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Criminal Penalties for Obscenity
Under U.S. law, government officials can prohibit the sale and transportation of material that is determined to be obscene. Whether material is obscene is something that must be determined by a judge, using the three-part test that the Supreme Court developed in the case Miller v. California. Under the Miller test, the judge must consider:
whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest,
whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law, and
whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
If a work is determined to satisfy all three of these requirements and is declared obscene, then state and federal laws that regulate the distribution of obscene materials will apply. While possession of obscene material is not itself illegal, sending obscene material through the mail, by interstate commerce, or over the Internet, importing it into the U.S., or producing it with the intent to distribute it is illegal. Each of these offenses can be punished by a fine and/or five or more years in prison. A person is assumed to have the intent to distribute obscene materials if they transport two or more copies of something that’s obscene, or if they transport a total of five obscene items, though he or she can argue against this assumption at trial.
In addition to fines and or jail time, a person who’s convicted of an obscenity crime may also have to forfeit any copies of the obscene material, as well as any profits or property acquired with profits from the material, and any property used to create or distribute the material. There are also obscenity crimes that involve the transmission of obscene material over the radio or television. People convicted of these crimes can face a large fine and up to two years in jail.
Child pornography is also considered non-speech and is not protected by the First Amendment. Unlike obscene materials, even possession of child pornography is a crime. Those convicted of distributing child pornography or creating it with the intent to distribute it are subject to fines and between five and twenty years in prison. Those convicted of possession of child pornography may be fined and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. If they have already been convicted of sex crimes against children, the possible prison terms increase to fifteen to forty years for distribution and tent o twenty years for possession.
In addition to the federal laws discussed above, most states have their own obscenity and child pornography laws. Issue relating to obscenity, including discussion of cases, can be found in our Sexual Content section.
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Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions
Government regulations of speech fall into two categories: content-based restrictions, which prohibit certain types of speech because of what is being said, and content-neutral restrictions, which regulate speech regardless of content and in pursuit of a substantial government purpose. Content-based restrictions usually fail constitutional scrutiny; the government must establish that the law is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling state interest, and the law must be the least restrictive means for achieving that interest. A total ban on discussion of a certain topic or particular point of view is unlikely to satisfy this strict standard, though certain categories of “non-speech” (speech deemed to be outside of the protection of the First Amendment), including obscenity, child pornography, and fighting words, may be prohibited.
Content-neutral regulations, however, apply to all speech regardless of subject or viewpoint. One category of content-neutral regulations are “time, place, and manner” restrictions on speech, which must still be narrowly drawn and serve a substantial government interest. This category covers, for example, laws that prohibit sidewalk protests during rush hour (where the government interest is preventing potentially dangerous congestion on the sidewalk and in the street), and laws that prohibit sleeping in national parks, even if a group of demonstrators wants to do so as a form of protest.
Time, place, and manner restrictions are typically context-specific and relate to the needs of a particular area, venue, or community. Because of the global nature of the Internet, it would be very difficult to develop or enforce meaningful time, place, and manner restrictions online.
National Coalition Against Censorship Art Law Library: Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions
Thomas Jefferson Center: Art on Trial: Displaying Art in Privately Owned Spaces
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The Different Forms of Government and the Best Among Them
Abhijit Naik May 13, 2019
With no consensus about which the best form of government is, we decided to evaluate various options available to see which is the most ideal of the lot. Read on...
Though many people are of the opinion that democracy is by far the best form of government, Aristotle - one of the greatest philosopher that the world has ever known, was not quite in favor of the same.
In fact, he was of the opinion that other forms of government, including aristocracy and monarchy, were a better bet when the interest of the nation was a priority for the rulers. He often argued that democracy, which basically revolves around the principle of 'rule by the people for the people' becomes useless when it went into wrong hands.
That's something which is becoming more and more obvious in almost all the democratic nations of the world, and this very loophole of this form of government has brought it under the scanner of late.
Different Forms of Governments
When we talk about the different forms of government, most of us can't think beyond democracy and dictatorship, and that's something which can be attributed to the ignorance about different types of governments.
There is no doubt about the fact that democracy-dictatorship debate is one of the most talked subjects in the world today, but there also exist other forms which even though seem alike, tend to differ from each other on certain grounds. Give a look on this list of some of the most prominent forms of government to consider when determining which is the best.
The most widely followed form government in the world today, democracy refers to political system where power of electing people who will represent them is in the hands of citizens. Popular no doubt, but is democracy the best form of governance we can opt for? That can be only determined by assessing what the other forms have in store for us.
If democracy is most famous, dictatorship is perhaps the most infamous form of government, wherein there is a single ruler who is not restricted by any constitution or opposition. It is one of the two forms of autocracy, other being monarchy.
An autocratic form of government - similar to dictatorship, wherein the monarch i.e. the supreme ruler, inherits the authority instead of seizing it as in case of a dictator.
A form of government - which was quite popular until a few centuries ago, wherein the people belonging to a privileged class became the rulers on the basis of hereditary.
A political system which is typically characterized by enforced political authority in the absence of publicly recognized government.
Plutocracy
A political system wherein the state is governed by the wealthy people.
A political system wherein the government is under the control of some religious group.
A system of governance wherein the ruler is absolute dictator who considers the citizens his slaves.
Oligarchy
A political system wherein the ruling class consists of a group of people who are brought together by factors such as royal inclination, wealth, military control, etc.
Meritocracy
A form of government wherein the representatives are appointed on the basis of their merit i.e. intelligence, education, etc., instead of popular choice.
Of the different types of governments mentioned here only few are practiced as of today. As we said earlier, democracy is the most popular form of government, and the United States of America in itself is one of the best examples of the same. Other nations which resort to democracy in its varying forms include India, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc.
On the other hand, most of the dictatorships can be traced to Africa and Asia, with countries like Sudan, Zimbabwe, North Korea featuring in the list. This may come as a surprise for many, but monarchy also prevails in various parts of the world today.
Some examples of absolute monarchy include Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Brunei, Swaziland etc. Most of the other forms enlisted above were prominent in the past, but were phased off with time.
Which of the Existing Forms is the Best?
That being said, it is virtually impossible to find out any form of governance which will come clean on all the factors. Each of the different types of governments mentioned here has its own pros and cons, and therefore we are left with no option but to come up with the best of the available lot.
That sounds similar to the concept of choosing lesser evil which is frequently used when it comes to elections in democratic countries. At the end of the day, everything comes down to sheer execution of the system of governance that the country resorts to.
While democracy seems to be an ideal form of the government on paper, its execution is the most difficult as politicians from all over the world have identified and exploited the loopholes of the same for quite some time now.
There exist various sub-types of democracy - namely ancient democracy, direct democracy, liberal democracy and representative democracy. The last of the lot, i.e. representative democracy is also further grouped into single party and two party political system.
Coalition government is referred to as government on crutches, and that's the foremost problem with representative democracy. The democratic system of government has also been heavily criticized for being too harsh on minority communities for pleasing the majority community. The practice has earned this form of government the title 'tyranny of the majority'.
Those in favor of representative democracy argue that democratic government only ignores minorities when they are against the overall well-being of the nation, which is quite rare.
They further argue that there are too many positives of democracy as compared to its negatives. No other form of government respects the individuals right of freedom as democracy does, and that makes it the best form of government - the say of the people.
As Aristotle said, dictatorship and monarchy are the best forms available but only when the development of nation is the priority for the ruler, and not its exploitation.
It is very difficult to come to a consensus to this statement, but experts do argue that countries like Saudi Arabia - wherein absolute monarchy is practiced, is better than coalition based democracy in India. Is that really true?
As we have been saying throughout the write-up, there are too many ifs and buts involved here, and that makes it all the more difficult to state which is the best of the lot, the ideal though - according to us, it is democracy when practiced in the right spirit.
OpinionFront
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The Real Meaning of Amnesty in Terms of Illegal Immigration
There are several laws and acts that define the status of citizenship conferred upon an individual, especially in dual situations - when the country of birth and migration are not the same. One such act is the Amnesty act which draws a fine line between legal citizens and illegal citizens.
Samarpita Choudhury
The Citizenship Paradox
In November 2014, President Barack Obama declared to grant Amnesty to over 5 million illegal immigrants.
After the Afro-Americans gained their rightful place as American citizens, it was now the time to jot down more eventful chapters in the American history. After a long and bloody series of events, democracy dawned upon America, but the enthusiasts of the American Civil War bore the brunt of this long and tedious war that brought the much-needed freedom for the 'blacks'. These propagandists of the war were treated in a different eye. They were proclaimed as the rebels who conspired against the state of America. Needless to say, the price they had to pay for the same were nothing short of abandonment.
Several laws and acts were passed, some of them being the Reconstruction Act and the other amendments like the 14th Amendment. These were aimed to bring back the lost Southern states back under the umbrella of America, also diminishing the position of the war enthusiasts. However, in due course, came the Amnesty act which changed the position of these individuals in more than one way. One of them is the Amnesty act in terms of illegal immigration. Let's find out more about it in the trailing sections of this article.
What is Amnesty - definition
► The Amnesty act is the United States federal law which was passed in the year 1872. This act paved the way for the ex-confederates to regain their lost power to vote.
► Those secessionists who participated in the American Civil War were treated as rebels, and hence prohibited from exercising their right to vote, or hold any office of government. Amnesty is the act of forgetting the crime committed and forgiving the criminal.
► The significance of Amnesty today lies in forgiving those who are accused of murder, and those who illegally infiltrate into other countries.
Immigration and Illegal Immigration
► The act of coming into a particular country and staying there permanently, is known as Immigration. When this is done without attaining proper citizenship of that country, that is, not fulfilling the norms of Immigration, it is then termed as Illegal Immigration.
► It also encompasses those foreigners who entered the country lawfully, but their authorization documents to remain there have expired.
Amnesty in Illegal Immigration
► Amnesty, as we know is the act of granting mercy or forgiveness to a group or class of people for political offenses, carried out against the government. Now, talking in the line of illegal immigration, it is the act of granting the right to those non-native people to stay in a country as citizens.
► As Amnesty is the act of forgiving and forgetting the crime, Amnesty to illegal immigrants means to forget the illegal trespassing into the country. It awards legal status of citizenship to the foreigners in the United States.
► It is given to those who came into the US unlawfully, and also to those who obtained the necessary permission to stay, but whose permission has expired. But having said this, it is quintessential to know that Amnesty for illegal immigration is rewarded only to a particular category of immigrants and also at the fulfillment of some essential criteria on the part of those immigrants.
► Also, another qualifying criterion is that, the person must not be guilty of breaching any other law or committing other criminal acts.
PROS and CONS of AMNESTY
❖ One of the most prominent benefits of Amnesty to illegal immigrants is that, it provides the American employers to hire cheap labor.
❖ Amnesty also ensures more revenue from taxes, thereby improving the quality and stability of the economy.
❖ The supporters of Amnesty also argue that, it leads to the immigrants to take up the jobs which perhaps were not taken up by the Americans.
❖ It keeps up family integration. Anyone born on American soil is an American, by virtue of his birth. Thus, children of the non-native Americans are Americans. Amnesty allows these parents and their wards to live together.
❖ The endeavor to curb anti-social and terrorist elements can be maximized, instead of focusing on the illegal immigrants. This can be achieved only through Amnesty.
❖ One of the most talked about criticism of Amnesty is that, it is awarded to those who break the law. In the process, it benefits those who don't abide by law, discouraging those who adhere to the law. Thus, unjust.
❖ Because of Amnesty, these illegal immigrants take up the jobs which perhaps were to be done by the Americans. Also, as they take up these jobs at low wages, it automatically lowers down the monetary value of the job.
❖ The cost of maintaining healthcare and general welfare of the citizens is sure to escalate, as the number of the recipients increases. Granting citizenship to the illegal immigrants propels it further.
❖ Lastly, the concept of overpopulation is a growing threat to most countries across the globe. America would further clutch in the same, if Amnesty is not restricted.
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Also known as the Simpson Mazzoli Act, this act granted almost 3 million immigrants as US citizens. It is one of the most prominent occasions when the terms of the act prohibited any US employer from hiring illegal immigrants. It allowed only those people who came into the US on or before 1982. It required them to prove that they weren't guilty of any unlawful act, and also possessed some knowledge about the English language and American history.
To support the Amnesty act of illegal immigration or to denounce the same is a pressing issue in the present times. Since time immemorial there have existed two opposing factors regarding significant phenomenon which are thought-provoking and call for much debate. Amnesty is one such phenomena which is far from being accepted unanimously.
Illegal Immigration Problems
Illegal Immigration Statistics
Reasons for Illegal Immigration
Is Illegal Immigration a Crime?
Illegal Immigration Pros and Cons
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The Decline of Inner Suburbs: The New Suburban Gothic in the United States
Short, J.R., Hanlon, B.F., & Vicino, T.J. (2007). "The Decline of Inner Suburbs: The New Suburban Gothic in the United States," Geography Compass, Vol. 1(3): 641-656
16 Pages Posted: 30 Nov 2012 Last revised: 22 Feb 2016
See all articles by Thomas J. Vicino
Thomas J. Vicino
Date Written: May 1, 2007
In this article, we critically examine transformation and decline in US suburbs. We identify four distinct, chronological phases of development: suburban utopias, suburban conformity, suburban diversity, and suburban dichotomy. An element of this new suburban dichotomy is what we term suburban gothic. We theorize that the forces of an aging housing stock, land-use planning, and deindustrialization contribute to the divergent realities of US suburbs.
Keywords: suburbs, sprawl, decline, suburban, metropolitan, deindustrialization, land use, planning
JEL Classification: J10, J11, J18, O20, R10
Vicino, Thomas J., The Decline of Inner Suburbs: The New Suburban Gothic in the United States (May 1, 2007). Short, J.R., Hanlon, B.F., & Vicino, T.J. (2007). "The Decline of Inner Suburbs: The New Suburban Gothic in the United States," Geography Compass, Vol. 1(3): 641-656. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2182856
Thomas J. Vicino (Contact Author)
Northeastern University ( email )
310P Renaissance Park
HOME PAGE: http://www.northeastern.edu/cssh/faculty/thomas-vicino
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Executive Chef, 23rd and Main
Joshua Woo grew up around Richmond and began his culinary career at the Country Club of Virginia. But after graduating from culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, S.C., he lived in Wilmington, N.C., and then in Cleveland, Ohio, honing his craft.
He was in Wilmington for 15 years working at several restaurants including Port Land Grille, Yosake Sushi Lounge and Spice Kitchen and Bar, which was a restaurant as well as a catering company with their own farm, Spice Acres. In Ohio, where Joshua most recently lived, he helped a catering company expand and begin its own farm. He had committed to stay two years, but wound up being there four years, as he enjoyed creating farm-to-table cuisine. Joshua also specializes in Southern and Asian fare.
Joshua recently came back to Richmond to be the Executive Chef for 23rd and Main. He knew a partner and liked what he heard about Parry Restaurant Group and its remodel and rebranding of 23rd and Main. He also appreciates how the group is run, as he’s always been interested in the financial end of the restaurant business.
Joshua is glad to be back in his hometown, especially now that he has a little one and expecting another.
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Claud Anderson President of PowerNomics, a corporation involved in major business development, primarily in inner cities, across the country
Dr. Claud Anderson is president of PowerNomics Corporation of America, Inc. and The Harvest Institute, Inc. PowerNomics is a company that publishes his books and produces the multimedia presentations in which he explains his concept, PowerNomics. PowerNomics is a package of principles and strategies that explain “race” and offer a guid...
Dr. Claud Anderson is president of PowerNomics Corporation of America, Inc. and The Harvest Institute, Inc.
PowerNomics is a company that publishes his books and produces the multimedia presentations in which he explains his concept, PowerNomics. PowerNomics is a package of principles and strategies that explain “race” and offer a guide for Black America to become a more self-sufficient and economically competitive group in America.
Dr. Anderson's book, PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America, incorporates and reflects his past experiences: his academic research, business experience, both as an owner and a capital provider, and his varied political positions. He has held the highest positions in federal and state government and politics. He was State Coordinator of Education for Florida under Governor Reubin Askew during the tumultuous period of the 1970s. After successful social reform projects in Florida and leading president Jimmy Carter's Florida campaign to a win in the state, Carter appointed Anderson as the Federal Chairman for a commission of governors of southeast states. In that position (rank of assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce), he stimulated and funded economic development projects for the governors in those states. The seafood industry, at that point all wild catch, was a major sector focus. The projects he funded created jobs and businesses. Anderson has taught at all levels of education, was also executive director of two economic development corporations for the city of Miami, Florida and a major planner and coordinator for the 1988 Democratic Convention in Atlanta.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Anderson built Maryland’s largest seafood producing facility and operated it for seven years, has owned radio stations, retail food outlets and a residential construction company.
Dr. Anderson is president of The Harvest Institute, a nationally recognized think tank that does research, policy development, education and advocacy to increase the self-sufficiency of Black America. Dr. Anderson's books, Black Labor, White Wealth: A Search for Power and Economic Justice and PowerNomics: The National Plan, are the foundation for Harvest Institute programs.
He lectures frequently to business groups, universities, churches and social organizations on the economic, social and political solutions he proposes. His books, all highly popular, are widely read throughout the United States and are used as textbooks in many universities and high schools. alive.
Dr. Claud Anderson on The Rock Newman Show
Dr. Claude Anderson @ the Black Empowerment Summit Ft. Lauderdale
A Conversation With Dr. Claud Anderson
Why We Are Going Backwards!
Black Labor, White Wealth : The Search for Power and Economic Justice
More Dirty Little Secrets About Black History, Its Heroes and Other Troublemakers Volume 2
Dirty Little Secrets About Black History : Its Heroes & Other Troublemakers
Check Availability For Claud Anderson
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NRC panel advises US DOD on green buildings
by University of Massachusetts Amherst
Building scientist Paul Fisette, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, was part of an NRC panel advising the DOD on green buildings and sustainability. Credit: UMass Amherst
New recommendations by a National Research Council (NRC) expert panel on green and sustainable building performance could lead to a revolution in building science by creating the first large building performance database, says panel member Paul Fisette, a nationally recognized sustainable building expert at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Fisette and six other NRC panel members were asked to consider whether nearly 500,000 structures owned by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) worldwide are being operated as sustainably and as efficiently as possible according to a number of green building standards, including Green Globes, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Fisette and colleagues recently completed their nine-month assessment of energy efficiency, water use and many other sustainability factors at about 300,000 of the DOD facilities. One of their top recommendations is that the department should start metering such variables as energy and water use, to collect information on how different facilities perform in many different environments.
"One of the things we learned from this study is that the Defense Department is the perfect organization to be able to provide us with ongoing data," he says. "They are a single owner of a lot of property and they have control over how it's operated, along with costs, uses and standards. What is lacking in building science has been this consistent set of data, really large samples over time."
The NRC panel wrote, "DOD has the opportunity to continue to take a leadership role in improving the knowledge base about high-performance buildings, improving decision-support tools and improving building models by collecting data on measured energy, water and other resource use for its portfolio of buildings and by collaborating with others."
Panelists "pored through mounds and mounds of data," Fisette says, looking at building history and performance, comparing LEED to non-LEED certified buildings for evidence of a cost benefit to certification and identifying potential paybacks for adopting sustainable practices, for example. "In general, our findings and recommendations definitely support the idea that it is cost effective to design sustainability into these buildings," he notes.
But while building green is cost effective, "there certainly needs to be deeper, more meaningful scientific study, because there are a lot of variables and if you're not careful you can end up not achieving the environmental outcomes you had hoped for," he adds. "You need to be able to strictly measure performance to justify the environmental outcome."
DOD can help with this going forward, Fisette adds. "They have facilities all over world in different climates, their structures have an amazingly wide variety uses from barracks and offices to missile silos and underground launch control centers. In our report, we encourage them to take advantage of all this and start metering. If they start now, in five or 10 years we'd have a tremendous resource. Because right now there's a basic lack of good scientific data on how buildings perform. It would be a huge contribution to the green building movement going forward."
Fisette has been professionally involved in building science for more than 30 years, starting as a general contractor during the oil-embargoed, energy-conscious 1970s. "I was building solar homes across New England before it was popular," he recalls. Then as editor of the magazine Progressive Builder (formerly Solar Age) he grew more interested in the science and theory of building design and performance on an industry and global scale.
"I like to study how buildings work," he says. "People like me are systems thinkers. When you decide to turn a light on, everything cascades from that one motion, and it has everything to do with energy, water and the environment, from the wall switch all the way out to fish ladders and hydro dams. We can't talk about or address any environmental challenges without dealing with energy and water."
Now an associate dean for the UMass Amherst College of Natural Sciences, Fisette's recent NRC work marks his fifth stint of volunteer service to the national research agency, including a panel to assess health and productivity benefits of green schools. He also served two, three-year terms as a member of NRC's umbrella organization National Academy of Sciences' Board of Infrastructure and Constructed Environment, a strategy group for guiding policy and research.
