with Savile’s remaining family members. And she also believes “warped secrets” Savile told her and sick sexual fantasies he played out with her may hold the key to several more of his crimes. She said: “He liked to whip my breasts with his belt and bite me on my chest and between my legs.” Georgina, brought up in Wakefield, West Yorks, says she was firstapproached by the pervert outside Leeds railway station while bunking off school in February 1982. Sick: Jimmy Savile She said: “He spotted me in my uniform and asked, ‘You look really cold, do you fancy a cuppa?’. I instantly knew who he was from shows like Top of the Pops and Jim’ll Fix It. He was easy to recognise in his tracksuit. “I just remember being very star-struck and thinking ‘wait until I tell everybody about this.’ He bought me a cup of tea and a cake and asked me all sorts of questions. “I told him I was playing truant and he wanted to know if it was something I did often. When I said I had to go he said ‘you can give me a phone number you know?’ “I thought it a strange thing to ask but the whole experience was surreal. I went to give him my home number but he said that would be too busy and asked if there was anywhere else he could contact me. “I lived with my nan most of the time because things were not great at home. I gave him her number but I never thought he would call.” Three weeks later the paedophile rang to arrange a meeting. She said: “The phone went and my nan answered, but it went dead. "Then about 10 minutes later it rang again and I answered. He recognised my voice and said ‘from now on refer to me as Vince. Can you be at Leeds station at 3pm tomorrow’. I said yes.” Apartment: Sir Jimmy Savile's living room at his penthouse apartment in Roundhay Park, Leeds. The next day she was picked up by a man in a Vauxhall Viva who asked if she was waiting for ‘Vince’ – the same name as Savile’s oldest brother. Georgina says she was scared but let the stranger take her to Savile’s penthouse flat on the outskirts of Leeds. She was led into a lift up to the three-bedroomed flat where Savile was waiting. She said: “We sat talking and he told me about his charity work and shows. “I remember the flat was very cluttered. He had worn carpets and white chairs. “There were framed pictures of him with famous people like Prince Charles and a boxer with a belt over his shoulder.” Heartbreak: She could be Jimmy Savile's daughter Georgina was driven back to the station and Savile called again a few weeks later, shortly before her 14th birthday. She said: “Exactly the same thing happened, but a different driver was sent to pick me up. This time though he offered me alcohol and said that we should celebrate my birthday.” Savile then had sex with her in his bathroom. Georgina said: “It didn’t feel wrong at the time. I never saw myself as a victim. I just believed that was what happened when you had a boyfriend. “I know he was older but I thought I was special and that I’d have a new exciting life in London. "It was only after he died and the truth surfaced that I started to see what happened in a different light.” Monster: Jimmy Savile Georgina says it was only when she told Savile she was pregnant that he showed his nasty side. “We met up more than 20 times over the course of three years and had sex on pretty much every occasion – sometimes more than once,” she said. “In March 1985, I fell pregnant. At the time I was seeing Savile as well as a boyfriend closer to my age. I did have sex with both of them in the same month but I always knew it was Savile’s child. “He exploded. He stared at me and shouted ‘get your dress on’. He asked if it was his and I told him I also had a boyfriend. This made him even angrier.” Georgina gave birth to her daughter in December 1985 and originally put the name of her boyfriend on the certificate. But she says she always made it clear he was not the child’s father and the couple split a year after the birth. She said: “My boyfriend knew it was highly unlikely my daughter was his. “We grew apart and I left him when my daughter was one. He hasn’t seen her since she was four.” Her daughter said: “I have never known the true identity of my biological father. “Mum was always honest and said it could be somebody else and not the man whose name is on my birth certificate. But I only recently discovered who that other man is. “I am happy to have the DNA test to determine if Jimmy Savile is my father.” Fears: This woman could be Jimmy Savile's daughter Georgina, who is not seeking any compensation from Savile’s estate unlike other victims, is willing to tell police all about her time with him – including his sinister fixation with death. She said: “He told me so many warped secrets and let me in on things I now realise are significant to detectives investigating what he did. “I have tried to blot it out of my mind, but I can’t. I know more about him than the police know. He was obsessed with death and with the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe. “He would always tell me how he had to be careful, especially with the ‘birds’. "When we went out in his car he would point out spots where dead bodies had been found and claim the Ripper had not been working alone.” She said the pervert who liked to bite her sent a chill up her spine with one revelation. “He told me he had been questioned by police after the body of a young girl was found near his home covered in bite marks,” said Georgina. “Jimmy said they had made him hand over a sample bite mark. But he was always bragging about how he was protected and had people who looked after him.” Georgina’s former boyfriend, 52, insisted he was her daughter’s father. At his home near Pontefract, West Yorks, he said: “I don’t believe it. She looks just like me. “I still talk to her on Facebook, although I haven’t seen her for 20 odd years. I never heard that she (Georgina) even knew Jimmy Savile.” Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:34 pm Post subject: 'British police accused of catastrophic blunders after file of 2,000 child abuse suspects was handed to them by Canadian investigators but ignored for TWO YEARS': http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2933992/British-police-accused -catastrophic-blunders-file-2-000-child-abuse-suspects-handed-Canadian -investigators-ignored-TWO-YEARS.html '.....Investigators in Toronto yesterday admitted their surprise at the inaction of UK police – who in some cases refused to even answer calls or return messages. The true scale of how officers failed to act on the results of the huge Canadian undercover operation can now be laid bare for the first time, including how: Authorities failed to act even when suspects worked in positions of trust leaving dozens of men, including medical staff, teachers and public sector workers free to continue offending for months. It took almost two years to arrest a CofE vicar found with indecent films. More than 50 other countries, including Spain, Mexico and Romania, leapt on the data and made hundreds of arrests. Britons were among the top ten most frequent customers, but by the time other countries had held 350 suspects none had been arrested in Britain. At the centre of scandal is Azov Films, a multi-million-pound website based in Toronto that sold child porn films to customers worldwide.........' Interview on the Arctic Beacon Child abuse... http://arcticbeacon.com/audio/2010/2010-LRN/04-2010-LRN/GSIJ.041910_07 0500.MP3 'Kakistocracy and elite paedophile networks': http://freecriticalthinking.org/daily-pickings/1341-kakistocracy-and-e lite-pedophile-networks 'Interview 1024 – Tjeerd Andringa Exposes the Kakistocracy': https://www.corbettreport.com/interview-1024-tjeerd-andringa-exposes-t he-kakistocracy/ Kakistocracy is defined as “rule by the worst.” Today on the program Dr. Tjeerd Andringa of the University of Groningen joins us to discuss his theory of how the kakistocracy uses child abuse to perpetuate their control, both over the victims of that abuse and its perpetrators. We also discuss what the vast majority of decent and moral people can do about this problem. (Note my 'signature' below: exactly why rotten people rule this world!) Abuse Survivor: UK Police Guarded As I Was Raped Submitted by IWB, on May 26th, 2015 A woman has told Sky News how uniformed police officers stood guard as abusers sexually assaulted her as a young girl. Waiving her right to anonymity, Esther Baker, 32, spoke exclusively to Sky News about her tormented childhood that saw her sexually abused by men at various locations. She claimed police officers would stand guard for the perpetrators and on some occasions even joined in the abuse in woodland on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire. She said: “I got the feeling very much that they were protecting somebody, that they were with one of the men. “One of them (police officers) I knew from church. There were a few occasions where they would be in uniform, and I kind of knew, I learnt that when they were in uniform that it was going to be a rough night. http://news.sky.com/story/1490565/abuse-survivor-cops-guarded-as-i-was -raped Read more at http://investmentwatchblog.com/abuse-survivor-uk-police-guarded-as-i-w as-raped/ Royal family member was investigated as part of paedophile ring before cover-up, ex-cop says The former officer claims the investigation was shut down for 'national security' reasons JON STONE Author Biography Monday 23 March 2015 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/royal-family-member-was- investigated-as-part-of-paedophile-ring-before-coverup-excop-says-1012 6864.html A member of the Royal family was claimed to be part of a suspected paedophile ring under investigation by police in the late 1980s, a former police officer has said. The former Metropolitan Police officer says he was told by a detective sergeant that the investigation into the ring, which was also claimed to include an MP, was shut down for national security reasons. “I was in a car with two other vice squad officers. … The detective sergeant said he had just had a major child abuse investigation shut down by the CPS regarding a royal and an MP,” he told the Sunday Mirror newspaper. “He did not mention names, but he said the CPS had said it was not in the public’s interest because it ‘could destabilise national security’.” The police officer identified the two colleagues, the newspaper said. Sir Allan Green, the Director of Public Prosecutions and head of the CPS at the time the conversation took place, said he was not aware of any child abuse investigations shut down for national security reasons. He however said he had been asked by a “senior person” if he had heard anything about a named MP being involved in child abuse. He said he had not. The MP he was asked about has since died, Mr Green said..... More close links between the British Royal family and the VIPaedophile scandal The murdered boy's father (who was allowing his son to be sexually abused) was chauffeur to the Australian High Commissioner who works directly to the royals Was case of missing boy thought murdered by VIP paedophile ring covered up? BY NICK DORMAN 15-year-old Martin Allen vanished in London in 1979 and was last seen boarding a Tube train at Kings Cross station http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/case-missing-boy-thought-murdered-6093268 Matt Sprake Missing: Martin Allen The suspected abduction and murder of a 15-year-old lad by a VIP paedophile ring in Britain is featured in a TV documentary Sunday night, writes Nick Dorman in the Sunday People. Martin Allen’s disappearance is probed by Australia’s Channel 9 on its 60 Minutes show which can be viewed in the UK online. Martin, son of the chauffeur of the Australian High Commissioner in London, vanished in 1979. He was last seen boarding a Tube train at Kings Cross station. Martin's brother Kevin was interviewed for the show. He said: “A senior policeman told me ‘if you keep saying things like that, someone’s going to get hurt. He added: “I smell rats of the highest order.” The show will claim that senior police officers halted an investigation to protect powerful people. Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:47 pm Post subject: Meirion Jones: 'Everyone on right side of the Savile argument has been forced out of the BBC' Dominic Ponsford - 29 July 2015 http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/meirion-jones-speaks-out-everyone-who-wa s-right-side-savile-argument-has-been-forced-out-bbc Three days after finishing work on Panorama documentary The Fake Sheikh Exposed, producer Meirion Jones was told his services were no longer required by the programme. His previous job as head of investigations at Newsnight had been filled in his absence. He was effectively out of a job. After 26 years at the BBC, Jones (pictured above, Reuters) felt like this career at the corporation had come to an end and he was being squeezed out. Jones believes he was punished because he tried to expose the Jimmy Savile scandal at the BBC and spoke out about the way his Newsnight investigation of December 2011 was suppressed. Liz MacKean, who worked on the Savile story with Jones, left after 23 years with the corporation in April last year. She also felt she no longer had a future with the BBC. Speaking out in detail for the first time since he left the BBC in February, Jones paints a picture of a corporation which appears to have failed to learn the lessons of the biggest scandal in its history. He believes those on the side of exposing the Savile scandal mistakes have been sidelined and encouraged to leave the corporation – while others involved in suppressing the Savile story have kept their jobs. Jones says of his decision to leave the BBC: “I went to an employment lawyer. He said if you sue the BBC you will win and there will be no cap on it because it will be a whistleblower case. “However it will take a year and the BBC will settle on the steps of the court. Do you want to put yourself through a year of that? “I thought about it and I thought I'll take voluntary redundancy and go in that case.” It was an ignominious end to a distinguished BBC career. In 2010 he won the Daniel Pearl Award along with MacKean for exposing how oil company Trafigura dumped toxic waste in Africa. His investigation into bogus bomb detectors sold to Iraq and Afghanistan with Caroline Hawley led to an export ban on the devices and a fraudster selling them to be jailed. It may have saved hundreds of lives by helping to get the useless “magic wand” devices taken out of circulation. There are many more such examples, most recently the RTS award-nominated investigation into former News of the World reporter Mazher Mahmood broadcast last December. Jones believes that all his scoops counted for nothing because in the eyes of some senior figures at the BBC he is a traitor. “People said they won't sack you after Savile but they will make your life hell. Everyone involved on the right side of the Savile argument has been forced out of the BBC.” Jones and MacKean were voices of dissent inside the BBC about the way their Jimmy Savile investigation for Newsnight came to be spiked. They spoke out to both the Pollard investigation and to colleagues who made a Panorama documentary called Savile: What the BBC Knew. This was broadcast in October 2012, three weeks after ITV’s Exposure documentary finally revealed Savile was a serial sex offender. Jones believes that Tom Giles, the Panorama editor behind “What the BBC Knew”, was also “squeezed out” of the corporation as punishment for a documentary which made uncomfortable viewing for BBC bosses. In May 2014 Giles was moved from Panorama to a strategy role, described as creating a “blueprint to shape BBC Current Affairs for the future”. In May this year, he left the BBC to become controller of current affairs for ITV. Jones says: “He was effectively told he wasn't going anywhere.” He says that the Panorama on Savile “was very unpopular with management and very controversial. Lots of efforts were made to block that Panorama. “Threats were made that if Liz and I co-operated we'd never work for the BBC again. All sorts of attempts were made to stop Panorama using our emails and material.” Former BBC director of global news Peter Horrocks was put in charge of Savile coverage as the scandal unfolded in October 2012. According to Jones, he “forced the programme through” and has also since been “squeezed out of the BBC”. He left the corporation earlier this year to head up the Open University. MacKean told Press Gazette: “I didn’t feel encouraged to stay. I felt I would do better to work outside the BBC. “There were still so many people who have been shown to be on the wrong side of the story who have stayed." Jones says: “The last conversation I'd had with anyone from management was ‘we'll see if we can find something’. “I wasn't going to be parked in some non-job. The BBC is quite happy to pay people to do nothing. That's not me. That's no fun. “There is still sadly a small group of people at the BBC who think that the only problem with Savile was that it was exposed and if had stayed hushed up everything would be fine.” According to Jones, one senior BBC executive stood outside Broadcasting House at the height of the Savile scandal and held forth to colleagues about Jones and MacKean, describing them as “traitors to the BBC”. He says: “It's a small group of people but they are very powerful people who think we betrayed the BBC by not keeping out mouths shut.” The Newsnight editor who took the decision to spike the Savile investigation, Peter Rippon, remains at the BBC and was moved sideways to become editor of the BBC online archive. Helen Boaden, who was head of news at the time the Newsnight Savile report was suppressed, was moved to the equally senior job of head of radio. Her deputy, Steve Mitchell, took early retirement after the Pollard report into the Savile scandal was published in December 2012. James Hardy, the BBC head of communications for BBC News who said in an email to a colleague he would “drip poison” about Jones remains in his role. He suspected Jones had leaked stories about the Savile affair to the press in early 2012. This is something Jones emphatically denies. Earlier this month, the original source for the Savile story – Karin Ward – won her libel case after being sued over comments she made to the BBC and ITV about Freddie Starr. The BBC declined to offer her any financial support until the eve of the trial, leaving her to fight the case alone with the help of lawyers acting on a no-win, no-fee basis. Jones believes the BBC reluctance to stand by Ward “shows anyone who was on the side of blowing the whistle about Savile the BBC have failed to support". “It's an extraordinary thing for the BBC not to support a whistleblower who had appeared on a BBC programme. That's unprecedented as far as I know. “Yet they left her hanging out in the wind for two years, I believe in the hope that she would be discredited in court. In fact the judge believed her totally.” Had Ward lost her case, Jones believes the BBC would then have been able to say: “Peter Rippon made the right decision, he didn't feel her testimony could be relied on and that's been borne in court. “I know that sounds like a conspiracy theory, but with everything that's happened I believe it.” He adds: “If I was a whistleblower I would not go to the BBC now unless they announce a big change in their policy." Newsnight investigation began days after Savile's death Jones was led to the Savile story partly through a piece of luck. His aunt ran Duncroft School in Surrey, a secure approved school, and he saw Savile there 1970s. He recalled his parents having concerns about Savile’s access to teenage girls and his aunt saying: “It’s just Jimmy.” Questions about Savile were aired by Lynn Barber in a 1990 interview for The Independent on Sunday when she asked him about the rumours he was “into little girls”. The questions were raised again by a Louis Theroux in a 2001 documentary. Then in early 2011, Ward published an autobiography on the website FanStory – which talked about abuse perpetrated by “JS”. Jones says: “It was an absolute description of Duncroft as I'd known it. Ninety nine per cent of what she was describing there I knew. “I'd seen Savile taking girls out in his Rolls Royce… Who is going to believe there was a place that's half jail and half country house? “It was a mad, mad place. I knew all that was true, knew they'd gone to BBC. I only had a little bit more to believe. “Anyone else would have thought she was a fantasist.” Savile died on 29 October 2011, and the following Monday Jones began work on the Newsnight investigation. Ward agreed to do an interview and the Newsnight team tracked down around 60 women who had attended Duncroft, and around dozen had stories about what happened to them. They declined to go on camera, but agreed to have their stories told. One (who was not abused) gave an interview about incidents she had witnessed. “By the time the story was pulled I thought we would end up with 100 victims and maybe ten institutions around the country… “Sometimes you have arguments with your editor about whether you should do a story or not and its 55 one way and 45 the other. “This was absolutely overwhelmingly that we had to do the story for so many reasons. It wasn't close. We were all absolutely convinced that this was a huge story. “It went out to impact team at the BBC. They said it would be going out on every domestic outlet. It would be huge. They were gearing up to run packages on all radio programmes, on the news channel, the whole thing was gearing up for this massive impact. “There was no question about the scale of this. The BBC knew this was a big story. “When we got confirmation that the police had investigated him and interviewed him, he [Peter Rippon] said: ‘Right, we broadcast.’” Broadcast was set for 7 December. Then, on 1 December Jones was informed by Rippon that it would only be a story if it could be shown that the Crown Prosecution Service had erred by declining to charge Savile because he was too old. According to the Pollard report, this apparently followed a conversation between Rippon and Steve Mitchell. After ten days of arguments between MacKean, Jones and Rippon, the final decision to kill the story was taken by Rippon on 9 December. As Mitchell and Rippon were mulling whether or not to pull the Savile story, the BBC was promoting a Christmas schedule which included tributes to Jimmy Savile and a Boxing Day special edition of Jim’ll Fix It presented by Shane Richie. Jones says: “Two trains were hurtling towards each other on the same line, the BBC either had to run all these tributes or it had to run the expose, it couldn't run both.” Jones was confident that the story would come out anyway, because outside consultant Mark Williams-Thomas had all the evidence and could simply take it elsewhere (as he did with the ITV documentary which was aired in October 2012). Jones is now writing a book about his time at the BBC and working as a freelance journalist. He says: “I’m adjusting after a very long time at the BBC to not just being paid for being there.” While he emphasises that there are “thousands of bloody good people” at the BBC, he also criticises what he describes as “a culture of presenteeism”. “People just stay at the BBC and occupy desks. I’ve always wanted to do stuff that makes a difference, stories that shake things up. I don’t really see the point of just sitting there and doing nothing. “I’m afraid there a lot of people that do that. There are a lot of great people at the BBC, but there a lot of people who are just filling desks.” Outsiders sometimes wonder why, with around 5,000 journalists, BBC News does not break more stories. Jones says: "That’s what I’ve always tried to do at Newsnight. It amazes me how little story-breaking there is.” “It’s a deep-rooted culture of caution and also fear of putting your head above the parapet. If you do break stories you will get sued, you will get attacked in Parliament by people whose interests you have offended. “There’s also a committee-itis at the BBC. There are committees and committees and committees. New Broadcasting House is full of those offices that are made fun of in W1A. They really exist. There are dozens of offices booked solid for meetings all day long every day. “Everything is bogged down in meetings. People are promoted on the basis of how well they perform at meetings rather than on the product they produce.” In general terms, Jones says the BBC is “shockingly badly managed”. But he adds: “To be fair it always has been from the time I’ve been there, from the 1980s onwards – its just badly managed in different ways. “The main problem is that you don’t have a flat enough management structure. Managers are too far away from the output.” He also says that the management structure is “very confused”, with Panorama, for instance, reporting in to managers in television, news and current affairs. Asked what he thinks could change at the BBC to make it a more effective news organisation, he says: “Measure people by their output”. “They always talk about encouraging original journalism but people are not rewarded for that. Not getting into trouble is a way of getting promoted. If you break stories the chances are you going to cause trouble. It’s the civil service element of the BBC. “Because it’s such a large organisation. To some extent it works like the civil service in that you will inevitably rise if you don’t blot your copybook.” Jones worries that Panorama under current editor Ceri Thomas has moved away from investigations and towards analysis. The BBC is currently in the process of making all the programme’s staff reporters redundant, instead looking to make use of journalists from elsewhere in the BBC on a project by project basis. Jones says: “If you are taking other reporters who happen to be in the building if they are good they don’t have enough time to do the Panorama properly because there are so many other demands on them. “Or you get people who are not very good whose departments are happy to release them for as long as you want.” Looking to the future, Jones believes the BBC should set up a dedicated investigations team to break stories: “If I was them I would put together a strong investigations unit of a dozen people and put real pressure on them to come up with stories.” Press Gazette put Jones’ criticisms to the BBC. A spokesperson said: "Meirion Jones has made his views known before and we have always been clear that nobody was forced out of the BBC for exposing the Savile scandal. “The Pollard Report concluded, following a detailed investigation, that the decision to drop the initial investigation into Jimmy Savile was taken in good faith and not for any improper reason.” They also pointed out that the BBC has already put forward plans to make the management structure “simpler and leaner”. one of the most important articles 20 VIPs in child sex ring, claims campaigner: Whistleblower says senior politicians, military figures and people with links to the Royals were members http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2685309/20-VIPs-child-sex-ring -claims-campaigner-Whistleblower-says-senior-politicians-military-figu res-people-links-Royals-members.html Peter McKelvie, 65, first raised alarm about the child abuse two years ago He says the conspiracy may have been going on for 65 years McKelvie helped to convict notorious child abuser Peter Righton Righton also a founding member of the Paedophile Information Exchange McKelvie said abusers made up a ‘small percentage’ of British Establishment By CHRIS GREENWOOD FOR THE DAILY MAIL PUBLISHED: 00:42, 9 July 2014 \| UPDATED: 08:18, 9 July 2014 At least 20 high-profile members of the British Establishment formed a VIP paedophile ring that abused children for decades, a whistleblower claimed last night. Peter McKelvie, 65, said senior politicians, military figures and even people linked to the Royal Family were among the alleged abusers. The campaigner, who first raised the alarm about prominent individuals engaged in child sex abuse two years ago, said the conspiracy may have been going on for 65 years. Speaking in public for the first time in 20 years, the former local authority child protection chief said there were still people in power who had been involved in child abuse two decades ago. While working in Hereford and Worcester, he helped to convict notorious child abuser Peter Righton – once one of the country’s most respected authorities on child care. Righton, who is now dead, was also a founding member of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) – which tried to decriminalise sex between children and adults, before he was convicted of importing child abuse images. Mr McKelvie told police in 2012 that seven boxes of potential evidence about Righton were being stored by West Mercia Police, and that these might contain evidence of further abuse by senior members of the establishment. He told the BBC: ‘For the last 30 years – and longer than that – there have been a number of allegations made by survivors that people at the top of very powerful institutions in this country, which include politicians, judges, senior military figures and even people that have links with the Royal Family, have been involved in the abuse of children. ‘At the most serious level, we’re talking about the brutal rape of young boys.’ Mr McKelvie said the child abusers made up a ‘small percentage’ of the British Establishment, but ‘a slightly larger percentage’ knew about it but did not report it to the police. He said these people ‘felt that’ in terms of their own self-interest and self-preservation and for political party reasons, it has been safer for them to cover it up than deal with it.’ Child abuser Peter Righton was once one of the country¿s most respected authorities on child care The retired civil servant said he had once tried to blow the whistle with a ‘very prominent figure’ in the Labour Party when the party was in opposition, but ‘nothing came of it’. Mr McKelvie also took his concerns to Labour MP Tom Watson, who then raised the matter in Parliament two years ago. His comments prompted the Scotland Yard inquiry known as Operation Fairbank, into claims of a paedophile network linked to Downing Street. Speaking on the BBC’s Newsnight, Mr McKelvie added: ‘Over many years I’ve spoken to a considerable number of victims and most recently victims of perhaps the most powerful elite group of paedophiles. ‘Because the worst part of sexual abuse is the power that powerful people have over them. And they don’t believe that power can ever be broken.’ The evidence from West Mercia Police includes letters between Righton, who was a consultant to the National Children’s Bureau before he was unmasked, and other suspected paedophiles. He welcomed the two inquiries ordered on Monday by Home Secretary Theresa May but said the allegations should have been taken up ‘a very long time ago’. He said: ‘At last there is the very real prospect of survivors and victims having justice. I believe that there is strong evidence and an awful lot of information that can be converted into evidence if it is investigated properly. 'There has been an extremely powerful elite, among the highest levels of the political classes, for as long as I have been alive – and I am 65 now. ‘There has been sufficient reason to investigate it over and over again – certainly for the last 30 years – and there has always been the block, the cover-up and the collusion to prevent that.’ Parties must reveal what whips knew The Lib Dems, Tories and Labour were last night forced to agree to trawl through their records for evidence that party whips covered up historic allegations of child abuse against MPs. A senior civil servant last night insisted all public bodies – including political parties – should carry out a sweep of their documents for any evidence of a conspiracy of silence. Mark Sedwill, permanent secretary at the Home Office, said ‘all bodies’ should carry out investigations to see whether they hold files or evidence relevant to a new, wide-ranging inquiry into historic paedophile allegations. He told MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee this included the offices of party whips – the senior MPs in charge of discipline in political parties. His intervention raises the prospect of current and former MPs who served as whips being questioned about what they knew of rumours or allegations against colleagues. They have long been said to hold ‘little black books’ containing damaging information against colleagues they want to control. Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems indicated last night that they would co-operate in full. This week Labour MP Lisa Nandy raised in the Commons remarks by the late Conservative MP Tim Fortescue, who was a whip in Edward Heath’s government between 1970 and 1973. He said in a 1995 documentary that MPs ‘in trouble’ would ask the whips’ office for help when in difficulty. Mr Fortescue, who died aged 92 in 2008, claimed he could assist MPs with scandals, including those ‘involving small boys’, to exert control over them later and make sure they followed the party line. He said: ‘For anyone with any sense, who was in trouble, would come to the whips and tell them the truth, and say now, “I’m in a jam, can you help?”. ‘We would do everything we can because we would store up Brownie points. That sounds a pretty, pretty nasty reason, but if we could get a chap out of trouble then he will do as we ask forever more.’ Former Conservative chief whip Mr Heath pioneered the keeping of a ‘dirt book’ about MPs’ private lives for his political advantage. Conservative MP Mark Reckless suggested there should be checks to ensure that whips’ offices co-operated with any police inquiries into historic abuse allegations. He said a debate in the Nineties about whether whips’ notes were personal or government property had led to a new shredding procedure. A Tory spokesman said: ‘Conservative whips will review their records and co-operate fully.’ Labour said: ‘We will do everything in our power to help the inquiry.’ The Lib Dems said: ‘We will cooperate with the inquiries in whatever way we can.’ On the week of new revelations about Tory Prime Minister Ted Heath... What with all the media hype & no doubt protracted trials (most of which involve police not doing their job when first alerted then never being prosecuted for misconduct) around Kid's Company, Rolf Harris, Rotherham & a hundred other stories of child sexual abuse low down in the power structure... I think it's about time we reminded ourselves of the real deal here. We are talking about hard evidence now of sexual abuse and murder of children by superstars, intelligence chiefs, top civil servants & political leaders, many of whom have not EVEN been named. VIP paedophile ring 'abused teenage boy INSIDE Buckingham Palace and Balmoral Castle' 22:30, 29 NOVEMBER 2014 BY KEIR MUDIE , MARK WATTS http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/vip-paedophile-ring-abused-teenag e-4721479 The boy, then just 16, told how he was the victim of “exploitation of the highest order” - the claims could now be the subject of a police investigation A teenage boy working at Buckingham Palace revealed he was groomed and sexually abused by a VIP paedophile ring there. The lad was also assaulted at the Royal Family’s Scottish retreat Balmoral, according to shocking Home Office files, reports the Sunday People. In a heartbreaking note, the boy – then just 16 – told how he was the victim of “exploitation of the highest order”. The chilling claims could now be the subject of a police investigation into historic allegations of child sex abuse in the 1970s and 80s – linked to MPs and powerful figures. The disturbing account was passed directly to the then Home Secretary Leon Brittan but he ruled it was “not practical” to investigate. Campaigning Labour MP Tom Watson said: “I’m sure the Palace will want to co-operate with any inquiry.” A Palace spokesman said: “The Royal Household takes any allegation of this nature seriously and would act to address any specific allegations or investigate specific information.” Balmoral CastleShadow on castle: Balmoral, where staff allegedly heard the boy scream at night The Sunday People and the investigations website Exaro have established that the Home Office file contains evidence of a letter written by the boy’s mother. She wrote to campaigning MP Geoffrey Dickens, fearing that her son had been groomed by a paedophile ring while working at the Buckingham Palace kitchens. The boy was 16 at the time, putting him below the age of homosexual consent which was then 21 in England. In Scotland homosexuality was still totally illegal. Mr Dickens said at the time: “The boy told his parents he had been sexually abused by members of the Royal Household at the Palace. “I am concerned the Palace could be part of a chain supplying young men to paedophiles in the diplomatic service.” British Labour MP Tom WatsonDemand: Labour MP Tom Watson is sure the Palace will co-operate with any inquiry The 16-year-old went to work at the Palace in the early 1970s. After a few months his family noticed he was acting strangely. A family friend told Exaro: “Things were OK when he first joined the Palace staff. "After a few months, things started to turn a little strange.” After what the source described as an “incident” at Balmoral, the royal family’s Scottish home, the boy’s parents were told by a close friend who also worked at Buckingham Palace that their son was being sexually abused there. The source added: “They got wind of this after an incident at Balmoral when he screamed in the night.” Concerned: Desperate parents wrote to MP Geoffrey Dickens for help The concerned friend, who worked for the royals at the time, immediately alerted the boy’s parents. He told them: “This is something that you should have nothing to do with.” Reports from the time reveal further details of the boy’s ordeal. One says his parents discovered a handwritten note from him. It read: “What Buckingham Palace did for me was exploitation of the highest order.” The boy’s mother said at the time: “My son was happy and normal until he went there. "Then he changed completely. He refused to talk to us or discuss what he was up to.” Employer: Buckingham Palace The boy’s father also claimed that young Palace staff were lavished with expensive gifts for “entertaining men”. He added: “In some cases Palace officials were involved. “Afterwards, the servants got good references to take up posts abroad with wealthy employers.” According to the Home Office files, the desperate parents wrote to Geoffrey Dickens for help. The MP raised the mother’s concerns with the Home Secretary in 1983. But Mr Dickens received a reply saying Leon Brittan felt it would not be practical to carry out a detailed investigation. He wrote: “I need hardly assure you that the Royal Household is extremely concerned at these unsubstantiated allegations and it is, of course, their policy to take every step to avoid an occurrence of such as is alleged. Deputy head of MI5 Peter HaymanDeputy: The 16-year-old was approached by notorious paedophile Sir Peter Hayman There is nobody currently employed in the Royal Household who is under the age of 18.” Mr Brittan indicated that her son had worked at Buckingham Palace for a year, adding: “It is extremely difficult to comment on the accuracy of the allegations in the letter.” But an even more chilling development is contained in the files, lending weight to the claims that a paedophile VIP ring was linked to the Palace. During his time at Buckingham Palace, the 16-year-old was approached by notorious paedophile Sir Peter Hayman and was asked to work for him in Canada, where he was ambassador. Hayman has been identified as a member of the VIP paedophile ring operating in Westminster and is known to have had royal connections. The site of the former Elm Guest House in BarnesScandal: The site of the former Elm Guest House in Barnes He was desperate to have the boy working for him, even writing to his parents to ask them about taking his son on as a footman. Hayman said the boy would need winter clothes. The parents never found out how Hayman knew their son. But the source said: “They knew there was something wrong.” The parents were so concerned by Hayman’s approach that they attempted to stop their son working for him, the family friend explained. Exaro has established that the boy’s parents intervened to stop him going to Canada to work for Hayman. Mr Watson, who has led the campaign for a full-scale inquiry into claims of child sex abuse at the heart of the Establishment, said: “In light of what we now know, any allegation of sexual crimes regarding Peter Hayman should be thoroughly investigated. “He was protected by the Establishment at the time. “The full extent of how his conduct was covered up has not been explained.” Leon Brittan MPMP: Leon Brittan felt it would not be practical to carry out a detailed investigation The parents and their son have declined to comment on the allegations. But the revelations link Buckingham Palace to a paedophile network of MPs and powerful figures that operated over many years in the UK. Palace officials have already been linked to the notorious brothel the Elm Guest House in South West London. Police are investigating archives on Hayman in a bid to find his links to other Establishment paedophiles. "An abuse survivor, known as “Nick” to protect his identity, named one of his many VIP attackers as Hayman. Nick picked Hayman out from a collection of pictures that Exaro showed to him, placing him at abuse parties with other paedophiles. An appendix to a review by the Home Office last year reveals one of their missing files was called: “Sir Peter Hayman (1980-81 Papers Ex-Diplomat’s Intriguing Private Life).” A vanished file and troubling claims about Heath and young musicians: There's no smoking gun. But after a week of shocking headlines, the Mail's unearthed fresh allegations Edward Heath was linked to allegations of historic paedophile abuse early this week Claims have also been made of a cover-up by members of the British political establishment A file related to Heath and Paedophile Information Exchange group discovered missing Now new sex allegations have emerged centring on European Community Youth Orchestra By RICHARD PENDLEBURY and STEPHEN WRIGHT FOR THE DAILY MAIL PUBLISHED: 00:43, 8 August 2015 \| UPDATED: 00:56, 8 August 2015 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3189951/A-vanished-file-troubl ing-claims-Heath-young-musicians-s-no-smoking-gun-week-shocking-headli nes-Mail-s-unearthed-fresh-allegations.html The late spring of 1978, and in a sunlit rehearsal hall a stout, shirt-sleeved figure, familiar from a quite different setting, is conducting a new orchestra of young musicians. Roaring and flailing as his proteges run through Ode To Joy from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, former British prime minister Edward Heath is clearly in his element. ‘That’s much better strings … much better!’ he enthuses. Afterwards, he tells a television crew which had been filming the event: ‘The orchestra here has a saying — “Tell them the Community isn’t only about the price of fish: it is about Beethoven and Brahms.”’ An odd comment you might think, if you did not know the political context. The ensemble in question was the European Community Youth Orchestra, and it was about to embark on its inaugural tour of EEC capitals. It was to be a flagship for pan-European cultural co-operation. The 135 musicians, some of whom were as young as 14, were drawn from the then nine member nations. Heath, an enthusiastic amateur musician who had led the United Kingdom into the European Community five years before, was the orchestra’s founding president. He would also be its guest conductor for that tour and several tours to come. Today, the orchestra he helped found — now named the European Union Youth Orchestra — goes from strength to strength. But the reputation of the man himself, who died aged 89 in 2005, is being posthumously trashed. Early this week, Heath’s name was formally attached to the wide-ranging allegations of historic paedophile abuse and cover-up by members of the British political establishment. Within days he had become the focus of investigations by no fewer than seven different police forces examining historic allegations — Hampshire, Jersey, Kent, Wiltshire, Thames Valley, Gloucestershire and the Metropolitan Police — after it was claimed that the early 1990s trial of a Wiltshire brothel madam was dropped when she threatened to claim in court that rent boys had been supplied to the ex-prime minister. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to examine the allegation, made by a former senior police officer. Seven police forces are investigating after it was claimed that the early 1990s trial of brothel madam Ling-Ling was dropped when she threatened to claim in court that rent boys had been supplied to the ex-prime minister The barrister who was to prosecute the brothel keeper — a Filipina called Myra Ling-Ling Forde — confirmed in a letter to The Times on Thursday that she had indeed made the threat, but it was not the reason the trial was halted. Earlier in the week, it emerged that a man had also claimed that in 1961, when he was 12 years old, he had been raped by Heath at the politician’s Mayfair flat. A further allegation that Heath was part of a VIP paedophile and child murder ring that operated in London’s Dolphin Square was subsequently aired. In an intriguing development, the Mail learned this week that a file relating to Sir Edward and the infamous Paedophile Information Exchange group is one of those missing from official Government records. It is among 114 missing files concerning child abuse identified by an independent review of how allegations were handled by the Home Office. The title of the missing document, ‘Edward Heath MP [redacted] RE: PIE’, refers to the activities of the Paedophile Information Exchange. Investigators discovered that the file disappeared more than 25 years ago after being moved to a Westminster record centre. They concluded that there was no evidence of any orchestrated attempts by officials over three decades to cover up child abuse. But the unexpected absence of the file raises questions about the exact nature of the connection between Heath and the PIE group. The only surviving record of its existence, a brief index, suggests it is linked to an individual Parliamentary question. Officials suspect the document was destroyed during a routine purge of documents after it was moved to the Queen Anne’s Gate record centre in March 1990. One of the most remarkable manifestations of this week’s hue and cry was the sight of a senior Wiltshire police officer making a televised appeal for ‘victims’ to come forward and ‘suffer in silence’ no longer, from outside the gates of Heath’s palatial former home in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral. Such grandstanding was criticised yesterday by Britain’s most senior policeman, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who said he did not believe Heath should have been named while unproven allegations were being investigated. Today, we shall examine the credibility or otherwise of this ever-expanding swirl of rumour and allegation. Suffice to say they are now being chased by internet conspiracy theorists as well as those multiple police forces — the latter anxious not to repeat the mistakes or failures which saw men such as Jimmy Savile and Cyril Smith MP go unprosecuted when there was clear and extensive evidence of paedophile activity over several decades. In the course of the Mail’s own investigations this week, further new allegations of sexual abuse and possible official cover-up concerning Sir Edward have come to light. They centre on his relationship with the European Community Youth Orchestra. A retired senior police officer, who served with several southern forces including Wiltshire, told the Mail that there were ‘always rumours’ about Heath, the former MP for Bexley. The policeman — a widely respected officer with a distinguished career — asked that due to the sensitivities of the Heath investigations, he remain anonymous. He told us that the rumours did not come with any specific evidence against the former PM. But he went on: ‘The exception were several allegations made against him in his role with the European Youth Orchestra. I understand there were credible claims that Heath indecently assaulted young people on tours to the Continent which he was leading. ‘These tours took place in the late 1970s or early 1980s. ‘It was never clear how old the victims were, or exactly what happened, and what was alleged was not at the top end of the scale of criminality. ‘Why these were never investigated I cannot say. I suspect it is because they took place overseas and the victims were from other countries.’ As Heath, the son of a carpenter, rose through the ranks of the Tory Party on the way to becoming leader, the prickly and enigmatic bachelor became the subject of gossip concerning his private life and sexual orientation. In his 1998 autobiography, The Course Of My Life, Heath intimated that he had once been close to a young woman called Kay Raven. Separated by war service and work, he explained, she suddenly announced that she was marrying someone else. Heath wrote: ‘I was saddened by this … I had taken too much for granted.’ This was the only suggestion of a close personal relationship. Others believed that he was in fact homosexual but had suppressed his inclinations in order to advance his career, given that homosexual acts between two consenting adult men over the age of 21 were only decriminalised in 1967. By then Heath had turned 50 years of age, had been an MP for 17 years and Leader of the Opposition for two. Britain was not ready for an openly gay MP, let alone prime minister. A 1993 biography, published while Heath was alive, explored the subject but decided there was no ‘positive evidence’ that Heath was gay. After his death, others were bolder. In 2007, Brian Colemen, a gay Tory member of the London Assembly, alleged that in the 1950s Heath had been warned by police to stop picking up men in public lavatories, though he did not produce evidence to support the allegation. Yet Heath’s official biographer, Philip Ziegler, wrote that he found there was no evidence of homosexual leanings. In fact, the politician could well have been ‘asexual’. What is not disputed is Heath’s love of music. Critics said that his attempts to master playing the organ and conducting an orchestra betrayed his chilly self-importance. (Two of his eight Desert Island disc choices were recordings of his own conducting, and when on an official visit to Rome, he gave as a present to the Pope recordings of himself with the London Symphony Orchestra.) After losing power in 1974, Heath continued to explore ways of combining his politics with his music. The solution came in the form of the Youth Orchestra, which was first mooted in 1976. ‘I had long felt the need for the Community to extend its activities beyond political and commercial affairs,’ he wrote in his autobiography. ‘This is possible with music because it is a single common language.’ Auditions were held in the autumn of 1977, with Heath on the panel of judges. More than 1,000 young Britons aged between 13 and 22 applied for a place. In the end, they made up almost one-third of the complement of the first orchestra. At each concert in that first tour, Heath conducted the overture, which consisted of the national anthem of the host country and the anthem of Europe, Ode To Joy. So could he have assaulted some of the young musicians, as the former police officer suggested this week? The Mail has contacted a number of British former members of the early orchestra, none of whom recalled being aware of anything untoward involving their famous conductor. One violinist who joined at its inception described Heath as a remote figure whose Special Branch protection officers discouraged the young musicians from approaching him off stage. Of course, Heath being a very private man did not mean he was necessarily hiding an outrageous secret. Nor did being gay mean that he had a predilection for underage boys. Indeed, much of what has been alleged this week is questionable in the extreme. But that is not to say there may not be some truth in some of the allegations. Former Fleet Street journalist Alun Rees, who spent 20 years investigating the PIE, told this newspaper that Heath’s name had appeared in a dossier of Westminster paedophiles compiled by the controversial Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens, who made a number of allegations about sex abuse among the political elite during the 1980s. Meanwhile, award-winning local journalist Don Hale, long-time editor of the Bury Messenger, says that he was approached in 1984 by Labour Party grandee and child protection campaigner Barbara Castle, with what he understood to be a feature from the Magpie magazine published by the PIE group. It was, he told us this week, ‘about Heath offering weekend trips for boys from Jersey on his yacht. Heath had a number of racing craft named Morning Cloud. ‘She deliberately showed me this and asked what I thought. I was a little confused and asked her “You don’t mean [this is true]?” — and she nodded, and said yes.’ Again, not conclusive. Heath took up competitive yachting in the mid-Sixties, on the advice of Tory image-makers who wanted him to have public interests which went beyond classical music. As the Mail reported this week, the timeline of his involvement with sailing undermines the claims of the man previously mentioned who says he was raped in 1961 by Heath in a London flat in which yachting pictures were hung on the walls. Heath did not take up the sport until years after the alleged rape. Allegations that Heath may have taken boys aboard his yacht now appear to be at the centre of the Jersey police interest in him. Ocean wave: At the helm of his yacht Morning Cloud in 1975, months after being ousted as Tory leader A public inquiry into historic abuse of children within the island’s residential care system began last year. A police investigation had recorded 553 alleged offences, more than half of which were committed at Haut de la Garenne Children’s Home. The internet is now awash with sensational allegations that Heath invited boys from Haut de la Garenne for pleasure trips on his boat. Once aboard, they were abused and, the more outre accusers say, murdered and their bodies thrown overboard. Yesterday’s Daily Mirror carried a report about a woman named Linda Corby, who claims that in the early 1970s she saw 11 boys aged between six and 11 — from the notorious Haut de la Garenne home — board Heath’s yacht, but that when they returned hours later from a sailing trip, only ten children disembarked. Ms Corby, an author, claimed that when she went to the police to make a statement a few days later, along with a local politician who had also been a witness, officers told her ‘someone above’ had told them not to investigate. It is not clear if there is any independent evidence to back up her claim. One person who could not be relied upon to give truthful evidence is the woman who sparked this week’s furore, the former Salisbury brothel keeper ‘Madame Ling-Ling’, who is alleged to have threatened to expose the former prime minister as a paedophile — a suggestion she denies. She was once described by a judge as being a ‘thoroughly unscrupulous’ person, when she was jailed for forcing children as young as 13 to work after school in her brothel, a mile from Sir Edward’s mansion, which he bought in 1985. A former associate of Madame Ling-Ling called her a ‘compulsive liar’. Yesterday, Myra Ling-Ling Forde — aka Madame Ling-Ling — confirmed she was due to be interviewed by Scotland Yard detectives. Speaking outside her flat in North-West London, she went on to claim that she had a cache of papers containing ‘all the names’ which she would make available to investigators. The 67-year-old initially said she had been told not to speak about the scandal. She continued: ‘I was told strictly by my solicitor, because I can’t — I am going to be interviewed by Scotland Yard.’ Asked if the interview was in connection with the Ted Heath probe, she replied: ‘Yes.’ ‘They will know everything because of the papers’, she continued. ‘Not newspapers. Papers from the trial. I have them all in a pile, a pile of papers from when I went to court. All the names and everything.’ Sir Edward Heath (pictured as leader of the Conservative party in the 1960's) was a very private man but that did not mean he was necessarily hiding an outrageous secret One is minded to believe that when she was facing trial in 1992, she brought the rough and ready survival instincts of the Manila back streets from which she emerged to bear on a sleepy English cathedral city and a famous man who had long been a target of rumour. And yet now those rumours won’t go away. A few days ago, a second retired police officer contacted this newspaper. Though because of the sensitive nature of the unfolding investigation he did not want to be named, he recalled being at a CID course at the Hendon police college in June 1978 — the time that Heath was embarking on the first youth orchestra tour. His class was being addressed by a lawyer from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (then Sir Thomas Hetherington). The speaker having invited questions from the floor, one officer, known to be a detective sergeant in Special Branch — the police arm of the security services — stood up and asked: ‘As we have a file on Edward Heath, why hasn’t he been prosecuted for young boys?’ The man from the DPP hastily ducked the question, the former detective recalls. This week, the questions about Sir Edward Heath came thick and fast. Yet it should be reiterated that nothing which has yet been unearthed amounts to solid evidence that the former Tory leader committed any offences whatsoever. Now, with seven police forces investigating historic claims, we must wait to see what other allegations will be levelled against this enigmatic man. Edward Heath fixed it for Jimmy Savile to receive OBE and attended Paedophile Information Exchange meetings Edward Heath backed paedophile Jimmy Savile for a royal honour – two years after the previous Prime Minister warned the Queen against it, reports the Sunday People. Savile was passed over for an MBE a month before the former Conservative leader moved into No10, the Sunday People can reveal. But less than two years after Heath took office, the TV presenter – exposed after his death as a serial child-sex abuser – was awarded the HIGHER honour of an OBE. Heath later appeared on Savile’s BBC TV show Jim’ll Fix It when it was one of the nation’s favourites. We can also reveal that Heath, under investigation by seven police forces over child abuse claims, was present at more than half a dozen Westminster meetings of the notorious Paedophile Information Exchange. Government files show that in May 1970 the Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson did “not wish to submit the name of Mr Jimmy Savile for an MBE in the Birthday List”. Heath took office weeks later after a June General Election and stayed in power until 1974. And records reveal how Savile was put forward for an OBE midway through Heath’s stint as PM. The award was made in the New Year’s Honours List of 1972. Top of the Pops presenter Savile officially received the honour in March of that year. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/edward-heath-fixed-jimmy-savile-6 220604 Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 4:12 pm Post subject: WHat hapened about this? Sweet FA. Another useless police force that don't care about VIP state criminals in their midst Police face quiz over Savile 'club' Serving police officers who took part in disgraced BBC presenter Jimmy Savile's "breakfast club" meetings at his home are to be quizzed by West Yorkshire Police, the force has confirmed. PUBLISHED: 19:43, Thu, Feb 28, 2013 \| UPDATED: 05:45, Fri, Mar 1, 2013 http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/380929/Police-face-quiz-over-Savile-c lub It said it has "identified some individuals who were in the so-called Friday Morning Breakfast Club" - a weekly gathering of the late Top of the Pops host's friends at his Leeds penthouse. In October, West Yorkshire Police said it had no information about officers attending the gathering but that they were free to do what they wished when off duty. However, on Thursday a force spokesman said police did attend, and while there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the officers - some of whom are still serving - they are being questioned to find out more about the meetings. The spokesman added: "Local officers working in the community were invited by Savile to his home for a coffee. "At that time the force was encouraging community officers to interact more with residents in their area. "The officers usually visited on a Friday. It was usual for other friends of Savile to be present drinking coffee and chatting. "They have explained their attendance and we reiterate that there has been no evidence forthcoming of any wrongdoing by any West Yorkshire Police employee, past or current. "However we are now carrying out further inquiries to obtain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the contact between West Yorkshire Police officers and Savile at the so-called Friday Morning Breakfast Club." The meetings are believed to have taken place for around 20 years and were hosted at Savile's luxury penthouse, which recently sold for £75,000 below the £325,000 asking price and will be extensively redeveloped, according to its new owners. A ‘magic circle’ of top legal figures may have protected Lord Janner when he faced a police probe over an alleged child sex offence, it was claimed last night. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3117651/Judges-saved-Janner-ch ild-sex-inquiry-Cover-fears-Labour-peers-link-senior-legal-figures.htm l The Mail revealed yesterday that the Labour peer is at the centre of an investigation into claims he abused a teenage boy in Scotland in the 1970s. Today it can be revealed that senior personnel running the Scottish judicial and prosecution service at the time the complaint was made against the peer were key figures in the so-called ‘magic circle’ scandal of the early 1990s. It centred around claims that top Scottish judges, sheriffs and advocates had been compromised by gay liaisons. But this is now believed to have been a smokescreen for a paedophile ring operating in the heart of Edinburgh’s legal establishment – claims which are also under police investigation. Police in Scotland have launched a probe into whether a complaint made against Lord Janner in 1991 was properly dealt with. It yesterday piled pressure on the Crown Prosecution Service in England to reconsider a decision not to charge him with other alleged child sex crimes, on the grounds he has dementia. Lord Janner’s family have issued a statement insisting he is ‘entirely innocent of any wrongdoing’. One of his alleged victims claimed the ex-MP took him to Scotland in the 1970s, and that during the trip he was subjected to serious sexual assaults. That alleged victim made a report at an Edinburgh police station in 1991. But the Crown Office – Scotland’s prosecution service – maintains that its officials did not receive a report about the claims. The Mail revealed yesterday police in Scotland spent several weeks combing through archives and have now found documents relating to the case – sparking a renewed investigation. British justice is rotten to the core, writes MP Simon Danczuk Sir William Sutherland, 81, who was in charge of the now-defunct Lothian and Borders Police at that time of the Scottish inquiry, told the Mail last night that he could not recall the complaint, adding: ‘When I retired, that door was closed.’ Investigation: Police in Scotland have launched a probe into whether a complaint made against Lord Janner in 1991 was properly dealt with. Above, Lord Janner with then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997 +3 Investigation: Police in Scotland have launched a probe into whether a complaint made against Lord Janner in 1991 was properly dealt with. Above, Lord Janner with then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997 Under Sir William’s command, the force was rocked by the ‘Fettesgate’ controversy, which saw a highly sensitive report on the magic circle scandal stolen from the force headquarters. Lord Janner, 86, has been told that if it were not for his illness, he would have been charged with 22 historical child sex offences. Some of the central figures in charge of police and prosecution service at the time of the Lord Janner complaint in Scotland were to become mired in the ‘magic circle’ scandal. Lord Rodger, later Scotland’s top judge, announced an inquiry into the magic circle allegations in 1992, after he had become Lord Advocate. That inquiry ultimately found there was no evidence to support claims of a conspiracy in the justice system. Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:46 pm Post subject: Alan Yentob 'branded BBC journalists traitors over Savile exposé' The corporation's creative director 'categorically denies' claims that he made the comments about Meirion Jones and Liz MacKean http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11887548/Alan-Yentob-branded-BBC-j ournalists-traitors-over-Savile-expose.html By Camilla Turner11:03AM BST 24 Sep 2015 The BBC’s creative director accused the journalists who exposed the corporation’s cover-up of Jimmy Savile’s crimes of being “traitors”, the former Newsnight investigations head claims. According to Meirion Jones, Alan Yentob made the alleged comment about him and Liz MacKean to a colleague after they contributed to the Panorama exposé “Savile – What The BBC Knew”. Mr Jones and Ms MacKean led the 2011 Newsnight investigation into Savile’s sex abuse, which was blocked from broadcast by BBC bosses. Jimmy Savile Photo: PA The programme revealed the organisation’s attempts to stop Newsnight exposing Savile as a paedophile who carried out attacks on BBC premises. “A BBC colleague abused as a child wrote to Tony Hall [director general] to complain about the Savile affair,” Mr Jones told Spectator Life magazine. “In his email, he says he approached Yentob just after Panorama broadcast a film about whether or not there had been a cover-up at the BBC. "He claims that Yentob denounced us. ‘Liz MacKean and Meirion Jones are traitors to the BBC,’ Yentob told him.” The BBC’s decision to shelve Newsnight's Savile documentary plunged the corporation into one of the biggest crises in its history, and led to its then director general, George Entwistle, losing his job. Mr Yentob, 68, denies making the comment. A BBC spokesman said: “Alan says this is categorically not true." Liz MacKean and Meirion Jones, who worked on the dropped Newsnight investigation of Jimmy Savile, say the Pollard report found the decision to axe their programme was "flawed". Liz MacKean and Meirion Jones worked on the dropped Newsnight investigation of Jimmy Savile It is understood that Mr Yentob will be quizzed by the BBC’s sex abuse inquiry over the Louis Theroux film “When Louis Met Jimmy” in which the DJ failed to deny that he was a child abuser. Mr Yentob was the BBC's director of television at the time of the Theroux documentary, but has denied having any involvement in the commissioning or production of the programme. Tory MP Philip Davies told the Daily Mail that, if correct, the revelation made Mr Yentob’s position and salary, thought to be around £330,000-a-year, “untenable”. Mr Jones said Mr Yentob’s attempts to intervene with the BBC’s coverage of the Kids Company charity was reminiscent of the BBC’s cover-up of the Savile scandal. The charity founder Camila Batmanghelidjh He said it was “abundantly clear” that Mr Yentob should not have been “haranguing” reporters about the charity which he chaired. The former Newsnight producer went on: “Some involved in the present showdown even feared that, if they persevered, they might be forced to leave the BBC, as Liz and I had done, and the parallels with our battle with management over Savile were obvious.” Mr Yentob admitted that he had intervened over the broadcaster’s coverage of the Kids Company collapse. He said he had demanded to know why the Newsnight programme had not given the charity a right of reply in its report. • Panorama investigates Newsnight decision to drop Jimmy Savile probe • Pressure growing on Alan Yentob and fellow trustees after Kids Company closure Mr Yentob will be grilled by MPs over the collapse of Kids Company at the public administration and constitutional affairs select committee next month. A BBC spokesman said: “The fact that the BBC broke this story shows that our journalism has been impartial and in the public interest. “Everyone knows that Alan Yentob is the Creative Director of the BBC and doesn't have any editorial control over BBC News. He is chair of Kids Company and can speak to media outlets about issues related to them.” The spokesman added that it would be inappropriate to comment on Dame Janet Smith’s inquiry until the Review publishes its report. Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2015 12:15 am Post subject: Tuesday 6th October - BBC VIPaedophile Panorama documentary Tuesday 6th October - BBC VIPaedophile Panorama documentary Given that John Mann MP is saying BBC Panorama were handed a complete copy of the Dickens dossier on scores of VIPaedophiles in the 1980s Let's see how far the whitewash goes Former Police Officer Steve: Our Investigation into VIP Paedophile ring was "cancelled night before arrests were to be made" https://audioboom.com/boos/2669399-former-police-officer-steve-our-inv estigation-into-vip-paedophile-ring-was-cancelled-night-before-arrests -were-to-be-made#t=2m43s Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 11:06 pm Post subject: THE LOUSE & THE FLEA: PANORAMA, EXARO & THE VIP PAEDOPHILE SAGA In 1812, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their first volume of fairy tales, Kinder- und Hausmärchen. Tale Number 30 told the story of The Louse and The Flea. http://timtate.co.uk/category/blog/ In the tale, a flea and a louse happily share a home until one day the louse dies while brewing beer in an eggshell. What follows is a chain reaction of catastrophe, as the flea and then various household objects get dragged into a downward spiral. This eventually envelops a human child and a stream; finally the water from the stream overflows and drowns the flea, the louse, the child and everything in the little house. Yesterday, news and social media were swamped by the latest row in the highly politicised saga of investigations into an alleged network of VIP paedophiles. The cause was a much-delayed one-hour Panorama programme which purported to answer the question “What’s The Truth ?” Panorama sought to examine these allegations – of which more shortly – and, more specifically, how they came to dominate the news, social media and police agendas over the past 18 months. Doing so brought it squarely into conflict with Exaro News – a self-proclaimed online “investigative news service”. Exaro has made most of the running in the VIP paedophile saga and, in happier times, the BBC itself had maintained a working relationship with its journalists. The BBC programme makers’ decision to investigate the origins of what , lest we forget, is a very expensive police enquiry, produced howls of outrage from Exaro and its supporters. Exaro’s grandly-styled Editor-in-Chief, Mark Watts, took to Twitter to denounce the film (which he had not seen) as a plan “to smear survivors of child sex abuse”; for good measure he accused the Panorama reporter, Daniel Foggo, of having a “conflict of interest” on the extraordinary grounds that as a child he (Foggo) had lived on the same street as Sir Peter Morrison, a deceased Tory MP who unquestionably had a sexual interest in children. Just as the sequential disaster unleashed by the louse and the flea expanded exponentially, so too did the battle between Exaro and the BBC draw in new players. Exaro reported that the Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into allegations that one of its officers leaked to Panorama personal information about the key complainants in the VIP paedophile saga; the Met followed this up with an additional statement denouncing the programme for its potential to deter victims of abuse from coming forward. And to cap it all, MPs who had once campaigned for better child abuse investigation found themselves pointing fingers of blame at each other. Before examining the behaviour of Exaro and the BBC it is worth recalling the key allegations in this tale. According to a witness known only as “Nick”, he and other under-age boys were abused, tortured and – in three cases – murdered by a group of paedophiles at two addresses in London. Among the men he has named are former Prime Minister Edward Heath, former Home Secretary Leon Brittan, former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, as well as senior army officers and spies. These allegations are being investigated by Operation Midland. (Mr Proctor, for the record, roundly denounced the allegations at a televised press conference in August). The broad thrust of “Nick’s” claims is alleged by Exaro to have been supported by a man known only as “Darren”, and a woman (who has waived her right to anonymity) called Esther Baker. Beyond Midland’s remit is another police enquiry – Operation Fernbridge (formerly Fernbank). This has was set up to examine (primarily) allegations that in the late 1970s or early 1980s children were taken from council-run care homes to be abused at the Elm Guest House in Barnes, South-West London. In or around 2012 what purported to be a “guest list” of clients at EGH was put up on the internet. It contained a number of famous names including Cyril Smith MP (then deceased and recently-outed as an abuser of boys) and Leon Brittan. Declaration of interest: in 2013 and 2014 I met and interviewed senior detectives from Operation Fairbank/Fernbridge. I was not the only journalist to do so: the officers were – then – remarkably open and honest about the task they had been set. And it was a very difficult task. From the outset, Fairbank/Fernbridge was hampered by two serious problems. The first was one of resources: its team was very small – just seven officers – and struggled to get the financial resources to carry out its enquiries. The second was Exaro News and the group of informants which had coalesced around it. Two of the key figures in this were a former social worker called Chris Fay and a deeply-damaged man who, after meeting Fay, had first made allegations about abuse by VIPs at EGH in the early 1990s. Fay had met Carole Kasir, the co-owner of EGH, in or around 1989 – seven years after the guest house was raided and shut down. After Kasir died Fay began campaigning to expose what he claimed she had told him about politicians and celebrities who abused children at the premises. He claimed Kasir had shown him a list of names: he copied this down and, in time, it would become the “guest list” whose posting on the internet led to Fairbank/Fernbridge. He also alleged that Kasir had shown him photographs of her clients, including two showing Leon Brittan in compromising circumstances. Unfortunately, Fay has never been able produce these photographs. Worse, he has both a conviction for serious dishonesty, and a habit of associating himself with proponents of extraordinarily wild conspiracy theories (notably the bizarre “film-maker”, Bill Maloney). Fairbank/Fernbridge detectives interviewed Fay. They quickly came to the (correct) view that the so-called EGH “guest list” had no evidential value, since it was hearsay, not created by a first-hand witness to events and had no reliable chain of custody. They also interviewed the man who had taken up with Fay in the early 1990s. This man – then calling himself “Andrew” – had published versions of his stories on-line. He proved to be a voluble – and volatile – witness. When I first met the officers from Fairbank/Fernbridge they were in the middle of conducting a succession of very long interviews with him at a location several hundred miles outside London. The detectives were convinced that “Andrew” had indeed endured sexual abuse as a child, but were concerned at serious inconsistencies in his statements. They were also deeply worried about the continuing involvement of Fay and Maloney – and, with Fay’s help, of Exaro News. “Andrew” told the officers that these contacts were unwelcome and being forced on him by Fay. They moved Andrew to a safe house and set up surveillance: the senior officer told me that he if Fay and Maloney turned up he planned to arrest them for attempting to pervert the course of justice. But the surveillance revealed something different. It showed that “Andrew” was inviting Fay and Maloney to meet with him. Not unreasonably, this raised further doubts about “Andrew’s” reliability. That problem was further underlined by a story in Exaro. This claimed that Fairbank/Fernbridge had seized a videotape which showed an ex-Cabinet minister (although he was not named this was clearly Leon Brittan) in compromising circumstances at Elm Guest House. I spoke with the detectives the day after this story appeared. Not only did they deny it point blank, they explained