"I'm proud to be a contributor to these efforts," Fisette says. "It's public service that makes me feel good."
Occupant comfort is critical to green building design
Provided by University of Massachusetts Amherst
Citation: NRC panel advises US DOD on green buildings (2013, April 2) retrieved 18 July 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2013-04-nrc-panel-dod-green.html
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Popular TV Shows Set in Colorado
Joy Moore 6/11/17
Joy Moore
It's always great when Colorado gets a shout-out on TV! We want everybody to see how great our state is, right? Here's our list of TV shows set in Colorado.
"Nanu nanu!" Robin Williams played beloved alien Mork, whose spaceship landed in none other than our very own Boulder. Mork & Mindy aired from September 1978 to May 1982.
South Park doesn't even try to hide its blatant Colorado setting! The boys live in the fictional mountain town of South Park, and the show makes frequent references to Colorado landmarks and inside jokes (Casa Bonita episode, anyone?). It debuted on Comedy Central in August 1997, and 20 years later, it's still going strong.
I've gotta be honest. I watched all six seasons of NBC's hilarious and quirky Community (September 2009 to June 2015) and never caught on to the fact that Greendale Community College was set in Colorado.
ABC's primetime soap opera was centered around a wealthy family living in Denver. The show aired from January 1981 to May 1989. It was recently announced that a reboot is in the works over at The CW, though there's no word on whether or not that one will be based in Denver, too.
CBS's western drama series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman delighted fans for six seasons (January 1993 through May 1998). It centered around a Boston female physician (Jane Seymour) who heads west and settles in Colorado Springs to set up her practice.
Tim Allen starred in this sit-com which revolved around an executive of an outdoor sporting goods chain (how very "Colorado" of them!) and his family. The Baxter fam, which consists of Allen's character, wife, and three daughters, live in Denver. The show aired on ABC from October 2011 until March 2017. Last we heard, show execs were shopping the show around to other networks! (Fingers crossed!)
Were there some Colorado-based TV shows we missed? Let us know in the comments!
Colorado native T.J. Miller will get his first HBO special!
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Netflix Review: 'Stranger Things 3' Was Worth the 2-Year Wait
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Tag Archives: uss hancock
November 11, 2015 · 07:00
A Personal Bond: The Veterans who Impacted My Life
Today is Veteran’s Day. I wrote a reflective piece on it two days ago and I want to follow up on it in a more personal manner in this post.
I am one of those unusual people for our day whose entire life has been somehow connected to life in the military. Thus I always become a bit more thoughtful and quite often emotional around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I’ve been in the military for over 34 years now. I enlisted in the National Guard while in college and entered Army ROTC back on August 25th 1981. Since then it has been to quote Jerry Garcia “a long strange trip.” During that trip I learned a lot from the veterans who I am blessed to have encountered on the way, men and women who have touched my life in truly special ways.
My Dad, Chief Petty Officer Carl Dundas aboard the USS Hancock in 1972
I come from a Navy family and was born in in a Navy hospital. Growing up in a Navy family in the 1960s and 1970s was a big adventure for me that never got old. I still remember looking forward to each new duty assignment with only the wonder that a child can have and to each new adventure that the next move would bring. We lived up and down the West Coast, Oakland, San Diego, Long Beach, Oak Harbor Washington, and finally Stockton California. My earliest memories of life come from our tour at Cubi Point Naval Air Station in Philippines, the sharply dressed Marine gate guards, the Navy officers in their resplendent white uniforms, the jungle that came up to our back yard, and the wild boars that would show up and tear up our garden, trees and lawn. I remember the Blue Angles flying directly over our house in Oak Harbor, those huge F4F Phantom jets roaring over me so low that every detail could be seen. I remember going on my dad’s last ship, the aircraft carrier USS Hancock and being amazed at how big and impressive everything on it was, the sights, sounds, and smells of the ship evoked a wonder that to this day I feel whenever I set foot about a ship. Of course compared to our modern carriers Hancock was old, and small but she was my dad’s ship and I was proud of him.
My dad retired from the Navy in 1974 as a Chief Petty Officer. While he was assigned to the Hancock was sent to manage aviation supplies at an emergency airstrip which was in the South Vietnamese city of An Loc when it was surrounded by the North Vietnamese for 80 days in 1972. He didn’t talk about it much when he came back; in fact he came back different from the war. He probably suffered from PTSD. All the markers were there but we had no idea about it back then, after all he was in the Navy not the Army. I had friends whose dad’s did not return from Vietnam and saw how Vietnam veterans were treated by the country as a whole including some members of the Greatest Generation. They were not welcomed home and were treated often with scorn, even by veterans who had fought in the “real wars” of World War II and Korea. Instead of being depicted an Americans doing their best in a war that few supported they were demonized in the media and in the entertainment industry for many years afterwards.
My dad never made a big deal out of his service but he inspired me to pursue a career in the military by being a man of honor and integrity.
Growing up then, we had a Navy family that surrounded us then remained part of my family’s life long after. My mom and dad remained in contact with friends that they served with or were stationed with, and now many of them are elderly and a good number have passed away. Even so my mom, now a widow stays in regular contact with a number of her Navy wife “sisters.” There are not many of them left anymore, but mom tries to stay in touch with them. It was the early Navy family experience that shaped much of how I see the world and is a big reason as to why I place such great value on the contributions of veterans to our country and to me.
But there was another part of growing up in a military family in the 1960s, and that was the Vietnam War. I knew kids whose dads never came home from that war, and of course every night the evening news broadcast a “body count” segment which looked like a scoreboard showing how many Americans, South Vietnamese, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese were killed, wounded or captured; but to me, at a very young age, those numbers on that “scoreboard” were flesh and blood human beings. This was my first experience of war.
LCDR Breedlove and Senior Chief Ness
My second view of war came from the veterans of Vietnam who were my teachers in Navy Junior ROTC and the men that I served with in the National Guard and the Army. Some of these men served as teachers and mentors. LCDR Jim Breedlove and Senior Chief John Ness at the Edison High School Naval Junior ROTC program were the first who helped me along. Both have passed away but I will never forget them. Commander Breedlove was someone that I would see every time that I went home as an adult. His sudden death the week before I returned from Iraq shook me. I have a post dedicated to them at this link. (In Memorium: Chief John Ness and LCDR Jim Breedlove USN)
When I joined the California Army National Guard in 1981 Colonel Edgar Morrison was my first battalion commander. He was the most highly decorated member of the California National Guard at that time and had served multiple tours in Vietnam. He encouraged me as a young specialist and officer cadet and showed a tremendous amount of care for his soldiers. Staff Sergeants Buff Rambo and Mickey Yarro taught me the ropes as a forward observer and shared many of their Vietnam experiences as we sat on lonely hillsides at Camp Roberts California calling in artillery fire on so many weekends and during annual training. Buff had been a Marine dog handler on the DMZ, and Mickey a Forward Observer and they were fascinating men, with so many stories and such great experience which they imparted to me.
The Senior NCOs that trained me while in the Army ROTC program at UCLA and Fort Lewis had a big impact. All were combat veterans that had served in Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Zilkan was my training NCO at the UCLA Army ROTC program. He was a Special Forces medic with 7th Group in Vietnam. In Vietnam he was wounded three times, and was awarded two Silver Star Medals. He still had part of a VC bayonet embedded in his foot at UCLA, a reminder of his time serving in Southeast Asia. He received my first salute as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant as well as a Silver Dollar. I understand that after the Army he became a fire fighter. He had a massive heart attack on the scene of a fire and died a few years later from it. Sergeant Major John Butler was our senior enlisted adviser at UCLA, he served as a paratrooper and infantryman with the 173rd Airborne brigade in Vietnam.
Another fascinating character was Sergeant First Class Harry Ball was my drill sergeant at the ROTC pre-commissioning camp at Fort Lewis Washington in 1982. I kid you not, that was really his name, but this was probably one of the most important experiences of my life, which was incredibly difficult but most necessary. Sergeant First Class Ball was a veteran of the Special Forces and Rangers and served multiple tours in Vietnam and when he walked across the drill field his Smokey Bear hat reminded me of a shark fin cutting across the water, the man was scary as shit, but he had a heart of gold. Though he only had me for a summer he was quite influential in my life, tearing me apart and then building me back up. He was my version of Drill Sergeant Foley in the classic movie An Officer and a Gentleman. Like Zack Mayo played by Richard Gere at the end of that movie I can only say: Drill Sergeant “I will never forget you.” Every time I see that movie
As I progressed through my Army career I encountered others of this generation who also impacted my life. First among them was First Sergeant Jim Koenig who had been a Ranger in the Mekong Delta. I was the First Sergeant that I would measure all others by. Once during an ARTEP we were aggressed and all of a sudden he was back in the Delta. This man cared so much for his young soldiers in the 557th Medical Company. He did so much for them and I’m sure that those who served with him can attest to this as well as me. Jim had a brick on his desk so that when he got pissed he could chew on it. He retired after he was selected to be a Command Sergeant Major because he valued his wife and family more than the promotion. It hurt him to do this, but he put his family first.
1985 with 2nd Platoon of 557th Medical Company (Ambulance) in Germany
Colonel Donald Johnson was the commander of the 68th Medical Group when I got to Germany in January 1984. Colonel “J” as well all called him was one of the best leaders I have seen or served under in 34 years in the military. He knew everything about everything and his knowledge forced us all to learn and be better officers and NCOs. On an inspection visit you could always find him dressed in coveralls and underneath a truck verifying the maintenance done on it. He served a number of Vietnam tours. He died of Multiple Myeloma and is buried at Arlington.
Chaplain (LTC) Rich Whaley who had served as a company commander in Vietnam on more than one occasion saved my young ass at the Army Chaplain School. No really he saved my career at least twice, and kept me out of big trouble on both occasions. Personally I don’t know too many senior chaplains who would put themselves on the line for a junior chaplain the way that Rich did for me. He remains a friend and is the Endorsing Agent for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a Mormon he is one of the most “Christian” men that I have ever met. I know some Christians who might have a hard time with that, but Rich demonstrated every trait of a Christian who loved God and his neighbor.
When I was the Installation Chaplain at Fort Indiantown Gap PA I was blessed to have some great veterans in my Chapel Parish. Major General Frank Smoker flew 25 missions as a B-17 pilot over Germany during the height of the air war in Europe. He brought his wonderful wife Kate back from England with him and long after his active service was over he remained a vital part of the military community until his death in 2010. Sergeant Henry Boyd was one of the 101st Airborne soldiers epitomized in Band of Brothers. He had a piece of shrapnel lodged next to his heart from the Battle of the Bulge until the day he died and was honored to conduct his funeral while stationed at Indiantown Gap. Colonel Walt Swank also served in Normandy. Major Scotty Jenkes was an Air Force pilot in Vietnam flying close air support while Colonel Ray Hawthorne served several tours both in artillery units and as an adviser in 1972 and was with General Smoker a wonderful help to me as I applied to enter the Navy while CWO4 Charlie Kosko flew helicopters in Vietnam. All these men made a deep impact on me and several contributed to my career in very tangible ways. Another man who I knew at Indiantown Gap was Sergeant Billy Ward who just passed away last week of a major heart attack. Billy was a bear of a man, but one of the kindest and gentlest men who I have ever known. Billy never knew a stranger and loved people no matter what their station in life, no matter what their beliefs, no matter what their lifestyle. I can honestly say that Billy didn’t have an enemy and though he was a lay preacher and was later ordained to the ministry, he just loved people and never judged anyone. He exemplified what it is to be a Christian.
Al Waleed Iraq 2007
In 1999 I resigned my commission as an Army reserve Major to enter active duty in the Navy, with a reduction in rank. Since joining the Navy my life has continued to be impacted and influenced by other veterans. A good amount of my Navy career has been spent serving with Marine Corps. I served with some great Marines and Sailors in those units, including Lieutenant Colonel T D Anderson, and then Major, but now Brigadier General Dave Ottignon of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Desroches of 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Colonel Lou Rachal of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, and Colonel, now Major General Richard Lake of Headquarters Battalion 2nd Marine Division. My friends at Marine Security Forces Colonel Mike Paulovich and Sergeant Major Kim Davis mean more than almost any people in the world. We traveled the globe together visiting our Marines. Both of these men are heroes to me as well as friends, Colonel Paulovich was able to administer the oath of office to me when I was promoted to Commander.
I was blessed to become friends with many of the Marine Corps veterans of the Battle of Hue City including General Peter Pace, Barney Barnes, Tony “Limey” Cartilage, Sergeant Major Thomas. They and so many others have become close over the years, especially after I did my time in Iraq. They and all the Vietnam vets, including the guys from the Vietnam Veterans of America like Ray and John who manned the beer stand behind the plate at Harbor Park all mean a lot to me.
Boarding Team of USS Hue City 2002
Finally there are my friends and brothers that I have served with at sea on USS HUE CITY during Operation Enduring Freedom and the advisers on the ground in Al Anbar mean more than anything to me. Perhaps the most important is my bodyguard, RP1 Nelson Lebron, who helped keep me safe and accompanied me all over the battlefield. Nelson who has done Iraq three times, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Balkans is a hero. Two others who matter a great deal to me from Iraq were Army Colonel David Abramowitz, Navy Captain (Chaplain) Mike Langston, and Father Jose Bautista-Rojas, a Navy Chaplain and Roman Catholic priest. Then there are the men and women of Navy EOD who I served with from 2006-2008 have paid dearly in combating IEDs and other explosive devices used against us in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes too. There is no routine mission for EOD technicians. Then there are the friends that I serve with in Navy Medicine, medical professionals who care for our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen, family members and veterans at home and in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan.
There are many from my time in Navy Medicine who have meant so much to me. Chaplain Jeff Seiler, an Episcopal Priest at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and Father Fred Elkin, a retired Navy Chaplain who served there helped keep me together during the darkest time of my life after Iraq, as did many of the physicians and nurses that I worked with there, and many of them were not Christians, but they helped and cared for me. That continued at Naval Hospital Camp LeJeune, where I served as Director of Pastoral Care. At Lejeune I was fortunate to serve with Duke Quarles, a civilian pastoral counselor and retired Navy Chaplain. Duke was a rock for me there, as was Command Master Chief Ed Marino, one of the most spiritual and kind people that I know.
I now serve in a wonderful place, the Joint Forces Staff College. I am surrounded by great people here, from all the services of our armed forces, active duty and retired. I get to do wonderful things, and despite having gone through absolute hell dealing with the military mental health system this year, these folks have stood by me, especially Commander Lisa Rose, our former staff nurse who retired last year. Lisa is a highly skilled nurse and a courageous woman. For eighteen years of her career she served always wondering if someone was going to try to persecute, prosecute or try to run her out the Navy because she is a lesbian. For years she could not take her spouse to official functions, she could not even take a chance on being seen in public by someone with her spouse, even under “don’t ask don’t tell.” She was finally able to do that, but truthfully I cannot imagine what it would be like to want to serve your country, your shipmates and your God, while always knowing that anyone could end that simply because they didn’t approve of who you loved. I am glad that Lisa and my other gay and lesbian friends in the military are now able to openly serve.
Me with RP1 Nelson Lebron just prior to leaving Iraq
There are others who I have served alongside who have died while in the service of the country, or after their service had ended. Some, like Staff Sergeant Ergin Osman, who I served with at 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, were killed in Afghanistan, others like Commander Marsha Hanley, a nurse I served with in the ICU at Portsmouth, who was one of the people who helped hold me together when I was so fragile; she died of complications of chemotherapy treatment at far too young age. Damage Control Specialist 2nd Class Ray Krolikowski, who I served with aboard USS Hue City died just over a year ago, eleven years after suffering an injury that left him a quadriplegic in 2003. Then there those who died by their own hand, having never recovered from war. Captain Tom Sitsch who was my last Commodore at EOD Group Two, and Father Dennis Rocheford committed suicide after being tormented by the demons of PTSD and TBI. Both men were real heroes. I could mention so many more, but will end there because I am getting a bit emotional.
There is a closing thought from the television mini-series Band of Brothers which kind of sums up how I feel. The American troops who have fought so long and hard are watching a German general address his troops after the German surrender. An American soldier of German-Jewish descent translates for his comrades the words spoken by the German commander, and it as if the German is speaking for each of them as well.
Men, it’s been a long war, it’s been a tough war. You’ve fought bravely, proudly for your country. You’re a special group. You’ve found in one another a bond that exists only in combat, among brothers. You’ve shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You’ve seen death and suffered together. I’m proud to have served with each and every one of you. You all deserve long and happy lives in peace.
So for me Veteran’s Day is intensely personal because of the veterans, living and dead, who made an impact on my life. I have a bond, a special bond with so many of my brothers and sisters who volunteer to serve. Today we number less than one percent of the nation, a tiny number of people in comparison to the size of our nation and the commitments that our leaders have engaged us.
The military is a young persons game, and I am now older than almost everyone on active duty. I have been in the military longer than almost everyone that I know, including many people senior in rank to me. I am a dinosaur, and sometimes a cranky one at that when it comes to dealing with the bureaucracy of the military, but my long strange trip continues. That being said, though I served over half of my career in the Army, at heart I have always been a navy man. I think that President John F. Kennedy expressed how I feel about serving the best. He said, “I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy.’”
So today I give thanks for all them men that I mention in this post, especially my dad. For the countless others that are not mentioned by name please know that I thank God for all of you too. Someone once said “A ‘Special Day’ once a year creates an excuse for neglect on the other 365 days for mothers, fathers & veterans” Please do not let that continue to happen, please do not just look at this as time off, or if you are a corporation or retailer use this day to boost your sales by acting like you care.
I do hope that people will remember the Veterans that impacted their lives this and every day. Some may have been the men and women that we served with, perhaps a parent, sibling or other relative, maybe a childhood friend, a teacher, coach or neighbor. As we pause for a moment this Friday let us honor those who gave their lives in the defense of liberty in all of the wars of our nation. They have earned it and please thank any veteran that you know in some small way today.
Filed under iraq,afghanistan, Military, remembering friends, Tour in Iraq, US Navy, vietnam
Tagged as 1st sgt jim koenig, 2nd combat engineer battalion, 3rd bn 8th marines, 557th medical company, 68th medical group, a long strange trip, band of brothers, barney barnes, buff rambo, captain mike langston, captain tom sitsch, carl dundas, chaplain rich whaley, col ray hawthorne, colonel david abramowitz, colonel donald a johnson, colonel edgar morrison, colonel mike paulovich, colonel tom allmon, commander marsha hanly, cwo4 charlie kosko, dennis rocheford, Duke Quarles, ed marino, fort indiantown gap, fred elkin, general peter pace, iraq war, jeff seiler, jerry garcia, jim breedlove, major general frank smoker, major general richard lake, marine security forces, mickey yarro, pastor bill ward, PTSD, ray krolikowski, rp1 nelson lebron, scott jenkes, senior chief john ness, sergeant major john butler, sfc harry ball, sfc harry zilkan, staff sergeant ergin osman, t bn 8th marines, tony limey cartilage, uss hancock, uss hue city, veteran's day 2014
November 7, 2014 · 11:54
The Bond: Veteran’s Day 2014
Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause. Abraham Lincoln
I always become a bit more thoughtful and quite often emotional around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I’ve been in the military for over 30 years now. I enlisted in the National Guard while in college and entered Army ROTC back on August 25th 1981. Since then it has been to quote Jerry Garcia “a long strange trip.” During that trip I learned a lot from the veterans who I am blessed to have encountered on the way, men and women who have touched my life in truly special ways.
My Dad: Chief Petty Officer Carl Dundas aboard the USS Hancock CVA 19 circa 1971-72
I come from a Navy family. My dad served twenty years in the Navy. Growing up in a Navy family in the 1960s and 1970s was an adventure for me and that Navy family that surrounded us then remained part of my family’s life long after. My mom and dad remained in contact with friends that they served with or were stationed with, and now many of them are elderly and a good number have passed away. Even so my mom, now a widow stays in regular contact with a number of her Navy wife “sisters.”
My dad retired in 1974 as a Chief Petty Officer and did time surrounded in the South Vietnamese city of An Loc when it was surrounded by the North Vietnamese for 80 days in 1972. He didn’t talk about it much when he came back; in fact he came back different from the war. He probably suffered from PTSD. All the markers were there but we had no idea about it back then, after all he was in the Navy not the Army. I had friends whose dad’s did not return from Vietnam and saw how Vietnam veterans were treated by the country as a whole including some members of the Greatest Generation. They were not welcomed home and were treated often with scorn, even by veterans who had fought in the “real wars” of World War II and Korea. Instead of being depicted a Americans doing their best in a war that few supported they were demonized in the media and in the entertainment industry for many years afterwards.
It was the early Navy family experience that shaped much of how I see the world and is why I place such great value on the contributions of veterans to our country and to me. That was also my introduction to war; the numbers shown in the nightly news “body count” segment were flesh and blood human beings.
My second view of war came from the Veterans of Vietnam that I served with in the National Guard and the Army. Some of these men served as teachers and mentors. LCDR Jim Breedlove and Senior Chief John Ness at the Edison High School Naval Junior ROTC program were the first who helped me along. Both have passed away but I will never forget them. Commander Breedlove was someone that I would see every time that I went home as an adult. His sudden death the week before I returned from Iraqshook me. I have a post dedicated to them at this link. (In Memorium: Chief John Ness and LCDR Jim Breedlove USN )
Colonel Edgar Morrison was my first battalion commander. He was the most highly decorated member of the California National Guard at that time and had served multiple tours in Vietnam. He encouraged me as a young specialist and officer cadet and showed a tremendous amount of care for his soldiers. Staff Sergeant’s Buff Rambo and Mickey Yarro taught me the ropes as a forward observer and shared many of their Vietnam experiences. Buff had been a Marine dog handler on the DMZ and Mickey a Forward Observer.
The Senior NCOs that trained me while in the Army ROTC program at UCLA and Fort Lewis had a big impact. All were combat veterans that had served in Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Zilkan was my training NCO at the UCLA Army ROTC program. He was a Special Forces Medic with 7th Group in Vietnam. He still had part of a VC bayonet embedded in his foot. He received my first salute as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant as well as a Silver Dollar. I understand that after the Army he became a fire fighter. He had a massive heart attack on the scene of a fire and died a few years later from it. Sergeant Major John Butler was our senior enlisted advisor at UCLA. An infantryman he served with the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Ball was my drill sergeant at the ROTC pre-commissioning camp at Fort Lewis Washington in 1982. He was a veteran of the Special Forces and Rangers and served multiple tours in Vietnam. Though he only had me for a summer he was quite influential in my life, tearing me apart and then building me back up. He was my version of Drill Sergeant Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman. Like Zack Mayo played by Richard Gere in the movie I can only say: Drill Sergeant “I will never forget you.”
As I progressed through my Army career I encountered others of this generation who also impacted my life. First among them was First Sergeant Jim Koenig who had been a Ranger in the Mekong Delta. I was the First Sergeant that I would measure all others by. Once during an ARTEP we were aggressed and all of a sudden he was back in the Delta. This man cared so much for his young soldiers in the 557th Medical Company. He did so much for them and I’m sure that those who served with him can attest to this as well as me. Jim had a brick on his desk so that when he got pissed he could chew on it. He was great. He played guitar for the troops and had a song called “Jane Fonda, Jane Fonda You Communist Slut.” It was a classic. He retired after he was selected to be a Command Sergeant Major because he valued his wife and family more than the promotion. It hurt him to do this, but he put them first. Colonel Donald Johnson was the commander of the 68th Medical Group when I got to Germany in January 1984. Colonel “J” as well all called him was one of the best leaders I have seen in 28 years in the military. He knew everything about everything and his knowledge forced us all to learn and be better officers and NCOs. On an inspection visit you could always find him dressed in coveralls and underneath a truck verifying the maintenance done on it. He served a number of Vietnam tours. He died of Multiple Myeloma and is buried at Arlington. Chaplain (LTC) Rich Whaley who had served as a company commander in Vietnam on more than one occasion saved my young ass at the Army Chaplain School. No really he saved my career at least twice, and kept me out of big trouble on both occasions. Personally I don’t know too many senior chaplains who would put themselves on the line for a junior chaplain the way that Rich did for me. He remains a friend and is the Endorsing Agent for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a Mormon he is one of the most “Christian” men that I have ever met. I know some Christians who might have a hard time with that, but Rich demonstrated every trait of a Christian who loved God and his neighbor.
When I was the Installation Chaplain at Fort Indiantown Gap PA I was blessed to have some great veterans in my Chapel Parish. Major General Frank Smoker flew 25 missions as a B-17 pilot over Germany during the height of the air war in Europe. He brought his wonderful wife Kate back from England with him and long after his active service was over he remained a vital part of the military community until his death in 2010. Sergeant Henry Boyd was one of the 101st Airborne soldiers epitomized in Band of Brothers. He had a piece of shrapnel lodged next to his heart from the Battle of the Bulge until the day he died and was honored to conduct his funeral while stationed at Indiantown Gap. Colonel Walt Swank also served in Normandy. Major Scotty Jenkes was an Air Force pilot in Vietnam flying close air support while Colonel Ray Hawthorne served several tours both in artillery units and as an adviser in 1972 and was with General Smoker a wonderful help to me as I applied to enter the Navy while CWO4 Charlie Kosko flew helicopters in Vietnam. All these men made a deep impact on me and several contributed to my career in very tangible ways.
My life more recently has been impacted by others. Since coming into the Navy I have been blessed to serve with the Marines and Sailors of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and Lieutenant Colonel T D Anderson, 1st Battalion 8thMarines and Lieutenant Colonel Desroches, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines and Colonel Lou Rachal and Headquarters Battalion 2nd Marine Division and Colonel, now Major General Richard Lake. My friends of the veterans of the Battle of Hue City including General Peter Pace, Barney Barnes, Tony “Limey” Cartilage, Sergeant Major Thomas and so many others have become close over the years, especially after I did my time in Iraq. They and all the Vietnam vets, including the guys from the Vietnam Veterans of America like Ray and John who manned the beer stand behind the plate at Harbor Park all mean a lot to me. My friends at Marine Security Forces Colonel Mike Paulovich and Sergeant Major Kim Davis mean more than almost any people in the world. We traveled the globe together visiting our Marines. Both of these men are heroes to me as well as friends, Colonel Paulovich was able to administer the oath of office to me when I was promoted to Commander.
Finally there are my friends and brothers that I have served with at sea on USS HUE CITY during Operation Enduring Freedom and the advisers on the ground in Al Anbar mean more than anything to me. Perhaps the most important is my bodyguard, RP1 Nelson Lebron, who helped keep me safe and accompanied me all over the battlefield. Nelson who has done Iraq three times, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Balkans is a hero. The men and women of Navy EOD who I served with from 2006-2008 have paid dearly in combating IEDs and other explosive devices used against us in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes too. There is no routine mission for EOD technicians. Then there are the friends that I serve with in Navy Medicine, medical professionals who care for our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen, family members and veterans at home and in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan.
I now serve in a wonderful place, the Joint Forces Staff College. I am surrounded by great people here, from all the services of our armed forces, active duty and retired. I get to do wonderful things, and despite having gone through absolute hell dealing with the military mental health system this year, these folks have stood by me, especially Commander Lisa Rose, our staff nurse. She is a highly skilled nurse and a courageous woman. For eighteen years of her career she served always wondering if someone was going to try to persecute, prosecute or try to run her out the Navy because she is a lesbian. For years she could not take her spouse to official functions, she could not even take a chance on being seen in public by someone with her spouse, even under “don’t ask don’t tell.” She is now able to do that, but truthfully I cannot imagine what it would be like to want to serve your country, your shipmates and your God, while always knowing that anyone could end that simply because they didn’t approve. I am glad that Lisa and my other gay and lesbian friends in the military are able to openly serve.
There are others who I have served alongside who have died while in the service of the country, or after their service had ended. Some, like Staff Sergeant Ergin Osman who I served with at 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, were killed in Afghanistan, others like Commander Marsha Handley, a nurse I served with in the ICU at Portsmouth, who was one of the people who helped hold me together when I was so fragile, died of complications of chemotherapy treatment. Damage Control Specialist 2nd Class Ray Krolikowski, who I served with aboard USS Hue City died yesterday eleven years after suffering an injury that left him a quadriplegic in 2003, and some like Captain Tom Sitsch who was my last Commodore at EOD Group Two, and Father Dennis Rocheford died by their own hand after being tormented by the demons of PTSD and TBI. Both of them were real heroes. I could mention so many more, but will end there because I am getting a bit emotional.
So for me, I have a bond, a special bond with so many of my brothers and sisters who volunteer to serve. Today we number less than one percent of the nation, a tiny number of people in comparison to the size of our nation and the commitments that our leaders have engaged us.
Unless by some chance I am selected for Captain, I plan to retire from the Navy at the end of this assignment. As Sergeant Murtaugh (Danny Glover) said in the movie Lethal Weapon “I’m getting too old for this shit.” The military is a young person’s game, and I am now older than almost everyone on active duty, and have been in the military longer than almost everyone that I know, including many people senior in rank to me. I am a dinosaur, and sometimes a cranky one at that when it comes to dealing with the bureaucracy of the military.
I give thanks for all them men that I mention in this post, especially my dad. For the countless others that are not mentioned by name please know that I thank God for all of you too. Someone once said “A ‘Special Day’ once a year creates an excuse for neglect on the other 365 days for mothers, fathers & veterans” Please do not let that continue to happen, please do not just look at this as time off, or if you are a corporation or retailer use this day to boost your sales by acting like you care.
I do hope that people will remember the Veterans that impacted their lives this and every day. Some may have been the men and women that we served with, perhaps a parent, sibling or other relative, maybe a childhood friend, a teacher, coach or neighbor. As we pause for a moment this Friday let us honor those who gave their lives in the defense of liberty in all of the wars of our nation. They have earned it and please thank any veteran that you know in some small way this weekend.
Filed under iraq,afghanistan, Military, PTSD, remembering friends, shipmates and veterans
Tagged as 1st sgt jim koenig, 2nd combat engineer battalion, 3rd bn 8th marines, 557th medical company, 68th medical group, a long strange trip, band of brothers, barney barnes, buff rambo, captain tom sitsch, carl dundas, chaplain rich whaley, col ray hawthorne, colonel donald a johnson, colonel edgar morrison, colonel mike paulovich, colonel tom allmon, commander marsha hanly, cwo4 charlie kosko, dennis rocheford, Duke Quarles, ed marino, fort indiantown gap, fred elkin, general peter pace, iraq war, jeff seiler, jerry garcia, jim breedlove, major general frank smoker, major general richard lake, marine security forces, mickey yarro, PTSD, ray krolikowski, rp1 nelson lebron, scott jenkes, senior chief john ness, sergeant major john butler, sfc harry ball, sfc harry zilkan, staff sergeant ergin osman, t bn 8th marines, tony limey cartilage, uss hancock, uss hue city, veteran's day 2014
Battleship Row: The Story of the Battleships of Pearl Harbor
“Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost.” Except of President Franklin D Roosevelt’s Pearl Harbor Speech December 8th 1941
Today is the 72nd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and as we were then we are at war. Of course it is not the same kind of war and most Americans live in the illusion of peace which makes it even more important to remember that terribly day of infamy.
I remember reading Walter Lord’s classic and very readable book about Pearl Harbor “Day of Infamy” when I was a 7th grade student at Stockton Junior High School back in 1972. At the time my dad was on his first deployment to Vietnam on the USS Hancock CVA-19. As a Navy brat I was totally enthralled with all things Navy and there was little that could pull me out of the library. In fact in my sophomore year of high school I cut over one half of the class meetings of the 4th quarter my geometry class to sit in the library and read history, especially naval and military history.
The main battery of either USS Arizona or Pennsylvania
Over the years I have always found the pre-World War Two battleships to be among the most interesting ships in US Navy history. No they are not the sleek behemoths like the USS Wisconsin which graces the Norfolk waterfront. They were not long and sleek, but rather squat yet exuded power. They were the backbone of the Navy from the First World War until Pearl Harbor. They were the US Navy answer to the great Dreadnaught race engaged in by the major Navies of the world in the years prior to, during and after World War One.
USS Pennsylvania passing under the Golden Gate
Built over a period of 10 years each class incorporated the rapid advances in technology between the launching of the Dreadnaught and the end of the Great War. While the United States Navy did not engage in battleship to battleship combat the ships built by the US Navy were equal to or superior to many of the British and German ships of the era.
US Battleships at the Grand Fleet Review of 1937
Through the 1920s and 1930s they were the ambassadors of the nation, training and showing the flag. During those years the older ships underwent significant overhaul and modernization.
The Battle Force of the Pacific Fleet in 1941 included 9 battleships of which 8 were at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7th. In the event of war the US War Plan, “Orange” called for the Pacific Fleet led by the Battle Force to cross the Pacific, fight a climactic Mahanian battle against the battleships of the Imperial Japanese Navy and after vanquishing the Japanese foe to relieve American Forces in the Philippines. However this was not to be as by the end of December 7th all eight were out of action, with two, the Arizona and Oklahoma permanently lost to the Navy.
The ships comprised 4 of the 6 classes of battleships in the US inventory at the outbreak of hostilities. Each class was an improvement on the preceding class in speed, protection and firepower. The last class of ships, the Maryland class comprised of the Maryland, Colorado and West Virginia, was the pinnacle of US Battleship design until the North Carolina class was commissioned in 1941. Since the Washington Naval Treaty limited navies to specific tonnage limits as well as the displacement of new classes of ships the United States like Britain and Japan was limited to the ships in the current inventory at the time of the treaty’s ratification.
USS Oklahoma
The ships at Pearl Harbor included the two ships of the Nevada class, the Nevada and Oklahoma they were the oldest battleships at Pearl Harbor and the first of what were referred to as the “standard design” battleships. The two ships of the Pennsylvania class, the Pennsylvania and her sister the Arizona served as the flagships of the Pacific Fleet and First Battleship Division respectively and were improved Nevada’s. The California class ships, California and Tennessee and two of the three Maryland’s the Maryland and West Virginia made up the rest of the Battle Force.
USS California passing under Brooklyn Bridge
The Colorado was undergoing a yard period at Bremerton and the three ships of the New Mexico class, New Mexico, Mississippi and Idaho had been transferred to the Atlantic before Pearl Harbor due to the German threat. The three oldest battleships ships of the New York and Wyoming Classes, the New York, Arkansas and Texas also were in the Atlantic. Two former battleships, the Utah and Wyoming had been stripped of their main armaments and armor belts and served as gunnery training ships for the fleet. The Utah was at Pearl Harbor moored on the far side of Ford Island.
The ships that lay at anchor at 0755 that peaceful Sunday morning on “Battleship Row” and in the dry dock represented the naval power of a bygone era, something that most did not realize until two hours later. The age of the battleship was passing away, but even the Japanese did not realize that the era had passed building the massive super-battleships Yamato and Musashi mounting nine 18” guns and displacing 72,000 tons, near twice that of the largest battleships on Battleship Row.
USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor
The Oklahoma and Nevada were the oldest ships in the Battle Force. Launched in 1914 and commissioned in 1916 the Nevada and Oklahoma mounted ten 14” guns and displaced 27,500 tons and were capable of 20.5 knots. They served in World War One alongside the British Home Fleet and were modernized in the late 1920s. They were part of the US presence in both the Atlantic and Pacific in the inter-war years. Oklahoma took part in the evacuation of American citizens from Spain in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.
USS Oklahoma Capsized (above) and righted (below)
During the Pearl Harbor attack Oklahoma was struck by 5 aerial torpedoes capsized and sank at her mooring with the loss of 415 officers and crew. Recent analysis indicates that she may have been hit by at least on torpedo from a Japanese midget submarine. Her hulk would be raised but she would never again see service and sank on the way to the breakers in 1946.
USS Nevada aground off Hospital Point
Nevada was the only battleship to get underway during the attack. Moored alone at the north end of Battleship Row her Officer of the Deck had lit off a second boiler an hour before the attack. She was hit by an aerial torpedo in the first minutes of the attack but was not seriously damaged. She got underway between the attack waves and as she attempted to escape the harbor she was heavily damaged. To prevent her from sinking in the main channel she was beached off Hospital Point.
USS Nevada at Normandy
Nevada was raised and received a significant modernization before returning to service for the May 1943 assault on Attu. Nevada returned to the Atlantic where she took part in the Normandy landings off Utah Beach and the invasion of southern France. She returned to the Pacific and took part in the operations against Iwo Jima and Okinawa where she again provided naval gunfire support. Following the war the great ship was assigned as a target at the Bikini atoll atomic bomb tests. The tough ship survived these tests and was sunk as a target on 31July 1948.
USS Arizona
The two ships of the Pennsylvania Class were improved Oklahoma’s. The Arizona and Pennsylvania mounted twelve 14” guns and displacing 31,400 tons and capable of 21 knots they were both commissioned in 1916. They participated in operations in the Atlantic in the First World War with the British Home Fleet. Both ships were rebuilt and modernized between 1929-1931.
They were mainstays of the fleet being present at Presidential reviews, major fleet exercises and making goodwill visits around the world. Pennsylvania was the Pacific Fleet Flagship on December 7th 1941 and was in dry dock undergoing maintenance at the time of the attack. She was struck by two bombs and received minor damage.
She was back in action in early 1942. She underwent minor refits and took part in many amphibious landings in the Pacific and was present at the Battle of Surigao Strait. She was heavily damaged by an aerial torpedo at Okinawa Pennsylvania and was repaired. Following the war the elderly warrior was used as a target for the atomic bomb tests. She was sunk as a gunnery target in 1948.
Arizona was destroyed during the attack. As the flagship of Battleship Division One she was moored next to the repair ship USS Vestal. She was hit by 8 armor piercing bombs one of which penetrated her forward black powder magazine. The ship was consumed by a cataclysmic explosion which killed 1103 of her 1400 member crew including her Captain and Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd, commander of Battleship Division One. She was never officially decommissioned and the colors are raised and lowered every day over the Memorial which sits astride her broken hull.
The Tennessee class ships the Tennessee and California were the class following the New Mexico class ships which were not present at Pearl Harbor. These ships were laid down in 1917 and commissioned in 1920. Their design incorporated lessons learned at the Battle Jutland. They mounted twelve 14” guns, displaced 32,300 tons and were capable of 21 knots. At Pearl Harbor Tennessee was moored inboard of West Virginia and protected from the aerial torpedoes which did so much damage to other battleships. She was damaged by two bombs. California the Flagship of Battleship Division Two was moored at the southern end of Battleship Row. She was hit by two torpedoes in the initial attack. However, she had the bad luck to have all of her major watertight hatches unhinged in preparation for an inspection.
Despite the valiant efforts of her damage control teams she sank at her moorings. She was raised and rebuilt along with Tennessee were completely modernized with the latest in radar, fire control equipment and anti-aircraft armaments. They were widened with the addition of massive anti-torpedo bulges and their superstructure was razed and rebuilt along the lines of the South Dakota class.
USS California following Modernization
USS Tennessee with another ship, possibly California in reserve awaiting the breakers
When the repairs and modernization work was completed they looked nothing like they did on December 7th. Both ships were active in the Pacific campaign and be engaged at Surigao Strait where they inflicted heavy damage on the attacking Japanese squadron. Both survived the war and were placed in reserve until 1959 when they were stricken from the Navy list and sold for scrap.
USS West Virginia
The Maryland and West Virginia were near sisters of the Tennessee class. They were the last battleships built by the United States before the Washington Naval Treaty. and the first to mount 16” guns. With eight 16” guns they had the largest main battery of any US battleships until the North Carolina class.
They displaced 32,600 tons and could steam at 21 knots. Laid down in 1917 and commissioned in 1921 they were modernized in the late 1920s. They were the most modern of the Super-Dreadnoughts built by the United States and included advances in protection and watertight integrity learned from both the British and German experience at Jutland.
USS Maryland behind the capsized Oklahoma
At Pearl Harbor Maryland was moored inboard of Oklahoma and was hit by 2 bombs and her crew helped rescue survivors of that unfortunate ship. She was quickly repaired and returned to action. She received minimal modernization during the war. She participated in operations throughout the entirety of the Pacific Campaign mainly conducting Naval Gunfire Support to numerous amphibious operations. She was present at Surigao Strait where despite not having the most modern fire control radars she unleashed six salvos at the Japanese Southern Force.
USS West Virginia, sunk, raised and in dry dock, note the massive damage to Port Side
West Virginia suffered some of the worst damage in the attack. She was hit by at least 5 torpedoes and two bombs. She took a serious list and was threatening to capsize. However she was saved from Oklahoma’s fate by the quick action of her damage control officer who quickly ordered counter-flooding so she would sink on an even keel. She was raised from the mud of Pearl Harbor and after temporary repairs and sailed to the West Coast for an extensive modernization on the order of the Tennessee and California.
USS West Virginia after salvage and modernization
West Virginia was the last Pearl Harbor to re-enter service. However when she returned she made up for lost time. She led the battle line at Surigao Strait and fired 16 full salvos at the Japanese squadron. Her highly accurate gunfire was instrumental in sinking the Japanese Battleship Yamashiro in the last battleship versus battleship action in history. West Virginia, Maryland and their sister Colorado survived the war and were placed in reserve until they were stricken from the Naval List and sold for scrap in 1959.
The battleships of Pearl Harbor are gone, save for the wreck of the Arizona and various relics such as masts, and ships bells located at various state capitals and Naval Stations. Unfortunately no one had the forethought to preserve one of the survivors to remain at Pearl Harbor with the Arizona. Likewise the sailors who manned these fine ships, who sailed in harm’s way are also passing away. Every day their ranks grow thinner, the youngest are all 89-90 years old.