how it had come about. “Andrew” had told Exaro that a senior Fairbank/Fernbridge detective had told him that the team had seized the video. Exaro did not bother to check this claim with the police. It would not be the last time Exaro published unchecked or downright false stories about the VIP paedophile enquiries. Exaro’s journalists were contacted by “Nick” in 2014. The news website began running a series of stories based on his claims. At that stage it had no corroboration of any sort for the allegations. I – and others – have repeatedly asked Mark Watts whether it attempted any sort of due diligence investigation before publishing. He has never replied. However, the website’s journalists have dropped hints that there was a corroborative source: the man known as “Andrew”. Doubts about Exaro’s methods were re-enforced by two separate events. The first was the long strange saga of Leon Brittan and the Customs Officer. A full account of this can be found on this blog, dated August 4: but in essence, Exaro published a story claiming that a retired Customs officer had been recording telling a journalist that in 1982 he had impounded a film and/or video which showed Brittan in sexual circumstances with a child. The story was simply and pitifully untrue. When the recording surfaced, it showed clearly that the journalist (working for the Express) had tried but failed to get the ex-customs officer to confirm this allegation. He did not do so. Exaro’s reaction to being challenged on this (and on its other ‘scoops’) has been to denounce those who ask questions as “spies” or “useful idiots” for the intelligence services. For good measure it pronounced me to be “a disgrace to journalism”. The second event was the arrival in the sage of a man known as “Darren”. The stories he told were similar to those of “Nick”, and involved some of the same perpetrators and locations. Exaro duly decided that even though (by “Darren’s own admission) the abuse he endured took place a decade later than “Nick’s”, this provided corroboration of Nick’s claims of abuse, torture and murder. How much due diligence did Exaro devote to checking “Darren” out ? Mark Watts does not reply to such questions, but had he or his staff done any research they would have discovered that “Darren” has a conviction for a bomb hoax and has previously made false confessions to rape and murder. This does not automatically mean he cannot be believed: it should, however, raise questions about how much reliance can be placed on his evidence. Despite this, Exaro arranged for “Darren” and others in its stable of complainants to take part in an Australian television programme on the VIP paedophile alegations. That film presented their claims as established fact and was the worst piece of reporting on child sexual abuse allegations (a crowded field) that I have ever seen. If, pace the Grimms, Exaro is the louse in the story, what of the BBC ? Despite the outraged denunciations of the past two days, the Panorama programme was actually something of a damp squib. It provided very little new information, merely repeating the widely-published facts about Mssrs Fay, Watts, “Nick” and “Darren”. And had it confined itself to that tepid ‘once over lightly” it might not have been drawn into the spiral of calamity begun by the lousy efforts of Exaro. Sadly, it did not. Firstly, it conducted an interview with “Andrew” (now re-christened as “David”) in which he said that he had never intended to name Leon Brittan, but that the name had been suggested to him by Fay and others. In purely procedural terms the Panorama team did everything right: it shot “David/Andrew” in semi-silhouette and used an actor to re-voice his words so that there could no fear of identifying him. It also – rightly – reported at least some of his lamentable history of unreliability and (again righty) wondered aloud whether this invalidated his testimony. And there lies the problem: Panorama relied on what it acknowledged was a highly unreliable witness to demolish the foundations of Exaro’s equally questionable stable of complainants. The flea was dragged into the louse’s spiral. But Panorama’s worst offence concerned Brittan himself. It wheeled out testimony from former colleagues of the late politician to portray him as a man terribly and wrongly traduced as a paedophile. Yet as Panorama knows (or should know) there is strong evidence to indicate that Brittan had a sexual interest in children. As I have reported elsewhere, tucked in the files of Operation Fairbank/Fernbridge is a formal 2014 statement from the ex-customs officer. This, of course, denounces Exaro’s bogus story about the 1982 videos and films; but it also contains the startling – and detailed – account of how at a later date the ex-customs officer stopped Brittan as he arrived at Dover. A search of Brittan’s car yielded a child pornography videotape which, even 30 years later, the contents of which the ex-customs officer was able to describe. In seeking – quite rightly – to hold the Exaro/Chris Fay-generated stories of abuse torture and murder up to the light, Panorama fell into the trap of dismissing all the clear and unequivocal evidence of VIP or politically-protected paedophiles (Cyril Smith, Peter Morrisson, Sir Peter Hayman to name but three). This, as I and others have warned previously, is precisely the polarisation and entrenched shouting match which will lead to a backlash: a spiral of catastrophe which will engulf all those around the louse and the flea, and drown out the voices of those who have been genuinely abused. It is a cliché to say that one of the biggest problems of modern Britain is its media. In the particular case of child sexual abuse that cliché is horribly, miserably true. In the feverish atmosphere of claim and counterclaim, patient and forensic sifting of evidence is abandoned. Indeed, those of use who try to do so find themselves denounced by those who see only black and white as “running with the hare, while hunting with the hounds”. I do not know whether the claims made by “Nick”, “Darren” Esther, or “Andrew/David” have any factual basis. They are – quite properly – being investigated by police. What I do know is that the vicious ideological trench warfare being conducted by my fellow journalists (who likewise do not know what is true and what is not) can only hinder quiet, patient enquiries and ultimately damage the efforts of those whose job it is to protect children. Flea and louse, louse and flea: tell me – what, really, is the difference ? Former Yorkshire TV & First Tuesday producer Tim Tate on Oct 2015 BBC Panorama The VIPaedophile Ring https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkD7bFA4gRs Interview with Tim Tate, author and documentary film maker – he discusses this week's child sex abuse episode of Panorama 'The Truth'. Evidence Tory Home Secretary Leon Brittan possessed child pornography but was 'let off' and he was never going to stand trial for it. How Mark Watts' Exaro News agency in London began with a £5m loan which they are now about half way through. Why was so much evidence of a VIPaedophile ring missing from this 'What's The Truth' Panorama? The media are having to investigate crimes that should be properly investigated by the police. London's LBC radio reports paedophile investigation was shut down the night before mass arrests were due to be made. https://politicsthisweek.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/bcfm-politics-show-p resented-by-tony-gosling-2/ The second event was the arrival in the saga of a man known as “Darren”. The stories he told were similar to those of “Nick”, and involved some of the same perpetrators and locations. Exaro duly decided that even though (by “Darren’s own admission) the abuse he endured took place a decade later than “Nick’s”, this provided corroboration of Nick’s claims of abuse, torture and murder. How much due diligence did Exaro devote to checking “Darren” out? “Darren” has a conviction for a bomb hoax and has previously made false confessions to rape and murder. This does not automatically mean he cannot be believed: it should, however, raise questions about how much reliance can be placed on his evidence. Despite this, Exaro arranged for “Darren” and others in its stable of complainants to take part in an Australian television programme on the VIP paedophile alegations. That film presented their claims as established fact and was the worst piece of reporting on child sexual abuse allegations (a crowded field) that I have ever seen. If, pace the Grimms, Exaro is the louse in the story, what of the BBC? Despite the outraged denunciations of the past two days, the Panorama programme was actually something of a damp squib. It provided very little new information, merely repeating the widely-published facts about Mssrs Fay, Watts, “Nick” and “Darren”. And had it confined itself to that tepid ‘once over lightly” it might not have been drawn into the spiral of calamity begun by the lousy efforts of Exaro. Sadly, it did not. Firstly, it conducted an interview with “Andrew” (now re-christened as “David”) in which he said that he had never intended to name Leon Brittan, but that the name had been suggested to him by Fay and others. In purely procedural terms the Panorama team did everything right: And there lies the problem: Panorama relied on what it acknowledged was a highly unreliable witness to demolish the foundations of Exaro’s equally questionable stable of complainants. The flea was dragged into the louse’s spiral. repeat post - but SO explosive Peter McKelvie, 65, said senior politicians, military figures and even people linked to the Royal Family were among the alleged abusers Jimmy Savile victim claims 5 more drivers linked to his abuse 23:47, 17 OCT 2015 BY MATTHEW DRAKE Georgina Martin, who was 13 when she met the DJ in 1982, claims she was once “pimped out” to one of them http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jimmy-savile-victim-claims-5-6654 818 A Jimmy Savile victim who fears the DJ may have fathered her child has told police about five other men she believes were linked to his depravity. Georgina Martin, who was 13 when she met the DJ in 1982, claims she was once “pimped out” to one of them. She says all five were drivers for Savile in the 1980s who would take the schoolgirl to his Leeds home . Police are now trying to trace the men, four of whom Georgina believes were younger than Savile, who died in 2011 aged 84, meaning they may still be alive. Georgina, 46, who has waived her right to anonymity, said: “On one occasion Savile sent me out for the day with one of his drivers, pimping me out effectively.” Georgina believes known Savile drivers Ray Teret and David Smith were not among the five. Teret was convicted of seven rapes and 11 indecent assaults last year. Smith was found dead on the day he was due for a sex abuse trial in 2013. Just like Lenny Harper in Jersey - Herewith - the purpose of the documentary! Off the case: Detective who said VIP child sex abuse claims were 'credible' is replaced as head of shambolic Operation Midland Detective Superintendent Kenny McDonald removed as investigation chief He had controversially described a key witness as being 'credible and true' Theresa May distanced herself from the force's Leon Brittan rape inquiry By STEPHEN WRIGHT ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3280128/Off-case-Detective-sai d-VIP-child-sex-abuse-claims-credible-replaced-head-Operation-Midland. html PUBLISHED: 00:29, 20 October 2015 \| UPDATED: 00:41, 20 October 2015 Scotland Yard's shambolic investigation into alleged VIP child sex abuse and murder inched closer to collapse last night after a new officer was put in charge. Detective Superintendent Kenny McDonald, who controversially described a key witness as being 'credible and true', has been replaced as head of Operation Midland. It was confirmed last night that Det Supt McDonald had been removed from the inquiry as part of a shake-up widely seen in key circles as the 'beginning of the end' for Operation Midland. The news came as Home Secretary Theresa May distanced herself from the force's Leon Brittan rape inquiry, saying police should tell suspects in a 'timely' way if they have been cleared. Detective Superintendent Kenny McDonald, who controversially described a key witness as being 'credible and true', has been replaced as head of Operation Midland She made her dissatisfaction clear after it emerged that detectives were told on four occasions there were no grounds to charge the Tory peer after he was accused of rape by a Labour activist with severe mental health problems. Lord Brittan died in January at 75 without being told he had been cleared. The restructuring of the Operation Midland team was announced ahead of a hearing tomorrow of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, when Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will be quizzed over the unravelling VIP abuse fiasco. The Met has been under pressure to shelve the investigation since the Mail told last month how detectives had 'grave doubts' about the testimony of a man known as Nick whose allegations of triple murder involving the top tier of the security establishment triggered the probe. After spending nearly a year on the case, officers have found 'not a shred of credible evidence' to back up claims that a string of senior Establishment figures were responsible for murdering three boys in the Seventies and Eighties. The restructuring of the Operation Midland team was announced ahead of a hearing tomorrow of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, when Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe (pictured) will be quizzed over the unravelling VIP abuse fiasco Earlier, Mrs May piled pressure on Sir Bernard over the refusal of officers to abandon the case against Sir Leon for almost three years A number of other exposes by this newspaper in recent weeks have cast further doubt on other alleged victims of VIP child sex abuse. In a statement issued last night, which made no mention of Detective Supt McDonald, the Met said it had 'brought together all the various strands of non-recent child abuse allegations under a newly formed investigation team led by Detective Superintendent Ang Scott'. Det Supt Scott will run Operation Midland and Operation Fairbank, which began in 2012 to look into claims of child abuse at the Elm Guesthouse in Barnes, South West London, and at other locations. The statement said: 'As Operations Midland and Fairbank have progressed officers identified a number of people and locations common to both enquiries. 'It is therefore operationally important to have the same officer in charge. This team will also be responsible for the preparatory work to support the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. 'This team will continue to investigate the various operations that are ongoing, including those historical allegations of impropriety by police officers dealing with sexual abuse in the period 1970-2005.' Earlier, Mrs May piled pressure on Sir Bernard over the refusal of officers to abandon the case against Sir Leon for almost three years. On Friday, the Met admitted detectives had been aware since September 2013 that there was 'not a strong case' against Lord Brittan. The restructuring of the Operation Midland team was announced ahead of a hearing tomorrow of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, when Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will be quizzed over the unravelling VIP abuse fiasco.... Off the case: Detective who said VIP child sex abuse claims were 'credible' is replaced as head of 'shambolic' Operation Midland Ex-deputy director of MI6 is named by MP as 'key' figure who 'manipulated' Westminster VIP paedophile ring John Mann said George Kennedy Young was 'key' to paedophile claims Labour MP said ex-deputy director of MI6 took part in 'dubious' activities Mann added Mr Young was a 'manipulator' who controlled groups of people within which there were paedophile rings in the 1970s or 1980s PUBLISHED: 21:07, 4 November 2015 \| UPDATED: 10:10, 5 November 2015 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3304214/Ex-deputy-director-MI6 -named-MP-key-figure-manipulated-Westminster-VIP-paedophile-ring.html A former deputy director of MI6 is 'key' to allegations surrounding a VIP paedophile ring in Westminster, an MP has claimed. Labour MP John Mann said the late George Kennedy Young, known as GK Young, was involved in 'dubious' political activity, including establishing a 'private army'. He added Mr Young, who later became involved in right wing politics, was a 'manipulator' who controlled groups of people within which there were paedophile rings in the 1970s or 1980s. Mr Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, claimed he had been handed a copy of the dossier of evidence that was given by Conservative MP Geoffrey Dickens to then Home Secretary Leon Brittan in 1984. The so-called 'Dickens dossier' named several prominent paedophiles. An independent review into the Home Office's handling of child abuse allegations failed to locate a copy of the documents. It reported last year that there was no evidence to support claims of an official cover-up, but warned it was impossible to draw firm conclusions because of shortcomings in the paper records. Mr Mann called for the Wanless review to be reopened to find out what happened to the files, which he claims should have prompted investigation. In a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Mann said Mr Young, who died in 1990, had been named in the first line of the document. Former prison worker ready to name Establishment figures in child sex abuse scandal By Western Morning News \| Posted: July 11, 2014 http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/prison-worker-ready-Establishment- figures-child/story-21451466-detail/story.html Barrie Trower from Liverton, Devon, who claims he has information regarding a mssing Whitehall document. A former prison worker claims he contributed to the missing paedophile dossier by handing over names of VIPs and MPs who were coercing teenage rent boys behind bars. Barrie Trower, 68, says he was recruited by M15 to work as a spy in the education department of Wormwood Scrubs jail in the 1960s and 1970s. His role was to secretly record details of senior politicians, top police officers in the Met and high-ranking civil servants who had links with inmates. The former science teacher claims he pooled together a string of damning facts from unsuspecting inmates - including teenage rent boys. Many of them admitted spending weekends with MPs, taking part in spa trips and weekend breaks. Barrie also says he saw and heard officials including MPs contacting teenagers in the prison to try and buy their silence by offering to get them freed. He claims his information including letters and phone calls between inmates and VIPs was part of the Westminster child abuse dossier which went missing in the 1980s. Barrie says that during his time at the prison, between 1967 and 1978, he passed on the intimate details of 16 VIPs, whose extra-curricular activities were disclosed to him. He added that one of the accused politicians - who he named - was a household figure who has since died. Barrie, of Newton Abbot, Devon said he was working as a teacher and scientist when he was approached to take on a job as a PE teacher and spy at the jail in 1967. He said: "My main job was to obtain information from these vulnerable youngsters about paedophile activity within the establishment. "I was trained over about a 14 month period to just listen and gather information that could be useful for MI5 and MI6 whilst I was teaching. "I would have to be on the lookout for paedophiles and homosexuals and especially those within the establishment, for example police officers, civil servants and MPs. "There were around 233 boys and girls that I was responsible for. There were a group of the boys, who I would describe as "pretty boys", many of them were rent boys. "They would talk about very famous faces who had been at parties and events messing around with these boys, many of them were between 11-15. "Ministers, police and civil servants, many of them known to the public were known by the public. "Often the boys would get phone calls from these people, which obviously have to be logged, as well as letters which again we kept records of. "They would have messages from MPs and Civil Servants saying things like: 'You won't do the full two year sentence, I'll make sure you're out in 16 weeks'." Mr Trower started working at the prison as a physical education teacher in 1967. He had been working as a science teacher and research scientist but was approached by the Government to take on a spying role in the prison. As part of his role he was trained to detect spies, paedophiles and homosexuals and would give daily verbal revelations of links between inmates and VIPs. Barrie explained the information he disclosed was passed on to four security officers who then handed the information on to MI5. The revelations were then collated into 114 files which has since gone missing in a suspected cover-up. He said: ''I would speak to the boys on a daily basis and they would start to name drop. "I said to them that it must be nice to have friends like that and they would say 'they drive me around in their Jaguars, teach me how to swim and take me to saunas'. "I was well trained - I know blackmail when I see it and those rent boys were being blackmailed." The Home Office is facing calls to explain why a 1980s dossier about alleged paedophiles at Westminster was "destroyed" by officials. The document was handed to then Home Secretary Leon Brittan by Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens. Lord Brittan passed concerns in it to the relevant authorities, but the file itself was not kept. Labour MP Simon Danczuk said it may contain evidence that would identify child sex abusers. The Home Office said a 2013 review found the "credible" elements of the dossier which had "realistic potential" for further investigation were sent to police and prosecutors. It added that other elements in the report were either not retained, or were destroyed. Barrie says the only person he will disclose the MP names to is judge Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss who is leading a non-statutory inquiry into the affair. I was raped at the aged of 4 by Scots Tory MP who was one of Margaret Thatcher’s closest allies 09:15, 14 AUG 2014 UPDATED 09:20, 15 AUG 2014 BY DAILYRECORD.CO.UK SUSIE Henderson, who has waived her right to anonymity, claims she suffered appalling abuse at the hands of Sir Nicholas Fairbairn. Nicholas Fairbairn A woman has claimed she was raped at the age of four by a senior Tory MP who was one of Margaret Thatcher’s closest allies. The late Conservative politician, who was appointed solicitor general for Scotland by Mrs Thatcher when she became prime minister, has been linked to the child abuse scandal threatening to engulf Westminster. Last month evidence came to light which suggests Sir Nicholas may have visited the Elm Guest House which serial abuser Cyril Smith attended. The property in Barnes, south-west London, is the focus of a Scotland Yard investigation into an alleged Establishment paedophile ring in the 1980s. The evidence emerged weeks after Home Secretary Theresa May announced a Hillsborough-style inquiry into claims of paedophile activities in Parliament and other public institutions. Now, Miss Henderson, 48, has told how she was raped as a young child by Sir Nicholas – and that she also suffered years of sexual assaults by her late father, prominent Scottish QC Robert Henderson, who was a friend of the MP. Speaking in the Daily Mail she said of Sir Nicholas: “I hated that man. More than I hated my father. He just really wasn’t a nice man. “I want it acknowledged that my father and Fairbairn did something very evil. Not just to me. There are other children out there.” She told how, as a five-year-old, she would arrange her dolls around her bed in a bid to stop the abuse. She said: “I put them there thinking that, when my father came for me in the night, he wouldn’t know it was me and he would take one of my dolls instead. But he never did.” Miss Henderson first made her allegations against Sir Nicholas – famous for his outspoken views, frock-coat suits and tartan trousers – and her father under the alias of ‘Julie X’ in 2000 but an initial police investigation did not lead to any charges. Miss Henderson, who lives near Inverness, claimed Sir Nicholas raped her when she was in bed with him and ‘another guy’ in a guest room on the top floor of her five-storey family home. She says she was just four or five years old at the time, and remembers the pungent smell of his feet. Last month broadcaster Esther Rantzen spoke of her revulsion after learning Sir Nicholas, with whom she had an affair after they met in a BBC studio in 1966, had been implicated in the Westminster child abuse scandal. Miss Henderson, speaking publicly after Sir Nicholas was linked to the guest house, said: “I knew this would come out. “I’m only surprised it has taken so long. I told the police about him in 2000, I told them what Fairbairn was. But they just wanted me to go away.” Miss Henderson now works in social care and has a grown-up son. She said: “It’s really only in my 40s that I’ve started living my life. I have good days and I have bad days. It will never go away and I get horrendous nightmares at times but, because my father is dead now, I’m not as scared as I used to be.” Miss Henderson was born in 1966. Her father and his first wife, her mother, lived in a five-storey Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh’s New Town. She claims Henderson beat his wife and young Susie was regularly belted. She believes her father started abusing her around the age of three and sexually abused her repeatedly until she was eight years old. She said: “He would say to my Mum when he came back from the pub, “I’ll take Susie for a nap.” And that was when he’d do it. He always put a pillow over my head. Another time in the bath he abused me and put my head under the water.” Speaking about the first time Fairbairn abused her at one of her father’s parties, Miss Henderson said: “We were in the kitchen. I was maybe four years old. I had a skirt on and Nicholas and my Dad had been drinking, and my Dad told me to sit on Nicholas’s knee. I sat on his knee and he put his hand up my skirt and abused me. My Dad just stood there laughing.” She remembers another incident involving Fairbairn: “The house was five floors and the top floor was where the guests used to stay. I was in bed in the guest room with Fairbairn and another guy." She alleges that on this occasion Fairbairn raped her. She was just four or five years old. Last month, Fairbairn was named as one of those believed to have visited the notorious Elm Guest House in London. A handwritten list of visitors to the guest house – which hosted parties in the 1980s where vulnerable boys were sexually assaulted after being plied with alcohol – states that a number of politicians including ‘N Fairburn’ and ‘C Smith’ – visited the property on June 7, 1982. ‘C Smith’ is believed to be Cyril Smith, the Liberal MP who has been exposed as a serial paedophile and who police have confirmed was a regular visitor to the brothel. The documents also state that ‘Fairburn’ had ‘used boys in sauna’ and that photographs had been taken of him at the guest house. Despite the spelling discrepancy over Fairbairn/Fairburn, there have now been calls for a full investigation to establish whether or not Fairbairn was involved. In 2000, having agreed to speak anonymously about her experiences to Sandra Brown, author of a book about child abuse called Where There is Evil, she found her story was not believed. Senior Tories rallied to Fairbairn’s defence, describing her allegations as ‘absolute rubbish’. Sir Nicholas’s daughter Charlotte, 50, has told the Mail newspaper she "hoped" the allegations about her father were untrue. She said: “I don’t really want to know anything about it, I would be very surprised by that, but he is dead. He’s not here to defend himself. “It would sound hollow if I said, ‘He’s innocent’. I don’t know, though I completely and utterly doubt it. It’s all such a long time ago. I hope it’s not true.” Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real-life/raped-aged-4-scots-tory-40 47789 BBC's Savile sex abuse probe waited THREE YEARS to talk to key witness who unmasked presenter as serial paedophile rapist By Katherine Rushton Media And Technology Editor For The Daily Mail 01:47 20 Feb 2016, updated 18:09 20 Feb 2016 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3455604/BBC-s-Savile-sex-abuse -probe-waited-THREE-YEARS-talk-key-witness-unmasked-presenter-serial-p aedophile-rapist.html BBC commissioned retired judge Dame Janet Smith to do review in 2012 She did not contact Karin Ward until January, just weeks before publication Miss Ward, 57, was one of the first to unmask Savile as a serial paedophile She was forced to perform sex acts with him in the back of his Rolls-Royce See more news from the BBC at www.dailymail.co.uk/bbc An 'independent' inquiry into sex abuse at the BBC has been branded a farce after it failed to interview the key whistleblower until more than three years of investigations had taken place. The BBC commissioned retired judge Dame Janet Smith to conduct a 'thorough' review in 2012 but she had no contact with Karin Ward until January – just weeks before its publication next Thursday. Miss Ward, 57, was one of the first to publicly unmask Jimmy Savile as a serial paedophile and rapist – a scandal which sparked the biggest crisis in the BBC's history. The mother of seven has told how she was forced to perform sex acts on the Jim'll Fix It star in the back of his Rolls-Royce, and saw Gary Glitter having sex with an underage girl in Savile's BBC dressing room, during the filming of his show Clunk Click. She also said she was 'groped' by Freddie Starr when she was just 15. Mr Starr was cleared after an 18-month investigation but lost a libel case against Miss Ward last year. Dame Janet finally interviewed Miss Ward on January 18 – less than a month before the completed report was handed to the BBC and days after a leaked version showed that the review was already on track to exonerate the BBC for the decades of abuse on its premises. Detectives investigating child sex claims against Edward Heath are planning to sift through 4,500 boxes containing his private papers. Wiltshire police are recruiting civilian investigators to examine the uncatalogued archive even though the former prime minister died more than a decade ago. The move comes after Scotland Yard was accused of wasting resources on Operation Midland, its £2million inquiry into claims of a paedophile ring in Westminster in the 1970s and 1980s. The review had spoken to 107 witnesses who suspected Savile of molesting young girls but the leaked draft report said it was accepted that managers did nothing to stop him as they had no 'hard evidence'. Victims of his decades-long abuse have dismissed the inquiry as a £10million 'whitewash'. The revelation that it has only just questioned Miss Ward is likely to confirm their fears it had reached its conclusions before all the evidence was heard. It is not clear why the review took so long to interview her. A spokesman said: 'It is the review's policy not to provide comments to individual members of the press.' Andrew Picard/Boeckman and the VIP paedophile connection BY THECOLEMANEXPERIENCE MARCH 1, 2016 https://thecolemanexperience.wordpress.com/2016/03/01/andrew-picardboe ckman-and-the-vip-paedophile-connection/ INS News Agency Ltd...27/10/2015 ************* Picture by Kerry Davies ************* An Eton College student found with more than 2,000 indecent images of children had encouraged youngsters to strip for him on webcam, a court heard. Andrew Picard was aged 17 years at the time he is accused of making indecent photographs of children at the prestigious private school near Windsor, Berks. Dressed in a suit with a blue striped tie, Picard, now aged 18 years, entered no plea to 12 counts of child abuse. See copy INSpic The recent disgusting case of paedophile Eton student Andrew ‘Picard’ Boeckman who took photos of children as young as two being raped and forced into acts of bestiality has caused outrage. Despite being found guilty of producing and downloading 2,000 paedophile images he was allowed to walk free by sicko judge, Peter Ross, because he’d been ‘working through his issues’ with doctors. scumbag Peter Ross What a * joke. Of course, many judges are paedophiles too and work in the secret courts where thousands of children are stolen each month by the state from innocent parents. These children often go missing and are not allowed to contact their families. Are they being snatched and forced into appearing in child-rape videos? The shocking truth about Britain’s forced adoption scandal In fact. have the police even traced the many hundreds of victims that Boeckman filmed being abused? Who were they and how the * hell did he meet them all? In yet another vile travesty of justice Andrew Boeckman was allowed to use his mother’s maiden name of Picard during his trial and the subsequent reporting. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3464216/Eton-College-student-s hared-appalling-child-abuse-pictures-babies-young-two-raped-dorm-compu ter-spared-jail.html Why the * hell have the authorities treated Boeckman with kid gloves when anyone else would have received a hefty prison sentence? Is it because there’s much more to this case than first meets the eye? Most * definitely. You see, Andrew Boeckman is the son of wealthy American lawyer, Philip J Boeckman and his wife Erin (nee Picard), who split their time between the USA and Westminster. Philip J Boeckman Boeckman is a partner in law firm Cravath, Swaine and Moore and lives next to the Houses of Parliament in London. https://www.cravath.com/pboeckman/ One of his clients was Unilever. Tory boy-rapist Leon Brittan and his weird cousin Malcolm Rifkind were both directors at Unilever. naughty-leon-brittan3Tory MinisterRifkind Policy Exchange Leon Brittan also owned a home near Great College Street so he and Boeckman were neighbours ( or at least they were until Brittan faked his own death). Strangely, Philip Boeckman has listed himself under the electoral roll as being in his mid-twenties. http://www.192.com/atoz/people/boeckman/philip/sw1p/2922422364/ According to the Google Law website, another partner at Boeckman’s law firm is a convicted paedophile. http://google-law.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/arrest-in-case-of-pimping-mom/ The media would have us believe that Andrew Boeckman was working alone when he asked young boys to rape each other and filmed a two-year old girl being raped by a dog. But how likely is that? It’s much more likely that Andrew Boeckman was working as part of a much larger and highly organised child-rape operation possibly in collusion with his father and others. Dame Roberts Does Eton have a role in Britain’s VIP abuse ring? ” What do we really know about exclusive boy’s boarding school, Eton College? Eton CollegeHarry and Wills at Eton Many of Britain’s top politicians, actors, diplomats and royalty were educated there. Here are some well-known Old Etonians: 1) David Cameron (Prime Minister) Cameron and Boris 2) Boris Johnson (Mayor of London) 3) Ian Fleming (007 author) 4) Damian Lewis (Actor) 5) Myles Ponsonby (Diplomat and MI6 officer) 6) Princes William and Harry (Queenie’s grandchildren) 7) Alan Clark (deceased politician) 8) Douglas Hurd (Politician) 9) Christopher Cazenove (deceased actor) 10) Sir Francis Richards (former head of spy-station GCHQ) 11) Oliver Letwin (politician) 12) Geoffrey Adams (Diplomat) 13) Ian Ogilvy (actor -The Saint) 14) Justin Welby (Archbishop of Canterbury) 15) Darius Guppy (criminal) Some people claim that children are often buggered in exclusive public schools. This buggering is supposed to instill a stiff upper-lip into children. Some say it makes children susceptible to conditioning techniques. There have been several child-abuse scandals involving Eton College. The authorities have been very lax in their response to these claims. In 2004, a pervert teacher at Eton walked free from court: ” A PERVERT teacher at Eton who downloaded child porn escaped jail yesterday – after a judge heaped praise on him. Shamed Ian McAuslan, 58, had 200 indecent images of boys on his computer and a sordid child sex video was found at his home. But he walked free after his nine month prison sentence was suspended for two years. Judge Christopher Critchlow spoke in glowing terms about the respected master, who taught Classics at Princes William and Harry’s world-famous pounds 20,000-a-year college. He told McAuslan, who was forced to quit his job when charged: “You have a fine record and were clearly devoted to your profession. “I give you full credit for that long service and all that you have done in that career. “It’s a tragedy that your career should end this way.” The controversial decision at Reading Crown Court came just a day after a similar case involving a paedophile judge caused outrage. In that instance – highlighted in yesterday’s Mirror – “His Honour” David Selwood, 70, got off with 12-month community rehabilitation order despite admitting 13 child porn offences. The court in London said it had taken into account his “long and outstanding service”. Last night, there was a fresh outcry over the leniency shown to McAuslan, of Southampton, who was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years. Protesters branded the sentence “pathetic” and called for far tougher punishments. Michele Elliott, director of child protection charity Kidscape, said: “This sends out the message that child pornography is not a very serious offence. “It suggests that anyone with a previous good character can get away with anything.” Lyn Costello, of Mothers Against Murder and Aggression, added: “It’s obvious he was a teacher merely to satisfy his cravings as a paedophile. His sort should get the maximum sentence.” In the late nineties, Nick Davies reported on the Eton police raid that never was: In November last year, every newspaper in Britain carried the story of how Scotland Yard had worked with police forces around the country to raid the rooms of teachers at private schools in search of evidence of their involvement in a paedophile ring. The more interesting story, however, was the raid which never happened. In the weeks before the operation, specialist detectives from the Paedophile Unit at Scotland Yard had discussed with Thames Valley the possibility of raiding a teacher at the most prestigious private school in the country – Eton College, whose pupils include the off-spring of some of the most powerful families in Britain, including the heir to the throne, Prince William. The move started after a teacher who had recently left Eton went to Thames Valley police and claimed that one of his colleagues had been indecently assaulting boys at the school. Detectives investigated and discovered that the suspect teacher had been the target of similar allegations in the past; and that police in Yorkshire had seized a collection of child pornography and found letters from the teacher in which he referred to “sending the happy items”. Clearly, this did not amount to proof that the teacher was guilty. His former colleague may conceivably have had a grudge against him; the letters in Yorkshire may have had some innocent explanation; other witnesses who also suspected him, may simply have been mistaken. But the whole series of raids was being mounted on similar intelligence which Scotland Yard believed was strong enough to demand that suspects be interviewed and their property searched. Yet when the raids finally took place, Thames Valley held back, arguing that the evidence was too weak to justify action. The result: the truth about the suspected abuser was never found.” Eton College, VIP child abuse, James Bond c**-ups and the raid that never was In 2015, Alisa and Gabriel, told the world they were being raped and tortured on a regular basis by lawyers, teachers, social workers and many others in schools and churches in the Hampstead area. They accused their father, Ricky Dearman of also raping them and pimping them out to his associates. Gabriel and AlisaRicky Dearman Satanic Despite their most compelling evidence, the media and judiciary shut down any investigation into their claims and people were vilified and ridiculed for believing their allegations. #Whistleblower Kids are telling the truth: Britain is run by Satanists http://aanirfan.blogspot.com/2015/02/hampstead-child-abuse-allegations .html The children were undoubtedly telling the truth as their testimony clearly shows. Hampstead Christchurch Interestingly, they spoke at length of how many sports coaches were involved in the abuse including tennis and swimming. They said many children were abused at swimming clubs and the abuse was filmed and sold for huge sums. The money generated was laundered through fake boiler room scams in the Finchley Road area. In a bizarre twist we find that Philip J Boeckman is very influential in the world of swimming. http://textlab.io/doc/344680/march-2014-newsletter—chelsea-and-westmin ster-swimming-… He is chairman of the Chelsea and Westminster Swimming Club and was recently chosen to be the chair of the pan-London Swimming Association. CWSC http://londonswimming.org/phocadownload/management_board_meeting_minut es/2014/LS-MB-Minutes-2014-09-09.pdf All of his children, including paedophile Andrew, have taken part in national and international swimming events. http://cwswimming.com/bulletins/swim-thon-big-success Andrew Boeckman Elizabeth Boeckman recently won an award from Westminster Council but her story has been deleted from their website ( as have many other links). “ActiveWestminster Awards 2015 \| Westminster City Council https://www.westminster.gov.uk/active-awards 7. 