As this anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack passes into history it is fitting to remember these men and the great ships that they manned.
Filed under History, Military, Navy Ships, News and current events, US Navy, world war two in the pacific
Tagged as battle of surigo strait, bikini atomic bomb tests, day of infamy, franklin roosevelt day of infamy speech, hms dreadnaught, ijn yamashiro, ijn yamato, imperial japanese navy, jutland, pearl harbor, pearl harbor attack, us pacific fleet, uss arizona, USS Arizona memorial, USS Arkansas, uss colorado, uss hancock, uss idaho, uss maryland, uss mississippi, USS Nevada, uss new mexico, uss new york, uss north carolina bb-55, uss oklahoma, uss pennsylvania, uss south dakota bb-58, USS Texas, uss utah, uss west virginia, uss wisconsin, uss wyoming, walter lord, war plan orange, washington naval treaty
Veterans Day 2012: Remembering those Who Served and Those that Helped Me
I always become a bit more thoughtful around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I’ve been in the military for over 30 years now. I enlisted in the National Guard while in college and entered Army ROTC back on August 25th 1981. Since then it has been to quote Jerry Garcia “a long strange trip.” During that trip I learned a lot from the veterans who I am blessed to have encountered on the way.
My dad retired in 1974 as a Chief Petty Officer and did time surrounded in the South Vietnamese city of An Loc when it was surrounded by the North Vietnamese for 80 days in 1972. He didn’t talk about it much when he came back; in fact he came back different from the war. He probably suffered from PTSD. All the markers were there but we had no idea about it back then, after all he was in the Navy not the Army. I had friends whose dad’s did not return fromVietnamand saw howVietnamveterans were treated by the country as a whole including some members of the Greatest Generation. They were not welcomed home and were treated with scorn. Instead of being depicted a Americans doing their best in a war that few supported they were demonized in the media and in the entertainment industry for many years afterwards.
Colonel Edgar Morrison was my first battalion commander. He was the most highly decorated member of the California National Guard at that time and had served multiple tours inVietnam. He encouraged me as a young specialist and officer cadet and showed a tremendous amount of care for his soldiers. Staff Sergeant’s Buff Rambo and Mickey Yarro taught me the ropes as a forward observer and shared many of their Vietnam experiences. Buff had been a Marine dog handler on the DMZ and Mickey a Forward Observer.
The Senior NCOs that trained me while in the Army ROTC program at UCLA and Fort Lewis had a big impact. All were combat veterans that had served inVietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Zilkan was my training NCO at the UCLA Army ROTC program. He was a Special Forces Medic with 7th Group inVietnam. He still had part of a VC bayonet embedded in his foot. He received my first salute as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant as well as a Silver Dollar. I understand that after the Army he became a fire fighter. He had a massive heart attack on the scene of a fire and died a few years later from it. Sergeant Major John Butler was our senior enlisted advisor at UCLA. An infantryman he served with the 173rd Airborne inVietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Ball was my drill sergeant at the ROTC pre-commissioning camp at Fort Lewis Washington in 1982. He was a veteran of the Special Forces and Rangers and served multiple tours inVietnam. Though he only had me for a summer he was quite influential in my life, tearing me apart and then building me back up. He was my version of Drill Sergeant Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman. Like Zack Mayo played by Richard Gere in the movie I can only say: Drill Sergeant “I will never forget you.”
As I progressed through my Army career I encountered others of this generation who also impacted my life. First among them was First Sergeant Jim Koenig who had been a Ranger in the Mekong Delta. I was the First Sergeant that I would measure all others by. Once during an ARTEP we were aggressed and all of a sudden he was back in the Delta. This man cared so much for his young soldiers in the 557th Medical Company. He did so much for them and I’m sure that those who served with him can attest to this as well as me. Jim had a brick on his desk so that when he got pissed he could chew on it. He was great. He played guitar for the troops and had a song called “Jane Fonda, Jane Fonda You Communist Slut.” It was a classic. He retired after he was selected to be a Command Sergeant Major because he valued his wife and family more than the promotion. It hurt him to do this, but he put them first. Colonel Donald Johnson was the commander of the 68th Medical Group when I got to Germany in January 1984. Colonel “J” as well all called him was one of the best leaders I have seen in 28 years in the military. He knew everything about everything and his knowledge forced us all to learn and be better officers and NCOs. On an inspection visit you could always find him dressed in coveralls and underneath a truck verifying the maintenance done on it. He served a number ofVietnamtours. He died of Multiple Myeloma and is buried at Arlington. Chaplain (LTC) Rich Whaley who had served as a company commander in Vietnam on more than one occasion saved my young ass at the Army Chaplain School. He remains a friend and is the Endorsing Agent for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a Mormon he was one of the most “Christian” men that I have ever met. I know some Christians who might have a hard time with that, but Rich demonstrated every trait of a Christian who loved God and his neighbor.
Me with Col Tom Almon and MG Frank Smoker USAF Ret
My life more recently has been impacted by others. Since coming into the Navy I have been blessed to serve with the Marines and Sailors of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and Lieutenant Colonel T D Anderson, 1st Battalion 8thMarines and Lieutenant Colonel Desroches, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines and Colonel Lou Rachal and Headquarters Battalion 2nd Marine Division and Colonel, now Major General Richard Lake. My friends of the veterans of the Battle of Hue City including General Peter Pace, Barney Barnes, Tony “Limey” Cartilage, Sergeant Major Thomas and so many others have become close over the years, especially after I did my time inIraq. They and all theVietnam vets, including the guys from the Vietnam Veterans of America like Ray and John who manned the beer stand behind the plate at HarborPark all mean a lot to me. My friends at Marine Security Forces Colonel Mike Paulovich and Sergeant Major Kim Davis mean more than almost any people in the world. We traveled the globe together visiting our Marines. Both of these men are heroes to me as well as friends, Colonel Paulovich was able to administer the oath of office to me when I was promoted to Commander.
Finally there are my friends and brothers that I have served with at sea on USS HUE CITY during Operation Enduring Freedom and the advisers on the ground in Al Anbar mean more than anything to me. Perhaps the most important is my RP, RP2 Nelson Lebron who helped keep me safe and accompanied me all over the battlefield. Nelson who has doneIraq three times,Afghanistan,Lebanon and the Balkans is a hero. The men and women of Navy EOD who I served with from 2006-2008 have paid dearly in combating IEDs and other explosive devices used against us in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes too. There is no routine mission for EOD technicians. Then there are the friends that I serve with in Navy Medicine, medical professionals who care for our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen, family members and veterans at home and in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan.
I give thanks for all them men that I mention in this post, especially my dad. For the countless others that are not mentioned by name please know that I thank God for all of you too.
I do hope that people will remember the Veterans that impacted their lives this and every day. Some may have been the men and women that we served with, perhaps a parent, sibling or other relative, maybe a childhood friend, a teacher, coach or neighbor. As we pause for a moment this Friday let us honor those who gave their lives in the defense of liberty in all of the wars of our nation. They have earned it.
Filed under faith, History, iraq,afghanistan, Military, News and current events
Tagged as 1st bn 8th marines, 1st sgt jim koenig, 2nd combat engineer battalion, 3rd bn 8th marines, 557th medical company, 68th medical group, a long strange trip, band of brothers, barney barnes, buff rambo, carl dundas, chaplain rich whaley, col ray hawthorne, colonel donald a johnson, colonel edgar morrison, colonel mike paulovich, colonel tom allmon, cwo4 charlie kosko, fort indiantown gap, general peter pace, iraq war, jerry garcia, jim breedlove, major general frank smoker, major general richard lake, marine security forces, mickey yarro, PTSD, rp1 nelson lebron, scott jenkes, senior chief john ness, sergeant major john butler, sfc harry ball, sfc harry zilkan, tony limey cartilage, uss hancock, uss hue city, veteran's day 2012
Veterans Day 2010: Counting the Cost of War
“It is well that war is so terrible, or we should get too fond of it.” General Robert E. Lee
Veterans Day had become a rather somber occasion for me over the past decade and since returning from Iraq in 2008 has taken on added personal significance. I have noticed that I have become much more reflective about the sacrifices made by our military and the terrible coasts of war on our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and their families in this age of the all volunteer military. The military which has about 2,225,000 members including the Reserves and National Guard is just 0.7% of the total population, the lowest percentage of military personnel compared to total population during any war in our history. As a result this force has borne the brunt of a war that no politicians or bureaucrats figured would last half as long as it has. As a result the “few” have been asked to do more for longer than and military that this nation has ever fielded during a war.
Thus for me Veterans Day has become a rather somber and reflective occasion as I ponder all the sacrifices made by our military and their families. In Afghanistan the U.S. Military has lost 1378 killed and our allies another 825. In Iraq 4427 U.S. Military personnel have died along with 318 allied soldiers, not including the Iraqi military losses. For each of the killed there are about 8 more wounded a total of over 38,000 wounded. Of course the wounded numbers do not include 170,000+ cases of hearing damage; 130,000+ cases of mild traumatic brain injuries; and 200,000+ cases of serious mental health problems, over 30,000 serious disease cases, including a disfiguring, parasitic disease called Leishmaniasis, which results from bites of sand flies; thousands of cases of respiratory disease linked to exposure to toxic burn pit smoke and hundreds of suicides. Then there are the injuries related to road and aviation accidents not in direct combat. In my recent assignments in Iraq and Naval Medical facilities I have seen the human cost of the war. I have friends who suffer as the result of Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD and Pulmonary diseases as well as those that have been wounded as the result enemy action. I have a dear friend with a rare and irreversible pulmonary condition from two tours in Iraq. He is 41 his lungs are those of a 70 year old man. My best friend, a senior Naval Officer is still suffering from the effects of TBI and PTSD incurred while serving with the Marines in Al Anbar Province.
My Dad Aviation Storekeeper Chief Carl Dundas aboard USS Hancock CVA-19 off Vietnam circa 1971-72
A year ago on Veterans Day I was at with my parents in Stockton California to visit my mom and my dad who was then in a nursing facility due to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. It was a terrible visit conflict with my mother due to witches’ brew of my PTSD and grief for my dad and my mother’s struggles with my dad’s condition and her own physical condition. I visited my dad every day when in two and unfortunately he did not know who I was, Alzheimer’s had robbed him of everything that made him my dad. He died on June 23rd of this year a day after I found out that I had been selected for promotion to Commander. My dad was a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who served in Vietnam on a beach detachment manning an emergency airfield in the besieged city of An Loc in 1972. He never talked about that tour or what happened there except to tell me that he saw the Communists executing civilians in the city from his observation point. He came home a changed man. Thankfully he is now out of his suffering and our family is beginning to find its way back from the abyss of his illness.
I have served for over 29 years in the Army and the Navy and have witnessed many things and been blessed to have my life enriched by many veterans. Unfortunately many of these brave men have since passed away, some having lived many years and others that have died far too young as a result of service connected injuries.
With advisors to the 3rd Bn, 3rd Brigade 7th Iraq Division COP South 2008
In my current work I see many young men that wear the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat. I see those that need assistance to walk, amputees, men with obvious scars from burns and others suffering blindness from their injuries. Our hospital’s Medical Board sees 40-60 Marines and Sailors a day, quite a few of whom that will be medically retired due to their injuries. There are also those that have died by their own hand suffering from psychological and spiritual injuries too deep to fathom, we had one of our own Corpsman suicide last week.
The cost of war is terrible, as General William Tecumseh Sherman so eloquently put it: “War is Hell.”
Despite this our brave men and women that serve in all branches of the military as well as those that have gone before us in the 235 year history of our military have shouldered the load, for most of that history depending on volunteers who often served in obscurity often derided by their fellow Americans who believed that the military was a place to go if you could not be successful in the civilian world. The pay was low, the duty arduous and benefits few. In the Civil War, the World Wars and up until 1974 the professionals were augmented by draftees who outnumbered the professionals by a huge margin. Since 1974 the force has been an all volunteer force.
Health and Comfort Board Team USS Hue City, Northern Arabian Gulf May 2002
Regardless of whether our Veterans were draftees or volunteers they have served this country well and on the whole to use the current Navy description are “A Global Force for Good.” The countries liberated from oppressors and helped in humanitarian operations by American Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen are many and varied. They have represented the spectrum of our society and represent the best the country has to offer. Unfortunately they have not always been honored by some of their our countrymen and women and sometimes the children and grandchildren of the peoples that they liberated from Nazi, Fascist or Communist oppressors who often use the wrongdoing of a few military personnel or the decisions or actions of American politicians or businessmen to label American military personnel as criminals.
Unfortunately since the military is such a small part of our population and concentrated in a few large bases it is invisible to most Americans as they live their daily lives. Often in isolated from the bulk of America such as Killeen Texas home of the U.S. III Corps and Jacksonville North Carolina the home of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force and Second Marine Division are quintessential military towns but neither are near major population centers and thus the sacrifice of these Soldiers, Marines and Sailors goes unnoticed by most of the nation. In a sense the human cost of the war falls inordinately upon these military communities where there are few strangers.
In spite of this the current men and women of the American Military train, deploy, fight and return every day as they have since the 9-11-2001 attacks, many if not most have made multiple combat tours. I have been pleased to see more support of the military in the media, especially sports media and leagues. Many businesses are taking time to offer things of value to servicemen and women and those businesses should be commended and patronized. I was touched by many stories that I saw about our veterans on ESPN over the past few days. http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2010/11/espn%E2%80%99s-weeklong-salute-to-veterans-day/
Many of our Reserve component personnel give up civilian employment and chances for promotion to serve in the military, particularly when they are mobilized for service. When they return home most return to towns and cities that have little of the support afforded to active duty members when they return. I pray that our political leaders in the future will exercise discernment and wisdom before committing us to another war. Otto Von Bismarck said: “Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.” Unfortunately the current members of the House, Senate and Executive branch have little connection to the military as very few have served and I wonder if any really comprehend this maxim. In the 111th Congress 120 members had some form of military service. The number of veterans in the 111th Congress reflects the trend of a steady decline in the number of Members who have served in the military. For example, there were 298 veterans (240 Representatives, 58 Senators) in the 96th Congress (1979-1981); and 398 veterans (329Representatives, 69 Senators) in the 91st Congress (1969-1971). Those who have served a full military career are far fewer; the number of congressmen with military careers will remain relatively constant for the 112th Congress. In the Senate there will be one (as compared with two in 2006 and one in 2008) and in the House there will be eight (as compared with four in 2006 and six in 2008). Some of these Congressional Veterans have been vilified by some broadcasters and pundits of the extreme right wing media most of whom who have never served in the military. On the positive side nine members of the new Congress will have served in the current wars which hopefully will help promote the sacrifice of our current Veterans and help with programs that will help returning Veterans.
I have seen the cost of war up close and personal in Iraq and back here in the States. I suffer some the afflictions described as a result of my service and see the young men and women many of whom were not yet born when I enlisted in the Army, or when I was commissioned as an Army Officer, when I was a Company Commander or when I was a senior Captain in the Army. These young men and women are heroes.
Please take a moment to thank a Veteran. If you have time volunteers are always welcome at organizations such as the USO and American Red Cross working with our troops, join or support organizations which promote the causes of Veterans including the Iraq Afghanistan Veteran’s Association www.iava.org the Veterans of Foreign Wars http://www.vfw.org/, American Legion http://www.legion.org/ , Marine Corps League http://www.mcleague.org/, the Fleet Reserve Association http://www.fra.org/, the Association of the U.S. Army http://www.ausa.org and the Disabled American Veterans http://www.dav.org/. There are also many charitable organizations that provide assistance to Veterans and their families’ one of the best being the Fisher House Foundation http://www.fisherhouse.org/ which provides comfortable and free lodging to the families of wounded, injured or sick military personnel on bases adjacent to military hospitals. I found these ten ways that you can help on Yahoo.com:
1. At 11 a.m., observe a moment of silence for those who’ve fought and died while in service to the country
2. Display an American flag
3. Attend a Veterans Day parade
4. Thank a vet for his/her service
5. Send a letter to troops through the U.S. Department of Defense Website
6. Work in a homeless shelter or soup kitchen
7. Visit a veteran’s grave or pick up trash at a veterans cemetery
8. Visit with the family of a veteran who’s serving overseas
9. Visit with a wounded vet at a local VA facility
10. Donate to the USO, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars USA or other organizations that honor and assist vets
Keep us all in your prayers and please when Veterans Day is past do not forget those of us that serve and our families, especially those men and women serving in harm’s way. To my friends and comrades I echo the words of the German commander to his troops in captivity at the end of the Band of Brother’s mini-series:
Filed under iraq,afghanistan, Military, PTSD, shipmates and veterans
Tagged as 111th congress, 112th congress, 2nd marine divsion, 9-11 2001, A Global Force for Good, afghanistan, afghanistan casualties, afghanistan veterans, all volunteer military, alzheimer's disease, american civil war, american legion, an loc, Disabled American Veterans, draftees, espn salute to heroes, Fisher House Foundation, fleet reserve association, General William Tecumseh Sherman, ii mef, iraq, Iraq Afghanistan Veteran’s Association, iraq casualty numbers, iraq veterans, jacksonville nc, killeen texas, marine corps league, military draft, operation enduring freedom, otto von bismarck quotes, PTSD, purple heart, red cross, robert e lee quotes, tbi, tinnitus, U.S. Military, us air force, us army, us coast guard, US Marine Corps, US Navy, uso, uss hancock, uss hue city, veteran's day, Veterans of Foreign Wars, vietnam veterans, vietnam war, war is hell, world war i, world war ii
100 Years of Navy Aviation: Part One the Aircraft Carriers
Eugene Ely makes the first takeoff from USS Birmingham on November 14th 1910
On a blustery November 14th in the year 1910 a young civilian pilot hailing from Williamsburg Iowa became the first man to fly an aircraft off the deck of a ship. At the age of 24 and having taught himself to fly barely 7 months before Eugene Ely readied himself and his Curtis biplane aboard the Cruiser USS Birmingham anchored just south of Fort Monroe in Hampton Roads. Ely was there because he was discovered by Navy Captain Washington Irving Chambers who had been tasked with exploring how aircraft might become part of Naval Operations. Chambers had no budget or authority for his seemingly thankless task but hearing that a German steamship might launch and aircraft from a ship hustled to find a way to stake a claim for the U.S. Navy to be the first in flight. Weather was bad that day as is so typical for Hampton Roads in November and between rain squalls Ely decided to launch even though Birmingham did not have steam up to get underway to assist the launch. Ely gunned the engine and his biplane rumbled down the 57 foot ramp and as he left the deck the aircraft nosed down and actually make contact with the water splintering the propeller and forcing him to cut the flight short and land on Willoughby Spit about 2 ½ miles away not far from the southern entrance to the modern Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel is. Chambers would talk Ely into making the first landing on a Navy ship the Armored Cruiser USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco Bay on January 18th 1911. Ely died in a crash at the Georgia State Fairgrounds on October 11th 1911.
USS Langley CV-1
The Naval was slow to build upon the early achievements and the British and France would commission Aircraft Carriers well before the USS Langley CV-1 a converted Collier was commissioned. After Langley the Navy commissioned the converted Battlecruisers USS Lexington CV-2 and USS Saratoga CV-3 in the mid 1920s.
USS Lexington CV-2 October 1941
The three ships formed the nucleus of the Navy’s embrace of aviation and the pilots that they trained and the experience gained would be the foundation of the Navy’s success in the Second World War. They would be joined by the USS Ranger CV-4 the first U. S. Navy Carrier designed as such from the keel up in 1934.
USS Enterprise CV-6
In 1937 the Navy commissioned the first of its true Fleet Carriers the USS Yorktown CV-5 which was followed by the USS Enterprise CV-6 in 1938, the USS Wasp CV-7 an improved version of Ranger in was commissioned in 1940 and the USS Hornet CV-8 in 1941. These ships would bear the brunt of US Navy operations in the first year of the war following the disaster at Pearl Harbor. Of these ships only the Enterprise and Saratoga would survive the first year of the war in the Pacific. Langley now a Seaplane Carrier was sunk during the Battle of the Java Sea in February 1942. Lexington would go down at Coral Sea in May 1942. Hornet would launch the Doolittle Raid against Japan on April 18th 1942. Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet would take on and defeat the Japanese Carrier Strike force and sink the Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu at Midway to avenge Pearl Harbor. Yorktown was sunk in the battle but Midway stopped the Japanese advance in the Pacific.
The U. S. went on the offensive in August invading Guadalcanal in the Solomons Islands. The Guadalcanal campaign and the numerous sea battles in the adjacent waterways would claim many American and Japanese ships. Wasp was sunk by a Japanese submarine on September 15th 1942 and Hornet was sunk at the Battle of Santa Cruz on 27 October 27th 1942. Saratoga spent much of 1942 in the yards having been torpedoed twice leaving the often battered Enterprise as the sole U. S. Navy Carrier facing the Japanese until Saratoga was repaired and the first of the Essex Class Fleet Carriers and Independence Class Light Fleet Carriers entered service and arrived in the Pacific.
USS Yorktown CV-10 1944 a good example of the wartime Essex class ships below USS Cabot CVL-28 an Independence Class Light Fleet Carrier
The Essex Class ships became the nucleus of the Fast Carrier Task Forces in the Pacific and with their smaller consorts of the Independence Class would dominate operations at sea from 1943 on. The Essex class would eventually number 24 ships with several more canceled before completion becoming the most numerous of any class of Fleet Carriers produced by the U. S. Navy. The Essex class would figure prominently in all offensive operations including the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Battle of Leyte Gulf, the campaigns at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and raids on the Japanese home islands. In the process they and their air groups would be instrumental in sinking hundreds of Japanese ships including the Battleships Yamato and Musashi and destroying thousands of aircraft. A number were heavily damaged by Kamikazes but none were lost with the epic story of the USS Franklin CV-13 and her survival after being hit by two bombs from a Japanese plane that slipped through the Combat Air Patrol. The resultant explosions and fires amongst her fueled and armed aircraft nearly sank her but for the heroic efforts of her crew including Chaplain Joseph O’Callahan who won the Medal of Honor caring for the wounded and dying and directing damage control teams. The ship lost 724 men killed and 265 wounded in the attack but survived though without power and dead in the water 50 miles off the Japanese coast.
Murderers’ Row
The Essex class were iconic and the ships etched their names in naval history. The Essex, Yorktown, Hornet, Wasp, Hancock, Ticonderoga, Franklin, Bunker Hill, Intrepid, Lexington and the other ships of the class had legendary careers. These ships became known as “Murderers’ Row” for their expertise in killing off Japanese ships and aircraft. Fittingly four of the ships, the Hornet, Yorktown, Lexington and Intrepid have found a second life as museum ships and Oriskany was sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida where she is a favorite of recreational divers.
USS Croatan CVE-25 a Bogue Class Escort Carrier
During the war the Navy also built 118 Escort Carriers converted from merchant ships for use as convoy escorts, anti-submarine warfare and close air support for amphibious operations. 38 of these ships saw service in the British Royal Navy during the war.
USS Hancock CVA-19 in 1969 showing the extent of the modernizations that brought the Essex Class into the jet age
In the post World War II drawdown many carriers were decommissioned and the oldest, the Saratoga and Ranger disposed of. The three ship Midway class entered service after the war and incorporated design improvements learned from combat operations in the war. As the Navy entered the jet era it was found that the existing carriers would need significant modernization to handle the new aircraft. Among the improvements made to the Midway and Essex class ships was the angled flight deck, steam catapults, hurricane bows and improved landing systems. These improvements allowed these World War II era ships to remain front line carriers into Vietnam and in the case of the USS Midway and USS Coral Sea into the 1990s.
Artists’ conception of USS United States CVA-58 a victim of Truman Era Air Force politics
The Navy began its first super-carrier the USS United States in 1949 but the ship and class was cancelled by Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson, not a fan of the Navy or Marine Corps due to opposition by the Army and the newly founded Air Force. The ship would have carried 12-18 nuclear capable bombers as well as 45-50 jet fighters and attack aircraft and been 1090 feet long and displaced 65,000 tons. It would not be until after the Korean War that the Navy would begin construction of its first super-carriers.
USS Midway CVA-41 in 1971
During the Korean War most of the Essex class ships were called back into service with 15 modified to conduct jet operations while others were converted to serve as ASW Carriers and Helicopter Carriers (LPH) to support Marine amphibious forces. Likewise the Midway’s were modernized as the Navy began to construct the four-ship Forrestal Class which were 1036 feet long and displaced 56,000 tons and designed to carry 100 aircraft. The four ships, Forrestal CVA-59, Saratoga CVA-60, Ranger CVA-61, and Independence CVA-62 would all serve into the early 1990s before being decommissioned. In the past few months Forrestal and Saratoga have begun the journey to be scrapped, sold for a penny each to scrapyards in Brownsville, Texas.
USS Ranger CVA-61
They were all heavily involved in the Vietnam War on Yankee and Dixie Station and both the Atlantic and Pacific during the Cold War. All four have been stricken from the Navy List and are awaiting disposal. Forrestal was programmed as an artificial reef but she, like Saratoga which had been on donation hold was approved for scrapping. Ranger is still on donation hold and the USS Ranger Foundation is attempting to raise the money to save her. Independence which had been programmed as an artificial reef project was approved for scrapping in 2008.In the past few months Forrestal and Saratoga began the journey to be scrapped in 2014, sold for a penny each to scrapyards in Brownsville, Texas.
USS John F Kennedy CV-67 a modified Kitty Hawk class ship
These ships were followed by the Kitty Hawk class consisting of Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Constellation CVA-64, America CVA-66 and John F. Kennedy CVA-67 which were improved versions of the Forrestal Class with a 60,100 ton displacement and 1047 foot length with the ability to carry 100 aircraft. Kitty Hawk had the distinction of being the last fossil fuel carrier in active U. S. Navy service being decommissioned and placed in reserve in 2009. Her sister the Constellation CV was decommissioned in December 2003 and in 2008 was programmed to be scrapped in the next five years. America was decommissioned in 1996 after not being given a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) refit in the 1990s due to budget cuts. America was involved in much of the Cold War, Gulf War and Vietnam including responding to the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty in 1967, the Intervention in Lebanon in 1983 and the conflict with Libya in the Gulf of Sidra in 1985. She was sunk as a test bed to see how modern carriers would be affected by battle damage and to incorporate those lessons into future carrier design in May of 2005. John F. Kennedy was originally planned to be a nuclear ship equipped with 4 A3W reactors. This plan was shelved and she was completed as a fossil fuel ship. “Big John” served in Vietnam as well as throughout the Cold War and Gulf War and also engaged the Libyans in 1985. She was placed in the Reserve Force in the 1990s to save money and also served as a training carrier. Like America she did not receive the necessary maintenance and by 2002 she needed emergency repairs in order to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Kennedy made three deployments in support of the War on Terror and decommissioned in 2007. She was placed in donation hold and currently two groups are making progress to acquire her as a Museum ship. Like the Forrestal’s the Constellation’s served in Vietnam, the Cold War, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and three continued their service into Operation Iraqi Freedom. Constellation began her journey to the scrapyard in August 2014.
USS Enterprise CVN-65
As the Navy continued to develop the capabilities of the aircraft carrier it commissioned the nuclear powered USS Enterprise CVAN-65. The added capability of nuclear power enabled her to operate without dependence on fossil fuel which in addition to her range and speed allowed her to carry more aviation fuel and munitions than the fossil fuel ships. Unique among the Nuclear Carriers she produces 280,000 SHP and is powered by 8 Westinghouse (A2W) Reactors driving geared turbines, 4 screws with a classified top speed in excess of 35 Knots and is the quickest carrier going from all stop to full speed. At 1101 feet long and 75,700 ton (93,000 Full Load) displacement she was larger than any other carrier. She served in Vietnam, the Cold War, the Gulf War and Operation Enduring and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was and was decommissioned in 2013.
USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71 of the Nimitz class
The Nimitz Class of nuclear powered carriers is the most numerous class of capital ship in the U.S. Navy since the Essex Class. Slightly smaller than Enterprise with a 1088 overall length and 91,000 full load displacement the Nimitz CVN-68 and her sister ships are the mainstay of the U. S. Navy carrier force. These ships have been the symbols of American naval power for three decades and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Each of the ships has embodied successive improvements gained from the previous ships and the latest ships of the class the USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76 and USS George H. W. Bush CVN-77 incorporate technologies that were not known when Nimitz was on the drawing board. Thus whenever a ship is taken in for their Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) it is upgraded to the capabilities of the newest ship. The class consists of the Nimitz, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, USS Carl Vinson CVN-70, USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71, USS George Washington CVN-72, USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-73, USS John C. Stennis CVN-74, USS Harry Truman CVN-75 as well as the previously mentioned Reagan and Bush. They can carry 90% more fuel and 50% more ordnance than the Forrestal class. Carrying 90 or more aircraft they pack a mobile offensive punch that is not matched by any other surface ship. The have served in every major military and many humanitarian missions since Nimitz was commissioned in 1974.
Artist conception of USS Gerald R Ford CVN-78
The Nimitz class will be joined by the USS Gerald R. Ford CVN-78. The Ford is the first ship of an entirely new class. While approximately the same size as the Nimitz class at 1092 feet long and approximately 100,000 tons full load displacement the Ford class of which three are currently authorized and one under construction will feature many improvements over their predecessors. Among improvements are an advanced arresting gear, automation, which reduces crew requirements by several hundred from the Nimitz class carrier, the updated RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile system, the AN/SPY-3 dual-band radar (DBR), as developed for Zumwalt class destroyers an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) in place of traditional steam catapults for launching aircraft, a new nuclear reactor design (the A1B reactor) for greater power generation, advanced stealth features to help reduce radar profile and the ability to operate the new F-35C Lightning II. If the class is built as programmed on a one ship every five year rate with the Ford commissioning in 2015 then 6 ships of the class will be in commission by 2040. The next two ships have been named, the John F Kennedy and Enterprise.
Of course as with any military technology the future never is certain. In 1918 no one would have thought that the all-big gun Dreadnought Battleships would be eclipsed by the Aircraft Carrier in less than 25 years. While the Carriers have ruled the waves since Midway there are threats to them both military and financial. Countries such as China while building their own carriers have are developing weapons such as guided ballistic missiles designed to destroy carriers. As of now there is no defense against such a weapon if a carrier is within range. While China has not yet deployed the weapon it could be a game changer in the Western Pacific. Likewise there is the ever present threat posed by new and advanced submarines even those deployed by 2nd and 3rd world nations. Finally there is the financial cost which could derail the procurement of more carriers in an era of austerity. The cost of the Ford is currently estimated to be $9 Billion Dollars which if stretched end to end would probably reach Vulcan where the Vulcans would come up with an answer to our current problems.
At the same time the carriers have defied those who predicted their demise since the Truman administration. Currently no sea based platform has the multitude of capabilities of a carrier and its associated air wing and battle group and thus they should remain the Queens of the Sea for some time to come and the United States Navy which has led the world in their development and operation should continue to lead the way.
The next installment which will appear later this week will discuss the aircraft employed by the United States Navy not only those from carriers, but seaplanes, rotor-wing aircraft and lighter than air ships.
Filed under History, Military, Navy Ships
Tagged as a1b nuclear reactor, a2w nuclear reactors, a3w nuclear reactors, aircraft carriers, AN/SPY-3 dual-band radar (DBR), angled deck, artificial reef program, battle of coral sea, battle of eastern solomons, battle of leyte gulf, battle of midway, battle of philippine sea, battle of santa cruz islands, bogue class escort carriers, captain washington irving chambers, Chaplain joseph o'callahan, cold war, curtis biplane, desert shield, dixie station, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), escort carriers, essex class, eugene ely, F-35C Lightning II, fast carrier task forces, forrestal class, fort monroe, guadalcanal, gulf of sidra, hampton roads, hampton roads bridge tunnel, ijn akagi, ijn hiryu, ijn kaga, ijn musashi, ijn yamato, IJS Hiryu, IJS Soryu, independence class, iwo jima, kitty hawk class, korean war, lebanon, libya, murderers' row, naval battle of guadalcanal, navy ships, okinawa, operation desert storm, operation enduring freedom, operation iraqi freedom, pearl harbor, RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow, Royal Navy, secretary of defense louis johnson, service life extension program slep, steam catapults, US Navy, uss abraham lincoln cvn-73, uss america cv-66, uss birmingham, uss bunker hill uss ticonderoga, uss carl vinson cvn-70, uss constellation cv-64, uss coral sea, uss croatan cve-25, uss dwight d eisenhower cvn-69, uss enterprise cv-6, uss enterprise cvn-65, uss essex cv-9, uss forrestal cv-59, uss franklin, uss franklin d roosevelt, uss george h w bush cv-77, uss george washington cvn-72, uss gerald r ford cvn-78, uss hancock, uss harry truman cv-75, uss hornet cv-12, uss hornet cv-8, uss independence, uss independence cv-62, uss intrepid, uss john c stennis cvn-74, uss john f kennedy cv-67, uss kitty hawk cv-63, uss langley, uss lexington, uss liberty, uss midway, uss midway class, uss nimitz cvn-68, uss pennsylvania acr-4, uss ranger, uss ranger cv-61, uss ronald reagan cvn-76, uss saratoga, uss saratoga cv-60, uss theodore roosevelt cvn-71, uss united states cva-58, uss wasp, uss wasp cv-18, uss yorktown cv-5, vietnam war, willoughby spit, yankee station
September 12, 2009 · 23:40
A Navy Brat Grows Up…Sort of
Edison NJROTC on USS Gray FF-1054
I grew up in a Navy family. I was born in a Navy hospital, and my brother was baptized in a Navy Chapel. I went to 6 elementary schools in three states in 6 years. As a result I learned to adapt to change, make friends and at an early age, move on when we moved to our next duty station. I have to admit I rather enjoyed the life. I think that Navy Brats and other military brats either love it or hate it. I haven’t seen a lot of in-between reactions; those that love it seem to keep coming back for more. That was me.
We grew up in the anti-military maelstrom of the 1960s and 1970s. A Sunday school teacher told me that my dad was a baby killer when he was in Vietnam. It was a Roman Catholic Navy Chaplain that helped me keep some faith in God, and it is to him I owe my vocation as a priest and chaplain.
This Recruiting Poster was My Favorite
When Dad retired from the Navy I was not happy because I wasn’t ready for the adventure to end. I liked the new places, people and travel. Dad was really good about making sure that we got to experience something unique everywhere we went, from Corregidor in the Philippines, the outdoor life of the Puget Sound, Major League Baseball in California, and Hockey. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm were regular attractions in Southern California. From Dad, presents from the Far East including a 10 speed bike and a pachinko machine for me. When we visited dad at work in the squadrons or ships that he served on I was in awe. The summer of 2008 I made a trip to Charleston South Carolina and went aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10, CVS-11), a sister ship of dad’s last ship the USS Hancock (CV-19, CVA-19). The trip came a few months after my return from Iraq and as I went aboard my mind was taken back to visits to the Hancock and the wonder I had waling up the brow and through the hangar deck as 11 to 14 year old. After Yorktown I went to the USS Laffey a Allen M Sumner class destroyer. On the Laffey there was a display of a DASH helicopter. The DASH program was way ahead of its time; it was a drone anti-submarine helicopter that could be flown off of smaller ships with small flight decks such as the modernized WWII era destroyers. My dad worked a number of years in that program. It was a primitive rotary wing UAV. It is amazing how memories come back when you see, touch and smell old ships.
USS Hancock CVA-19, my dad’s last ship
They were good times. We took trips across country by train to visit family in the days before Amtrak, riding every major route from the West Coast to Chicago, the Great Northern-Burlington Northern “Empire Builder,” the Western Pacific “Zephyr” Southern Pacific “Daylight”, Santa Fe “Super Chief” and “El Capitan.” As we were coming home from the Philippines on a Military Transport ship, the USS John C Breckenridge, we were allowed to explore the ship and for the first time I got a sense of the sea. Something about that voyage caused me to love the sea and ships. Growing up we were allowed to take risks, we had the chance to succeed, but also to learn about life by occasionally failing. When dad was deployed mom took on the burden of caring for us. That was difficult for her, but she did well. The Navy wife and mother actually is a harder job than the deployed sailor.
Chapel at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station where My Brother was Baptized
There is something about being a Navy “brat.” I have been blessed to see our best friends’ boys, Jack and Alex grow up. We’ve known them since they were 4 and 8, respectively and now they are 17 and 13, or something like that. They have great senses of humor and are great to be around. Like me, the life of being a Navy brat is all they know. My first memories of being a Navy brat begin with living in the Philippines. Their dad’s first Navy assignment was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Jack may remember life before the Navy, but Alex is too young to remember anything but the Navy.
Decption Pass Bridge
My life has remained closely tied to the military. After dad retired I did three years of Navy Junior ROTC in High School getting to travel up and down the West Coast and to Hawaii aboard 6 different ships for about 70 days at sea. My parents hoped beyond hope that I would settle down, but I was not deterred. I joined the Army National Guard just prior to entering the UCLA Army ROTC program. I didn’t do the Navy because my fiancée, now my wife Judy, said that she would not marry me if I joined the Navy. Her oldest sister’s husband was on a ship during Viet Nam and was never home. Judy witnessed the pain and hardship her sister went through, and then a couple of decades later, her other sister married navy men while she herself was in the Navy.
Our Old House in Oak Harbor 37 years later
So I spent 17 and a half years in the active Army, National Guard and Reserves before finally getting the chance to come in the Navy in February 1999, as I turned in my gold Army Major’s oak leaf for the twin bars of a Navy Lieutenant. Judy wasn’t happy at first, because she had been looking forward to me retiring from the Army Reserve so we would no longer have so many separations. Judy was also less than thrilled because remembering her words about the Navy when we were dating, I didn’t consult her. I just signed on the dotted line. It took her a while to come to terms with this decision. I’ve also learned not to make major decisions without consulting her. Oh well…It has all been good, she is the love of my life, and somehow she has survived 26 years of marriage with me. Since I can be a bit of a pain in the ass this has been no easy feat for her.
My brother Jeff was born in 1966 too late for so of the adventurous tours, but not too late to see dad deployed or away from home a pretty good amount of his life. I’m pretty sure that Jeff was pretty happy that dad retired. As a little kid from the time he could remember anything dad was gone close to half of his life. At the same time with dad away I grew to be pretty independent. So when dad came back I was doing my own thing and my brother was growing into the time when he and dad would become close as I moved away. Strange how that happens… he needed a place to be home and he has found it in the town that my dad retired from the Navy back in 1974. I needed to explore and haven’t stopped exploring. In a sense I love what I do so much that I am like a little kid about it.
Underway on USS HUE CITY: The Navy Brat all Grown up but not
I now serve at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. Often in the ICU I have patients who are about my parents’ age facing major health crises and sometimes end of life issues. Their kids are often my contemporaries. We have shared a similar life and cultural experience as Navy “Brats” of our era. It is interesting to compare what we have been through, the places we have been, what we have seen and done and how life was a Navy brat. There is a kinship that I have with these families that transcends the here and now, something almost mystical that binds Navy families together. I have no idea when this grand adventure will end, but one thing is for sure, and for this I will always be grateful, to be a Navy Brat.
Peace, Steve+
Filed under Loose thoughts and musings
Tagged as amry rotc, Army, army national guard, army reserve, burlington northern empire builder, corregidor, cubi point, dash helicopter program, navy, navy brats, navy njrotc, oak harbor wa, olongapo, philippines, san diego ca, santa fe el capitain, sante fe super chief, southern pacific daylight, subic bay, the norfolk and southern wabash cannonball, ucla, uss hancock, uss john c breckenbridge, uss laffey, uss yorktown cv 10, western pacific colorado and california zephyr
@BrianGrNotABot I know. We are at the tipping point. The racial Rubicon has been crossed. 21 minutes ago
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Home/.../Remembrance Project/Veterans/Ian Sweet
Alf Neely
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Donald Dempsey
Ed Beniston
Eleanor Thomson
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Ian Sweet
John McCracken
Les Pengelly
Les Wrightman
Lloyd Crate
Melville Thomas
Mike Lacroix
Peggy Strange
Raymond Middleton
Roland Robinson
Ted Doc Kearn
The York Regional Police Recognition Stone
Ian Sweet had an early start to his military service. At the age of 12, he started as a cadet. His father was running the local Canadian Legion branch at the time, and encouraged him to join. He was hesitant, worried about fitting in, but immediately fell in love with it. By the time he was 15, he was jumping as a parachutist with the cadets.
At 17, he was in Europe serving as reservist with the Canadian military.
"I pretty well had it figured out that this would be my future as soon as I was finished high school," said Mr. Sweet. "When I turned 19, I joined full time."
He went to Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, for 11 weeks of basic training.
Following basic training, he went to Base Borden to be trained as a medic.
"I initially wanted to join as air crew, as my family has a history with the Air Force," he said. "My grandfather was a pilot, and my father was in the Air Force."
However, his eyesight kept him from following this dream.
At 25, he became a Master Corporal and when he received his commission, he was offered the opportunity to become an Officer. Following another basic training in Chilliwack, British Columbia, in 1987, he became an officer.
"I initially went in as a Naval Officer, but after a year's training, my eyesight again became a problem and I was deemed unfit for sea duty," said Mr. Sweet, who eventually had to have eye surgery.
He returned to his role as a medic, and worked as a Health Care Administrator until his retirement from the military at 38-years-old.
"The experience that affected me the most during my time with the military was my mission in Haiti, from June through December 1997," recalls Mr. Sweet. "Canada's involvement in Haiti was twofold. It was a military mission to create a safe environment within Haiti so the government could become effective and also to medically care for all the UN personnel, including civilian UN police and UN staff."