12. 2015 – Highly commended, Chelsea and Westminster Swimming Club … Winner, Elizabeth Boeckman … Coach or active champion of the year” Of course, we’ve been reporting for years that Westminster Council is run by paedophiles and Councillor Robert Davis was a regular attendee at the Dolphin Square boy-brothel where vulnerable boys were trafficked from care homes to be raped. Westminster Councillors- Simon Milton and Robert Davis This is our article: ” If you thought for one minute that Westminster City Council is really as it appears to be, you’re very sadly mistaken. Beneath the polished veneer of a prestigious, wealthy and thriving flagship local authority, lies a core so rotten, vile and despicable it literally beggars belief. You see, hard as it is to believe, Westminster Council is actually a pivotal player in Britain’s murderous VIP paedophile network. Westminster Council Over 5 years ago, we were given a tip-off that the Council’s finance department was operating in a less-than-kosher way. After investigations, we found that multiple payments were being made into false accounts and many millions of pounds were being syphoned off fraudulently. The Audit Commission has not signed-off WC’s accounts for years and the department operates in total chaos. Of course, at the time, we had no idea that these financial shenanigans were linked to a huge child-abuse ring, with tentacles reaching throughout the whole of the British Establishment. Despised hag, Shirley ‘ I’ve legged it to Israel’ Porter, was vilified in the media and High Court, when it was found she’d been gerrymandering in order to retain the Conservatives hold on the council. shirley-porter1 What nobody realised at the time was the ‘ Homes for Votes’ scandal was a total charade, used to cover the crimes of WC councillors linked to the Dolphin Square boy-brothel, and to deflect attention away from the brilliant investigative journalism of Scallywag. Simon Regan and his team had uncovered the sickening secrets of Dolphin Square and its links to the Bryn Alyn home, where boys were trafficked from North Wales to be abused by VIP filth. ScallywagSimonRegan-Scallywag Tory boy-rapist, Derek Laud and his sick chum Ian Greer organised sickening parties at the Pimlico address, which were attended by many of the British Establishment, not least Westminster Councillors, Simon Milton, Robert Davis and Alan Bradley. Derek Laud Simon Milton and Robert Davis were feted as the new faces of homosexual London and were best pals with Boris Johnson and Shirley Porter. Westminster Robert Davis and Milton Simon Milton mysteriously dropped down dead, less than two days after we asked him about a suspicious company he owned called Robingold. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/robingold_ltd Did he really die or did Shirley Porter and Boris help him escape to his homeland of Israel? http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/12/sir-simon-milton-dies-boris- johns Lord McAlpine was part of the scandal and also mysteriously died too. Well, that’s was the papers would have you believe. We, however, have it on very good authority that Lord McAlpine didn’t die at all and is in a secret hiding place at this very moment, bricking himself that he’s going to be discovered. How strange. Shirley Porter once founded a fraudulent charity with ex-Guiness crook, Gerald Ronson, which was actually a front for money-laundering: Gerald Ronson Filth https://thecolemanexperience.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/shirls-and-gerry s-bogus-foundation/ Gerald Ronson owns the bully-boy Mossad-controlled Community Security Trust along with boy-rapist Greville Janner. https://thecolemanexperience.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/the-mysterious-c st/ He is also the cousin of Leon Brittan and Malcolm Rifkind. Creepy Establishment coroner, Paul Knapman, has been covering-up VIP murders for decades, many of them based in Dolphin Square and Westminster. Naughty Paul Knapman Knapman is very close to Councillor Robert Davis as they worked together as the Queen’s Lord Lieutenants ( along with deceased child-rapist, Cyril Smith MP), and he may have a lot of extremely important evidence to share with police officers. Many other Local Authorities are petrified of Westminster and will do their bidding at any cost. This is because WC knows the sordid secrets of other councils and will threaten to expose them if they don’t play ball. The current leader of Westminster Council is Philippa Roe, the daughter of Tory Peer, Dame Marion Roe. Marion Roe Marion Roe was a member of Margaret Thatcher’s paedophile-infested cabinet and may have information for the police about VIP child-abuse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Roe Former leader, Colin Barrow is also up to his neck in filth of the highest order. He was named in Wikileaks documents as being a money-launderer and drug-dealing Mr-Fixit and most definitely has links to the paedo-ring. https://thecolemanexperience.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/is-colin-going-l oco-down-in-acapulco/ Strangely, Barrow is also the director of the Policy Exchange organisation, along with Times editor Danny Finkelstein. jc5874 x10845NerYisroelPanneldannythefink-and-greville-janner1 Danny recently claimed that child-abuse allegations are ‘tiresome’ and anyone believing them is a ‘nutter.’ He also said that isn’t evil for poor people to sell their organs to the rich. How macabre. In fact, Shirley Porter herself is linked to the recent Israeli organ trafficking scandal and Paul Knapman hid the organs of the Marchioness riverboat disaster victims. Some people believe that raped children are often killed and their bodies are then sold on the black market. Does Westminster Council have a part to play in these most gruesome activities? Most certainly, yes. You see, Westminster Council is not only involved in decades of child-abuse and cover-up but is also guilty of murders and trafficking too.” Westminster Council and the paedophile connection Former Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross lives in Holland Park. Nick Ross Crimewatch His recent planning application was approved by Councillor Robert Davis. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/former-crimewatch-presenter-nick -ross-gets-the-go-ahead-for-40-million-london-super-home-8823637.html Nick Ross is related to BBC scum Esther Ranzten. Esther NSPCC Rantzen is a top paedo-protector and knew all about Jimmy Savile and the BBC abuse ring. She runs the fake organisations Childline and NSPCC which filter out vulnerable children to target for and also any child reporting on VIP abuse. Boy-rapist Peter Mandelson is also a trustee. esther savileNaughty Peter Mandelson This is the same as the fake Crimestoppers telephone line run by Nick Ross. Nick Ross Jill DandoNick Ross Grief Nick Ross pretended to grieve for Jill Dando when she was shot in the head but he was party to her murder and cover-up because Jill was going to blow the lid on Savile. Cliff Richard and royal bottom-fiddler Alan Farthing were also roped into the plan. Jill and Cliff togetherAlan Farthing cover up merchant Ross runs the Jill Dando UCL institute with Danny Finkelstein’s brother, Anthony. Nick Ross recently said he’d love to watch child-pornography. The dirty * b****** needs locking up asap. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/10094749/Id-probably-w atch-child-porn-admits-former-Crimewatch-presenter-Nick-Ross.html Princess Diana was also murdered because she knew about Savile and the ring linked to the Royals and government. Princess Diana Centrepoint She met and befriended a victim of sordid boy-brothel the Elm guest house which was frequented by royals, Leon Brittan and Cliff Richard amongst others. According to the Mirror: ” Another victim of the Elm guest house scandal believes Princess Diana saved his life, the Sunday People has revealed. The man, now in his forties, met the princess when he was sleeping rough outside a London church. He claims he was subjected to horrific abuse at the Elm from the age of 10 while he was in care at Grafton Close children’s home. Diana Murdered Diana gave him food and helped him find a temporary home as he battled to rebuild his life in his twenties after escaping care. He left a tribute to Diana at Kensington Palace when she died in the Paris car crash of 1997. The man said: “I have rebuilt my life and I owe it all to Diana. Elm Guest House HellGrafton Close “She kept in touch with me even after she’d helped my back on my feet. I have lost a real friend.” The man claims he saw money exchanged with his then carer and his abusers at the Elm guest house before he was taken back to the Grafton Close home.” http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/elm-guest-house-victim-met-157194 0 Prince Charles was very close to Jimmy Savile as was Prince Philip. Charles and SavileXmas card from Charlie to JimmyJim and Di It stands to reason that Savile was procuring children for royals to rape and murder. On the eve of the wedding of Charles and Diana, eight year-old Vishal Mehotra disappeared from his London home. Vishal MehrotraVishalMissing Martin Allen His dismembered body was found months later and it has been claimed that he was murdered at the Elm Guest House. His death also links to missing schoolboy Martin Allen. The disturbing disappearance of Vishal Mehrotra and the Elm Guest House connection In 2014, Philip J Boeckman signed a council consultation document with a Kensington resident named Olivia Dix. “PDF]Statement of Community Involvement – Royal Borough of … https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/…/Othe… Jul 15, 2015 – Appendix J: Architects’ exhibition comment log … and leisure centre sections of Kensington and Chelsea’s website as well …… Philip Boeckman …… Olivia Dix (OD): Will the facilities be used outside of school hours, needs to.” https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/idoxWAM/doc/Other-884430.pdf?extension=.pdf&id =884430&location=VOLUME2&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1 Coincidentally, Alisa and Gabriel named one of their abusers as Sophie Dix and claimed that children are trafficked from Africa to be raped and killed. Olivia Dix is a Trustee of the Princess Diana Memorial Fund and works with charities in Sun-Saharan Africa. http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/fundraising-news-why-give-olivia-dix-head -policy-diana-princess-wales-memorial-fund/article/616253 Olivia Dix Olivia Dix owns a business registered at the following address: 5/7 Vernon Yard London W11 2DX https://companycheck.co.uk/company/08252149/OLIVIA-DIX-CONSULTING-LIMI TED/directors-secretaries Another business is also listed at the same address. The name of that business is Nick Ross Ltd. https://companycheck.co.uk/company/07670870/NICK-ROSS-LTD/about How very, very strange indeed. The clock is ticking on Britain’s dirty secrets. It’s only a matter of time. Tick-tock… https://en-gb.facebook.com/ChildSnatchers/posts/524391580964621 ( Further reading): “If you thought for one minute that Britain is really as it appears to be, you’re very sadly mistaken.Beneath the pomp and pageantry lies a network of paedophilic depravity, so vile and despicable, it literally beggars belief. Don’t be fooled into thinking Jimmy Savile was an isolated case either. He wasn’t. From the Elm Guest House scandal to North Wales care home abuse via Dolphin Square; to sickening Warwick Spinks and the Amsterdam connection; from Jersey’s Haut de la Garenne to Kincora in Northern Ireland. From the vile BBC to complicit police, social workers and government authorities; from MP’s through to the Royal Family themselves; the whole filthy lot of them are in on it. paedo-ring-number-101Kincora scandalJersey Satanic HorrorsDolphin Square Sunday PeopleWarwick SpinksBBC Paedo Ring Unbelievably, this * goes even deeper than you could ever imagine. In April 2015, we wrote the following post: ” We all know the British Establishment is run by debauched, child-raping filth who love nothing better than to inflict torture on innocents. What’s less well-known though is the depth of depravity they are happy to descend to in order to carry out their bat-* Satanic rituals. Satanic child murdered You see, dear reader, we’re finally starting to gain a glimpse into the sick, sick world of the British Elite and it is one hell of a sight to behold. Mossad rent-boys, Mi5, have had no choice but to allow an orchestrated drip-feed of info about dead paedophile MP’s and celebs into the public domain, in a desperate bid to prevent the whole truth about Britain’s dirty secrets from emerging. That’s why you’ll often hear news of the abuse of boys by Cyril Smith, Peter Morrison and Jimmy Savile. Charles and Savile Because dead men don’t talk. And it’s much easier to control information about so-called ‘ historical abuse’. After all, the 70’s and 80’s were such a long time ago weren’t they? Maybe things were different back then. Why rake up the past? The public then start to lose interest in long-forgotten names and very soon paedophile fatigue sets-in. Cyril Smith and Clement Freudjanner-and-geller And that is exactly what tptb want to happen. They don’t want the general public to know that at this very moment in time, a massive, highly organised, murderous paedophile ring is still in operation in this country. Its tentacles are so far-reaching that there is not a single organisation or government agency which is not in someway involved in, or aware of, the ring. Prince Andy PaedoPaedo Ring Number 10Savile at Palace It spreads from Buckingham Palace, through to Parliament, the Judiciary and beyond. The operation is so well-oiled and slick it is almost impossible to comprehend and was previously virtually impossible to expose. Some with inside information have literally risked life and limb to detail the vile horrors that have been perpetrated on Britain’s children and in many cases have died for their efforts. The key features of this sordid abuse-ring are even sicker than you could imagine: 1) Many of the most violent and sadistic abusers are women. 2) Babies as young as 2 months old are regularly abused. 3) Children are often murdered after being abused and their bodies are incinerated or disposed of on country estates around the UK. 4) The BBC, NHS, local government, Parliament, clergy, senior business leaders, celebs and sports stars are all part of the ring. 5) Satanic sacrifices involving babies and children often take place at the Houses of Commons and Lords and at the BBC. 6) Child-pornography emanating from the abuse is sold worldwide for billion-pound profits. 7) Revenue generated from the ring is laundered via thousands of shell/boiler-room companies. 8) Companies House is complicit in the ring and monitors the false companies to ensure they remain uncovered. 9) Military Intelligence spend a large proportion of their annual budget and manpower hours controlling the ring and monitoring any signs of exposure. 10) Prince Charles is as gay as a kite and Prince Philip likes to b* very young boys What a charmer Is there more to Britain’s dirty secrets than meets the eye? We haven’t got a bloody clue. Have you?” Britain’s Dirty Secrets Eton student who shared 'appalling' abuse photos from his dorm computer of children as young as two being raped is SPARED jail Andrew Picard had 2,000 indecent images of children on his computer Top lawyer's son sat in college dormitory sharing pictures in chat rooms Was caught aged 17 sharing material with an undercover police officer He admitted child porn charges but was given suspended jail sentence By MARK DUELL FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 17:29, 25 February 2016 \| UPDATED: 03:56, 26 February 2016 A former Eton College student avoided jail today despite making and distributing ‘appalling’ indecent images of children and bestiality film clips. Andrew Picard, from Westminster, London, was found with more than 2,000 pornographic images of children on his computer at the prestigious school near Windsor, Berkshire. The 18-year-old son of a top lawyer sat in his college dormitory sharing the pictures in chat rooms and was 17 when he was caught sharing material with an undercover police officer. Picard, who was arrested at Eton after his IP address was traced there, admitted ten counts of child pornography - and at Oxford Crown Court was today handed a ten-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. He was let off jail after being credited for his work with doctors in the past year to address his offending - but this was said to be a perk of his privileged position. The offences dated from January to February last year when Picard made indecent images of youngsters and shared them via chat messages on Skype. Thousands of images and clips were found on Picard’s computer and hard drive that showed acts so appalling that Judge Peter Ross could not bring himself to describe them. Others showed children as young as two being raped and forced to have sex with dogs. Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said the undercover officer had entered a ‘teen’ chatroom, for those aged between 13 and 19 years, on February 9, 2015, when he was contacted by a user called 'AP16MUK' - standing for Andrew Picard, aged 16, male, from the UK. Picard messaged the undercover officer asking: ‘Do you want to see pics of boys and girls your age, nude?’ Boasting of having hundreds of videos, Picard added the officer on Skype and shared indecent images of a boy aged ten and girls aged eight and 14 years. Asking the undercover officer for proof he was aged 14 years as he said and not some ‘old’ man, Picard later shared a video of his own face. ‘His IP address led police to Eton school in Berkshire where staff were able to identify him as a pupil,’ Ms Olliver said. ‘He was arrested from school on suspicion of distributing indecent photographs of children.’ Prestigious: Picard was arrested at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire, after his IP address was traced there Picard admitted one count of possessing indecent pictures of children, one count of making indecent pictures of children and eight counts of distributing indecent photos or recordings of a child. Detectives found 1,185 indecent images and videos on his computer and on hard-drives seized from his school dormitory. They also discovered chat logs from the chatrooms where Picard boasted about the ‘quality’ of his videos and asked users who claimed to be as young as 14 to exchange naked shots of themselves for indecent videos he would provide. Jimmy Savile pictured on the day of his last attack:... Police 'took part in Rotherham child sex abuse and ignored... Man visiting his grandmother who sexually assaulted a woman... Girl, 18, who reported being 'gang raped' by five teens in... Ms Olliver said it was a feature of Picard's offending that he would send images in return for the user to strip, showing him their ‘underarm or groin’. She added: ‘There are aggravating features, the children are very young, in obvious pain and distress, and the number of photographs distributed.’ Dressed in jeans, trainers and a navy jumper, brown-haired Picard squeezed his eyes shut as Judge Peter Ross described some of the vile Category A material found in his possession. Do you want to see pics of boys and girls your age, nude? What Andrew Picard asked an undercover police officer One of his videos showed a girl as young as three being raped, while others showed young children being forced to have sex with dogs. Sallie Bennett-Jenkins, QC referred to her client's remorse and pointed to the good work he had been doing with doctors in the past year, undergoing constant treatment with numerous doctors and psychiatrists. ‘This is a young and very able man who has hopes for the future,’ she added. ‘He was able to have this opportunity [to seek help] and this was something Andrew sought for himself, by himself.’ Sparing Picard jail, Judge Ross said a term of custody would undo the good work he had done in the past year undergoing extensive counselling. He said: ‘This defendant Andrew Picard was a privileged young man. His family are clearly wealthy enough to send him to school in Eton. ‘Quite how you found your way into this unpleasant world Mr Picard, the world of chatrooms and exchanging this material, is not clear to me. ‘Why you did it doctors and others have sought to explain - the emotional difficulties you had, issues around your sexuality.’ However he blasted all those who deal in child sexual exploitation, saying they were not ‘victimless crimes.’ ‘All too often in these courts we see the internet and chatrooms providing a degree of assumed detachment in terms of what is said and the material that is viewed. Please make no bones about it, these are children, some of them very tiny, and they are being abused and tortured simply to provide sexual gratification, mainly, to adult males Judge Peter Ross ‘Please make no bones about it, these are children, some of them very tiny, and they are being abused and tortured simply to provide sexual gratification, mainly, to adult males. ‘All over the world, too often in the third world, children being made objects of the most appalling abuse. ‘It forms a currency and you played a part in that. You were seeking to obtain your own sexual gratification.’ A mental health treatment requirement was added to his sentence for 18 months, which will continue with his existing providers. He was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to pay £1,200 in prosecution costs. Picard's wealthy family live in prime real estate next to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. His father is a managing partner in the London office of a large American corporate law firm. The judge added: ‘It has been said that you and your family have suffered deeply as a result of your arrest and public exposure. ‘Your family didn't deserve that but it is a consequence of this sort of offending. Inevitably your privileged background and where you were going to school added a degree of frissance to the reporting.’ http://professionalwargaming.co.uk/ Israel Becoming a 'Refuge for Pedophiles,' Warns Advocate for Child Sex Abuse Victims At a Knesset pre-hearing, groups working to prevent the abuse suggested there may be a 'significantly higher proportion' of cases in the ultra-Orthodox community. Judy Maltz Mar 21, 2016 8:30 PM http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.710150 MK Yifat Shasha-Biton (Kulanu) and Manny Waks at a Knesset pre-hearing on child sex abuse in Jewish communities, Jerusalem, March 21, 2016.Aimee Amiga/Haaretz Number of Israeli children sexually abused by their brothers doubles Jewish community worker is charged with child rape in St. Louis Fleeing abuse in Israel, non-Jewish women fear violence and deportation Israel has become a safe haven for Jewish pedophiles from around the world, a leading advocate for child sexual abuse victims warned Monday at a Knesset committee pre-hearing on pedophilia in the ultra-Orthodox community. “Sex offenders tend to move from country to country to avoid jail, but what makes Israel unique is the Law of Return, which essentially grants unhindered access to anyone who is Jewish to come here without any real screening,” said Manny Waks, the chief executive officer of Kol v’Oz, a newly formed nonprofit that aims to prevent child sexual abuse in the global Jewish community. The Law of Return grants automatic citizenship in Israel to those who meet its definition of a Jew. Waks was raised in Melbourne, Australia where he attended Yeshiva Centre, a school run by the Chabad movement. Years later, he reported that he had been sexually abused by two members of the staff there. Waks and his family, who have since been featured in several Australian documentaries, were ostracized by the local Chabad community for coming out publicly with their story. Along with representatives of several other groups active in preventing child abuse in the Jewish community, Waks met today with MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, chair of the Knesset Special Committee for the Rights of the Child. The full committee is expected to convene for a special session on the topic after the Passover break. Among those accused of sexual abuse who have fled to Israel, Waks cited the prominent case of Malka Leifer, the former principal of a religious girls’ school in Melbourne, who allegedly assaulted eight of her charges. She is now under house arrest, and the Australian authorities are seeking her extradition. Waks noted several other cases of pedophiles and alleged pedophiles from the United States, Britain and the Netherland who had fled to Israel either after being charged or to avoid being charged. Some have already been extradited back to their home countries where they are serving jail sentences. “It seems to us Israel is increasingly becoming a refuge for pedophiles and alleged pedophiles,” said Waks. “It’s an easy get-out-of-jail card for them.” Waks, who is married with three children, recently moved back to Israel, where he was born and served in the army. According to research data he cited, one in five children in Israel experiences sexual abuse. “There’s a range of factors that suggest there may be a significantly higher proportion within the ultra-Orthodox community,” said Waks. “I think any closed community would have increased cases, because these cases are silenced. They’re swept under the carpet. Not only that, but in the Haredi community, they don’t even talk about sex, so how can they talk about sexual abuse?” His new organization, he said, will be lobbying the Knesset to change the statute of limitations so that victims of sexual crimes can have more time to file complaints. Also present at the meeting with Shasha-Biton were the heads of a new Israeli group called “Lo Tishtok” (Thou Shall Not Be Silent) that aims to give voice to ultra-Orthodox victims of sexual abuse. Launched as a Facebook page five months ago, the group already has close to 4,200 followers and is planning to become a nonprofit. Yitzhak Kadman, the executive director of the National Council for the Child, said he had noticed signs of “the beginnings of a revolution” in attitudes toward child sex offenders in the Haredi world. “I was actually astonished by the amount of openness I’ve seen recently,” he said at the meeting. Israel may be a preferred destination for Jewish sex offenders, said Kadman, but it has also become a place of refuge for their victims. “We are seeing many of them leave their home countries and come to Israel, perhaps because they are looking for a way to get a fresh start,” he said. read more: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.710150 9/11, 7/7 & the War on Freedom Forum Index -> The War On Children, Marriage and the Family All times are GMT	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3740
__label__cc	0.687784	0.312216	Pioneer Mentality Posted on October 16, 2014 by neild Given the number of people who’ve greeted me lately with “So, how’s THE BOOK GOING?” I’m guessing that you all might be interested in how THE BOOK is GOING. The answer is: Really well, thanks for asking. I’m hoping to wrap up the Coney Island chapter in the next few weeks, and am making good progress on research for later chapters as well. In fact, you can see the initial results of some of that research today at the City Limits site Brooklyn Bureau, in my lengthy report on rezoning plans for Bushwick and East New York that Mayor Bill de Blasio swears will be different from all other rezonings, and how residents are starting to freak out a bit about a flood of hipsters at their doorstep regardless. Speaking of Bushwick, I’ve been meaning to find a good time to mention the building there that has been honest-to-god named “Colony 1209.” And which promises amenities like indoor bocce courts and Donkey Kong to “settlers” of “Brooklyn’s new frontier,” employing a sledgehammer to drive home the metaphor with the promise: “We already surveyed the territory for you.” As Gothamist observed, “Considering Bushwick sidewalks have been stamped with ‘GENTRIFICATION IS THE NEW COLONIALISM’ neighborhood-wide, the phrasing straddles the line between tone-deaf and offensive.” This is all pretty jaw-dropping, in its apparently un-self-conscious painting of one neighborhood of New York City as virgin territory to be conquered by the most forward-thinking of the city’s upscale population. Especially since Bushwick has long since been effectively colonized: While there are still plenty of the Puerto Rican and Mexican residents who resided in the area before it was (ahem) “discovered” a few years back, they’re increasingly outnumbered, on certain blocks at least, by young (mostly) white professionals and creative types seeking an affordable alternative to their old homelands, and who in turn are pushing out the indigenous inhabitants to … whatever the Brooklyn version is of Oklahoma, I guess. It would be jaw-dropping, that is, if we hadn’t seen it all before. It was exactly five years ago that 358 Grove Street, central Bushwick’s first condo tower, opened, complete with its incredible YouTube video painting the neighborhood as the place for young blonde people to go for their rebound relationship after they’ve broken up with Manhattan. And we’ve seen similar things happening all over the rest of Brooklyn, and the rest of the city, with realtors designating new frontiers as “the next neighborhood” (as one current subway ad attempts to redefine Elmhurst, Queens) in a never-ending cycle of conquest, displacement, and reconquest. The thing is, though, that colonizers hate being thought of as colonizers, so you end up with people like realtor David Maundrell III saying of his marketing of Colony 1209 to prospective tenants: “I have to be authentic with this. They don’t like corporate. You can’t fool around.” Or an Urban Land Institute panel suggesting that the best way to draw new residents to University Heights in the west Bronx would be to rebrand the Harlem River as “the People’s River.” None of which is to demonize the people scarfing up all these apartments, most of whom are no doubt seeking cheaper digs because they themselves have been priced out of spendier neighborhoods by billionaires from China and New Jersey. But it doesn’t reduce the impact that their presence has on previous residents, either. Gentrification is a word, and a process, that’s tightly packed with a lot of conflicting impulses, and with changes that ultimately sow the seeds of their own destruction — and understanding those is key to understanding what’s going on in Brooklyn. And with that, I think it’s time to go do some work on Chapter 3….	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3742
__label__wiki	0.734913	0.734913	Live Music: Evan Lee An event every week that begins at 10:00pm on Saturday, repeating until August 31, 2019 Live Music: Jade Million » Live Music with Evan Lee! About Evan Lee: Born and raised in a small farm town in Wisconsin, Evan Lee knew what it meant to work hard. Raised listening to country, soul, and rock n roll, you can hear the influences in his music. Learning to play drums at the age of 9 gave Lee a lot of opportunities to play in bands in his hometown. At age 16, Evan started playing in bar bands across Wisconsin until his love for performing couldn’t be contained behind a drum set. Lee taught himself to play guitar and sing and within 9 months had a band ready to conquer Wisconsin. After 4 years of playing the cover circuit Lee felt he needed more, a mountain to climb that his home town didn’t have. In 2014 Evan moved to Nashville. He found the right crowd, his family. Working along side the rag tag recording label Rock and Roll Basement, known for doing things outside of the Nashville guidelines, Lee is on a new journey. The Nashville recording artist released a song on the “Rock n roll deluxe” Christmas album in December 2015, and released his first single “Hangin On” from the Rock n Roll Basements “dumped” album in February 2016. In October of 2016 his second single “Monsters” was released. The next part of the journey is yet to be written. Evan Lee and his bar room rocker band are on a mission to make music they love, that can move people and inspire the masses. We hope to see you at a show soon. August 26 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 am	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3748
__label__wiki	0.903742	0.903742	Kennett Consolidated School District’s proposed final budget totals $88.2 million 04/09/2019 03:56PM ● By Steven Hoffman The Kennett School Board authorized the release of the proposed final budget for the 2019-2020 school year at its meeting on Monday night. The budget is now available to the public for a 30-day review period, as required by the state. The proposed budget totals $88,253,792 and would require a tax increase of approximately 2.07 percent if it were to be approved as is. That amounts to a $115 tax increase for the average residential property in the district, according to school board member Michael Finnegan, who serves on the district’s Finance Committee. Overall, projected expenditures are increasing by approximately $2 million over the current school year—an increase of about 2.38 percent. Salaries are increasing by about 2.50 percent. That figure will likely change as some staff members will decide to retire or leave at the end of the current school year. Most of the increases in the 2019-2020 budget, when compared to the spending plan for the current plan, can be attributed to fixed costs like salaries and the contributions to the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System (PSERS). The school district’s PSERS costs are increasing by about 2.57 percent for the next fiscal year. Finnegan said that district officials are still working on the spending plan so the final budget could be less than the proposed final budget if any additional revenues or cost savings or identified. The final budget is expected to be adopted by the school board on June 10. The school board approved a list of personnel items, including retirements, leaves, and new hires. This is the time of year when the number of people leaving a school district can grow, and there were two names that stood out on the list of retirements to be approved. Raymond Fernandez, the assistant principal of Kennett High School, is retiring after 21 years in the school district. His retirement is effective on July 1. Dr. Michael Barber, the school district's assistant superintendent, commended Fernandez for his work on behalf of Kennett and its. Barber explained that serving as an assistant principal, as Fernandez did, can be a challenging and thankless job. Barber compared the role of assistant principal to what playing center or forward for Virginia is like. “All you do is defend, defend, defend,” Barber said, referencing the basketball team that captured a national championship by emphasizing defensive play. Barber called Fernandez a dear friend, and noted that he never looked for the spotlight for his tireless efforts. School board member Aline Frank offered her gratitude to Fernandez for his tremendous presence in the school district. She said that he has a great sense of fairness, and the students really appreciated that. He is also very dedicated to the job. District officials also lauded Barbara Carozzo, a popular guidance department secretary, who is retiring after 31 years with the school district. Barber explained that Carozzo was a very valuable and valued employee who has served the district well through the years. The Kennett School Board approved the proposed Chester County Intermediate Unit budget for 2019-2020. The Intermediate Unit's annual budget is signed off on by all 12 of the school districts it serves. Kennett Consolidated School District's contribution to the core budget for 2019-2020 is $34,626, the same as the current school year. The School Board also approved an agreement with Chartwells as the food service management vendor for the 2019-2020 school year. The contract also allows for four one-year renewals. The school district had solicited requests for proposals from other vendors for this contract—it’s a requirement to do that at least every five years—but district officials are very pleased with the service that Chartwells provides, and they were happy to continue to utilize those services. The Kennett School Board will meet again on Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center. Today, Top Stories Like what you're reading? Subscribe to Chester County's free newsletter to catch every headline	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3750
__label__cc	0.680165	0.319835	TWO DAYS UNTIL MAYWEATHER VS. ORTIZ BLASTS OFF AT THE BOX OFFICE Las Vegas (July 6, 2011) - Tickets for the biggest boxing event of 2011 "STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz," featuring boxing's biggest star Floyd "Money" Mayweather and boxing's newest star "Vicious" Victor Ortiz, will go on sale FRIDAY, JULY 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET/ 10:00 a.m. PT. The Welterweight World Championship bout, set for Saturday, Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is expected to produce meteoric box office numbers. Tickets priced at $1,250, $1,000, $600, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, are limited to ten (10) per person and $150 tickets are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of ten (10) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Box Office and online at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. "STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz" is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWALT Tools and AT&T. The 12-round mega-fight, which will be contested for Ortiz's WBC Welterweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, Sept. 17 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. "STAR POWER" in History: Did you know? The Space Shuttle Discovery made its final launch into space on February 24, 2011, the same day that Floyd Mayweather celebrated his 34th birthday. Victor Ortiz was born on January 31, 1987, the 29th anniversary of the first successful American satellite, Explorer I, launch into space. The first of the outer solar system asteroids known as Centaurs (minor planets that behave with characteristics of both asteroids and comets) were discovered in 1977 - the same year Mayweather was born. The first supernova (the explosion of a star) in more than three centuries was seen by the naked eye in 1987 - the same year Ortiz was born. HBO®'s Emmy® Award-winning all-access series "24/7" premieres an all-new edition when "24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz" debuts Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the welterweight championship showdown in Las Vegas. Posted by Michael Gerard Seiler at 11:07 AM	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3752
__label__wiki	0.85069	0.85069	Canadian History for Kids: Roy Brown Home » Sketches of Our Canada » Canadian History for Kids: Roy Brown Sketches of Canada for April 21st! April 21, 1918 – German air ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen, while chasing novice Canadian pilot Wop May, is shot down and killed over the Western Front during a dogfight with Captain Roy Brown. This Canadian History for Kids exclusive, looks at an amazing Canadian, Roy Brown. This Canadian History for Kids story starts with Brown’s birth on 23 December 1893 in Carleton Place, Ontario. Following his high school education he studied at business school in order to take his place running the family businesses, a flour mill and power company Brown enlisted in 1915 as an Officer Cadet at the Army Officers’ Training Corps. Even at this early stage Brown was fascinated by the aerial war; it was a more attractive draw than trench warfare. Although Brown expressed interest in joining the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), his father was quite concerned with the high casualty rate for RFC pilots, and this Canadian History for kids almost didn’t happen as he denied Brown’s request for elementary flying school lessons. Service with the Royal Naval Air Service was seen as a potentially safer opportunity, since these airmen were less likely to take on combat missions, instead flying coastal patrols for much of the time. This Canadian History for Kids story continues on 13 November 1915 when Brown emerged from training with his pilot’s certificate after just six hours air time. Brown set sail for England on 22 November 1915 and upon his arrival Brown underwent further training at Chingford. On 6 October 1917 Brown was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his aerial success and in particular for coming to the aid of a lone Allied pilot under fire from four German Albatrosses. The most famous aerial battle of the war happened on the morning of 21 April 1918, and this Canadian History for Kids article is going to tell you all about it! While on patrol Brown became engaged in combat with German pilots led by Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron”. A newcomer to the squadron, Wop May, had been instructed to stay clear of any fight and watch. May noticed an enemy pilot doing the same thing. That pilot was the Red Baron’s cousin, Lt. Wolfram von Richthofen, who had been given the same instructions as May. May attacked Wolfram and soon found himself in the main fight, firing at several fleeting targets until his guns jammed. May dived out of the fight, and Manfred von Richthofen gave chase down to ground level. Brown saw May in trouble and dived steeply in an attempt to rescue his friend. What happened next remains controversial to this day. Brown fired away at the Red Baron, as did Australian Army machine gunners on the ground. The Red Baron eventually crashed near the Australian trenches. Upon viewing Richthofen’s body the following day, Brown wrote that “there was a lump in my throat. If he had been my dearest friend, I could not have felt greater sorrow”. The RAF credited Brown officially with the kill, shortly after receiving a Bar to his DSC, at least partly in recognition of this feat. This Canadian History for Kids article continues as Brown left the RAF in 1919 and returned to Canada where he worked as an accountant. He also founded a small airline and worked for a while as editor of Canadian Aviation. He died on 9 March 1944, of a heart attack, in Ontario. He was 50 years old. Canadian History for Kids: Richard Hansen Canadian History for Kids: William Jackman Canadian History for Kids: Slavery	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3753
__label__cc	0.703285	0.296715	Court of Appeal Act (No. 44 of 1971) 1. Short title and date of operation 2. Establishment of Court of Appeal 3. Constitution of the Appellate Court 4. Appointment of Judges of the Appellate Court 5. Salaries of the Judges of the Appellate Court 6. Acting appointments to Appellate Court 7. Oath or affirmation of office by Judges of the Appellate Court 8. Jurisdiction of the Appellate Court 9. Reference to the Appellate Court 10. Enforcement of decisions of the Appellate Court 11. Staff of the Appellate Court 12. Seal of the Appellate Court 13. Rules of Court 14. Repeal of the Appeals (Privy Council) Ordinance (Chapter 100) 15. Amendment of the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 20) 16. Amendment of the Courts Ordinance (Chapter 6) 17. Amendment of the Court of Criminal Appeal Ordinance (Chapter 7) 18. Abolition of the right of appeal to Her Majesty in Council 19. Appeals or petitions pending before the Privy Council 20. Saving of the jurisdiction of Her Majesty in Council 21. The provisions of this Act to be regarded as amendments to the Ceylon (Constitution and Independence) Orders in Council, 1946 and 1947	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3757
__label__cc	0.720351	0.279649	Sybase Open Watcom Public License - Version 2.0 People : Author : Sybase Sybase Open Watcom Public License version 2.0 USE OF SOFTWARE DESIGNATED AS SUBJECT TO THE SYBASE OPEN WATCOM PUBLIC LICENSE ("SOFTWARE") IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LICENSE AGREEMENT SET FORTH BELOW (“LICENSE”). YOU MAY NOT USE THE SOFTWARE IN ANY MANNER UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LICENSE. YOU INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE BY IN ANY MANNER USING (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION BY REPRODUCING, MODIFYING OR DISTRIBUTING) THE SOFTWARE. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LICENSE, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE IN ANY MANNER. 1. Application; Definitions. This License applies to any Original Code (defined below) so designated by the original licensor and any Modifications (defined below). As used in this License: 1.1 "Applicable Patent Rights" mean: (a) in the case where the Original Licensor is the grantor of rights, (i) claims of patents that are now or hereafter acquired, owned by or assigned to the Original Licensor and (ii) that cover subject matter contained in the Original Code, but only to the extent necessary to use, reproduce and/or distribute the Original Code without infringement; and (b) in the case where You are the grantor of rights, (i) claims of patents that are now or hereafter acquired, owned by or assigned to You and (ii) that cover subject matter in Your Modifications, taken alone or in combination with Original Code. 1.2 "Contributor" means any person or entity that creates or contributes to the creation of Modifications. 1.3 "Covered Code" means the Original Code, Modifications, the combination of Original Code and any Modifications, and/or any respective portions thereof. 1.4 "Externally Deploy" means: (a) to sublicense, distribute or otherwise make Covered Code available, directly or indirectly, to anyone other than You; and/or (b) to use Covered Code, alone or as part of a Larger Work, in any way to provide a service, including but not limited to delivery of content, through electronic communication with a client other than You. 1.5 "Larger Work" means a work which combines Covered Code or portions thereof with code not governed by the terms of this License. 1.6 "Modifications" mean any addition to, deletion from, and/or change to, the substance and/or structure of the Original Code, any previous Modifications, the combination of Original Code and any previous Modifications, and/or any respective portions thereof. When code is released as a series of files, a Modification is: (a) any addition to or deletion from the contents of a file containing Covered Code; and/or (b) any new file or other representation of computer program statements that contains any part of Covered Code. 1.7 "Original Code" means (a) the Source Code of a program or other work as originally made available by the Original Licensor under this License, including the Source Code of any updates or upgrades to such programs or works made available by the Original Licensor under this License, and that has been expressly identified by the Original Licensor as such in the header file(s) of such work; and (b) the object code compiled from such Source Code and originally made available by the Original Licensor under this License. 1.8 “Original Licensor” is the person or entity that owns the rights in the Original Code. 1.9 "Source Code" means the human readable form of a program or other work that is suitable for making modifications to it, including all modules it contains, plus any associated interface definition files, scripts used to control compilation and installation of an executable (object code). 1.10 "You" or "Your" means an individual or a legal entity exercising rights under this License. For legal entities, "You" or "Your" includes any entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, You, where "control" means (a) the power, direct or indirect, to cause the direction or management of such entity, whether by contract or otherwise, or (b) ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding shares or beneficial ownership of such entity. 2. Permitted Uses; Conditions & Restrictions. Subject to the terms and conditions of this License, the Original Licensor hereby grants You, effective on the date You accept this License and download the Original Code, a world-wide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license, to the extent of the Original Licensor's Applicable Patent Rights and copyrights covering the Original Code, to do the following: 2.1 Unmodified Code. You may use, reproduce, display, perform, internally distribute within Your organization, and Externally Deploy verbatim, unmodified copies of the Original Code, for commercial or non-commercial purposes, provided that in each instance: (a) You must retain and reproduce in all copies of Original Code the copyright and other proprietary notices and disclaimers of the Original Licensor as they appear in the Original Code, and keep intact all notices in the Original Code that refer to this License; and (b) You must retain and reproduce a copy of this License with every copy of Source Code of Covered Code and documentation You distribute or Externally Deploy, and You may not offer or impose any terms on such Source Code that alter or restrict this License or the recipients' rights hereunder, except as permitted under Section 6; and (c) Whenever reasonably feasible you should include the copy of this License in a click- wrap format, which requires affirmative acceptance by clicking on an "I accept" button or similar mechanism. If a click-wrap format is not included, you must include a statement that any use (including without limitation reproduction, modification or distribution) of the Software, and any other affirmative act that you define, constitutes acceptance of the License, and instructing the user not to use the Covered Code in any manner if the user does not accept all of the terms and conditions of the License. 2.2 Modified Code. You may modify Covered Code and use, reproduce, display, perform, internally distribute within Your organization, and Externally Deploy Your Modifications and Covered Code, for commercial or non-commercial purposes, provided that in each instance You also meet all of these conditions: (a) You must satisfy all the conditions of Section 2.1; and (b) You must identify yourself as the originator of your Modifications in a manner that reasonably allows subsequent recipients to identify the originator of the Modification; and (c) If You Externally Deploy Your Modifications, You must make Source Code of all Your Externally Deployed Modifications either available to those to whom You have Externally Deployed Your Modifications, or publicly available. Source Code of Your Externally Deployed Modifications must be released under the terms set forth in this License, including the license grants set forth in Section 3 below, for as long as you Externally Deploy the Covered Code or twelve (12) months from the date of initial External Deployment, whichever is longer. You should preferably distribute the Source Code of Your Externally Deployed Modifications electronically (e.g. download from a web site). 2.3 Distribution of Executable Versions. If You Externally Deploy Covered Code (Original Code and/or Modifications) in object code, executable form only, the following applies: (a) The object code form of the Covered Code may be distributed under Your own license agreement, provided that such license agreement contains terms no less protective of the Original Licensor and each Contributor than the terms of this License, and states that any provisions that differ from this License are offered by you alone and not by any other party. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, Your license must effectively disclaim on behalf of the Original Licensor and all Contributors all warranties and conditions, express and implied, including warranties or conditions of title and non- infringement, and implied warranties or conditions of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose; and must effectively exclude on behalf of the Original Licensor and all Contributors all liability for damages, including direct, indirect, special, incidental and consequential damages, such as lost profits. You hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Original Licensor and every Contributor harmless from any liability incurred by or claims asserted against them by reason of any failure to satisfy this requirement; and (b) If You Externally Deploy Covered Code (Original Code and/or Modifications) in object code, executable form only, and you elect to do so under the terms of this License, You must include a prominent notice, in the code itself as well as in related user documentation, stating that Source Code of the Covered Code is available under the terms of this License with information on how and where to obtain such Source Code. No such notice is required if the distribution is under the terms of your own license agreement pursuant to subpart (a). 2.4 Larger Works. You may create a Larger Work by combining Covered Code with other code not governed by the terms of this License and distribute the Larger Work as a single product. In each such instance, You must make sure the requirements of this License are fulfilled for the Covered Code or any portion thereof. 2.5 Third Party Rights. You expressly acknowledge and agree that although the Original Licensor and each Contributor grants the licenses to their respective portions of the Covered Code set forth herein, no assurances are provided by the Original Licensor or any Contributor that the Covered Code does not infringe the patent or other intellectual property rights of any other entity. the Original Licensor and each Contributor disclaim any liability to You for claims brought by any other entity based on infringement of intellectual property rights or otherwise. As a condition to exercising the rights and licenses granted hereunder, You hereby assume sole responsibility to secure any other intellectual property rights needed, if any. For example, if a third party patent license is required to allow You to distribute the Covered Code, it is Your responsibility to acquire that license before distributing the Covered Code. 3. Your Grants. In consideration of, and as a condition to, the licenses granted to You under this License, You hereby grant to any person or entity receiving or distributing Covered Code under this License a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license, under Your Applicable Patent Rights and other intellectual property rights (other than patent) owned or controlled by You, to use, reproduce, display, perform, modify, sublicense, distribute and Externally Deploy Your Modifications of the same scope and extent as the Original Licensor's licenses under Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 above. 4. Commercial Distribution. While this License is designed to facilitate the commercial use of the Covered Code, the Contributor who includes the Covered Code or any portion thereof in a commercial product offering should do so in a manner which does not create potential liability for other Contributors. Therefore, if a Contributor includes the Covered Code in a commercial product offering, such Contributor (“Commercial Contributor”) hereby agrees to defend and indemnify every other Contributor (“Indemnified Contributor”) against any losses, damages and costs (collectively “Losses”) arising from claims, lawsuits and other legal actions brought by a third party against the Indemnified Contributor to the extent caused by the acts or omissions of such Commercial Contributor in connection with its distribution of the Covered Code or portion thereof in a commercial product offering (including without limitation any failure to satisfy the requirements of this License). In order to qualify, an Indemnified Contributor must: a) promptly notify the commercial Contributor in writing of such claim, and b) allow the Commercial Contributor to control, and cooperate with the Commercial Contributor in, the defense and any related settlement negotiations, The Indemnified Contributor may participate in any such claim at its own expense. 5. Limitations on Patent License. Except as expressly stated in Section 2, no other patent rights, express or implied, are granted by the Original Licensor herein. Modifications and/or Larger Works may require additional patent licenses from the Original Licensor which the Original Licensor may grant in its sole discretion. 6. Additional Terms. You may choose to offer, and to charge a fee for, warranty, support, indemnity or liability obligations and/or other rights consistent with this License ("Additional Terms") to one or more recipients of Covered Code. However, You may do so only on Your own behalf and as Your sole responsibility, and not on behalf of the Original Licensor or any Contributor. You must obtain the recipient's agreement that any such Additional Terms are offered by You alone, and You hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Original Licensor and every Contributor harmless for any liability incurred by or claims asserted against the Original Licensor or such Contributor by reason of any such Additional Terms. 7. Versions of the License. The Original Licensor may publish revised and/or new versions of this License from time to time. Each version will be given a distinguishing version number. Once Original Code has been published under a particular version of this License, You may continue to use it under the terms of that version. You may also choose to use such Original Code under the terms of any subsequent version of this License published by the Original Licensor. No one other than the Original Licensor has the right to modify the terms applicable to Covered Code created under this License. 8. NO WARRANTY OR SUPPORT. The Covered Code may contain in whole or in part pre-release, untested, or not fully tested works. The Covered Code may contain errors that could cause failures or loss of data, and may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies. You expressly acknowledge and agree that use of the Covered Code, or any portion thereof, is at Your sole and entire risk. THE COVERED CODE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY, UPGRADES OR SUPPORT OF ANY KIND AND THE ORIGINAL LICENSOR AND THE ORIGINAL LICENSOR'S LICENSOR(S) (COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS "THE ORIGINAL LICENSOR" FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 8 AND 9) AND ALL CONTRIBUTORS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND/OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND/OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OF ACCURACY, OF QUIET ENJOYMENT, AND NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. THE ORIGINAL LICENSOR AND EACH CONTRIBUTOR DOES NOT WARRANT AGAINST INTERFERENCE WITH YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE COVERED CODE, THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE COVERED CODE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, THAT THE OPERATION OF THE COVERED CODE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE COVERED CODE WILL BE CORRECTED. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY THE ORIGINAL LICENSOR, AN ORIGINAL LICENSOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR ANY CONTRIBUTOR SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY. You acknowledge that the Covered Code is not intended for use in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation, communication systems, or air traffic control machines in which case the failure of the Covered Code could lead to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental damage. 9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ORIGINAL LICENSOR OR ANY CONTRIBUTOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS LICENSE OR YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE COVERED CODE, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, WHETHER UNDER A THEORY OF CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCTS LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF THE ORIGINAL LICENSOR OR SUCH CONTRIBUTOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY REMEDY. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, SO THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. In no event shall the Original Licensor's or any Contributor's total liability to You for all damages (other than as may be required by applicable law) under this License exceed the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00). 10. Trademarks. This License does not grant any rights to use the trademarks or trade names "Sybase" or any other trademarks or trade names belonging to the Original Licensor (collectively "Original Licensor Marks") or to any trademark or trade name belonging to any Contributor(“Contributor Marks”). No Original Licensor Marks or Contributor Marks may be used to endorse or promote products derived from the Original Code or Covered Code other than with the prior written consent of the Original Licensor or the Contributor, as applicable. 11. Ownership. Subject to the licenses granted under this License, each Contributor retains all rights, title and interest in and to any Modifications made by such Contributor. The Original Licensor retains all rights, title and interest in and to the Original Code and any Modifications made by or on behalf of the Original Licensor ("Original Licensor Modifications"), and such Original Licensor Modifications will not be automatically subject to this License. The Original Licensor may, at its sole discretion, choose to license such Original Licensor Modifications under this License, or on different terms from those contained in this License or may choose not to license them at all. 12.1 Termination. This License and the rights granted hereunder will terminate: (a) automatically without notice if You fail to comply with any term(s) of this License and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of such breach; (b) immediately in the event of the circumstances described in Section 13.5(b); or (c) automatically without notice if You, at any time during the term of this License, commence an action for patent infringement (including as a cross claim or counterclaim) against the Original Licensor or any Contributor. 12.2 Effect of Termination. Upon termination, You agree to immediately stop any further use, reproduction, modification, sublicensing and distribution of the Covered Code. All sublicenses to the Covered Code that have been properly granted prior to termination shall survive any termination of this License. Provisions which, by their nature, should remain in effect beyond the termination of this License shall survive, including but not limited to Sections 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.2 and 13. No party will be liable to any other for compensation, indemnity or damages of any sort solely as a result of terminating this License in accordance with its terms, and termination of this License will be without prejudice to any other right or remedy of any party. 13.1 Government End Users. The Covered Code is a "commercial item" as defined in FAR 2.101. Government software and technical data rights in the Covered Code include only those rights customarily provided to the public as defined in this License. This customary commercial license in technical data and software is provided in accordance with FAR 12.211 (Technical Data) and 12.212 (Computer Software) and, for Department of Defense purchases, DFAR 252.227-7015 (Technical Data -- Commercial Items) and 227.7202-3 (Rights in Commercial Computer Software or Computer Software Documentation). Accordingly, all U.S. Government End Users acquire Covered Code with only those rights set forth herein. 13.2 Relationship of Parties. This License will not be construed as creating an agency, partnership, joint venture or any other form of legal association between or among you, the Original Licensor or any Contributor, and You will not represent to the contrary, whether expressly, by implication, appearance or otherwise. 13.3 Independent Development. Nothing in this License will impair the Original Licensor's or any Contributor’s right to acquire, license, develop, have others develop for it, market and/or distribute technology or products that perform the same or similar functions as, or otherwise compete with, Modifications, Larger Works, technology or products that You may develop, produce, market or distribute. 13.4 Waiver; Construction. Failure by the Original Licensor or any Contributor to enforce any provision of this License will not be deemed a waiver of future enforcement of that or any other provision. Any law or regulation which provides that the language of a contract shall be construed against the drafter will not apply to this License. 13.5 Severability. (a) If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this License, or portion thereof, to be unenforceable, that provision of the License will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the economic benefits and intent of the parties, and the remainder of this License will continue in full force and effect. (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if applicable law prohibits or restricts You from fully and/or specifically complying with Sections 2 and/or 3 or prevents the enforceability of either of those Sections, this License will immediately terminate and You must immediately discontinue any use of the Covered Code and destroy all copies of it that are in your possession or control. 13.6 Dispute Resolution. Any litigation or other dispute resolution between You and the Original Licensor relating to this License shall take place in the Northern District of California, and You and the Original Licensor hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of, and venue in, the state and federal courts within that District with respect to this License. The application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is expressly excluded. 13.7 Entire Agreement; Governing Law. This License constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This License shall be governed by the laws of the United States and the State of California, except that body of California law concerning conflicts of law. Where You are located in the province of Quebec, Canada, the following clause applies: The parties hereby confirm that they have requested that this License and all related documents be drafted in English. Les parties ont exigé que le présent contrat et tous les documents connexes soient rédigés en anglais. Chronology : May 13, 2017 : Sybase Open Watcom Public License - Version 2.0 -- Added to http://www.CopyLeftLicense.com. HTML file generated from : http://www.CopyLeftLicense.com/	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3759
__label__cc	0.561505	0.438495	Kelly McCusker – Violin Kelly Mc Cusker studied at the Purcell School, Kingston University and gained a distinction in Music Performance for her Masters Degree at the Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied with Gabrielle Lester (CBSO principle) and Mica Comberti (baroque violin). Upon completion of her degree, she became a visiting violin tutor at the Conservatoire and Birmingham University and is currently the Head of Strings at The Repton School and Foremarke Prep School in Derbyshire. On her modern violin, Kelly performs with a variety of groups including Sinfonia Viva, Jocelyn Pook Ensemble as a violinist and vocalist (theatre and film projects), the Elgar Sinfonia, RSC (in Stratford and on tour in Washington DC), Lichfield based ensemble DECO and for Longborough Opera where 3 complete Wagner Ring Cycles were performed in June and July 2013 and has recently been appointed leader of the Chandos orchestra. She also performs on the Baroque and Classical violin with numerous ensembles namely The London Handel Players, The City of London Chamber Players, Orchestra of the Baroque (recordings include The Fairy Queen, Scarlatti mass and the “Naked Byrd 2”) and the Worcester Chamber Orchestra. She is also a member of the CBSO baroque ensemble, Ex Cathedra, Haydn Festival orchestra and the Corelli Ensemble. In 2000, she performed at the BBC Proms with the St James Baroque Ensemble. Kelly is a principal member of the Hanover Band who have recently recorded the complete Mozart horn concertos, performed for the Duke of Kent and tour around Europe regularly. Her string quartet, Astaria, released their first cd in 2011 and enjoy a busy schedule performing all over the UK. They are artistic directors of the Chamber Music @ Worcester Festival which occurs the first weekend in October at St. Oswald’s church in Worcester. Both her modern and baroque violins are made by Chris Johnson near Loughborough. Tweets by @darwinensemble	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3773
__label__wiki	0.959123	0.959123	Home » Africa » South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma resigns Jacob Zuma, Former President of South Africa South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma resigns Jacob Zuma has quit as President of South Africa, finally succumbing to a slew of corruption scandals that have drained support from his ruling African National Congress party. “No life should be lost in my name and also the ANC should never be divided in my name,” he said during a nationally televised political address Wednesday. “I have therefore come to the decision to resign as President of the republic with immediate effect.” The announcement came after the ANC took the extraordinary step of calling for a no-confidence vote in the leader on Wednesday, a day after it publicly demanded his resignation. Party officials on Tuesday decided to issue a “recall” notice after failing privately to convince Zuma that he should step aside. After his resignation announcement, Zuma said he disagreed with the decision of his political party and that he has always been a “disciplined member of the ANC.” “As I leave I will continue to serve the people of South Africa as well as the ANC, the organization I have served all of my life in,” Zuma said. Zuma, 75, survived multiple attempts by opposition parties to oust him during his more than eight years in power, earning him the nickname of the “Teflon president.” The leader of the South African opposition party, Mmusi Maimane, said it was about time Zuma resigned and that the former President should see his day in court on corruption charges. Speaking to CNN immediately after Zuma’s resignation, Maimane said the Democratic Alliance will put forth its own candidate in the national assembly on Thursday and if needed will contest the election of acting President Cyril Ramaphosa. “It’s about time that some form of accountability is afflicted on Jacob Zuma and I think that he has been a one-man wrecking ball to our economy, to our country,” Maimane said.