"The country was in complete anarchy - literally. There was no functioning government or police force. The UN's role was to enable safe elections, overhaul the justice system and ensure a well-trained and honest police force. As the medical component of the UN mission, our job was to look after all the UN people medically. There was a lot of violence there, which was mostly drug-related," he said. "It was difficult to be in the UN and have to be impartial, and see this catastrophic degradation of human life. We were dealing with four to six deaths a day, every day."
One of the harsher moments took place shortly after Mr. Sweet's arrival in Haiti.
"We found the remnants of a 'house cleaning' of orphans, where either the government agencies or gangs had gathered up street kids from the streets and killed them."
In addition to their official work, the medical team took on humanitarian work with the people of Haiti.
"The need was so great, but the resources, so limited," said Mr. Sweet. "You bring home those memories, especially those of the dead children. It's not something Canadians are accustomed to - nor should they be."
Along with the difficult experiences, there were some wonderful memories as well.
"No matter how bad things were, the Haitians always had a smile," he said. "These people have nothing, but they carry a quiet dignity. They are so grateful for anything they are given."
It was hard for Mr. Sweet to leave the people of Haiti.
"In all likelihood, and without sounding too dramatic, they are all dead," he said while looking at photos of himself standing outside a residence in Haiti, surrounded by children. "They would have either died a violent death or starved. There's no doubt in my mind."
The experience has made him more appreciative of what we have in Canada. "People don't realize how good we have it. We live in a country where when we turn on a tap, we have water. When we call 911, we have police officers, firemen and EMS workers we can trust. We have a government that answers to us," Mr. Sweet said. "In Haiti, people risk their lives to vote."
Following his return to Canada, while stationed in an office, he decided he wanted to broaden his horizons and decided to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. While in school, he stayed in the reserves, and during the summer, commanded all Canadian Forces reserves medical staff while undergoing training. After he was called to the bar, he had to make a choice and committed himself to his law career.
Mr. Sweet now practices law from his Newmarket home. He is also heavily involved with the Canadian Legion, of which he's been a member for 29 years.
"The legion has been good to my family," he said. "The work I do for them as a military officer and a lawyer is payback for all they have done for my family. It's fulfilling work, and it keeps me grounded."
Mr. Sweet's 11-year-old daughter, Haley, knows military life well, growing up with two parents in the service. At seven, she told her father: "I want to help," and proceeded to back up boxes of toys and dolls to be distributed to Afghan kids, who, like the Haitians, have very little.
"She's a military kid," he adds. "She knows about the harsh realities of life in a war zone. When you're in the military, your whole family is in the military."
Needless to say, Mr. Sweet is fiercely proud of his daughter, who is clearly the light of his life.
Ever humble, Mr. Sweet feels uncomfortable being labelled a veteran.
"I was never a war fighter and I don't think I earned it."
With all Mr. Sweet has witnessed, and all he has done to promote freedom and safety for others, he's surprised to be called a hero, and admits the strong emotion that it invokes within him.
"There are too many guys who have gone to their grave without hearing that - without someone saying thanks and calling them a hero," he said. "It really means so much when people say thank you."
"As Canadians, I don't think we brag enough about how good our soldiers are," said Mr. Sweet. "Canadians have a view of our soldiers of being peacekeepers, but what our soldiers do is so much more. The Canadian Military is working to bring freedom to the people of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, this freedom comes at a price."
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tag Health
Public Funding/Taxation
Public good or private wealth?
The core topic of this year’s Oxfam report ‘Public Good or Private Wealth’ is the relationship between public services and economic and gender inequality. It shows the growing gap between rich and poor is undermining the fight against poverty, damaging our economies and fuelling public anger across the globe. It reveals how governments are exacerbating inequality by underfunding public services, such as healthcare and education, on the one hand, while under taxing corporations and the wealthy, and failing to clamp down on tax dodging, on the other. It also finds that women and girls are hardest hit by rising economic inequality.
Double standards: How the UK promotes rip-off health PPPs abroad
This report concerns Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in healthcare, known in the UK as the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). It exposes how such PPPs have been an expensive failure in the UK, attracting criticism from government ministers, and yet those same ministers run departments which promote PPPs, including in health, around the world.
Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2017
The report provides the most comprehensive independent assessment of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In recent decades, the combination of neoliberal ideology, corporate lobbying, business-friendly fiscal policies, tax avoidance and tax evasion has led to a massive weakening of the public sector and its ability to provide essential goods and services.
Private Clinics and the Threat to Public Medicare in Canada. Results of Surveys with Private Clinics and Patients
The Ontario Health Coalition has released a report on private healthcare clinics and how they are a threat to Canada's public Medicare system. “The report calls on federal and provincial governments to recommit themselves to the Canada Health Act, to stop illegal health fees for patients and to impose penalties on provinces that don't protect their residents. The report also calls for provincial governments to put a halt on the privatization of public and non-profit hospital services, increase hospital capacity and increase health funding. The report also recommends that governments at all levels must protect public health care from international trade agreements through a general carve out for all healthcare services. Private for-profit clinics are cutting a second tier into Canada's public healthcare system, a representative with a provincial healthcare watchdog group says. And, in many cases, what they’re doing is illegal, said Peter Boyle, a volunteer with the Ontario Health Coalition.” OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says “these private clinics should not be profiting off the sick and elderly. It's outrageous and unethical, and that's why we will continue to fight against privatization in all its forms.
A cost and performance comparison of Public Private Partnership and public hospitals in Spain
Health Economics Review has published a research paper comparing hospitals administered by public vs. “public private partnerships” (PPPs) models. “In summary, regarding the performance and efficiency analysis, it is seen that the PPP group obtains good results, above the average for those directly managed, but not better in every case. Therefore, the results are not conclusive enough to clearly opt for one model of management; in both cases strengths and weaknesses were identified.”
Privatization Nation The Canada-wide Failure of Privatization, Outsourcing and Public-Private Partnerships
The Report examines some of the most egregious failures of privatization in the country over the past few years. The report recommends that governments’ adopt much broader criteria when considering the privatization option to ensure that the wider public interest is taken into account. Governments’ should also recognize the growing movement to return formerly privatized assets and services to public control – what has been called “re-municipalization” or “in-sourcing – that has been gaining speed across the globe over the past decade. The report highlights some of the successful re-muncipalization and in-sourcing efforts that have occurred more recently in Canada.
Public Services International Research Unit
Health Care Reforms and the Rise of Global Multinational Health Care Companies
This report analyses the rise of global multinational health care companies and the impact of health sector reforms on public health services, particularly the effect on public health care workers.
Financing health care: False Profits and the Public Good
The research “Financing health care: False Profits and the Public Good', by Jane Lethbridge of Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU), University of Greenwich was commissioned by PSI. " After almost thirty years of privatisation in the health care sector the evidence shows that these claims do not reflect the evidence. Comparisons of total health spending at national level show that countries with higher private spending on health spend more on health care and achieve worse results in key indicators of national health ".
Equality and public services – beyond consumer spending
In all advanced countries, and a growing number of developing countries, public services make a greater contribution to equality than the tax and benefit systems combined, because of the equal distribution of the value of the services. Public services also contribute to equality of household incomes. This paper sets out the evidence, both from high income OECD countries, and from developing countries.
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tag Prison
UK Probation services to be renationalised
The supervision of all offenders will be undertaken by the state in a major renationalisation of the probation sector. Only five years after introducing a widely derided programme of privatisation. Following years of damning criticism from MPs, inspectorates and former probation officers, the justice secretary, David Gauke, has decided to bring all offender management under the National Probation Service (NPS) by spring 2021. He said the private sector would still play a part in the provision of services, with £280m worth of contracts for rehabilitation services such as the provision of unpaid work and accredited programmes. But the core function of the service – supervising and managing about 250,000 offenders in the community – will once again be publicly provided.
CUPE denounces the plans to build a new prison using a public-private partnership
CUPE Newfoundland (@CupeNL) denounces Dwight Ball, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, for planning to build a new prison using a ‘public-private partnership.’ “Naturally, Ernst & Young recommended using a public-private partnership. P3s= higher-cost private financing, ‘off book debts’ now that will mean less available funding in future years.”
G4S plc
Unions call for public control over private prisons
Unions are calling for public control over private prisons after outsourcing giant G4S is permanently stripped of its contract to run the troubled HMP Birmingham. “For the Prison Officers’ Association, the return of Birmingham to the public sector was welcome. ‘We have campaigned tirelessly since it was wrongly privatised in 2011 to have it returned to the state,’ POA chair Mark Fairhurst said. ‘The more recent events enabled us to pressurise the government into making what is undoubtedly the correct decision for staff, prisoners and the taxpayer.’ But Fairhurst said other private prisons must follow suit. ‘The obsession this Tory Government has to outsource and privatise public sector work must cease. It is obvious that when you put profits above safety you sow the seeds of disorder, mismanagement, cover ups and misery.’”
Source: The Big Issue
G4S stripped of contract to run Birmingham prison
G4S is to be permanently stripped of its contract to run Birmingham prison after the government was forced to take control of the failing jail. The Ministry of Justice took the unprecedented step of seizing control of the prison last August, removing its governor and moving out hundreds of prisoners, hours before a severely critical report was published by the prisons inspectorate.
GEO Group
GEO Group has paid its executive officers $45,558,172
Over the past three years, the private prison corporation GEO Group has paid its executive officers $45,558,172 (p. 36). Meanwhile, in Scotland it’s getting blowback for paying asylum seekers just £1 an hour in wages.
Source: www.sec.gov
Labour reveals plan to ban privatisation in prisons, health and benefits services
The Labour Party has said it will end the outsourcing of public services for Britain's most vulnerable to private companies.Shadow Communities Secretary Andrew Gwynne said the party would “shift the scales and bring democracy and accountability back to government.”
Source: www.politicshome.com
Bill would prohibit Nevada from contracting with private, for-profit prisons
Legislation has been introduced in the Nevada Assembly to prohibit the state from contracting with private, for-profit prisons. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Nick Shepack told lawmakers “what we have seen in states that allow private prisons to operate within their borders, is a major lack of oversight. It becomes extremely difficult for legislative bodies to have oversight. It becomes difficult for government entities, and it becomes difficult for third party entities such as ourselves to find out what is actually going on in these facilities. For that reason, we believe private prisons should not be used in the State of Nevada.”
Source: Nevada Capital News
In a major victory for opponents of the role of banks in propping up for-profit private prison and immigrant detention companies, JPMorgan Chase announces it will no longer provide financing to them.In the Public Interest, a national anti-privatization resource center based in Oakland, reports that over 100 organizations came together to push back against #BackersofHate.
Source: Forbes
‘Dangerous’ part-privatisation of probation services
The “dangerous” part-privatisation of probation services is costing taxpayers an extra £467m, The National Audit Office (NAO) reports. “Sir Amyas Morse, head of Whitehall’s spending watchdog, said the Ministry of Justice had ‘set itself up to fail’ as Chris Grayling ignored warnings over contracting out the supervision of criminals. ‘Its rushed roll-out created significant risks that it was unable to manage,’ he added. ‘These have had far-reaching consequences. Not only have these failings been extremely costly for taxpayers, but we have seen the number of people on short sentences recalled to prison skyrocket.’” Meg Hillier MP, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, “said the NPS had performed better but was being ‘hampered by a shortage of staff and intolerable workloads.’ Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: ‘The so-called rehabilitation revolution has actually just put more people back into prison with damaging consequences.’”
Source: The Independent
Public Service Association of NSW
General secretary of Public Service Association: "the NSW juvenile justice system is in crisis"
Stewart Little, the general secretary of Public Service Association, says the NSW juvenile justice system is in crisis, with violence against staff spiking and inadequate care. “The relentless cuts and outsourcing of public services mean that opportunities for intervention with these kids are consistently missed David Tune's independent report on child protection, which the government kept secret for 18 months, revealed a system in failure. Of the $1.86 billion the state spent on vulnerable families, $960 million, half, is spent on outsourced, privately provided out-of-home care. It costs nearly double to put a kid in an NGO-run home rather than a Family and Community Services (FACS) -managed service. The erosion of funding for FACS means it is now a crisis-driven system. Case workers are operating in survival mode, unable to deliver long-term outcomes for anyone.”
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
PSI in the news
AFT says: Investments in private prisons put our retirement savings at risk
PSI affiliate the American Federation of Teachers is encouraging pension funds to consider avoiding private equity investments in companies that profit from mass incarceration.
Source: PSI
Serco Group plc
Private contractors paid millions to run UK detention centres
The British government has paid hundreds of millions of pounds to private contractors to run its detention facilities, but no one knows for certain just how profitable the industry is. “One of the 10 UK facilities is run by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, but the rest are contracted out to outsourcing firms G4S, Mitie, Serco and the US-owned GEO Group. (…) Commercial confidentiality agreements mean the Home Office and outsourcing companies are not obliged to publish detailed financial information about immigration detention centers in the UK. But figures released under freedom of information laws and published on the government’s Contracts Finder website show the value of some contracts when they were awarded. (…) The profitability of detention facilities has proved to be a contentious issue for the contractors. A Guardian investigation last year pointed to a 20.7% profit margin at the G4S-owned Brook House in 2016, while at Tinsley House the margin was 41.5%. (…) GEO Group, which operates Dungavel House, Scotland’s only detention center, may be making up to 30% profits on its contract, according to an analysis by Corporate Watch.”
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Award at Hofstra named in honor of hero Nick Colleluori (Ridley)
Saturday, 16th February 2008
Categories Boy's/Men's, College
Hofstra University Director of Athletics Jack Hayes announced this week that the Pride’s Unsung Hero Award, which was established in 2007, will be named in memory of former Hofstra player and Ridley High graduate Nick Colleluori beginning with the 2008 Awards Banquet this Spring.
Colleluori, who waged a courageous 14-month fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, passed away in November 2006 at 21 years old. The Holmes native, whose brother Michael, a junior midfielder, is a starter at Hofstra, played in all 16 games as a freshman defender for the Pride in 2005. He lettered in lacrosse, football and wrestling at Ridley High School, where he was graduated in 2004.
The Nick Colleluori Unsung Hero Award recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes who help their respective teams achieve success in ways that may not always be measured by statistics. The 2007 recipients were women’s basketball player Lana Harshaw and men’s soccer player Gary Flood.
“Nick was an outstanding representative of Hofstra University and he embodied everything good about college athletics,” Hayes said. “Nick was hard-working, honest, enthusiastic and courageous.”
“He was a student-athlete who totally embraced the philosophy of team. We look forward to annually recognizing two student-athletes that share the qualities that Nick so proudly displayed.”
Tags: Ridley
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 16th, 2008 at 10:54 am and is filed under Boy's/Men's, College. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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You are here: Home / Coaching / Kathy Gregory confirms she is retiring after 38 years at the helm
Kathy Gregory confirms she is retiring after 38 years at the helm
Kathy Gregory
Volleyball legend Kathy Gregory has decided to retire after 38 years at the helm of the UCSB women?s volleyball program.
Gregory confirmed her decision in an email to Presidio Sports on Friday night.
?I am all set and am retiring right now,? she said in her email.
Gregory initially said she was stepping down as coach on Thursday night. On Friday morning, she contacted Presidio Sports and said she wasn?t 100 percent sure she was making the right decision and wanted to take the weekend to think on it.?
She apparently made up her mind hours later and said she is retiring from the job she?s held since 1975.
Gregory is the longest tenured coach in UCSB Athletics history.
She is a USVBA Hall of Fame member and the fifth winningest Division 1 coach of all-time. Her career record is 866-395 (.686 winning percentage).
Gregory?s teams were a reflection of her playing style: gritty, tough and tenacious.
She was as demanding on her players as she was on herself.
Kathy Hanley, her longtime beach partner who played for the Gauchos in 1976, said she brought out the best in her players.
“She is so passionate about the game,” said Hanley.
Hanley said Gregory told her she will be helping to launch a women?s sand volleyball program at UCSB.
The NCAA added beach volleyball as a women?s sport last spring.
Nicknamed ?The Queen,? Gregory guided the Gauchos to 27 NCAA Tournaments, dating back to the tournament?s inception in 1981. Their last appearance was 2009. Her teams posted 20 or more victories 27 times. In 1997, her Gauchos reached the NCAA Regional Final and finished the season ranked fifth in the nation.
This year?s Gaucho team went 16-17, its first losing season since 2008. They finished with a .500 conference record (9-9) for the first time since 1988.
Gregory was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year in 1993, was a four-time AVCA West Region Coach of the Year and a seven-time Big West Coach of the Year.
While building a foundation of success at UCSB, Gregory dominated the sport on the beach as a competitor. She was named Women’s Beach Player of the Year in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1983. During that period she captured two world championships and became only the third woman enshrined into the Volleyball Hall of Fame on Oct. 21, 1989. The first two were former Olympic team members Flo Hyman and Jane Ward.
Her competitive experience was not limited to the beach. She served as captain of the professional San Diego Breakers of the IVA, where she was a teammate of basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain. She also played on the 1968 U.S. Pan American and World Games squads. In 1997, Gregory became the 12th woman inducted into the United States Volleyball Association Hall of Fame.
Gregory has been recognized for her contributions to the advancement of women’s athletics. In 1981 she was given the Salute to Women Award for her devotion to women’s growth in sports.
Filed Under: Coaching, College Volleyball, From the Archives, People, UCSB, Volleyball Tagged With: coaching change, Kathy Gregory, UCSB Women's Volleyball
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News | Innovation
Aussie Social Enterprise Honoured
Tuesday, 5th June 2012 at 10:09 am
A social enterprise based in Sydney that provides remote African communities with affordable solar power products has been honoured with an Ashden Award by the Prince of Wales.
Tuesday, 5th June 2012
Aussie Social Enterprise "Barefoot Power" is replacing kerosene with solar power in Africa.
“Barefoot Power” chief executive Rick Hooper said that more than 1.5 billion people lack access to energy across the globe.
“As a social enterprise we have reached two million people in vulnerable communities in more than 20 countries with solar lighting and phone charging solutions.
“The award will help us scale our business and make affordable, safe, healthy energy solutions available to all communities at the base of the pyramid, and help us attain our goal of reaching 10 million people by 2015," he said.
The company believes that energy access is one of the key building blocks of economic development and the first step to alleviate energy poverty.
It says their mission is to help low income families break their dependence on inefficient, expensive and harmful light sources by giving them cleaner and cheaper options.
The Ashden judges said: “With its astonishing sales figures, Barefoot is a fantastic example of a market-led solution to bringing renewable electricity to Africa’s rural poor. Through its network of micro-entrepreneurs it is overcoming the barriers of how to access remote communities and how to make solar power affordable.”
The Ashden Awards were founded in 2001 in the UK to encourage the greater use of local sustainable energy to address climate change and alleviate poverty. So far over 140 green energy organisations have improved the lives of 33 million people worldwide and saved over four million tonnes of CO2 each year, according to the event organisers. Award winners take home £20,000 (AU$ 31,850) in prize money.
The United Nations has designated 2012 as the International Year for Sustainable Energy for All.
Watch how Barefoot Power is replacing Kerosene with Solar in Africa on Youtube
Tags : Africa, Ashden Awards, Barefoot Power, New South Wales, Rick Hooper, social enterprise,
It’s great to see this article!
One small thing – Barefoot Power is an Australian company.
The (almost) united states of social enterprise
Tuesday, 9th July 2019 at 8:18 am
One why at a time
Tuesday, 2nd July 2019 at 8:33 am
Gender inequality and social entrepreneurship
Cindy Mitchell
Wednesday, 19th June 2019 at 5:52 pm
New standards for social enterprise certification in Australia
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Big Big Train – ‘Grand Tour’ (Album Review)
Review of Big Big Train – Grand Tour released on May 17th 2019.
by Geoff Bailie
Sometimes you get to review an album where the words, and the praise, come easily – and this is one such album. I’ve been a BBT fan since “The Difference Machine” (TDM) drew me in around 2007/2008. To be honest, I bought the CD because musicians I liked from other bands guested on it, and I wasn’t disappointed. The members who made that album are mostly gone from the band, but such is the progression and evolution of a line up. Founder Greg Spawton remains and is also one of the main writers. TDM guest / now full band member Nick D’Virgilio gets his first writing credit and contributes again on vocals on the new album. The other main writer is, of course, David Longdon, who also commands the microphone, with support from the now multiple gifted vocalists in the band. It also must be mentioned that BBT are a band where the artwork and the music are very closely integrated – and Sarah Louise Ewing plays her part in the creative process.
The last run of Big Big Train albums has seen the band exploring its Anglo-centric core but this one takes a different path, based on the 17th/18th century custom where wealthy young Englishmen undertook a trip through Europe to gain exposure to the cultural legacy of those countries, as part of their aristocratic education. Therefore the songs deal with exploration into science and art, both essential parts of our humanity, often enhanced by broadening of horizons that comes with travel. So we move from Plato in circa 400BC to the Voyager spaceships of the late 20th century, before returning to the English countryside, much like the travelers.