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3775
__label__wiki	0.560135	0.560135	CURRENT PRODUCTIONS REVIEWS ALL PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL FORUM Sarah Ackerman hosts this amazing comedy competition where all the scenes are based on your tasteful suggestions and you vote for the best performing actors! Enjoy air conditioning and a cold beer as you watch! ... [more] For over 150 years, Little Women has captured the hearts of young ladies making the complicated transition from girl to woman. Our non-traditional, diverse production will delve into the universal struggles that every woman in every age must face and conque... [more] June 28, 2019 - July 21, 2019 Set against the historical backdrop of Atlanta’s development in the mid-20th century, the story of aging Southern matron Daisy Werthan, her long-suffering son Boolie, and her chauffer Hoke Colburn unfolds over 25 years of friendship, loss, racial tension, and ultima... [more] OTHER NOW PLAYING Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States—it’s almost in Canada. And it almost doesn’t exist. Because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it’s just…Almost. One cold, clear Fr... [more] September 07, 2018 - Unknown Based on the classic novel, which inspired the 1955 movie starring Fred Astaire, "Daddy Long Legs" is a beloved tale in the spirit of Jane Austen, The Brontë Sisters and “Downton Abbey.” "Daddy Long Legs" features music and lyrics by Tony... [more] For our Tenth Anniversary Season, we will revive the Tony-winning rock musical in a brand new, larger than life production. During Season Four, "Hair" was a game-changing show for Serenbe Playhouse, and there is no better time... [more] September 23, 2017 - Open Run The Experts in Mystery Entertainment are now performing live public and private interactive murder mystery dinner shows in Atlanta and surrounding areas throughout Georgia. Join The Murder Mystery Company in Atlanta for a night of intrig... [more] When the fate of the world hangs in the balance, you can always count on Ethan Stunt, the renegade top secret agent of an elite organization known as Mission Espionage Headquarters, or MEH. But when the evil Mastermind of NiteFort Battle Royale, the most epic onl... [more] Rosemary’s journey starts with her simple Maysville, Kentucky childhood and follows her rise to Hollywood stardom. With her signature songs woven in and out, we learn both the story of her successes on film, radio, and TV, as well as her struggles i... [more] Loads of laughter and literature collide in this smart hit comedy about books and the people who love them. Ana is a Type A personality who lives in a letter-perfect world with an adoring husband, the perfect job and her greatest passion: Book Club. But when her cherishe... [more]	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3777
__label__wiki	0.705172	0.705172	Kat's Korner: If you can get ahold of it, We Came To Sing! is amazing Kat: In probably the best moment of the album, Holly Near, Pat Humphries and Sandy O's voices combine on the chorus with "Don't you rock 'em daddy-o, don't you rock 'em daddy-o." It's a moment that recalls "Oh River" from Holly's last album Show Up. This time round, she's joined with Pat and Sandy of emma's revolution and the song they're singing is the folk traditional "Sail Away Lady" arranged by Holly with a few new lyrics including, "Let's sing Odetta on her way." They manage to do just that. Not via show boating or flash, but by providing a vocal blend that calls to mind the ocean itself -- especially during the final moments when lead and backing vocals give the song the feel of waves lapping. The album. And here's where we get to the problem. The album is We Came to Sing! and it's a pity no one came to sell. I've written online many times about Living in the USA and how that album hurt Linda Rondstadt. Not because people didn't enjoy the album but because they couldn't. Those were the days of vinyl and cheap vinyl was used on Living in the USA which set records in its year of release for returns. And it's rare that I ever meet someone from that period who likes Linda's vocals and they don't, at some point, bring that up. They had to return it. Their sister or brother had to return it. Every one's got a story. Now no one thought Linda finished a set at the Troubadour, rushed to the factory and began pressing some hot wax. But when her next album came out, Mad Love, you better believe people thought about the hassle they had getting a working copy of Living in the USA, about how they purchased it and then had to go back to the store and return it for a new copy which might or might not have been the end of the story. While not blaming her for the problems with the physical record, they were aware they didn't want to go through that again and it did effect her future sales. Today every thing's changed, right? Wasn't I just addressing this last week? Yes, I was. And it's worse than it was last week. I've gotten more e-mails -- some community members, some visitors -- from people who've had nothing but problems. Does it matter? Yeah, it does. If you're going to sell downloads, you need to be able to deliver. As two visitors wrote, they know how to take money but they don't know how to deliver the product. That's CD Baby whose download problems were supposed to have been fixed last week. If they were, no one who had a problem with the download was contacted. In fact, I will never promote CD Baby for downloads because they have refused to respond to any e-mails from customers with problems. If you want to buy a physical copy of the CD, CD Baby now has those in. I'm not aware of any problems the company's had with sending out discs. But I do not recommend them for downloads. And I don't recommend emma's revolution website for downloads. Community member Dallas downloaded a track two Saturdays back. Well, he bought a track. And I noted at my site that he got an e-mail on Monday that contained the track he'd purchased and explained that the track is supposed to be e-mailed automatically but there's some problem at emma's revolution. And Dallas is his usual nice self and okay with everything. I'm not. My name's on this review and I'm telling people about the album. I need to be honest about the problems. Tuesday night, Dallas purchased the entire album from emma's revolution. He has no copy. (I've burned a copy and sent it in snail mail to him.) How come? emma's revolution hasn't e-mailed the tracks to him. His money was taken Tuesday night. What the hell is this? Downloads are not supposed to be, "For this K-Tel collection, send $4.99 plus shipping and handling and, in four to six weeks, we'll mail you your record." Downloads, by their very nature, are supposed to "down" "load" on your computer after you pay. Now Dallas' attitude is that the women at emma's revolution are busy and blah, blah, fking blah. It's bullst. Dallas is a nice guy. No one's ever accused me of being a nice woman. emma's revolution wants to sell an album. Fine. Then sell it. Don't take people's money and fail to deliver the product. That's bullst. And if I tried to do that on any of my photography assignments? If I missed my deadline, you better believe people would find someone else for their next jobs. I know it, they know it. Dallas' attitude is that it's his fault because he didn't e-mail right away to let them know he hadn't gotten the e-mail downloads, he thinks it's his fault for waiting until Thursday to notify them. First off, emma's revolution already knew there was a problem on their end. That's what they wrote in their Monday e-mail to Dallas. So they knew they had a problem. So it was incumbent upon them to follow all purchases with an e-mail of the tracks since they knew one wasn't going out automatically. Add in that if you e-mail them on a work day, they should be responding on the same work day. So Dallas, a sweet heart of a guy, can be patient but I wouldn't be and I don't think most people would be. There are people who have now paid for this album twice and three times. Paid to download it from CD Baby and never gotten it. And CD Baby will not reply to e-mails. I find that outrageous. I also find it outrageous that emma's revolution wants to sell downloads at their website and they will immediately take your money but they will deliver the 'download' whenever they feel like it. That's bad business and I don't want an e-mail telling me someone had a cold or the flu or their period or blah, blah, fking blah. You're selling downloads at your site. You're taking people's money. You need to be able to deliver. If you can't, I consider you to be, at best, an inept business person and, at worst, an outright fraud. This community hates iTunes. I was talking to C.I. about it (I've listened to C.I.'s CD of the album for sometime now) and C.I. said, "Well let's try iTunes." So we did on Saturday before we flew home. We downloaded it immediately with no problem. I know iTunes is this community's last stop and understand why. But the only download available currently that I can recommend is iTunes. If Amazon ends up providing it as a download, you can download there with no problem. In terms of ordering a CD. I've never had a problem with CD Baby when ordering discs. (I've never tried to download from CD Baby.) They do have a new shipment of the albums and, while those are in stock, you can purchase them there. Years ago, to get a functioning copy of Living in the USA, I finally had to go with 8-track because Tower was telling me, on my third return, that the problem was the vinyl. So once I had the 8-track, I was able to enjoy Linda's version of Elvis Costello's "Alison" and her monster remake of "Ooh Baby Baby." And "Love Me Tender" -- which I think a large number of people have forgotten she once recorded and did so amazingly well. In other words, when I switched over to 8-track, all the trauma and drama became someone else's problem that I could find amusing and just focus on the album itself. If you're fortunate enough to get a copy (a CD or download) of We Came to Sing!, you're very fortunate. This is an amazing recording. It's largely a cappella but there are some acoustic instruments as well. "1,000 Grandmothers" is notable mainly for the vocal interplay which is really something to marvel over. At one point, Holly solos and lets it rip with a powerful vocal that'll put a chill down your spine. Contrast that with "Fired Up" (written by Holly) which is so hard driving and rhythmic, it takes a moment to grasp that they're doing it all vocally, there's no musical instrument accompanying them. Equally impressive is their cover of "Sing to Me the Dream" (which Holly wrote with Jorge Coulon and recorded back in the eighties). I also find Pat Humphries' "Swimming to the Other Side" to be a pretty amazing song with a pretty amazing performance and Holly's "Listen to the Voices" and Rick Burkhardt's "Ministry of Oil" are among the other fine tracks. "Study War No More." It's a strong album and, although there's not a clunker, the weakest track is the final one, the traditional "Study War No More." It's a bit of dirge and it's really not a closer. In addition, three women get together and do the traditional "Study War No More" and not one of them thinks, "Hey, what if we blended this with Laura Nyro's 'Save The Country'? You know, 'In my mind, I can't study war no more . . .'?" It would have given the final track an urgency and bounce that's missing. And the Laura Nyro suggestion? A good one and a good reference point. Laura's largely forgotten today and that's mainly because so many women refuse to honor other women. (In other words, don't expect Judy Collins to do an album of Nyro songs.) Laura was one of the most groundbreaking songwriters of the sixties and praised by everyone from Bob Dylan to Stephen Sondheim. From 1967 through 1970, she released four amazing albums of her own compositions (many of which were hits for other artists: Barbra Streisand's "Stoney End," the Fifth Dimensions' "Wedding Bell Blues," "Save The Country," "He's a Runner," "Stoned Soul Picnic," Three Dog Night's "Eli's Coming," Blood, Sweat & Tears' "And When I Die," etc.). Then she decided to step away and her goodbye in 1971 was Gonna Take a Miracle with Labelle (Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash). The four women went into the studio and turned out amazing versions of "I Met Him on a Sunday," "You Really Got a Hold on Me," "The Wind" and other songs. That album is now considered a classic and that fate could await We Came To Sing! as well. For example, if it could get a Grammy nod, there's no way it wouldn't win. This is music at a time when the music industry appears to be interested in everything but music. This is satisfying music at a time when most releases that satisfy people tend to be repackaged hit collections. This is really something and Holly Near and emma's revolution should be really proud of being there on the front line making the case for art, showing the power of music, living the joy. But for that to happen, people have to be able to hear the album. And that remains the problem. emmas revolution we came to sing sarah dash nona hendryx Drones, deaths and don't waste my time Ehren Watada scheduled to be discharged October 2n... Prisons in Iraq . . . and England More VA screw ups Iraqi refugees & prison break Arianna pimps ways to continue wars Why was Baha Mousa killed? DNO v. KRG Iraq and its interactions with others The tolls: deaths, PTSD, unemployment UK inquiry into the death of Baha Mousa Brzezinski's lips move, truth may or may not emerg... Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "The Grouch of ... Kat's Korner: If you can get ahold of it, We Came ...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3779
__label__wiki	0.503476	0.503476	Eric Hobsbawm, the joy of history and all that jazz 8796 Views March 05, 2019 44 Comments Guest Analyses The Saker by Pepe Escobar (cross-posted with the Asia Times by special agreement with the author) We all lose by not having Eric Hobsbawm absorb the geopolitical dementia of the early 21st century to later refine it in sharp, crisp historical analysis. A new, exhaustive biography, ‘Eric Hobsbawm: A Life in History,’ by his former student and Regius Professor of History Emeritus at Cambridge, Richard Evans – out now in the UK and in the US in April – allows us to evaluate the extent of our loss. It all starts with – what else – an undying love of good books: “In the end, one doesn’t just read them, one lives with them. That’s civilization.” That’s so apt coming from someone who in 1940, during the war, read “100 pages of Stendhal on the back of a lorry – a gesture of civilization.” At the time “the English boy” born in Alexandria in June 1917, a Gemini, was not even contemplating the idea of becoming a professional historian. He’d rather write “proletarian literature.” During a stressful – historical – juncture when Hitler announced he expected to take up residence in London within a fortnight, Eric was already determined that “I want to write so that everyone recognizes the houses and streets, smells the flowers, feels the passions.” In the end, he somehow achieved his dream – to be a historian. Readers in five continents know that Eric always defined himself as a Marxist. It says a lot about British intelligence that MI5 spent a lot of time and energy tracking Eric while totally bypassing the “Cambridge Five” who were merrily passing secrets to the USSR – Blunt, Burgess, Cairncross, MacLean and Philby – all of them, unlike Eric, Brit establishment to the core. The book details delightful personal vignettes, such as: Eric in Paris in the early 1950s, “observing the passing scene from the approved cafes such as the Flore or the Rhumerie” and mingling with, among others, Lucien Goldmann, Roland Barthes and Edgar Morin, the great Henri Cartier-Bresson, going to jazz clubs, and interacting with intellectuals who were either unorthodox Marxists or drifting away from Marxism for good. He got to know Jean-Paul Sartre quite well – sharing the odd mutton curry at La Coupole. At the time both the French and the British Communist Party were hardcore Stalinist, totally unlike Eric. No wonder the party in Paris never invited him to any meetings. Eric was a consummate political pragmatist. He may have been a communist, of course, but never sectarian. His loyalty, above all, was to the broad cause of socialism. As Evans stresses, “he believed consistently in the unity of the Left, not in any kind of Marxist sectarianism.” The official ‘Made in the USSR’ party line on jazz was extremely negative during the Stalinist era. Then, rehabilitation ensued. By 1962 jazz was all the rage, for instance, in Czechoslovakia. That’s when jazz – and especially the blues – started to be sold across the “real socialism” sphere as the music of the oppressed black working class in capitalist America. Enter Eric as jazz critic of the New Statesman, under the pseudonym Francis Newton. At the time, late 1950s to early 1960s, journalism was despised by British academia. Swinging from jazz clubs and concerts to the quasi-mythical hipster hangout, the Downbeat Club in Old Compton Street in Soho, Eric pulled it off as a cultural reporter instead of music critic. Many in academia were oblivious to his alter ego. Eric’s jazz criticism is fascinating in itself. He was attracted by the cerebral classicism of the Modern Jazz Quartet rejecting “the old, full-blooded, spontaneous jazz … because it reminds them of oppression, illiteracy, of Negroes clowning to wheedle crumbs from the whites.” He didn’t get Miles Davis – “surprisingly narrow technical and emotional range” – or Thelonius Monk – “neither the technical mastery nor the staying power” of Duke Ellington. On the other hand, he found Ornette Coleman “unforgettable.” He would always display a positively gloomy vision of mass-produced pop. Eric was a marvelous interviewee. I wish I could have asked him back in the 1980s what he thought of David Bowie. Evans does full justice to the importance of the “Age” trilogy. ‘The Age of Revolution’, following European history from 1789 to 1848, made a splash with its formidable thesis tracing the simultaneous impact of the “dual revolution,” the French political and ideological and the British industrial; essentially, the foundation of the modern world. The concept of “dual revolution” would become seminal in every historical writing and teaching of the past half-century. No one before Eric had shown that the Industrial Revolution was due to Britannia ruling the waves, which enabled it to create a virtual monopoly of cotton exports to India and Latin America. He also definitely showed how the French bourgeoisie, as a ”coherent social group,” drove political change “when the French monarchy, mired in deep financial crisis following the War of Independence in the US, lost the support of the feudal aristocracy.” By the time ‘The Age of Capital’ was out, in the mid-1970s, Eric had clinched a triple treat; academic recognition, vast commercial success, full respect and recognition by the British establishment. ‘The Age of Empire’, chronicling the “long 19th century” from 1789 to 1914, unveiled a magnificent concept also essential to any future historical scholarship. Arguably the best summary ever of Eric’s prodigious gifts was offered in a review by Perry Anderson: “economy of synthesis; vividness of detail; global scope, yet acute sense of regional difference; polymathic fluency, equally at ease with crops and stock markets, nations and classes, statesmen and peasants, sciences and arts; breadth of sympathies for disparate social agents; power of analytic narrative; and not least a style of remarkable clarity and energy, whose signature is the sudden bolt of metaphoric electricity across the even surface of cool, pungent argument.” The universalist project Eric instinctively knew already in 1989 what would happen after the collapse of the USSR. At a conference in Sweden, as recalled by French historian Patrick Fridenson, he prophesized: “With the Soviet Union you have had peace; you are going to have war.” Later on, in 1990, he would write: “The fall of the Soviet-type system, about which all illusion had long gone, is less significant than the apparent end of the dream of which it was the nightmare version.” No wonder Eric was a critic of nationalism and identity politics. He always stressed, “the political project of the left is universalist.” Nations were no more than artificial constructs – see, for instance, the British empire arbitrarily demarcating the borders of Afghanistan and Iraq, among others. ‘Age of Extremes’ turned Eric into a global superstar. But there are flaws. Essentially, the point of view is centered on Vienna, Berlin and London. There is no comprehensive analysis of the ascension of the American bourgeoisie, or the turbulence across East Asia. The book actually revolves around the history of the decline of a Western civilization that totally betrayed the 19th-century promise of cultural and material flowering. At dinner parties, Eric eschewed small talk and behaved as a true political party animal. He wanted to cut to the chase right away. As his editor at Penguin, Stuart Proffitt, recalled: “The quality of his information from around the world, in extreme old age – this must have been when he was 93, 94, something like that – but he knew exactly what was going on all over the world. I mean, he was like a sort of one-man Economist Intelligence Unit. It was really, really extraordinary.” Eric the Brazilian Eric may have become widely respected in the US, due to his academic stints, and in India, but in Brazil he became larger-than-life. His books sold almost a million copies. He was essential in shaping the political thinking of two former Presidents, Cardoso and Lula. In 1975, during the military dictatorship, he was invited to the first major conference featuring leftist intellectuals such as Arno Mayer from Princeton and Juan Linz from Yale. Talking fluently about Brazilian peasant millenarian movements, he had the guts to declare he was a Marxist historian, planting a seed that would engender the end of the military dictatorship in the following decade. It’s impossible to understand where Eric Hobsbawm was coming from without the essential background provided by Evans. Eric became acquainted with Marxist theory and an ideal of communism in the early 1930s, when the Communist Party seemed to many young people of his generation to embody the only possible hope of defeating Nazism and building a better world. So this spectacle of a great mass movement sharing common ideals forged in Eric a lifelong, visceral emotional sense of belonging, healing the scars in his shattered family life. Evans sums it all up: “This feeling lasted, buried deep in his soul, for the rest of his life.” And that’s how we should also understand his passion for jazz – the search for a community that provided some sort of emotional equivalent of a family. Eric never followed the party line. Only intellectual amoebas could possibly accuse him of being a Stalinist. He did, consciously, remain part of a global network of fellow leftist intellectuals for the rest of his life. In a nutshell, he was a crossover Marxist, an absolutely unique, polyphonic, intellectual mix shaped by myriad influences. And the greatest thing is that he was, above all, one helluva writer. It was literature that guided him to history. And that’s why, ashes to ashes, his global appeal will remain something for the history books. pepe escobar andrea iravanistein the grand dutchess of franisran. on March 05, 2019 · at 12:06 pm EST/EDT i have never read any of his works, and am totally unfamiliar with him, but music is in fact the spirit of revolution, inspired by God, in my belief by the opressed. Jazz, Blues, Regae, Rock and Roll, Punk, and calypso were all voices of revolution. Calypso music was the only trusted source of news, since plantation slaves communicated through Calypso, since most other forms of communication were outlawed. Jazz was prohibited by the Nazis for being impure and embraced by Jews, as was the art of Chagall. Many may disput punk being music of the opressed, but I disagree. It is the voice of the white youth being opressed and manipulated into compliance by the neo-liberals and neo-conservatives like Mary Whitehouse, also named in Pigs on Animals by Pink Floyd, Hey you Whitehouse, hah ha charade you are. We can only end with Bye Bye Miss American Pie, by McClean, the day the music dies, is the day that America is officially dead. Alabama on March 06, 2019 · at 6:26 am EST/EDT Its been said that rock and roll has mostly died, replaced by rap music, and I can not disagree. @punk ‘the voice of the white youth being opressed and manipulated’ Like ‘The Prodigy’? Keith Flint who ends up in suicide, like a score of other ‘idols’ of the ‘white youth’? rick jarvis on March 05, 2019 · at 1:36 pm EST/EDT Never expected to find such an acute and glowing tribute to Eric Hobsbawm on your website by such a appreciative polemicist as Pepe Escobar. Thank you so much for this reminder of a man whose courage and intellect would act like a beacon in this wasteland of cultural and political ignominy that currently defines the UK. I felt singulary compelled to re-read Age of Extremes 12 months ago as a portent of the times ahead of us. And now we exist, for the while, in what one observer declared the Age of Consequences. Ecological, economic and geo-political collapse and chaos, all rapidly accelerating and synergistic. Thank to Pepe, I did not know anything of Eric Hobsbawm, nor even of his exsitence. Now, as a person from the left since the teens, although not considering myself dogmatical nor being under any party discipline, I felt a sudden interest in reading his works and biography. Which of his works do you think I should start reading? The World As It Truly Is on March 05, 2019 · at 4:45 pm EST/EDT My wife recommends The Invention of Tradition and The New Century. Snow Leopard on March 05, 2019 · at 4:52 pm EST/EDT Anon; For a serious Leftist who wants to grasp the totality of modern transformation I suggest you start with “The Age of Revolutions” and work forward from there. Laika von old Monkshusen on March 05, 2019 · at 5:15 pm EST/EDT Look, there’s no such thing as a “Stalinist.” It should read a Marxist-Leninist. The Trotskyites and Revisionists are the “Marxist sectarians.” (i.e. pseudo-Marxists, Fabians, and other fantasists) See for instance: https://sascha313.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/kurt-gossweiler-der-antistalinismus/ They always tell it exactly the other way around (big lies), in order to fool you. Always. For instance: “Muslims attacked the US and destroyed the World Trade Center.” On the contrary. The robber barons (mafia/.cult) who run the West demolished the towers (to have a pretext) and attacked the Muslims. (classic controlled demolition of the outside of the buildings, and the melting and dissolution of esp. the core of the buildings with help of nuclear demolition devices. Both are proven beyond any doubt. The “shock and awe” spectacle of the impacting planes was another diversion) Alfred (Cairns) on March 05, 2019 · at 5:58 pm EST/EDT “They always tell it exactly the other way around (big lies), in order to fool you. Always” Absolutely correct. Stuff does not fly sideways and upwards in a fire. Only small nuclear explosions could have done this job. We all know who did it as only one Israeli was killed – in the financial centre of New York. Netanyahu went on Israeli TV to tell his tribe that it was the best thing that ever happened to them. Please read the moderation policy. Mod It is amazing how removed. Mod this gentleman – manage to fu** up countries on a massive scale. All the time, purporting to have the interests of the “working class” at heart. The list of café in Paris above – la Coupole, Café Flore and la Rhumerie – are places that no working-class person can afford to have a coffee in. Let alone a lamb curry. BTW, Stalin was not exactly ant-Semitic as many of these “intellectuals” claim. he had Jewish wives and mistresses. I am working class and once I had a coffee in Café De Flore…The price was not superior than even at any kiosk in a public park in Paris, and the teapot I was served gave for two cups of very good coffee, not to mention that in exchange you can enjoy the warm ambiance in the harshest of the winter ( when I was there…) and the absolute courtesy and profesionalism of the waiters, even when you walk in, as I was alone and dressed in proletarian fatigues for traveling, in fact, I got to notice that the waiter was very pleased to serve me, eventhough there was no croissant to take with the coffee… I went to the bathroom in the second floor, and just discovered a far more sophisticated clientele, reunited in great round tables, well dressed but in a very sober style…I guessed it was there where the famous literary talks were taking place…Anyway, I could see that nobody got impressed by my presence…. It is not that the price would have kept the working class out of those Cafes frequented by the bourgeois leftoid ‘intellectuals’ and bohemian artists of the 20-60s. There was simply not much working class around Montparnasse (taken over by the Americans after WW1) and Saint-Germain-des-Pres. The jazz clubs clustered around the same areas, Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Cartier Latin. Anyhow, today’s Montparnasse is no more what it was in its days of glory. Alfred (Cairns) on March 07, 2019 · at 7:18 am EST/EDT Here is the current menu: https://cafedeflore.fr/menu/?lang=en An espresso coffee is 4.90€ ($5.60) A club sandwich is 22.00€ ($24.90) The current SMIC (minimum wage) in France is 10,03€ per hour. Two hours of work for one measly sandwich that is half the size of its American or Australian equivalent. hamparsoum agop torossian on March 07, 2019 · at 3:40 am EST/EDT for almost thirty years they tried to kill Stalin, the Judeo-Bolsheviks. they considered,rightly, the Revolution to be theirs. finally they succeeded poisoning the only obstacle that kept them from swallowing up the whole soviet construct. when the russian patriots of the time, inside the Party, were distancing themselves from the thesis of their “clique” they asked the “right to emigrate”: either my way or the highway. One would not expect the acknowledgement of the fact that Eric Hobsbawm was actually the son of Leopold Percy Hobsbaum (né Obstbaum), a merchant from the East End of London who was of Polish Jewish descent, and Nelly Hobsbaum (née Grün), who was from a middle-class Austrian Jewish family background and a member of the ‘Cambridge Apostles’, the hub of Soviet espionage in Britain, and that despite the constant surveillance by the MI5 he never suffered any repercussions and did impede neither a brilliant academic career (hailed as “one of the great British historians of his age”) nor ‘vast commercial success’ and ‘full respect and recognition by the British establishment’. He was not shy to declare (in an interview with Michael Ignatieff on BBC) that the deaths of millions of Soviet citizens under Stalin would have been worth it if a genuine Communist society had been the result, arguing that, “In a period in which, as you might imagine, mass murder and mass suffering are absolutely universal, the chance of a new world being born in great suffering would still have been worth backing” but, unfortunately, “the Soviet Union was not the beginning of the World Revolution”. The following year, when asked the same question on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, if “the sacrifice of millions of lives” would have been worth the future communist society, he replied: “That’s what we felt when we fought the Second World War”. He repeated what he had already said to Michael Ignatieff, when he asked the rhetorical question, “Do people now say we shouldn’t have had World War II, because more people died in World War II than died in Stalin’s terror?”. The death-toll of Stalin’s ‘Terror’ has been grossly overstated for propaganda purposes. As with Mao’s ‘crimes’ also increased by at least one order of magnitude, and a deliberate intention added, for psychopathological projection purposes. Similarly we hear of the Khmer Rouge atrocities, certainly wicked, but NEVER of the same number, more or less, murdered by the secret, illegal, and pitiless US bombing campaign, that, in fact, radicalised the Khmer Rouge and made them more vengeful. Indeed I well remember the reaction of one Scandinavian UN apparatchik when asked if US crimes were also to be prosecuted along with the Khmer Rouge ones. The icy mask of Nordic calm disappeared in a trice, to be replaced by the outrage of the Western ubermensch at the outrageous audacity of the question. The greatest mass murderers in history are the English, particularly in India and China, and in various African atrocities, not to forget the poor Irish, with the terror-bombing of Germany during WW2 an inglorious finale’ (one hopes), the USA, with the extermination of the American indigenous, the death-toll of the Atlantic slave trade, 200 years of butchery in Latin America, the subjugation of the Philippines and the sixty million or so killed by US Imperialism since WW2, by direct aggression, bloodthirsty sanctions, promotion of civil war and the economic depredations and social destruction of the neo-liberal capitalist system of neo-colonialism imposed on the poor world. Far behind come the Nazis, the Japanese in China, the Mongols, Timur, various invaders of India, Chinese civil wars and peasant rebellions etc. Hajduk on March 06, 2019 · at 5:51 am EST/EDT The difference is that although Professor Hobsbawm opposed the British establishment, they tolerated and even admired him, whereas in China he would simply have been organ harvested. My dear Hajduk, your Falun Gong lies are contemptible. Hajduk on March 06, 2019 · at 6:22 pm EST/EDT ‘Mind is bound by labelling’ (Buddha) As for China, since you mentioned it, torturing and organ harvesting 60000 yoga practitioners…it’s not exactly utopian is it?…(although apparently it did solve China’s transplant shortage for a couple of years). I often wonder about the pathopsychology of those who peddle such lurid, hate-crazed, lies. I’ve long suspected that there is a good deal of pathopsychological projection involved, and anticipated wish fulfillment, and I rather think that you are a very extreme example of the type. This site is to discuss the ideas and events of the day … this tit-for-tat is ended … mod ‘It is not the faults of others, but one’s own faults, arising like reflections in the surface of a mirror’ (Buddha) Mod: I disagree with your implementation of website policy in this case. The original inflammatory remarks should be pulled not simply the (understandable, and actually very mild response). To be frank, I also think your put down was a bit petty. Anyway, I’m too busy for this kind of nonsense. Best wishes to you. H. Only the British ‘establishment would have appointed him Professor between 1970 and 1982 and an Emeritus Professor of History in 1982, Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, from 1949 to 1955, to the Order of the Companions of Honour, President of Birkbeck, University of London from 2002 until his death, confer the Balzan Prize for European History since 1900 “for his brilliant analysis of the troubled history of 20th century Europe and for his ability to combine in-depth historical research with great literary talent.” Birds of a feather flock together. The idea that Eric Hobsbawn was a member of the British establishment is just silly. The professorships were actually his job, unless you are saying that all senior academics are establishment figures? The only exception is the Companion of Honour which simply means that you had an illustrious career and the Queen enjoys your company. GoraKoshka on March 06, 2019 · at 9:48 am EST/EDT You are right – there’s no proof anywhere that “millions” were killed by Stalin. This was invented after WWII to discredit Stalin and USSR, who were the clear winners in WWII – plus USSR did not go through a great depression – and after the war had a lot of respect, authority, moral credibility, and admiration around the world. All that had to be destroyed because western capitalists saw USSR as an existential threat. I know, it is hard to believe today, because we’ve had almost 75yrs of non-stop brainwashing about S. and USSR, but it is a much more accurate picture than the one we’re getting from MSM (and again, I speak as someone who had family members taken away – but the context is much more complex, and the numbers have been highly inflated). I do know that it was established some time ago that over 90% of those sent to the Gulag survived and finished their sentences, but such a fact (still bad enough)is the sort that the Western fakestream media presstitutes ‘disappear’ immediately, if they value their jobs and future employment prospects as lying propaganda droogs. The lies re. China are more ludicrous, with figures like 100 million bandied about, because there the element of race hatred and raw terror at China’s rise is so very marked. Andrew S MacGregor on March 07, 2019 · at 2:52 am EST/EDT And that Mulga reminds me of Michael Hastings and his murder after he threatened the security of the work General David Petraeus was doing. Thanks for that observation, Andrew. My paranoia just notched up a further degree, but my insignificance gives me some reassurance. The real brainwashing is the denial of the Bolshies crimes, well documented, thank you. Anon, of course the Bolsheviks committed crimes. What political or religious organised movement, particularly one attacked by savage, vicious and genocidal enemies, has not? I only find the exaggerated, mendacious and hypocritical inflation of these crimes, and the invention of others, repellent. Who where the savage, vicious and genocidal enemies who attacked the Bolsheviks? Ah, yes, the Russian ‘Whites’, the Russian popes, the Russian pogromists, the Russian kulaks. And, Anonymouse, the Western forces who intervened in the Russian Civil War, the Polish fascist regimes who attacked the Soviet Union, the Western supported Nazis who attacked the Soviet Union in 1941, the fascist Ukrainians who attacked the Soviet Union in 1941, and thereafter up to today, and the Western fascists, led by the USA, who have attacked the Soviet, then Russia, ever since 1917, right up to the moment. You mustn’t forget them. Japan had a go, too, but Zhukov kicked their backsides, so they concentrated on their genocide in China, instead. @The Polish fascist ‘regimes’. Pilsudski was a socialist, at one time President of The Polish Socialist Party. In 1904 he organized the Combat Organization of the Polish Socialist Party (Polish: Organizacja Bojowa Polskiej Partii Socjalistycznej, abbreviated OBPPS) to fight against Russia, that he loathed like all the good Socialists (spiced with Polish messianism). He constantly ploted against Russia and created with Austrian help the nucleus of a future Polish Army to fight in the coming war against Russia. During WW1, allied himself with the Central Powers, his units being the first to cross in Russia even before the declaration of war. He served in the Regency Kingdom of Poland, created by the Central Powers, and acted as minister of war in the newly formed Polish Regency government; as such, he was responsible for the Polnische Wehrmacht [Royal Polish Army contemptuously nicknamed die Polnische Wehrmacht by Imperial Germany (Polish: Polska Siła Zbrojna]. Actually, he proved himself ‘prescient’ (in other words initiated in the plans of the Big Players) declaring that in the impending war, for Poland to regain independence (and its former glory), Russia must be beaten by the Central Powers and the latter powers must in their turn be beaten by France, Britain and the United States). His attack on Russia in 1919 was the continuation of this policy and not an attack against ‘Bolshevism’. He considered the Bolsheviks less dangerous for Poland than the ‘Whites’. He thought that Poland would be better off with the Bolsheviks, alienated from the Western powers, than with a restored Russian Empire. His aim was the restoration of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in alliance with an ‘independent’ Ukraine. By ignoring the strong pressures from the Entente Cordiale to join the attack on Lenin’s struggling Bolshevik government, Piłsudski actually saved it in the summer and the fall of 1919. But in fact, there were the Bolsheviks who attacked, following the indications of Trotsky that “the revolution should be “brought on the bayonets” (of the Red Army), as “through Kiev leads the straight route for uniting with the Austro-Hungarian revolution, just as through Pskov and Vilnius goes the way for uniting with the German revolution. Offensive on all fronts! Offensive on the west front, offensive on the south front, offensive on the all revolutionary fronts!”