For those of you who enjoy reading the context and background to the lyrics and inspiration, the accompanying booklet gives you a lot of info on each track and this makes the experience even more rewarding. Much like my first listen to “Brave Captain”, I’ve found that listening and reading along is the ideal combination. You’ll also get to appreciate the amount of research and creativity behind each track.
With a seven piece line up (the first since the band’s inception without founder Andy Poole), five brass players and 18 string players, you may fear this could be an everything-plus-the-kitchen-sink style production. As with previous albums, the soundscape is immaculately crafted with the spotlight shifting between instruments as needed.
The album opens with “Novum Organum”, a mission statement track, taking its name and inspiration from the book of that title which many believe was a significant signpost to scientific discovery. Notable for the first (of several) compositional credits for Nick D’Virgilio on this album, in collaboration with Spawton, the musical box tones lead us on the album’s journey of discovery, whether that is by ships of the sea, air or space.
Gears shift for “Alive”, the first single from the album which many of you will be familiar with by now. It is rare in the world of prog to have a band who can create great, melodic “pop songs” such as this (and “Folklore”, “Wassail”, “Make Some Noise” etc) as well as the fully developed epics we encounter later in the album. Longdon sings this “carpe diem” song, which he also composed, and you can see the parallel inspirations of the rite of passage journeys young people undertook, and the journey of BBT itself as the band undertook their first mainland Europe shows last year. The song also provides Danny Manners and Dave Gregory with opportunities for some tasteful solos, and the track is powered by both the shifting mellotron riff and the exemplary Spawton/ D’Virgilio rhythm section. (As I type this I am on a week’s holiday having an amazing time and enjoying some great weather… and so this has become something of a theme song – “it’s great to be alive”).
Leonardo Da Vinci is the subject of David Longdon’s next contribution “The Florentine”. “Alive”s pop prog gives way to 12-string strums and what sounds like Dave/ Nick lead harmonizing. One of the most attractive aspects of BBT’s music, for me, is the orchestration, and how instruments combine and build, like the artist adding colors from his palette to the canvas. This track is a great example of that, with the acoustic strum-and-thump being joined by tasteful almost country-style electric guitar, some mandolin, violin and Moog. There are lovely shifts in dynamics as the vocals move to male/female harmony, altering the texture as the various sections of the song shift. This isn’t a busy over-crowded sound though – it is rich and spacious, with kudos to Longdon/Spawton production team, along with Rob Aubrey and Mark Hornsby, involved in the transatlantic aspects of the recording.
The Spawton epic, “Roman Stone” is next up and is an epic based around the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. If that sounds like a prog rock cliche, it isn’t – in fact I’d go so far as to say that I can’t think of another band in rock music who could pull off this type of historical track without it descending into cliche. More than just another European capital city, the Roman Empire rose and grew across Europe and into Asia and beyond, and the sleeve notes give us an overview of how the different sections of the songs reflect that. The uniqueness of BBT is once more highlighted in a brass band and orchestral section mid song. This isn’t an awkward Atom-Heart-Mother mismatch but a glorious mashup, leading into a jazz drum and flute section before all of the elements link together – a quality fusion, painting the narrative for the listener.
Remaining in Rome, “Pantheon” is a first – namely, the first Nick D’Virgilio solo composition on a BBT album. It’s an instrumental that conveys the majesty and mystery of the 2,000 year old building that inspired it. As a long term fan of NDV’s, I don’t think I’ve heard anything quite like this from him, displaying yet another facet of his talents in the multi-layered instrumental. A solid drum groove, with a delightful, slightly atonal, guitar riff, are joined by brass, Moog and flute. The time signatures shift, and a crunching guitar enters, before a Crimson-esque guitar/ flute section is joined by violin. It’s a glorious track and, for me, one of the album’s highlights.
The Roman trilogy is completed by “Theodora in Green and Gold”, inspired by the mosaic in Ravenna of the Empress who was one of the most influential women of the ancient world. To an extent, a more traditional song, with a great chorus depicting the mosaic referred to in the title. Instrumentation is more sparse in service of the song, and a middle eight features the first Nick D’Virgilio solo vocal for BBT – a great contrast that adds to the rich vocal mix throughout this album.
BBT’s back catalogue contains lots of epic tracks, many of which acquire fan-favorite status, particularly during live performance. “Ariel” is such an epic and I imagine will join that list. It’s an eight part song cycle that blends fact and fiction, and a huge variety of musical styles in its narrative. From the sombre cremation song that kicks the track off, the glorious choral sections throughout, this once again illustrates the vocal capabilities of the band. Part Four of this track is perhaps my favorite part of the album – I have visions of the BBT fans punching the air at gigs while singing the names of cloud types, with the “Come Cirrus, Come Stratus” section being a brilliant hook. The song ends with a return to the cremation theme, in an amazing finale. This is epic BBT and what other band would follow that with… another 14 minute epic?
“Voyager” makes a shift from Europe and indeed Earth, to the voyages in the great sea of space made by the Voyager space craft. A very different sound, this Spawton epic, celebrates this exploration and, like “Ariel”, blends vocal and instrumental passages to illustrate the quest. The epic grandeur leads into a delightfully proggy middle section in Part Four (what is it about the Part Fours on this album!), dare I say, very Genesis sounding with Nick, Greg, Danny and Dave pulling out an amazing instrumental section that will leave you open mouthed! And yes, another swaying hands, air punching finale, that I expect will move adults to tears in live performance!
The simplicity of the opening of final track “Homecoming” momentarily gives us chance to recover breath, before the jazzy rhythms kick off. Taking the themes introduced in “Novum Organum”, we have this track about the ending of the journey, that shifts and moves even within its five minute length, allowing all of the band to shine and leading to another epic conclusion! “We are home now, we have found a way back home!”
It’s hard to sum this one up, but I’ll address my conclusion to the three potential camps of readers of this review:
– If you’ve never listened to the band and are thinking of exploring: Take this Grand Tour, you won’t be disappointed.
– If you’ve listened before but not been convinced: I assure you this is an album for you to reassess that.
– If you’re a long term fan who is wondering how the band can climb any higher: Relax – the Big Big Train you know and love are still able to surprise and delight you!
Released on May 17th, 2019
Key Tracks: Alive, Ariel, Voyager
Grand Tour tracklist
1.Novum Organum (2.33)
2.Alive (4.31)
3.The Florentine (8.14)
4.Roman Stone (13.33)
5.Pantheon (6.08)
6.Theodora in Green and Gold (5.38)
7.Ariel (14.28)
8.Voyager (14.03)
9.Homesong (5.12)
– David Longdon / lead & backing vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion, string and brass
– Dave Gregory / guitars
– Rikard Sjöblom / keyboards, guitars, accordion, backing vocals
– Danny Manners / keyboards, double bass
– Rachel Hall / violin, viola, cello, backing vocals, string arrangements
– Greg Spawton / bass, bass pedals, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
– Nick D’Virgilio / drums, percussion, backing vocals
alive big big train david longdon folklore grand tour greg spawton grimspound merchants of light nick d'virgilio prog rock
Cosmograf – Mind Over Depth (Album Review)
Concert Review: Dream Theater – Orlando, FL, April 24th, 2019
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Monday, 28th November, 2016 7.00 pm
Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices, High Street, Epping
Contact: Gary Woodhall (Governance Directorate) Tel: 01992 564470 Email: democraticservices@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Webcasting Introduction
View the decision for item 25.
I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be recorded for subsequent repeated viewing on the Internet and copies of the recording could be made available for those that request it.
By being present at this meeting it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in your image becoming part of the broadcast.
You should be aware that this might infringe your human and data protection rights. If you have any concerns please speak to the webcasting officer.
Please could I also remind members to put on their microphones before speaking by pressing the button on the microphone unit.
The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.
Declarations of Interest
(Director of Governance) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.
(a) Pursuant to the Council’s Member Code of Conduct, Councillor R Jennings declared an interest in agenda item 7, Appointment of External Auditor, by virtue of being a member of the Local Government Association. The Councillor had determined that his interest was pecuniary and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.
(Director of Governance) To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 19 September 2016 (previously circulated).
(1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2016 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
(Director of Governance) To consider any matters arising from the previous meeting.
The Chairman reported that he had drafted a report concerning the summoning of Officers to the Audit & Governance Committee, as promised at the last meeting; however, it transpired that the Committee already had this authority within its Terms of Reference and that the proposed report from the Chairman was superfluous.
Audit & Governance Work Programme 2016/17 PDF 70 KB
(Director of Governance) To consider the attached Work Programme for 2016/17.
The Chief Internal Auditor reported that the Review of the Internal Audit Charter had been deferred to the next meeting of the Committee, on 6 February 2017.
The Committee noted the current Work Programme for 2016/17.
Appointment of External Auditor PDF 136 KB
View the declarations of interest for item 30.
(Director of Resources) To consider the attached report (AGC-010-2016/17).
AGC-010 Appt of Ext Auditor App I , item 30. PDF 2 MB
AGC-010 Appt of Ext Auditor App II , item 30. PDF 263 KB
The Director of Resources presented a report regarding the appointment of the External Auditor.
The Director reported that, as part of the closing down of the Audit Commission, the Government had novated external audit contracts to the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) on 1 April 2015. The contracts were due to expire following conclusion of the audits of the 2016/17 accounts, but could be extended for a period of up to three years by PSAA, subject to approval from the Department for Communities and Local Government. In October 2015, the Secretary of State confirmed that the transitional provisions would be amended to allow an extension of the contracts for a period of one year. This meant that, for the audit of the 2018/19 accounts, it would be necessary for authorities to either undertake their own procurements or to opt in to the Appointed Person regime.
The Director stated that, in July 2016, the PSAA were specified by the Secretary of State as an ‘Appointing Person’ under regulation 3 of the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015. The Appointing Person was sometimes referred to as the sector led body and the PSAA had wide support across most of Local Government. An invitation from the PSAA to opt in was received by the Council on 27 October 2016 and a response was required by 9 March 2017. The main advantages of using the PSAA would be:
(a) assuring timely auditor appointments;
(b) managing the independence of auditors;
(c) securing highly competitive prices;
(d) saving on procurement costs;
(e) saving on the time and effort needed for auditor panels;
(f) focusing on audit quality;
(g) operating on a not-for-profit basis; and
(h) distributing any surplus funds to scheme members.
The Director added that if the Committee were minded to support the use of the Appointing Person arrangements, then this would need to be recommended to the Council for approval at its meeting on 20 December, as Regulation 19 of the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015 required that such a decision had to be made by the Council (authority meeting as a whole). The new contract would need to be awarded by 30 June 2017.
In response to questions from the Committee, the Director confirmed that the PSAA would determine the length of the new contract, but the current intention was for it to be for 5 years, which would be a sensible length of contract and the Director had no real concerns over this. It was also felt that the process would produce a competitive price for the Epping Forest contract.
The Committee acknowledged that a sector wide procurement conducted by the PSAA was likely to produce better outcomes than any procurement undertaken by the Council alone, and would also be less resource intensive. It was felt that this would be the best option for delivering potential cost savings to the Council and also for ensuring the independence of the new appointed External Auditor.
(1) That the opting in by this ... view the full minutes text for item 30.
Annual Audit Letter PDF 125 KB
AGC-011 Annual Audit Letter App I , item 31. PDF 685 KB
The Director of Resources introduced, and the External Auditor presented, a report on the Annual Audit letter for the year 2015/16.
The External Auditor stated that the Annual Audit Letter summarised the key issues arising from the audit work carried out during the year. In respect of the Financial Statements, one material misstatement was identified and corrected relating to the write off of non current assets, i.e. assets that were no longer owned by the Council as they were either transport related or related to the former waste disposal site at Bobbingworth that was now a park. As a result of this misstatement, the opening balances for the 2014/15 financial year were overstated by £8.4million, and a third balance sheet had been prepared by Officers showing restated opening balances for 2014/15. A further misstatement was discovered when Officers were unable to locate two assets for off street parking areas associated with Council housing, and therefore the existence of these assets could not be confirmed. Further analysis confirmed that the value of the affected assets was £330,000 and that their impact on the Council’s financial statements was not material. An unqualified true and fair opinion on the financial statements was issued on 30 September 2016 and it was confirmed that the Annual Governance Statement was neither misleading nor inconsistent with other information arising from the Audit.
Aside from the financial statements, the External Auditor reported that they were satisfied the Council had proper arrangements in place to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources; therefore, an unqualified Value for Money conclusion had also been issued. The External Auditors had found no reason to exercise their statutory powers and that there were no matters to report to the Committee. The review of Grant Claims and Returns was in progress and scheduled to finish before the deadline of 30 November 2016; the results would be reported to the Committee upon completion of this work at its next scheduled meeting on 6 February 2017. An Audit Certificate to close the Audit for the year ended 31 March 2016 was issued on 30 September 2016.
The Committee welcomed the report and expressed their satisfaction with the Annual Audit Letter for 2015/16. The Committee especially noted the good level of co-operation that existed between Officers of the Council and the External Auditors.
(1) That the Annual Audit Letter issued by the External Auditor for 2015/16 be noted; and
(2) That the excellent level of co-operation between Officers of the Council and the External Auditor during the Annual Audit be noted and commended.
Mid-Year Report on Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2016/17 PDF 167 KB
AGC-012 Treasury Mgmt Mid-Year App I , item 32. PDF 229 KB
The Director of Resources presented the mid-year progress report on Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators, which covered the treasury activity for the first half of 2016/17, and was a requirement of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
The Director reported that, during the first half of the year, the Council had continued to finance all capital expenditure from within internal resources. The estimate for the Capital Programme during 2016/17 had indicated expenditure of £47.597million, which would be financed by capital grants, capital receipts and revenue. The Capital Programme for the three-year period ending 31 March 2019 had predicted expenditure of £102million, partly funded by borrowing of £12.6million, with £2.99million available in usable capital receipts and £nil in the Major Repairs Reserve. As it was possible for the vast majority of the Capital Programme to be undertaken without borrowing, it was considered that adequate resources existed for the Council’s Capital Programme in the medium term.
The Director advised the Committee that the Council had £52.9million under investment as at 30 September 2016, and the average net investment position of the Council had been approximately £61.9million throughout the first half of 2016/17. The Council’s investments as at 30 September 2016 had consisted of £33million in fixed investments, £19.9million in variable investments and £nil in long-term investments. The Council had received no further dividends from the administrators of the Heritable Bank; the Council had received 98% of the value of its deposits. The Administrator had indicated that they were seeking to extend the period of administration for another year until 6 October 2017. The importance of carefully monitoring and controlling the Council’s cash flow to ensure enough funds were available each day to cover outgoings was highlighted; this would become more difficult as the Council used up its capital receipts and reduced its investment balances.
The Director stated that the Council held loans totalling £184.7million at 30 September 2016, the majority of which had funded the self-financing of the Housing Revenue Account. It was anticipated that the Council would require further loans up to £16million in 2016/17 to fund capital projects such as the Epping Forest Shopping Park. The revised Capital Programme for the five-year period to 2020/21 would be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 1 December 2016.
Finally, the Director added that there had been no breaches of any of the prudential indicators relating to capital activity, the indebtedness for capital purposes and the Council’s overall Treasury position.
In response to questions from the Committee, the Director stated that having 38% of the Council’s investments in variable rate products was higher than Officers would like, but there was a need to have funding easily available for the St John’s Road development in Epping. The Director agreed with the Chairman that as current interest rates were so low, and they could only conceivably go up, then there was little risk to the Council as investment rates should improve.
The Director acknowledged that ... view the full minutes text for item 32.
Review of the Effectiveness and the Terms of Reference of the Audit and Governance Committee PDF 160 KB
(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report (AGC-013-2016/17).
AGC-013 AGC Effectiveness App I , item 33. PDF 86 KB
The Chief Internal Auditor presented a report on the review of the effectiveness of the Audit & Governance Committee and its Terms of Reference.
The Chief Internal Auditor stated that the effective operation of the Audit & Governance Committee formed a key element in the Council’s assurance framework, and it was considered best practice for an assessment of its effectiveness to be undertaken each year as part of the Annual Governance Statement process. The review was performed by the Chief Internal Auditor, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Committee, and took the form of a self-assessment checklist based on guidance issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA). The results of the review showed that the Council complied with the recommended best practice for an effective Audit Committee, with some minor improvements required in the areas of Partnerships, Skills & Knowledge, and Approach to Fraud; an Action Plan had been drawn up to deal with these issues.
The Chief Internal Auditor reported that the Committee’s Terms of Reference should be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the Audit & Governance Committee continued to be effective. The Internal Audit Service compared the Committee’s current Terms of Reference with the CIPFA model Terms of Reference, and performed a benchmarking exercise with the Terms of Reference for the Audit Committees at Harlow District and Broxbourne Borough Councils. The result of the review was that the Committee’s Terms of Reference remained ‘fit for purpose’ and that no changes were necessary at the current time.
The Committee noted and welcomed that the results of the self-assessment exercise clearly indicated the Committee’s performance was effective in relation to the recommended best practice, and endorsed the resulting Action Plan – particularly in relation to the development of the necessary skills and knowledge for the members of the Committee. In response to a suggestion from the Committee, the Chief Internal Auditor added that feedback from Officers and the External Auditors could be taken account of in future reviews to add an element of independence.
(1) That the results of the review of the Committee’s own effectiveness be noted;
(2) That the results of the self-assessment checklist, which showed that the Council was compliant with recommended best practice for an effective Audit Committee, be approved;
(3) That the Action Plan resulting from the review of the effectiveness of the Committee, which identified the following areas for minor improvement, be approved:
(a) Partnerships;
(b) Skills & Knowledge; and
(c) Approach to Fraud; and
(4) That the Committee’s current Terms of Reference be endorsed following the review and benchmarking exercises undertaken.
Internal Audit Monitoring Report - September to November 2016 PDF 215 KB
AGC-014 Int Audit Monitoring Q3 App I , item 34. PDF 16 KB
AGC-014 Int Audit Monitoring Q3 App II , item 34. PDF 89 KB
The Senior Auditor presented the Internal Audit Monitoring Report for the period September to November 2016.
The Senior Auditor advised the Committee that four reports had been issued since the previous meeting, of which three had been given Substantial Assurance – Corporate Procurement, Cash and Banking, and Off-Street Car Parking Income. No assurance level was awarded for the analysis of the Human Resources Sickness Absence Performance Indicator; this was an additional piece of audit work requested by management, and it was found that the performance data should be subject to a more rigorous local independent review.
The Senior Auditor reported that the Recommendation Tracker contained eight recommendations which had passed their due date; five of which were medium priority and three were low priority. Monitoring had demonstrated that progress continued to be made on all of these outstanding recommendations. The only high priority recommendation currently on the Tracker related to the Health & Safety issues at Townmead Depot, which was not currently overdue. Since the last meeting of the Committee, a site meeting had taken place which had led to the establishment of a plan to address the key actions required at the depot, and the Cabinet had agreed an allocation of £75,000 within the Capital Programme for 2017/18 to install new gates, refurbish the toilet facilities and improve the boundary fencing.
The Senior Auditor stated that the Corporate Fraud Team had stopped a further four fraudulent Right-to-Buy applications and had recovered another property as a result of fraud. The team was engaged in a number of criminal investigations, including active money laundering investigations, and three criminal prosecutions were currently being prepared. A Standards investigation had recently been completed, and discussions were underway with another Essex Local Authority concerning the formation of a joint working relationship for anti-fraud work.
The Senior Auditor added that the Service was also represented on a number of business groups and project teams to provide advice and guidance, including:
· Project & Programme Management;
· Corporate and Business Planning;
· Electronic Invoicing;
· Customer Self Service Kiosks; and
· Information Management.
Finally, the Senior Auditor informed the Committee of the progress that had been made on addressing the issues identified in the Annual Governance Statement 2015/16:
(a) Procurement Rules – training sessions on the new rules had been held and documentation published on the intranet;
(b) Corporate Policies – the Corporate Fraud Team was reviewing and updating the anti-fraud policies; and
(c) Project Management – a potential Project Management system would be tested in the near future.
In response to questions from the Committee, the Chief Internal Auditor stated that the electrical substation at Townmead Depot was in an unsafe state; the energy provider responsible for the substation had been informed and if there was no action taken then the Council would secure the area with fencing. The Senior Auditor explained that the risk assurance methodology was currently being reviewed by the Health & Safety Executive, which could lead to further work having to be undertaken by the Council. The Chief Internal Auditor ... view the full minutes text for item 34.
Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.
The Committee noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration at the meeting.
Exclusion of Public and Press
To consider whether, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) or are confidential under Section 100(A)(2):
Agenda Item No
Exempt Information Paragraph Number
The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, which came into effect on 1 March 2006, requires the Council to consider whether maintaining the exemption listed above outweighs the potential public interest in disclosing the information. Any member who considers that this test should be applied to any currently exempted matter on this agenda should contact the proper officer at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Background Papers:
Article 17 of the Constitution (Access to Information) define background papers as being documents relating to the subject matter of the report which in the Proper Officer's opinion:
(a) disclose any facts or matters on which the report or an important part of the report is based; and
(b) have been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report and does not include published works or those which disclose exempt or confidential information and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.