. The concept was developed in 1918 but officially published under that name first in 1920 (Wojennaja Mysl i Riewolucija, 3/1920, Mikhail Tukhachevsky). The repression of the ‘enemies of the People’ (an open ended category) started immediately after the October coup. Cheka was founded on the 20th of December 1917, as the ‘armed arm of the dictatorship of the proletariat’, with at its helm the ‘solid proletarian jacobin’, Felix Dzerzhinsky, hailed by Lenin as ‘our Fouquier-Tinville, who would put down the counter-revolutionary scum’. Dzerzhinsky explained that “The Red Terror [involves] the terrorization, arrests and extermination of enemies of the revolution on the basis of their class affiliation or of their pre-revolutionary roles.” Very little to do with external “savage, vicious and genocidal enemies”, but with the internal ones. The main ‘counter-revolutionary scum’ were the ones credited as the carriers of the ‘social revolution’ brewing for centuries, the Russian peasants, the ‘half-savages’ whose ‘animal individualism’ should be ‘subjected to the organised reason of the town’ (as Maxim Gorki put it). Dear me, Anonymoose, your little dire-tribe doesn’t make all the foreign interventions in post-revolutionary Russia disappear from history, does it? That the Bolsheviks faced vicious class enemies, as has every revolution in history, does not mean that they should have sat back and waited for your White amigos to re-group and slaughter them. I dare say that you’re a supporter of the Right terror in Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, Brazil, Honduras, Argentina, Greece, Spain, South Korea and South Vietnam – I could go on ALL day- too. The British are indeed the true Evil Empire given that the massive crimes against humanity that they have committed in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, or the entire Western hemisphere are not even perceived as crimes by many people. In fact, this today applies to the Anglo Americans in general, who are the civilizational spawn of this English Evil Empire. Worse still, the Anglo Americans instinctively smear and blood-libel their opponents (like Russia, China, Iran) by psychologically projecting their own crimes onto these “enemy” nations. This is the warped character of these Anglo Americans, who possess a fanatical belief in their own moral righteousness as the self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner of Democracy, Freedom, Human Rights for the entire world–not matter how many crimes they themselves commit. In this sense, the Zionists are merely one deranged subgroup of the Anglos and West in general. All the denizens of the West are truly sick, as they delude themselves that they are God’s Chosen People. Katherine on March 06, 2019 · at 7:51 am EST/EDT Thanks very much for printing this. What a nice surprise to wake up to and read with my morning coffee. Pepe is the renaissance guy with his wide range of interests and ability to write about them and pique others’ interest. I make a point of reading all of Richard Evan’s pieces in the London Review of Books. He is always interesting. I didn’t realize that he was a student of Hobsbawm’s. Of course I have heard of Eric Hobsbawm, but now I shall read him. Starting with The Age of Revolution. I have read Paul Johnson’s The Birth of the Modern, which deals with 1815–1830. Also a very good read, highly recommended. REads practically like a novel. (BTW, Johnson has also written a very readable History of the Jews.) But I expect that Hobsbawm is the horse’s mouth on this age. It seems a shame for this thread on a story about a magnificent historian should become a locus of the same old same old fisticuffs about a few words used in the review. But there it is! If your only tool is an ax, that ax will be ground at every opportunity, it seems. Barry in Missouri, USA on March 06, 2019 · at 10:58 am EST/EDT @Katherine. “The Invention Of The Jewish People” by Shlomo Sand, Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Tel Aviv, 360 pages uses modern archeological discoveries, ancient records and correspondences to disprove the myths of the Jewish people. Of course Jewish critics call him a “self hating” Jew. Of course, we Americans have our own accepted, false, and cherished myths about ourselves. I found Prof. Sand’s book well documented and fascinating. You might too. Peace! And Sand makes clear that everything he has written about the multifarious origins of ‘the Jews’ has been known to academia for a very long time indeed. I think the former statement is more true than the latter: “… he prophesized: “With the Soviet Union you have had peace; you are going to have war.” Later on, in 1990, he would write: “The fall of the Soviet-type system, about which all illusion had long gone, is less significant than the apparent end of the dream of which it was the nightmare version.” If EH talks about a nightmare, than he clearly did not understand the USSR. What the country achieved, in spite of the horrors imposed on it by the west, is short of miraculous. I wonder how many nations would have been able to withstand the abuse USSR had to endure, starting with 1917 (but really, even before, incl. the useless Crimean war in 1853 and Napoleon in 1812). We’ll never know how the USSR would have developed had it not been undermined by the west every step of the way. We do know that socialism there could hardly achieve its full potential, as the country lived under a constant threat from the west. (Some of my family were kulaks, chased off their land, but I still try to be objective and look at the big picture.) And, Gora, don’t forget the achievements of the USSR in culture, particularly music and the cinema. And, as Paul Robeson observed, and was poisoned and subjected to mind-destroying ECT for saying so, the USSR was the place where, for the first time in his life, he felt like a full human being. MC on March 07, 2019 · at 3:49 pm EST/EDT The USSR has been villainised continually by the nightmarish capitalist-imperialist west because of its unrivalled superiority. In Latin America, people used to refer to the USSR as the overture of the new socio-economic system, where the well-being of the people would be the priority, not the profit of the few… The dismantling of the USSR was a tragedy for the whole world… Outlaw Historian on March 06, 2019 · at 11:46 am EST/EDT A glowing tribute to one of history’s greats. A great many things would remain in the dark if not for Hobsbawm. Interesting, his jazz preferences. Hopefully the bio will rekindle interest in his works such that the young will learn what too many elders have forgotten. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PEd7nTROwo The last five minutes are the most interesting. I have a nightmare about the proletarian washerwoman in 1984, who cheerfully sings manufactured folk songs as she hangs out her washing, because it is not impossible. We can indeed become oblivious and acclimatised to an objectively intolerable state of affairs through what Professor Hobsbawm describes as a ‘slow motion catastrophe’.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3781
__label__cc	0.738871	0.261129	By Laura Thorén \| Sep 10, 2007 This October, American Idol will begin its eighth season. Once again, I will be sitting in front of the TV, laughing along with millions of Americans at the crazy people: some crazy good, some crazily bad. Except this year, I won’t be telling myself, “I should do that! I should audition!” Because I have. Just two weeks ago, I stood in line with hundreds of other American Idol wannabes, and actually tried my hand at becoming this season’s next singing sensation. 3:45 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 My mother and I leave our home in Connecticut in order to make it to Philadelphia by 6 am No, this is not the day of the audition. This is the day to sign up for the audition. 5:45 a.m. We reach the thruway exit to Philadelphia on our way to the Wachovia Center, which opens at 6 a.m. Seeing brake lights, we slow down and soon realize we are stuck in a traffic jam, with at least 5000 other cars. So much for being early. 7:45 a.m. I decide to begin walking to the Wachovia Center while my mom waits in the American Idol traffic. As I reach the line, I see thousands of people, some in ridiculous costumes, others looking like they just rolled out of bed, crowd the entire area. And although this is one of the largest masses of people I have ever seen in my life, everyone is incredibly friendly. 8:45 a.m. I am waiting in a “pen” of at least 700 — talk about a cattle call! There are five other pens full of people in front of me in line. 9:45 a.m. Still waiting, although I am not too bored because I have made friends with two girls: one, Jennifer Waters, a musical theater major who graduated from Syracuse, another, Adrina Lewis, a senior at University of Pennsylvania, a communications major. Both live in Philadelphia and did not have to make a two-and-half-hour trek. “The only thing I’m really worried about is getting to my waitressing job later this afternoon,” says Jennifer, who works alongside Adrina. Adrina adds, “This is much crazier than I expected.” 11:50 a.m. I make it to the registration and receive a blue wristband to wear to audition, as well as a seat ticket in the Wachovia Center that will also serve as my place in line. My Mom gets a white wristband and a seat beside me; only one “support” person is allowed per contestant. 6 a.m., Monday, Aug. 27. Although we were instructed by American Idol personnel to arrive between 5 and 6 a.m. the day of the audition, we knew to come later to avoid excessive waiting. Since we signed up for my audition two days earlier, we already have a designated place in line. 7 a.m. In the Wachovia Center parking lot, over 20,000 people are lined up, looking more polished now and warming up their voices. American Idol employees assure everyone that they will get a chance to audition. 8–10 a.m. Those auditioning wait in the Wachovia Center’s gigantic auditorium. We then proceed to “make good television,” as the producer of the show asks us to scream various phrases like, “I’m the next American Idol!” as the camera, hoisted high on a trolley, pans the entire stadium. People who have dressed up for the occasion (some in angel costumes, prom dresses, or drag) are specifically pointed out by the producer to be filmed. I’m wearing a simple black dress — not exactly stand-out material. 10:30 a.m. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest enters stadium, says his one line, “This is American Idol!” and then disappears. 11 a.m. The producer is satisfied with the amount of footage of the crowd standing up and cheering, and the auditions are about to begin. On TV, the producers make it look like every audition takes place in front of judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson. Of course, this is not the case. There are several cuts that are made before the three judges see the 25 best (and 25 worst) singers of each city. For now, production assistants, camera people, and other various people involved in creating the show must sift through 20,000 hopefuls. Auditions are conducted on the main floor of the stadium: there are 18 tables separated by black curtains, and one or two producers listen to each contestant. Four people are presented to the judge at a time, each singer steps forward to perform for 30 seconds, and then steps back for the second singer to come forward, and so on. 12 p.m. About 300 people have gone through auditions, but only five have made it through to the next round. Of these five, one is dressed in a Batman costume. 2 p.m. So far I have seen about 15 people cry, one person tearfully begging to the extent that the judge actually lets her go into the next round, and three more people smile happily and skip off with their golden tickets to the next auditions. 5:07 p.m. I audition! I’m the first in my group, and I sing “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac. After I finish singing, the judges talk behind a clipboard. I step back in line, and the next three people sing. After we finish, we are all asked to step forward, and... 5:08 p.m. The judges tell all four of us that we “do not have strong enough voices to continue in the competition. Thank you for participating.” 5:10 p.m. As I shuffle out with the rest of the losers, or “non-winners,” as the producers call us, I see a few fellow rejects talking to American Idol cameras about how they should’ve been given another chance, or didn’t sing as well as they could have, etc. I am happy with my audition, and having gone through the audition process, I believe that American Idol is a legitimate talent contest. Although half of the people sent through to the next round were jokes, wearing silly costumes, the majority of the people I saw audition were great singers. Unfortunately, with 20,000 people auditioning and just a few plane tickets to Hollywood, chances are like winning the lottery. But hey, there’s always that small chance, right?	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3782
__label__wiki	0.904601	0.904601	Women’s basketball losses in Chicago and St. Louis By Rae Wen Shee \| Feb 11, 2008 Poor shooting cost the Carnegie Mellon women’s basketball team two matches in the past week; the team lost to the Washington University (Mo.) Bears 37–64 Friday and to the University of Chicago Maroons 38–67 Sunday. Carnegie Mellon is now 7–13 for the year and 0–9 in University Athletic Association (UAA) play. The Bears improve to 14–5 and 6–2 in the UAA, and the Maroons improve to 15–5 and 6–3, respectively. Against the Bears, the Tartans got off to an energetic start, making three of four shot attempts. One was a three-pointer by sophomore guard Paige Williamson that leveled things up at 11–11 with 13:46 left in the half. In the next five-minute span, however, Carnegie Mellon seemed to run out of gas, as the team missed six straight shots and committed six turnovers. Meanwhile, Washington continued to play well as the Bears made five of eight shots, including three treys, to take advantage of the situation and run out to a quick 15-point lead. Although junior forward Rachelle Roll did halt the Bears’ run with a layup around the eight-minute mark, it took four and a half minutes before the Tartans managed to score again. As a result, the Bears were able to extend their lead to as many as 23 points in the first half. At halftime, the score was 56–22, in favor of Wash. U. In the second half, the Bears pushed their lead to 56–22 as they quickly sank seven of their first eight shots from the field. Wash. U. finished with a 49.1 percent field goal percentage, while the Tartans made a season-low 21.3 percent of their shot attempts. Tartan junior guard Corey Innes led all scorers with 13 points, including three three-pointers, while Roll led all players with 11 rebounds. Zoe Unruh led the Bears with 12 points while Shanna-Lei Decanay and Janice Evans scored 10 points apiece. In the game against the Maroons Sunday, Carnegie Mellon was again troubled by poor shooting as the team shot a mere 14.8 percent from the field during the first 20 minutes and trailed 33–13 at the half. Although their shooting improved to 33.3 percent (including two three-pointers) in the second half, and they went on a small run whereby they scored five points off six Maroon turnovers, the deficit was just too large to overcome. The Tartans eventually fell 67–38 to University of Chicago. “Both games were very hard fought,” junior guard Ashley Rothwell said. “We played hard, but it’s always more difficult to play on the road. Furthermore, our players were plagued with sicknesses, and it’s unfortunate that we now have to deal with dwindling numbers as well. We have a very talented team. We just have to find the combination that wins games and continue with it.” Junior guard Rachelle Roll just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while senior guard Leah Feola contributed nine points in the loss. Chicago was led by Nicaya Rapier’s 10 points, while three other players scored nine apiece. Carnegie Mellon faces New York University at 6 p.m on Friday in New York.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3783
__label__cc	0.67378	0.32622	Amanda Haddaway Vaccinations – Risks and Rewards There’s growing controversy over whether to vaccinate children against various diseases and illnesses. However, the choice should be a simple yes to protect the health of the child and those around the child. Getting Away With Waste Many opponents of “big government” cite concerns about how government dollars are spent – and often wasted. In Maryland, it seems that their concerns are indeed justified. There is a Moorish proverb that says “He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” Indeed, this was my experience on my latest travel adventure. What if social programs were abolished? A recent post on Facebook by former Maryland gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy said: “We know government can't create wealth, but maybe it goes beyond that. Is government the cause of poverty?” Change Social Security before it goes belly up Social Security will be out of money by 2033, according to a report issued by the trustees that oversee the program. This estimate is three years sooner than the trustees’ last report. Similarly, Medicare will also be out of money by 2024. Repeal Death Tax, Save America Last month, Sen. John Thune (R., SD) introduced the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act (S. 2242) to abolish the federal estate tax. This bill is a companion to the House version H.R. 1259 introduced by Rep. Kevin Brady (R., TX). Afzali Belies Her Persona and Rhetoric I voted Tuesday in the primary election because it was my civic responsibility. I have voted in every election, but this one nagged at me more than others in the recent past. Scheduling Proposals from School Board Candidates Earlier this month, Frederick County Public Schools had late openings and early dismissals for parent-teacher conferences. These partial days wreaked havoc for many parents who work outside of the home and require childcare. BOE Candidates Position on Pension Shift There have been rumblings from Annapolis that the state would like to push the funding of teacher pensions onto the counties. Many counties across the state have already stated that they are against this shift because it’s not economically feasible for them to take on the increased financial burden. BOE Candidates Position on Charter Schools (con’t) Today we continue with the responses of candidates for the Frederick County Board of Education in this year’s election to a basic question. Yesterday we posted the responses of three of them. BOE Candidates on Charter Schools The topic of charter schools in Frederick County has dominated the recent headlines. This is an issue that seems to be gaining traction. It is likely to come up in some form or fashion during the term of the next Board of Education. Therefore, it’s important to understand where the candidates stand on this issue. Preparing Students for the Real World – Part 2 The race for the Frederick County Board of Education is heating up and there’s a crowded candidate field with 12 people vying for three seats. Over the next few months, candidates will be asked a variety of questions about their positions on various topics associated with Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). Into The Looking Glass – Darkly Although we’re only two weeks into this year’s state legislative session, a trend is already emerging with our governor. When Martin O’Malley’s mouth is moving, he’s talking about taking more money from our pockets. Rumors, Licenses and The Election The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration often draws the ire of people due to its lack of customer service and seemingly endless wait times both on the phone and in-person. What’s next for Governor Johnson? Former New Mexico governor and presidential hopeful Gary Johnson is either a marketing genius or a man desperate for media attention. Newspapers Changing – Out of Necessity Newspaper readership has been on a steady decline for several years, and we can expect to see print publications make additional changes in the future to simply stay alive in the ultra-competitive world of media. The Wrong Foot Forward Most government entities have some sort of ethics ordinance that is generally intended to ensure the elected officials in that area act appropriately and disclose matters that may impact their positions of power. Two Feathers in Franchot’s Cap It’s refreshing to see an elected official in the state of Maryland be a good steward of the taxpayers’ dollars and use common sense. Fiscal responsibility and sound reasoning are indeed precious commodities in our current culture of tax-n-spend and tax-some-more, led by Gov. Martin O’Malley. Who May Be In? Who May Be Out? We are still two years away from the next City of Frederick election and already political pundits and interested citizens are speculating about who is running for mayor and the Board of Aldermen. This discussion seems very premature. No Panacea, Just Results Earlier this month the State of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) announced an extension to unemployment insurance benefits. Individuals who are still unemployed are eligible for another 13 weeks of benefits. Politics: Good and Bad Last week, Gallup released the results of a recent survey on how satisfied Americans are with how the nation is being governed. Not surprisingly, 81 percent are currently dissatisfied. So Many Different ‘Truths’ Television news has evolved tremendously since the first broadcasts in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Back then, television news was only 15 minutes. Filling The Shoes for Success The current crop of Republican presidential candidates is less than awe inspiring, and many knowledgeable voters are already grumbling, “Can’t we find someone better?” Voting with Your Feet Last week, MarylandReporter.com reported that the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute is recommending $2.6 billion in tax increases to cure the state’s budget shortfalls. At least one state delegate, Del. Ron George (R., Anne Arundel), is concerned that people will be forced to move out of the state if taxes increase any further. Solving Debt and Deficits It seems that everywhere we turn these days there’s talk of debt ceilings and deficits. The financial picture for our government – at all levels – is dismal at best. Where is the trust? The trust of the public used to be a key component in a democratic society, but it seems that both locally and nationally we’ve strayed from this concept. The public should ideally trust the leaders it elects and, in turn, respect those governing bodies. However, this doesn’t seem to be happening. Loss Season = Loss of $40 Million The taxpayers of Maryland need a Hail Mary pass thrown by the NFL Players’ Association and the team owners. If the two can’t resolve their differences, Maryland may lose $40 million or more in tax revenue, according to a report recently released by Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and the Board of Revenue Estimates. Election 2012 Must Do’s The media has already started gearing up for Election 2012 and we’re still more than a year away from the actual vote. It seems that the hype around who’s running and who’s not starts being broadcast earlier and earlier each election season. Are Unemployment Benefits a Racket? Maryland’s unemployment rate is currently at 6.8 percent, which equates to 203,416 people collecting unemployment benefits from the state. This number has actually decreased every month since September 2010, but many Marylanders are still out of work. Success Follows Playing by the Rules The failure of the petition drive to overturn the current charter writing board and force a special election was announced last Friday, but the petitioners may not be done yet. Getting Priorities Straight I’m always amazed at what the mainstream media deems relevant, newsworthy and important. With so many things going on around the world each day, producers and editors have very difficult jobs in determining what makes the cut. A Waste of Time and Money Last Sunday afternoon I walked by Baker Park. Ellis Burruss was standing there in all his glory trying to obtain signatures for his petition drive. I considered going over and having a chat with him, but I wasn’t sure I could be nice, so I refrained. Sleep Solutions Abound for Controllers There are people out there who enjoy flying; and then there are those people who see air travel as a means to an end. Not end, as in plane crash; but end, as in destination. I’m not sure that I’m old enough to start conversations with “back in my day,” but the recent events at Tuscarora High School have caused me to reflect on my childhood and my experiences of being a Frederick County Public Schools student. Leaving Small Business in the Dust The Frederick Board of County Commissioners is currently reviewing a proposal that would give tax breaks to companies that open offices within the county, or add employees to their existing businesses. With just that initial information, most citizens would agree that the proposal sounds great. To Agree or Not? – That’s The Question The Supreme Court ruled on March 2, 2010, that members of the Westboro Baptist Church have a constitutionally-protected right to protest at military funerals. The vote was 8-1, with Justice Samuel Alito dissenting. Approaching Crime Prevention I’ve always had an interest in criminal justice, so it’s not surprising that I’ve quickly become a big fan of A&E’s show “Beyond Scared Straight.” Medical Marijuana and Responsiveness State Sen. David Brinkley (R., Frederick/Carroll) has introduced his medical marijuana bill again this year. At cursory glance, this might not seem like a big deal. The senator makes an impassioned plea that he’s trying to help people who are suffering from cancer and other debilitating illnesses by easing their pain. They Can’t Get No Satisfaction Frederick-area business owners just can’t be satisfied, or so it seems from the information published in The Gazette about local restaurateurs Bryan Voltaggio and Hilda Staples. Privatization: Coming Soon? There has been a lot of talk lately about the privatization of local government. In plain language, this simply means that governmental functions are transferred from the public sector to the private sector. From Tragedy Comes The Blame Game In what seemed like mere minutes after the Arizona shooting tragedy, the mainstream media began pointing fingers and conjecturing about why Jared Loughner came armed with the intent to kill Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a “Congress on your Corner” event last Saturday in Tucson. I Own That Word! A recent article in The Baltimore Sun outlined the controversy surrounding the owner of Café Hon’s decision to trademark the word “hon.” Some locals were so upset that they staged a protest outside of Denise Whiting’s 36th Street diner in Baltimore’s Hampden enclave. The Grinch Who Stole My Gifts…etc. One would think that holiday shopping online would be a convenience, but this year it has turned into more of a nightmare. My Christmas spirit was slightly tarnished earlier this month when packages were stolen from my front porch in the middle of the afternoon. Light me up! I have a confession to make: I love outdoor Christmas decorations. The lights symbolize the beginning of the holiday season and always bring a smile to my face. A Challenge to Produce November 8, 2010, was a sad day for Frederick’s local economy. Bon-Ton’s corporate management team announced that almost 60 jobs will be lost in January when its storefront in the nearly defunct Frederick Towne Mall closes. The gloves are off… I feel like a new person! I had been censored from writing about the Board of County Commissioners’ race because I was working on Michael Kurtianyk’s campaign. While I understand the position of our editor, there were quite a few times that I had trouble biting my tongue. So, now that the election is over, my gloves are off. More Important Than Politics I love local politics. I love the drama. I love the excitement. I even love the fast-paced and often frenetic schedule that comes with working on a campaign – or being a candidate. However, there are some things that I love more than politics, my family among them. An Open Letter to Frederick County Voters Before the primary, I urged, begged and pleaded with you to vote in the primary. Most of you didn’t listen and I’m more than a little peeved about your wanton disregard of my request. Primary Recap Despite my repeated pleas to get people to vote in the primary election, fewer than 25 percent of the registered voters in Frederick County cast ballots. This is really quite pathetic. Based on the election results, I now realize that I cannot trust one in four voters to select the candidates that I think are best for Frederick County. What happens if you don’t vote? Out of all my friends, I think I’m probably in the top 10 percent in terms of political awareness and involvement. Some of my friends vote and some do not, despite my constant lecturing on the importance of it. The realization that I’ve come to is this: they don’t vote because they feel that their lone voice doesn’t make a difference. I’m here to tell you that it does. Here’s Your Sign…. The primary election is only a few weeks away and political signs continue to sprout like weeds in an overgrown lawn. Most candidates play by the rules and only place signs on properties where they have the express consent of the owner. Taxed to death and after death Americans for Tax Reform sent out a recent communication stating that beginning in January 2011, the largest tax hikes in the history of America will take effect. One section of their release explained the changes to estate taxes, better known as the “death tax.” Answering The Age-Old Question As I was driving to work the other day, there was a news story on the radio about a proposed increase to postal rates. If approved, the current first-class postage would increase to 46 cents starting January 2, 2011. Pay Attention, Voters! The field of primary candidates has been finalized and the speculation about the projected winners and losers can begin. Candidates will be busy on the carnival and forum circuits. Does an ideal candidate exist? Recently friends and I were talking about elected officials who often resort to name calling and personal attacks. I find this behavior to be reprehensible and unfitting of community leaders. Coming Soon to a Website Near You Political candidates are increasingly using social media as a way to reach and interact with voters. The appeal is clear. Since social media is largely free, it is attractive to many candidates as they try to stretch their precious campaign dollars even further. The politics of losing A political campaign, even at a local level, is an intense combination of hard work, countless hours and sometimes sleepless nights replaying the last candidate forum or question from the media. So, why would anyone willingly enter their name into the craziness that is campaigning?	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3784
__label__wiki	0.601543	0.601543	Taken: S1, Cars 3 4K, SpongeBob: S9, Suspiria: 40th & more, plus another big 4K Ultra HD Release Update August 30, 2017 - 11:55 am \| by Bill Hunt In announcement news today, Lionsgate has set Taken: Season One for Blu-ray and DVD release on 9/26 (SRP $42.99 and $39.98). Extras will include the Taken: On Set featurette. In case you missed the announcement when we posted it several weeks ago, The Warner Archive has just released The Man With Two Brains (1983) on Blu-ray, along with The Originals: The Complete Fourth Season. New to DVD is Mom: The Complete Fourth Season. And back in print on DVD are Miracle in the Rain (1956), Skyjacked (1972), A Warm December (1973) and MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced another pair of catalog re-issues, this time with a holiday theme. Look for a Home Alone 2: Lost in New York – 25th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/3. Following on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/10 is a Miracle on 34th Street: 70th Anniversary Edition. No new content is expected. Fox has also set Sleepy Hollow: The Complete Fourth Season for DVD only release on 9/26. [Read on here…] Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution have set SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete Ninth Season for DVD release on 10/10 (SRP $22.99). The 5-disc set will include 20 episodes and 2 double-length episodes, plus 5 bonus shorts. Kino Lorber has announced that they’re working on a new Blu-ray and DVD release of The Woman in the Window (1944) as part of their Studio Classics line. Street date is TBA. Synapse Films has announced that they’re working on a new Suspiria: 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray mastered from a new 4K negative scan. It’ll come in a Steelbook, with a soundtrack CD and only 6,000 units will be produced. Official details and street date are TBA for later this year. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Serpent for DVD and Digital release on 10/31. Sony will also release NBC’s Timeless: The Complete First Season on DVD only on 9/19. Public Media Distribution will release Happy Holidays Garfield on DVD only on 9/12. Severin Films will release Lucio Fulci’s The Devil’s Honey on Blu-ray and DVD on 9/26. FilmRise has announced the Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital release of Jessie Auritt’s Supergirl on 9/28. Umbrella Entertainment has announced the Blu-ray release of Razorback. Details and street date are TBA. And for you U.K. readers, Eureka! has set Sion Sono’s TAG for release on Blu-ray/DVD Combo on 11/20. Now then... a number of our industry and retail sources are telling is that Disney’s third 4K Ultra HD release will be Cars 3 on 11/7, day and date with Blu-ray and DVD. It will also be the first 4K release of a Pixar title. We expect an official announcement soon. Along those lines, we wanted to take a moment today to update our list of known 4K Ultra HD titles in the works for release before the end of 2017, some already officially announced and some compiled from our sources’ best-available information. Let us know if we’ve missed one. Please keep in mind that TBA titles and dates are ESTIMATES based on best-available information from sources and are NOT to be considered official until the studios in question make their respective announcements. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Boss Baby – 7/25 Snatched – 8/8 Prometheus – 8/15 Alien: Covenant – 8/15 War for the Planet of the Apes – TBA Hickock – 8/15 Westworld – Season One: The Maze – 11/7 The Lincoln Lawyer – 8/15 Red – 9/5 Red 2 – 9/5 The Cabin in the Woods – 9/5 Conan the Barbarian (2011) – 9/19 The Legend of Hercules – 9/19 Terminator 2 (also 2D/3D BD) – 10/3 Kick Ass – 10/3 Warm Bodies – 10/3 Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment Ghost in the Shell – 7/25 Baywatch – 8/29 Transformers: The Last Knight – 9/26 Interstellar – TBA The Fifth Element – 7/11 Léon: The Professional – 7/11 (Best Buy exclusive) Smurfs: The Lost Village – 7/11 Resident Evil: Vendetta – 7/18 Rough Night – 9/5 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Edition – 9/19 Starship Troopers: 20th Anniversary Edition – 9/19 Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars – 9/19 The Bridge on the River Kwai: 60th Anniversary Edition – 10/3 Bram Stoker’s Dracula – 10/3 Baby Driver – 10/10 Men in Black – TBA October Men in Black II – TBA October Men in Black III – TBA October A Few Good Men – TBA November Jumanji – TBA December Spider-Man – TBA Spider-Man 2 – TBA The Amazing Spider-Man – TBA Spider-Man: Homecoming – TBA The Emoji Movie – TBA The Dark Tower – TBA Universal Studios Home Entertainment King Kong: Ultimate Edition – 7/11 The Fate of the Furious – 7/11 Minions – 9/5 Despicable Me 3 – TBA 9/5 Van Helsing – 9/12 Dracula Untold – 9/12 Split – 9/12 Get Out – 9/12 The Mummy (1999) – 9/12 (single – Trilogy is already available) The Mummy Returns – 9/12 (single – Trilogy is already available) The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor – 9/12 (single – Trilogy is already available) The Purge: Three-Movie Collection – 9/12 The Mummy (2017) – 9/12 E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial – 9/12 Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas – 10/17 Serenity – 10/17 Apollo 13 – 10/17 Atomic Blonde – TBA Logan Lucky – TBA Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 – 8/22 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – 10/3 Cars 3 – TBA 11/7 Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Kong: Skull Island – 7/18 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – 8/8 Batman and Harley Quinn – 8/29 Blade Runner: The Final Cut – 9/5 It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – 9/26 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – 9/26 A Charlie Brown Christmas – 9/26 Wonder Woman – 9/19 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – TBA 10/3 (could slip to November) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – TBA 10/3 (could slip to November) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – TBA 10/3 (could slip to November) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – TBA 10/3 (could slip to November) Peanuts Holiday Collection – 10/10 Blade Runner 2049 – TBA The Dark Knight Trilogy – TBA (confirmed by director Christopher Nolan) Dunkirk – TBA Inception – TBA Annabelle: Creation – TBA Geostorm – TBA There are unconfirmed reports that Warner is also working on The Polar Express, The Departed, Gravity, and The Matrix. We also know that both Gladiator and Braveheart have been mastered for 4K Ultra HD for Paramount. Additional titles I’ve personally seen 4K Ultra HD tests of (in private meetings at CES) include The Godfather and Lawrence of Arabia, but whether they’ve been fully mastered and authored for released yet is unconfirmed. That’s it for now. Back tomorrow. Stay tuned... - Bill Hunt (You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook) 2017 4K UHD Release Update Coming Soon to a 4K Ultra HD Home Theater Near You Bluray Disc Taken: Season One Cars 3 4K Pixar 4K Ultra HD The Man with Two Brains Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 25th Anniversary Edition Miracle on 34th Street: 70th Anniversary Edition SpongeBob Squarepants: The Complete Ninth Season Sleepy Hollow: The Complete Fourth Season Timeless: The Complete First Season DVD Suspiria: 40th Anniversary Edition Contact Bill Hunt Please send us a message. About Bill Hunt Bill Hunt is the Editor in Chief of The Digital Bits, and the co-author (with Todd Doogan) of the Amazon Top 50 selling book The Digital Bits: Insiders Guide to DVD. Hunt founded The Bits in 1997, in the early days of the DVD format,… Recent My Two Cents TONS of new Blu-ray & 4K announcements: Godzilla: KotM, The Jetsons, V: Miniseries, Dark Phoenix & MUCH more The Bits at Comic-Con, plus Rambo (2008), Brightburn, Shadow, Casino, Cornetto Trilogy, Akira & more in 4K (and BD)! This week’s Release Dates & Artwork update is here with the latest BD, DVD & 4K cover art! Jul 11, 2019 - 1:00 am Zombieland 4K, Apollo 11 4K (on iTunes for now), Walking Dead, and oh HELL yeah... The Great Waldo Pepper! Jul 2, 2019 - 3:08 pm Moonraker 40th, Bill at Comic-Con (w/Shout! Factory), Omen Collection, Doom Patrol & LOTS more new announcements Avengers: Endgame, restored Monty Python & From the Earth to the Moon, Game of Thrones, Lost Highway & more! Jun 26, 2019 - 10:26 am My Two Cents Archives	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3788
__label__wiki	0.872745	0.872745	Published: Thursday 11 October 2007 Fish - 13th Star Record Label: Chocolate Frog Catalogue #: CF140207 Info: Fish Tracklist: Circle Line (6:04), Square Go (5:31), Milos De Besos (4:22), Zoe 25 (5:19), Arc Of The Curve (4:29), Manchmal (5:42), Openwater (5:07), Dark Star (6:48), Where In The World? (6:05), 13th Star (5:41) What makes a good Fish album? The hit and miss attempts by the big Scotsman seem to point to a few success factors: (1) the more miserable the man is, the higher the chance of classic composition, (2) the co-writer for the music, (3) the arranger/producer (4) the band. Over the past 17 years there have been optimal combinations of these factors in the form of Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (co-written with Mickey Simmonds) and Sunsets On Empire (co-written, arranged and produced by Steve Wilson). At the other end of the scale is an album like Fellini Days, which failed in all departments. Most of the other albums by Fish can be placed somewhere in between these two extremes. I have often wondered why I liked Field Of Crows so much when I reviewed it three years ago. Maybe it was the utter disappointment with Fellini Days that sent me into a state of euphoria when listening to Field Of Crows. Whatever it was, I find it hard to re-rate that album with the 9 I gave it back in 2004. I hardly ever play it and although most of the songs are quite enjoyable this would mean that the album isn't the classic I thought it was when it was released. I therefore was much more careful and more sceptical when reviewing his new CD 13th Star. The first early versions of tracks I heard on Fish' MySpace page failed to impress me and the first couple of times I heard the finished album it didn't make much of an impression either. But this initial lack of enjoyment might well be the same, reversed effect of expectations based on previous work. Also, the continuing milking of the Misplaced Childhood performances and related releases had resulted in quite a bit of disillusionment with the man I had been admiring and following throughout the nineties. Whatever it was, my initial disappointment has switched to substantial enjoyment of this new work by Fish. Now, hold your horses, this is no new Vigil or Sunsets On Empire (although some may claim otherwise), but it comes quite close to the latter. Also, whereas Vigil had no real songs I disliked and Sunsets only had one song I fiercely disliked (Tara) there are two or three songs on 13th Star that don't do much for me. But still, some of the songs are so strong, they lift the album to the Top 3 of studio albums released in Fish's solo career. In itself this is quite a surprise because I for one did not think much of the announced writing collaboration between Fish and his 10-year long bass player Steve Vantsis. Unlike Mickey Simmonds and Steve Wilson this was no big name that immediately set high expectations. This was rather unfair though, since Fish had never before written with Vantsis, so there was no way I could judge his composing skills. And skills he's obviously got, which gives us a plus on one of the four mentioned success factors. Another outstanding area of the album is the production. Rather than reverting to one of his previous producers, some of whom utterly destroyed potentially classic albums, Fish opted for the help by Calum Malcolm, who worked with band like Blue Nile, Clannad, Wet Wet Wet, Prefab Sprout, Simple Minds and Nazareth. He engineered, mixed, produced and mastered the album, so he had a substantial role in the sound of the album. Now, Malcolm was also responsible for the mix of Fellini Days, so this may sound like a dangerous move. Then again, Malcolm also mixed Sunsets Of Empire, and that might be one of the reasons why the album at times sounds like 'Son Of Sunsets'. Like on Sunsets there's an openness to the music. There's lots of quiet breaks, lots of energetic outbursts. There are spots in which the music is almost minimalistic, with just one or two instruments accompanying the vocals, while at other times the arrangements are full and lush including vocal overdubs, female backing vocals and synth effects. Another success factor is the band Fish gathered around him. On this record Fish combines the familiar with the new and fresh. Besides Steve Vantsis we see the return of veterans Frank Usher on guitar and Foss Patterson on keyboards. It's a matter of taste if you consider this to be a good thing or not. Personally I've never been impressed with Patterson's live performances with Fish, but he did compose and play some good tunes with Fish on the studio albums. And Frank Usher, well he does have that characteristic howling sound (e.g. in the end solo of Circle Line) that you'll find throughout Fish' back catalogue. Fortunately this sound is not present in all of the songs, otherwise the CD would not have sounded all that interesting. Added to these 'oldies' are Gavin John Griffiths (Karnataka, Mostly Autumn) on drums and Chris Johnson (Mostly Autumn) on guitar. Especially the combination of Vantsis' grooves and Griffiths unconventional drum patterns give the album a fresh and up-to-date sound that harks back to Sunsets. Last factor would be Fish' personal state of mind. As mentioned, the more depressed the better the lyrics. The more heartache, the better the compositions. Those who have followed Fish' personal life over the past year will know about his planned marriage with Heather Findlay of Mostly Autumn, which got cancelled at the very last moment. We'll not go into the details here, but suffice to say that this has resulted in an emotional roller coaster that has firmly left it's mark on the lyrics of the album. Supposedly the albums is a lose concept about someone that lacks direction and needs guidance to reach his goal. Whatever the concept, the broken relation is present all over the album, especially in the songs on the second half of the CD. That's a check on another success factor. As you've guessed by now I'm quite satisfied with 13th Star. This is mainly because of strong compositions, arrangements and production and a very open and at times groovy sound. Half of the songs on the album have a very rocking sound with a lot of emphasis on guitar riffs and nass grooves. This goes for the songs Circle Line, Square Go, Openwater, Manchmal and Dark Star, which not only happen to be the highlights of the album but also represent the new album in the current live performances. Most songs have good changes of atmospheres with tasteful breaks or the songs move from heavy to gentle within their limited time spans. Also, there's quite a few songs with either vocal overdubs or reverb on the vocals so it seems like you actually hear Fish singing 2 or 3 times at once, giving his vocal performance much more 'body'. Some moments worth mentioning ... Square Go and Circle Line are quite similar tracks opening the album with good grooves and drum patterns. Square Go has one of those nice spoken bits full of aggression that Fish has done ever since Perceptions Of Johnny Punter, just before the song quiets down to a calming nursery rhyme-like melody. Manchmal has a lot of venom in the lyrics and music but in strong contrast with it's berserk first half it has a more atmospheric approach in the second part, thereby strengthening the song. Openwater is a Fish/Usher composition that works much better than their previous attempt Favourite Strangers; it's seriously funky and heavy at the same time and the wobbly synth effects add an extra dimension. Dark Star is (as the title suggests) very dark and moody and with it's low tempo a real stomper. But as mentioned, it's not all gold that shines. Tracks that don't do much for me are the Fish/Patterson collaboration Miles De Besos and the song Where In The World. The first track is just too sweet for my taste (consider it the Tara of this album) and the second one doesn't seem to go anywhere and is only partially saved by the end section with female backing vocals. I'm also not that fond of Fish' use of German and Spanish bits in two of the songs; he'd be better of sticking to English. That leaves three more tracks that all have their moments. The title track, 13th Star, failed to impress me until the folky baltic section kicked in with it's lovely Mike Oldfield-ish use of mandolins and female backing vocals, after which the song breaks down to a lovely guitar/piano ending. Think of the Sunsets On Empire track, but more peaceful. Zoe 25 is a bit of a strange song compared to the rest of the album. It's got a very Suzanne Vega-ish style with 'storytelling' lyrics. Just before the song gets too monotonous the style changes for a warm climax. Finally, Arc Of The Curve, could have been a real turn-off with it's bittersweet lyrics about the failed relation with Heather, but it's a song that grows on you thanks to a strong chorus and melodic hook. The artwork is also worth mentioning. In this case I'm looking at the packaging of the limited edition that comes with a bonus DVD including an interesting 64 minute documentary about the making of the album. The documentary mainly consists of Fish dialoguing about the various stages in the writing and production process, which seemingly was a bit of a struggle for him at times. There are however also scenes where we see the musicians and producer at work, and quite a few tracks of Steve Vantsis and Fish working on pre-production. Coming back to the artwork, the outer slipcase is ... butt-ugly. It really is without a doubt the ugliest packaging ever delivered by Fish. The real treasure however lies inside though: a marvellous 3-panel painting by Mark Wilkinson depicting a moonlit sea watched by a naked tattooed man with a ship sailing the stormy waters (clearly a reference to the lyrics of Openwater). This might well be his best Fish artwork since the big Vigil painting. Inside the digipack is another beautiful painting of a mythical looking character sailing the sea. The booklet has some more artwork, some based on the big 3-panel design, but none of it is as stunning as that on the digipack. To sum it up, this isn't the best Fish album, but it certainly is one of his better albums. Recently I saw him live with his band and I have to admit that I'd rather see him perform this material and some other solo classics than continuously rehash some of the old Marillion albums like Misplaced Childhood and Clutching At Straws. To be honest, the renditions by his band never equal the originals and who needs second rate Marillion covers when you've got quality material like the majority of this album ... P:O:B - Crossing Over Country of Origin: Norway Record Label: Fish Farm Catalogue #: CGC 002 Info: P:O:B Tracklist: Father & Son (5:06), Promises (3:38), The Garden (4:17), Where the Rain Falls (3:51), Crossing Over (4:23), The Line (3:06), World Of Things (4:38), The Other Side (4:23), How Much More Than A Dream (3:03), The Altar Of Love (5:04), Why (4:41), Out Of The Rain (8:24) Okay, everybody, check out this list of bands whose styles apparently merge in the sound of P:O:B: Queensrÿche, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, and – TOTO? Well, that’s what the band says, but don’t let that wacky list put you off (as I’ll admit I did, before I heard the album). They don’t really sound precisely like any of those bands; though, oddly enough, Toto is not the out-of-left-field reference I at first thought, because whatever else this excellent Norwegian band’s CD is, it’s certainly melodic. I’d even dare to call three or four songs on it radio-friendly, and I mean that in an absolutely good way. I guess if the album has a flaw, it’s only a flaw in relation to its being reviewed for this website: it’s not really awfully progressive, even allowing for the broad range of definitions of that word we use at DPRP. But it’s a fine album deserving of a wide audience, and I’ll now explain why I say so. First off, it’s one of those rare albums that ought to appeal equally to fans of slightly heavy progressive rock and to fans of slightly progressive heavy rock. If songs such as Promises could well be played on modern-rock radio (at least where I live), such songs as World Of Things, while still melodic and even catchy, introduce interesting keyboard and vocal touches that elevate it above the AOR norm. Imagine (in the case of World Of Things and a few others) a slightly heavier version of some of the stuff Spock’s Beard has been doing recently – I’m thinking of, say, As Long As We Ride from 2005's Octane. The extra heaviness comes courtesy of P:O:B’s guitarist Torfin Sirnes, who on this album raises power chords to something like a state of weighty delicacy: most of the songs are dominated by his thick, powerful chordal riffs, but, to my ear at least, they never drown or overpower the contributions of band-mates Johannes Støle (vocals, keyboards) and Rudolf Fredly (bass). What do they sound like, then? Anything like any of those bands in their list? Well, sure, some of the songs (check out especially The Other Side) owe a bit to the sound of Dio-era Sabbath, I guess; and some of Sirnes’s guitar solos wouldn’t sound out of place on this or that Dream Theater track. But really, I’ve never heard anything quite like these guys, and their greatest virtue is the one I mentioned in my last paragraph: while playing fairly heavy music, they retain a sense of delicacy, of nuance, eerie keyboards and interesting percussion and layered background vocals punctuating, reinforcing, and supporting each song’s main themes. And there’s another virtue: each song is a dynamite composition, with a strong beginning and strong ending and lots to offer between the two. Aside from the songs I’ve mentioned already, I might especially recommend the excellent The Altar Of Love, with its eerie processed-vocal intro and outro, reminding me a lot of recent Porcupine Tree work, the rest of the song twisting and changing through several shifts of tempo and dynamics; the album’s title track, which is one of the most powerful of these songs and on which the superb harmony vocals soar through the chorus and stick in the brain even when the track is over; and Where The Rain Falls, which, opening with eerily phased electric-guitar arpeggios, confidently builds into a mid-tempo power-chorded stomper, while still walking that thin line between heaviness and subtlety I’ve mentioned. Throughout the album, I really ought to add, Johannes Støle’s confident but not showy vocals complement the songs perfectly, delivering interesting and literate lyrics that are nicely supported by each song’s music and arrangements. I’m so glad to have heard this band, and – I’ll pay them here my highest compliment – this disc will be going into my permanent collection, to be listened to and enjoyed, I’m sure, a lot in the future. I recommend it highly and anticipate eagerly P:O:B’s next album. Molecule – Interstellar Catalogue #: FGBG 4711.AR Info: Molecule Tracklist: Interstellar (5:32), Eclipse (5:11), Transmission (5:27), Isomorphisme (5:51), Atmosphere (6:55), Oxygene (2:10), Stratosphere (4:58), Control for the Sun (5:12), Summer 69 (4:24) A graphic designer friend of mine once said, “I have my best ideas when I borrow them from someone else.” That certainly seems to be the case with French musician Gerard Verran, who under the moniker Molecule has dipped into the work of Pink Floyd for Interstellar. Sound familiar? The Molecule debut offering takes Floyd elements like sound effects (wind blowing, dripping water), dialogue snippets, and rolling gongs and cymbals and puts them aside the contemporary musical elements of trip-hop, ambient, and electronica. This is quite evident, as an example, on Atmosphere. The title says it all- indigenous nature sounds, synths, flute, a mid-tempo world beat, and a tolling bell not quite sampled, but nonetheless borrowed, from the Floyd tune High Hopes. You can tell this is Floyd-inspired by glancing at the CD’s psychedelic cover art and the somewhat corny track listing with its somewhat Floyd like titles like Summer 69 and perhaps most obviously Eclipse. Other comparisons besides the obvious Floyd boys lean towards Enigma, evident in the melancholy piano and slow, ambient flow of the track Control For The Sun. The Orb seems to be a reference point as well, perhaps most notably on Isomorphisme, which is accented with some silly monkey sounds and avante garde piano reminiscent of Rick Wright’s earlier Floyd contributions. Interstellar has good, clean sound quality and is mixed well. As far as what is mixed goes, it can be debated. Aside from the Floyd references, the original music on the CD could have been composed with some more creativity. On the other hand, the rhythm of the contemporary music is something that could grow on a person after a while. There are no lyrics. This CD will most likely appeal to fans of trip-hop and electronica in general and anyone with an ear for experimental music. As far as Pink Floyd fans go, the purists among them may frown upon the borrowing of their music, while a few fans may be amused by the novelty of it. I personally think that Molecule could improve as a project with future releases by toning down on the Floyd stuff, focusing more on original work, and bringing a few other band members into the fold. Careful with that muse, Gerard. JIM CORCORAN	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3790
__label__cc	0.514402	0.485598	17552 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026 Petly (online Pet Info) Domestic Health Certificate Worksheet Client Information Form Grooming Contract Long Term Boarding Agmt Boarding Contract Notification of Hours Other Online Pharmacies Our Team of Veterinarians Jodi Gershman Dr. Gershman grew up in Florida. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida in 2004, and went on to earn her D.V.M. degree from Kansas State University in 2008.... Persis Chittenden Dr. Chittenden grew up in Clifton, Virginia. She went to NOVA and received an AAS in Veterinary Medicine, and become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 1985... Caroline Johnston Dr. Johnston grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. After receiving a B.S. in Animal Bioscience at Penn State, she then proceeded to Purdue University to graduate with a DVM degree in 1986.... Daria Olinger Daria Olinger DVM grew up in Roanoke, VA. She received her B.S in Biochemistry before graduating in 2016 with her D.V.M degree from Virginia Tech. Her areas of interest include... Dr. Nichols grew up in the southern Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. After earning a B.S. degree in microbiology from the University of Maryland, he went on to earn a DVM degree... Pets are family too! (For Mailing please use P.O. Box 610) Dumfries, Virginia 22026 Monday-Friday……….7:30am-8:00pm Saturday…………………7:30am-4:00pm Sunday………………….10:00am-4:00pm ©2019 Dumfries Animal Hospital	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3792
__label__wiki	0.55437	0.55437	Nelson Cruz heads to the 15-day disabled list Two-thirds of the Texas Rangers' starting outfield is now on the disabled list. Joining teammate Josh Hamilton, who broke his arm sliding into home earlier in the season, Nelson Cruz was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained quad. Since Cruz last played on Tuesday, the move is retroactive to Wednesday. Naturally, Cruz was disappointed by the move. "It's not good, not fun. I want to play,'' Cruz said (via Sports Illustrated). "The safe thing is to rest.'' Cruz, who landed on the DL three times and played only 108 games in 2010, is htting .219 with seven home runs, 18 runs batted in and one stolen base on the season. Texas has recalled Craig Gentry from Triple-A to take Cruz's roster spot. Labels: Craig Gentry, Fantasy Baseball, Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers Justin Verlander no-hits the Blue Jays Earlier in the week, Minnesota's Francisco Liriano threw the first no-hitter of the 2011 season. Today, Detroit's Justin Verlander threw the second no-hitter of the season as well as the second of his career. It was the seventh no-hitter in franchise history and the last Tiger to throw a no-no before Verlander was Jack Morris in 1984. Nearly perfect, Verlander allowed only one walk, which came to J.P. Arencibia in the eighth inning. Despite entering today's game with 51 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched, Verlander tied his season low of four strikeouts today. The low walk and strikeout totals allowed Verlander to complete the game in only 108 pitches. Verlander improved to 3-3 on the season and lowered his ERA to 3.16. In all eight of his starts this season, Verlander has allowed three earned runs or less. Labels: Detroit Tigers, Fantasy Baseball, J.P. Arencibia, Justin Verlander B.J. Upton suspended for two games Earlier in the week, Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton was ejected for arguing a called strike three on a pitch that looked to be a ball. "I just kind of lost it a little bit," said Upton after the game, per MLB.com's Spencer Fordin. "I guess you could say ... I just didn't feel like that pitch in that particular moment was a strike. ... I'm a pretty laid back guy, I think. Obviously, you could tell I didn't like the call. ... It is what it is. It's done with now." Well, it wasn't exactly over. Upton was suspended for two games by Major League Baseball. Although he appealed, he will serve the suspension in Cleveland next week. In his last ten games including today's win over the Orioles, Upton is hitting .244 with three home runs, ten runs batted in and three stolen bases. Labels: B.J. Upton, Fantasy Baseball, Tampa Bay Rays	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3795
__label__cc	0.722935	0.277065	The Eden Park Approach Heather’s Bio Ian’s Bio Individual Leadership Passionate about helping people Eden Park Group came about in part by evolution and in part by design as a result of my interest in the areas of Life & Career Development and Leadership which I studied while doing a master’s degree in organizational psychology. I started my own consulting firm in 2002 after being a partner with a global consulting firm, and I began to evolve my consulting focus from strategy implementation toward organizational and leadership development during my master’s degree. When I completed my degree in 2012, I started to explore the synergies between career management and leadership development. As a former C-suite executive, I came to realize that there is an under-served market in the area of career management and leadership development – two disciplines which go hand-in-hand. In my experience, I’ve found that many people fall into their careers and then make their way forward with some combination of deliberate planning and serendipity. This was true in my case. When I was in the last year of my undergraduate degree, I applied for one job in financial services and ended up in another job. It was the person in Human Resources who decided that I would be a better ‘fit’ in one job over the other. As it turned out, she was right and so began my successful career in bond trading. After bond trading, I became a capital markets executive, a partner in a global consulting firm, an entrepreneur creating my own consulting company, then back into industry as an Executive Vice President in the capital markets division of a Canadian bank, and then back to being an entrepreneur. Owning Your Career When I began my career, organizations used to determine your career path. People tended to work for one organization for their entire career, and while career paths were well defined they were often controlled by others. Today, this isn’t the case. Many people today will work for multiple organizations throughout their career, and most people are on their own to figure out a career path and what’s right for them. This works out better for most people because they have more control over their own destiny but it also means that they need to invest more time and effort into planning their career if they want to get the most out of their career. When I started working, leadership development was a top-down concept. Moreover, leadership development was limited to people managers. As organizational structures have flattened, leadership is no longer a top-down hierarchical concept. Leadership has become more democratic and collaborative – where more people throughout the organization contribute to the leadership process. As a result, “soft-skills” like emotional and social awareness have become increasingly important. I’ve seen this throughout my career and current research supports this view. The World Economic Forum, in its report “The Future of Jobs” (2016), identifies social skills as being in increased demand across all industries by 2020 when compared with 2015. Hence, Emotional Intelligence is becoming a core capability of 21st century leadership. Where Do You Find Help? In the marketplace, career and leadership services are fragmented. In the career space, services are limited. In the leadership space, the focus is more on hard skills than on soft skills. At Eden Park, we have taken an integrated approach to career and leadership development. We believe that career and leadership development are two sides of the same coin – the two go hand in hand. We are passionate about helping people. We offer career and leadership coaching services to people throughout their career life cycle and we welcome the opportunity to work with you! Heather Stewart, MSc Contact us today by email: info@edenparkgroup.com EDEN PARK GROUP Suite 6060, 3080 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4N 3N1 Assessments Include Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Myers-Briggs, and MBTI are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Myers & Briggs Foundation, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Go to edenparkconnect.com to see additional ways we help individuals in the early part of their careers. © 2015-2019 Eden Park Group. All Rights Reserved.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3796
__label__wiki	0.7672	0.7672	Oral Agreement to Delay Oil and Gas Lease Closing Oral Agreement to Delay Oil and Gas Lease Closing Did Not Violate Statute of Frauds Mark Trachtenberg The Texarkana Court of Appeals recently upheld a $12.4 million breach of contract judgment against Petrohawk, which arose out of Petrohawk’s agreement with the plaintiff landowners to schedule multiple closings to sign oil and gas leases, and its subsequent refusal to lease additional properties after the first closing. Petrohawk Props., L.P. v. Jones, No. 06-14-00003-CV, 2015 WL 170225 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Jan. 14, 2015, no pet. h.). The case provides important guidance on how contractual changes should be analyzed in light of the statute of frauds and changed conditions after an initial agreement is reached. Whether a change in an agreement is material or requires reduction to writing often depends on the agreement’s wording and the facts of the particular case. Parties are best served by carefully documenting any modification to their agreements to avoid expensive and protracted litigation over enforcement. This dispute has its roots in a legendary natural gas boom that took place in the Haynesville Shale formation in 2008. Exploration companies competed aggressively for available leases, offering bonuses as high as $30,000 per acre. But requisite title investigation constrained the leasing activity. In East Texas’s Harrison County, where this case arose, landmen overwhelmed the clerk’s office and had to take turns using the office’s computer terminals. It was during this leasing frenzy that Petrohawk Properties, L.P. (“Petrohawk”) entered into an Agreement to Lease Oil and Gas Mineral Interests (the “Agreement”) with a family group of mineral interest owners (“Plaintiffs”). The Agreement specified conditions under which Petrohawk would lease mineral interests from Plaintiffs covering the Haynesville and Bossier Shale formations, if Plaintiffs could deliver their interests “free and clear of Title Defects.” The Agreement called for an August 15, 2008 closing of “not more than 8,500 net mineral acres,” at a lease bonus of $23,500 per acre. The total lease bonus that Petrohawk would have to pay Plaintiffs at closing was potentially almost $200 million. Petrohawk expected to close on at least 4,800 acres. The Agreement required Petrohawk to place $10 million in escrow for the closing. The Agreement would terminate and Petrohawk would recover the escrowed funds if, at closing, Plaintiffs were unable to deliver free and clear title to mineral acreage that exceeded $10 million in lease value (i.e., 426 acres). Petrohawk would forfeit the $10 million as liquidated damages if Plaintiffs delivered at least 426 acres and other conditions were satisfied, but Petrohawk nevertheless refused to close the transaction. The escrow deposit thus protected Plaintiffs’ interests while their properties were promised exclusively to Petrohawk and title was investigated. Petrohawk was to notify Plaintiffs of any title defects not later than five days before closing. If Plaintiffs were unable to cure the defects by closing, they would enjoy a 30-day grace period during which Petrohawk would still honor the $23,500 per acre bonus. The title work progressed more slowly than hoped and the parties agreed to delay the closing to August 27. The parties also agreed to a second “clean-up” closing on September 17. On August 27, the parties closed on 2,200 mineral acres and Petrohawk paid Plaintiffs more than $51 million, including the $10 million escrow deposit. Additional title difficulties caused the parties to postpone the September closing to October 9, and to agree to a third and final closing on November 6, 2008. However, in the fall of 2008, the United States was in the midst of a financial crisis. On October 7, Petrohawk notified Plaintiffs that, in light of “uncertainty in the capital markets,” it would not lease additional acreage. Petrohawk eventually took the position that Plaintiffs had 30 days to clear title on additional acreage after the August 29 closing and, having not done so, Petrohawk had no further obligations under the Agreement. Plaintiffs sued for breach of contract and a jury awarded them $12.4 million in damages, plus $4.2 million in attorneys’ fees and post-judgment interest. On appeal, Petrohawk argued, among other issues, that the statute of frauds barred recovery under the changed Agreement. As the court noted, “[t]he statute of frauds applies to oil and gas leases and contracts to acquire the same.” Generally, modifications to an agreement subject to the statute of frauds must be in writing, but an oral modification may be enforceable. In particular, the court held that an oral modification to extend time of performance is enforceable if it is made before the written contract expires and if it is not material, i.e., it does not change other contractual rights and duties. Petrohawk argued that the parties’ agreement to hold the second closing materially changed the Agreement and was, therefore, unenforceable under the statute of frauds. Under Petrohawk’s reasoning, the Agreement contemplated only one closing where Petrohawk could accept the leases or forfeit its $10 million escrow deposit. Having released the escrow deposit in the first closing, Petrohawk argued that it lost its “walk away” option. Multiple closings, Petrohawk argued, deprived Petrohawk of its ability to weigh its “walk away” option against “all” Plaintiffs’ leases. This situation allegedly would have required Petrohawk to “accept whatever leases Plaintiffs presented and subjected Petrohawk to ‘unlimited and indeterminate liability.’” As a threshold matter, the Texarkana court held that Petrohawk’s lease obligations were “neither unlimited, nor indeterminate, nor unseen” because Petrohawk performed all the title work for Plaintiffs’ mineral interests and was in a position to choose what it would lease based on the state of the title. Moreover, the court pointed out that Petrohawk’s obligation to lease did not exceed 8,500 acres. As to the $10 million escrow deposit, the court held that Petrohawk did not lose its walk away option because of the Agreement’s modification, but instead because Petrohawk partially performed its contractual obligations. The court reasoned that Plaintiffs fulfilled their obligation to present mineral acres worth at least $10 million in lease value at the first closing, and Petrohawk chose to proceed with the transaction and apply the $10 million escrow deposit to the purchase price. Under these conditions, the court held that the parties’ decision to proceed with multiple closings did not change their rights and obligations and did not substantially alter the Agreement itself. In conclusion, the court held that the modification was not material, did not need to be in writing, and its enforcement was not barred by the statute of frauds. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the lawyers listed below or visit our Oil and Gas Litigation page. T +1 713.547.2528 Energy, Power and Natural Resources Oil and Gas Litigation	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3807
__label__cc	0.598305	0.401695	Rush released their latest album, “Clockwork Angels,” in June. Prior to the project’s launch, bassist Geddy Lee sat down with Roman Rogowieckiego of Warner Music Poland for an extended interview. The full 21-minute session has now surfaced online and can be viewed below. Rush launched the Clockwork Angels tour in September; the current North American leg wraps up December 2 in Houston, Texas. A UK tour is set for next May before Rush play a series of European dates in June, including the band’s first European festival show in over three decades. Rush will play the 2013 edition of the Sweden Rock Festival, which happens June 5-8, 2013 in Sölvesborg, Sweden. Rush will appear on the festival’s closing night of June 8. Sweden Rock Festival 2013 will be a four-day festival featuring a total of 80 bands performing on five outdoor stages; in addition to Rush, the lineup includes KISS, Status Quo, Saxon, Accept, Krokus, UFO and more. Rush’s last European festival gig was at Pinkpop in Holland in 1979.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3811
__label__cc	0.688342	0.311658	Dawn of a new day. Photos taken by Judy Cohen with an iPhone4. All images contained within this website are the property of HHI, the National Park Service, and independent artists, and may not be used or reproduced without permission from the owners. Programs at Hampton NHS are made possible through the support of Historic Hampton, Inc. and the National Park Service, as well as through an Impact Grant from the National Park Foundation, through the generous support of DISNEY and individual donors from across the country. WE THANK YOU! is provided by: Historic Hampton, Inc. Since 1979, HHI has served as the friends group that supports Hampton National Historic Site in Towson, Maryland. To join HHI in this endeavor, please click here for details about Membership.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3814
__label__cc	0.526933	0.473067	Alarm.com Review: The Unexpected Value of Video Monitoring July 14, 2015 WEBCO Security Comments 0 Comment Video monitoring has many benefits. It can help you see what’s going on at home, review important events, and even catch an intruder. It can also provide some unexpected value when you need it most. “Your life can turn upside down in one second,” says Boris, an Alarm.com user in New Jersey. “You’re driving home from work, everything’s fine – and then you get a call saying your house is burning down.” Six weeks ago, Boris’s home caught fire in an accident. His family was unhurt but his property was largely destroyed. In the aftermath, Boris would likely have faced a long, stressful struggle with insurance companies to recover his losses, had it not been for his Alarm.com video monitoring. “I’ve been an Alarm.com customer since 2005,” Boris says. “I wanted to be able to see what’s happening around the house, so I had three video cameras and two image sensors, with one camera on the front steps. My system recorded exactly how the fire started.” While renovating Boris’ home, some contractors had set up a dumpster against the side of the house. As they finished work and locked up the house that day, one worker paused to smoke a cigarette, and threw the butt into the dumpster which was full of old flooring. The blaze started in just a few minutes. “The camera recorded the guy throwing the cigarette,” says Boris. “It recorded smoke rising from the dumpster. It recorded the police and fire arriving. My image sensor in the house even took pictures of the firemen as they went inside. The power was out and the home in flames, but it still captured the images. I was receiving them on my smartphone as I stood in the front yard.” Alarm.com’s video monitoring uses intelligent recording that is automatically saved to cloud-based storage. Boris’s footage was safe from the fire, and was easy to download and share from the cloud. “I showed the video footage to the police detective that had arrived and he recognized immediately what had happened. He was very concerned about losing the footage, but he needn’t have worried – I was able to download it easily from Alarm.com and send it to him. He immediately interviewed the contractors, and the guy admitted that he’d thrown the cigarette.” Video footage from Alarm.com proved instrumental in determining the precise cause of the fire. This led to an easy determination of responsibility and a quick response from the insurance company. “The next day, fire investigators arrived from my own and my contractors’ insurers. My insurance didn’t cover the value of everything in the house. But, as soon as they reviewed the video clips, they agreed that there was no question of how the fire started, and the contractor’s insurance would pay for everything that mine didn’t.” Without Boris’s Alarm.com video clips, it would have been hard to prove who started the fire. “It could have gone on for a long time,” says Boris. “The contractor could have denied it. But instead, the video removed all doubt. It made everything black and white. Case closed, they said.” “And it was easy to access the footage,” Boris says. “I was also nervous that it would disappear, but it was simple to save it right from my phone. It’s so easy to use. I would absolutely recommend this to other people. Accidents happen! But now, I can look forward to rebuilding and moving on.” We thank Boris for sharing his story. To find out more about our video monitoring solutions, click here. Please call WEBCO for more information! fire, home safety, Home Security Minneapolis, Home Security MN, Minnesota Fire, Minnesota Home Fire How Secure Is That Security Camera? 9 weather facts about March in Minnesota Questions? Comments? Cancel reply	cc/2019-30/en_head_0044.json.gz/line3818

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