The Council will make available for public inspection one copy of each of the documents on the list of background papers for four years after the date of the meeting. Inspection of background papers can be arranged by contacting either the Responsible Officer or the Democratic Services Officer for the particular item.
The Committee noted that there was no business which necessitated the exclusion of the public and press.
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Focusing on the history of economic thought and analysis, History of Political Economy has made significant contributions to the field and remains an important means of communication. In addition to book reviews, each issue contains the products of original research on the development of economic thought, the historical background behind major figures in the history of economics, the interpretation of economic theories, and the methodologies available to historians of economic theory. All subscribers to History of Political Economy receive an annual supplement as part of their subscription.
Kevin D. Hoover
Observation and Observing in Economics
Kuhn Versus Lakatos, or Paradigms Versus Research Programmes in the History of Economics
The Concept of Applied Economics: A History of Ambiguity and Multiple Meanings
The History of Macroeconometric Modeling: An Introduction
Writing the History of Development Economics
Hayek's Transformation
The Origins and Interpretation of the Prebisch-Singer Thesis
Does Economics Have a Useful Past?
David Ricardo's Discovery of Comparative Advantage
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View subscription rates and details for History of Political Economy.
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Below you can find a selection of our favourite news stories curated from the press around the world. You can use the filters above to find your particular favourites either via year published, or by keyword!
As US women's soccer team rallies for equal pay, what to know about the gender wage gap
Claire Wasserman is the founder and director of programming at Ladies Get Paid, an organization dedicated to career advice, salary negotiation tips and professional development information for women. Interested in World Cup? Add World Cup as an interest to stay up to date on the latest World Cup news, video, and analysis from ABC News. World Cup Add Interest The U.S. Women's National Team claimed its fourth Women's World Cup championship title last week.
For this and more articles from PWN Global, join our FREE community today.
Read the full article at ABC News
“This is an obvious point to make, but it is, sadly, one that we cannot repeat enough”, she said, opening the day-long discussion at UN Headquarters in New York to identify best practices aimed to knock down barriers hindering women’s full participation and leadership, in what she called “our shared mission this year”.
Read the full article at UN News
Why automation is a feminist issue
18 July 2019 Working women are twice as likely as men to lose their jobs to AI, according to a thinktank. Which perhaps isn’t surprising, given that most of that work is menial and badly paid
According to a new study from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), nearly 10% of women work in jobs with a high potential for automation, compared to only 4% of men. So what, I hear you say.
Read the full article at theguardian.com
Why Gender Bias Still Occurs And What We Can Do About It
Ginni Rometty is current chair, president and CEO of IBM, an empire worth $113.9 billion, with over 350,000 employees. After seven years in the role, she seemingly stands testament to the fact that gender is no barrier to executive success. But what if I told you the role was only ever within her grasp because she had already spent 32 years at the company?
Read the full article at Forbes Welcome
The Gender Pay Gap: Faulty Beliefs Perpetuate Inequity
For the first time in U.S. history, there are more college-educated women than college-educated men in the workforce. According to Pew Research , there are 29.5 million women with at least a bachelor's degree in the workforce, compared to 29.3 million men. However, college-educated women have outnumbered college-educated men since 2007. The number of women in the U.S. workforce has increased 11 percent since 2000 . Why is this important?
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About Rangatira
Charitable Shareholders
Working with Rangatira
Investing in Rangatira
Rangatira is devastated by the sudden death of director Nick Calavrias ONZM
Rangatira is devastated by the sudden death of board director Nick Calavrias ONZM on 7 January 2017, in an accident in Taupo.
Nick joined the board of Rangatira Ltd. in 2005, after a distinguished stint as Chief Executive of NZX-listed Steel & Tube. Over 18 years, Nick built a small, local steel business into a publicly-listed national steel company that dominated the industry. Nick retired from Steel & Tube in 2009. In 2011, for his services to business, Nick was invested as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
At Rangatira, Nick served on the board of portfolio company Auckland Packaging Company, and former portfolio company Contract Resources. He was held in high esteem by fellow directors and executives for his wide operating experience and leadership on health and safety. He was also an extraordinarily versatile businessman - as comfortable working on people issues as he was on operations and numbers. Rangatira’s board and management team will miss him.
Rangatira Chair David Pilkington said “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Nick, who was a widely-respected and valued member of the Rangatira board. Our hearts go out to Nick’s wife and his family at this very difficult time."
Outside of his business governance roles, Nick was actively involved in aviation, sports, and other community causes, especially Wellington’s vibrant Greek community. Rangatira honours the tributes paid this week to Nick by many of those organisations.
Nick is survived by his wife, Mariana, his two sons, and three grandchildren.
Privacy Policy © Rangatira. All Rights Reserved
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This is brilliant: celebrating the new campus drug culture (aka using the university system to ensure the poor have access to medicines)
By worldsfair on February 7, 2009.
(Earlier the video had server issues, so just reposting - this video is really worth checking out)
If you haven't heard of the Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (or UAEM), then put it on your to do list right now. Better yet, sit yourself down and watch Mike Gretes in this video for 20 minutes.
Making medicines for people, not for profit: Mike Gretes from terrytalks on Vimeo.
Basically, this is one of many great student talks, I've got going up on our Terry talks site, but this one in particular I think is particularly relevant for those within the ScienceBlog readership, especially those in the university setting and consider themselves active in the realms of social justice and medicine.
Here's the byline for the talk, and I've also embedded it further below for easy viewing if you don't feel like visiting the original link.
All lives, no matter where they are lived, have equal value. Yet access to life-saving drugs is most often limited to those who can pay for them. Also, treatments for many tropical diseases are either unavailable or are increasingly ineffective, with toxic side effects to boot. Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (ubc-uaem.org) is a student organization dedicated to fixing this broken system. We work by changing how universities set their technology licensing priorities and their research agendas. At UBC, we've persuaded administration to publicly adopt a set of Global Access Principles (www.uilo.ubc.ca/global.asp) that are a first-in-Canada, courageous start to making medicines available to everyone regardless of their income. But we can do more. With the help of UBC students, we want to reach every faculty member whose research can benefit the world's poor. We want to expand UAEM to all major research universities in Canada. We must also ensure that UBC stays true to its commitments. I'll talk about strategies for getting this done, give insights into the drug development process and the bizarre world of intellectual property (fun stuff!) and highlight the contributions UAEM has made at UBC - encapsulated by the story of a new drug developed right here - oral Amphotericin B. This drug will treat the disfiguring and lethal disease leishmaniasis that affects tens of millions of people around the globe, and is free of the toxic side effects of previous formulations of the drug. Oral Amp B will be developed and made available at cost to people in low and middle income countries. UBC students will see how a great idea (universities changing access to drugs through licensing agreements) combined with dedicated student activism creates real change in the world.
Nature as in Earth, as in Global, as in Global Issues Generally
The Art/Science (Non?)Divide Building
The STS Compages
Video links (archive.org samples, for example; Youtube.com; others...)
Students Across North America Call for Universities to Stop Abetting Access-to-Medicines Crisis in Poor Countries
Chapters of Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) are pushing their local universities to sign Equitable Access Licenses (EAL) that would lift patent barriers on drugs developed by university labs. These agreements would effectively increase the access of medicines to poor countries…
A Kind of Medical Apartheid (or How much money are we spending on this swine flu?)
First, take a quick peek at this Gapminder.org video for a general sense of the problem: Now, this video is from May 2009, after the first few weeks of the initial outbreak, and it also has a focus on media representation, but with the recent worry over potential variants of the H1N1 virus…
McGill Radio & Access to Essential Medicines
So not only is McGill's radio station CKUT hosting a new show on global health, Health on Earth, but for their first edition they'll be talking about the Access to Essential Medicines campaign spearheaded by Doctors Without Borders. You may recall that I recently wrote about the student branch of…
Vancouver ScienceBlogger meetup - the home movies.
Although Jennifer and I had our 1,000,000th comment party a few weeks back, I only just had an opportunity to get the video footage on to YouTube. It was funny, but the "having to video" bit was a little surprising, and of course, us Canadians can be a shy group by default. Anyway, we had a decent…
That was excellent.
By jenjen (not verified) on 02 Feb 2009 #permalink
It's official! I'm blogging again! ...
...but actually somewhere else... So what's going on? The short version is that this is a goodbye post. The long version goes a little like this: 1. For a while now, I've been using twitter, primarily as a place to highlight interesting things. It has more or less replaced my blogging output.…
Should everyone have access to life saving medicines?
(You can follow Dave on twitter @dnghub) 30 MINUTES, 70 FATES. You don't know it, but as I write this piece, there is some serious procrastination going on. My attention span is weak and sidetracked constantly by a variety of diversions, and if you must know, it's taken me close to half an hour to…
What Would You Say to your Children about the Canadian Government? (My Two Cents)
It's election time again and, as is the norm, we see teachers using the opportunity to talk to their students about things such as Prime Ministers, parliaments, senates, and, well, basically - how this thing we call the "Canadian Government" is meant to work. My own daughter who is in Grade 4 is…
Professional Workshop offered on "How to Clone a Human."
I just noticed that there's a workshop being offered from June 13th to June 18th, 2011, in Vancouver, Canada, that provides technical and hands-on training for "scientists and non-scientists interested in human cloning." This course has a price tag of $1400 (does not include transportation, room…
Killing Bill C-393 would be a facepalm of the highest possible order.
(Reprinted from Boingboing) Access to life-saving medicines is not a luxury, but a human right. ~Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network To me, the above statement is one of those things that sound like a no-brainer. Put another way, if I were to ask you whether you thought a person's income should…
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Taking statins before heart surgery can help reduce post-surgical complications
Chicago, Jan. 12, 2016 – Using statins before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery can help reduce cardiac complications, such as atrial fibrillation, following surgery and also can reduce the risk of death during and after surgery, according to a review article posted online today by The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The article will appear in the February issue of the journal.
Using statins before and after CABG surgery can help reduce cardiac complications, such as atrial fibrillation, following surgery.
Statin use also seemed to be associated with a reduced risk of death during and immediately after CABG surgery.
More research is needed on optimal dose and duration of statin use, as well as its benefits in reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems after surgery.
The body often responds to CABG surgery and other major operations that involve prolonged anesthesia with an intense inflammatory reaction, which has been linked to postoperative complications. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that also have anti-inflammatory properties.
"Previous research has shown that discontinuation of the medication at the time of surgery is common practice," said Amr F. Barakat, MD, from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. "The results of our review call for proactive efforts to counsel patients and surgeons about the benefit of statins — a benefit that definitely outweighs the risk of rare potential side effects."
Dr. Barakat and colleagues, including Islam Y. Elgendy, MD, from the University of Florida in Gainesville, examined statin use both before and after surgery to evaluate the medication's impact on patient outcomes. They reviewed all related articles in the Medline database through July 2015.
"It appears that taking statins prior to CABG surgery can help protect patients against developing atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that is a common complication following heart surgery," said Dr. Elgendy. "Statin use also seems to be associated with a reduced risk of death during and immediately after surgery."
The researchers also found that taking statins prior to surgery appeared to be well-tolerated by patients, and the risk of side effects was low compared to the potential benefits.
They added that further research is needed on optimal statin dose and duration, as well as on the impact statins may have in other areas. "The current evidence suggested that the benefit of statin use in reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems after surgery is not well established," said Dr. Barakat. "Further research is needed to study these associations to determine if the benefits of statins expand beyond cardiac complications."
Cassie McNulty
@elseviernews
http://www.elsevierhealth.com
Unusual Tropical Storm Pali still thriving far from Hawaii
‘Strong Field Problems in Quantum Theory’
Alcohols as carbon radical precursors
Scienmag Nov 2, 2018
Credit: Kanazawa University Alcohols play a pivotal role in organic synthesis because they are ubiquitous and…
AI-based visual tech to be applied to CCTV cameras
Waiting for the complete rupture
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Well Strung Returns to The Abbey January 21
World-famous string quartet WELL STRUNG returns to The Abbey in downtown Orlando for one performance only on Saturday, January 21 at 8pm. Tickets for WELL STRUNG are on sale now and can be purchased at www.AbbeyOrlando.com for $35 (general admission) or $55 (VIP, which includes reserved table seating and a meet & greet following the show).Well-Strung, featuring Edmund Bagnell (first violin), Christopher Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh (viola), is a string quartet with a modern twist, playing universally recognized classical pieces while also singing pop music hits from the likes of Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and more for a wildly engaging and unique experience.
Conceived by Mark Cortale and Christopher Marchant, the foursome has quickly gained international attention. The New York Times called the band “a talented quartet that brilliantly fuses pop and classical music from Madonna to Beethoven,” and the New York Daily News raved, “The hottest thing with a bow since Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games.” They have toured internationally, and have performed at the NYC TrevorLIVE Gala and appeared on the Today Show and Watch What Happens Live. They have also performed with artists like Kristin Chenoweth, Deborah Voight, and Norm Lewis; most recently they were invited to perform alongside Neil Patrick Harris at his Provincetown concerts.
For more information, visit www.AbbeyOrlando.com.
« WOMEN IN SONG AT THE PLAZA LIVE FEATURING SARA WATKINS
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Individual Tickets on Sale January 6 »
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Joan Marcus photo
Making Something ‘Beautiful’
When Julia Knitel was 16, she was on Broadway in the revival of Bye Bye Birdie. That’s the age when singer-songwriter Carole King began composing pop hits starting in the ’60s.
Now the 23-year-old Knitel is starring in the tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which will play the Bushnell in Hartford from Jan. 17-22.
The musical follows King from her days as a shy Brooklyn teenager through her songwriting collaboration with husband Gerry Goffin, a friendly rivalry with the songwriters Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, and to King’s 1971 solo album, Tapestry, the landmark recording that became the soundtrack of a generation, including those of Knitel’s grandmother and mother.
Knitel says when her mother was in college as a classical voice major, “she would take her sheet music of Tapestry into the rehearsal room and block the windows so no one could see what she was playing, and she would play through the whole book.”
Knitel says King’s storied life is extraordinary but relatable in a personal way through her music. She is also finding personality similarities with King. “I especially relate to her sense of humor, her ability to look at the world with joy and try to make those around her happy.”
Cathey’s New Haven Days
Reg E. Cathey, the Emmy-winning actor of Netflix’s House of Cards, is co-starring with Connecticut native Brian Dennehy in Samuel Beckett’s Endgame at New Haven’s Long Wharf Theatre, running Jan. 5-Feb. 5. I reminded him of his earlier days in New Haven when he was at the Yale School of Drama in the early ’80s and performing at the Yale Cabaret.
In one show by playwriting student OyamO (aka Charles F. Gordon, who is today a theater professor at the University of Michigan), he played in drag one of the prostitutes who hung out around the corner from the theater on Park Street. “We got to know the women over the course of the time,” he says, laughing. “But they never came to see the show.”
'Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep' Focuses On Actress' Early Life At Yale
Stories and StuffFrank Rizzo January 1, 2017 New Haven Living
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Seven Seas Enters a New Realm With THE GIRL FROM THE OTHER SIDE: SIÚIL, A RÚN Manga License
Posted on June 3rd, 2016
Seven Seas Entertainment is pleased to announce the license acquisition of The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún, an all-new manga series that pulls readers into a magical and enchanting tale about a young girl and her demonic guardian, featuring beautiful artwork by Japanese manga creator, Nagabe.
In a world split between the Inside and the Outside, those living in both realms are told never to cross over to the other side, lest they be cursed. A young girl named Shiva lives in a vacant village with a demonic guardian known only as “Teacher.” Although the two are forbidden to touch, they seem to share a bond that transcends their disparate appearances. But when Shiva leaves Teacher’s care to seek out her grandmother, the secret behind her mysterious living arrangement comes to light.
“The Girl From the Other Side is simply too beautiful for us to pass up,” said Seven Seas production manager Lissa Pattillo. “Nagabe has crafted a haunting but heart-warming story about a young girl and her mysterious guardian. There’s such great suspense with its ethereal tone. The series is currently published in the same magazine as The Ancient Magus’ Bride and we think our readers will really enjoy The Girl From the Other Side alongside it.”
Seven Seas will present The Girl From the Other Side for the first time in print in North America as single volumes. Each book will come with a textured matte finish on the cover and at least one color insert. The Girl From the Other Side Vol. 1 will be released on January 10, 2017 for $12.99 US / $14.99 CAN.
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Al-Farabi (Turkish: Farabi, Arabic: ابو نصر محمد الفارابي / Abū Naṣr Muḥammad al-Fārābī;[1]) known in the West as Alpharabius[2] (c. 872[3] in Fārāb[4] – between 14 December, 950 and 12 January, 951 in Damascus[4]), was a Turkic scientist and philosopher of the Islamic world. He was also a cosmologist, logician, and musician.
↑ Dimitri Gutas, "Farabi" in Encyclopædia Iranica, Online Edition. accessed April 4, 2010. [1]
↑ Alternative names and translations from Arabic include: Alfarabi, Farabi, and Abunaser
↑ Corbin, Henry; Hossein Nasr and Utman Yahya (2001). History of Islamic Philosophy. Kegan Paul. ISBN 978-0-7103-0416-2.
↑ 4.0 4.1 Dhanani, Alnoor (2007). "Fārābī: Abū Naṣr Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad ibn Tarkhān al‐Fārābī". In Thomas Hockey; et al. (eds.). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. New York: Springer. pp. 356–7. ISBN 978-0-387-31022-0. Explicit use of et al. in: |editor= (help) (PDF version)
Name Farabi
Alternative names ابو نصر محمد الفارابي (Arabic)
Short description scientist, philosopher
Date of birth 872
Place of birth Fārāb, either in Otrār in Central Asia or Faryāb in Khorāsān
Place of death Damascus
This short article about a person or group of people can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.
Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al-Farabi&oldid=6552045"
950s deaths
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CS1 errors: Explicit use of et al.
Articles containing Turkish-language text
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Engineers from different fields need to work together to make wind turbines at sea
Engineering is the use of science and math to design or make things. People who do engineering are called engineers. They learn engineering at a college or university. Engineers usually design or build things. Some engineers also use their skills to solve technical problems. There are different types of engineers that design everything from computers and buildings to watches and websites. People have been engineering things for thousands of years.
1 What is it?
2 Study
2.1 American courses
2.2 British courses
2.3 French courses
4 Other websites
What is it?[change | change source]
Engineering is a big subject. Here are a few of the many types of engineers:
Aerospace engineers design space vehicles or airplanes.
Biomedical engineers design and work with medical equipment.
Chemical engineers use chemicals to make products like drugs and medicines or fertilizers for crops.
Civil engineers work on roads, bridges, buildings and other public structures.
Computer engineers design or improve computers (including embedded systems and their parts.
Electrical engineers work with electricity and design electrical equipment, from small things like radios and computers to large things like electric power transmission systems.
Electronic engineers work with electronics, which are used to build computer parts and electrical equipment.
Environmental engineers design and implement ways to remediate and restore the environment.
Manufacturing engineers design and improve the machines and assembly lines that make things. They work with robots and automation and ways to help companies work faster and better with fewer mistakes.
Mechanical engineers design machines or things that move, like cars and trains. A mechanical engineer also might help design electricity generating stations, oil refineries, and factories.
Mechatronics engineers work in multiple fields of engineering that include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering and computer engineering.
Marine Engineers design, build, test and repair boats, ships, underwater craft, focusing primarily on their internal systems.
Nanotechnology engineers study very small things, like strings of atoms and how they are put together.
Nuclear engineers design and build nuclear plants. They also study the characteristic behaviors of certain radioactive or unstable elements.
Structural engineers are dealing with design and analysis of buildings and large non-building structures to withstand both the gravity and wind loads as well as natural disasters.
Software engineers design and write programs for computers.
Systems engineers look at how complicated things work and try to make them faster and smarter.
Engineers do not only work with machines. They also work a lot with other people.[1] Many engineering projects are large and very complicated. Often different kinds of engineers work together and help each other. As an example, computer engineers need help from electrical engineers to build a computer. The computer needs programs written by software engineers. The computer could be used by aerospace engineers to control an airplane. An airplane is a big mechanical system with many parts, so a mechanical engineer and a systems engineer are also needed.
Study[change | change source]
Most (but not all) engineers have had years of training. Much of their training involves working within a limited budget and materials.
American courses[change | change source]
In the United States, most engineers go to a college or university to get an engineering degree. Most people go to school for four years to get a bachelor's degree in engineering. A Master's Degree is an advanced degree, usually requiring two more years of study after the Bachelors. A person with a master's degree is eligible to enter a Doctoral program in engineering. A graduate of a Doctoral program is awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree, which is commonly called a PhD. A PhD in engineering requires three or four years of study after a master's degree, and includes the completion of a long research report called a dissertation. After having gained enough work experience, one can sit for their Professional Engineer's (PE) License, reinforcing their demonstrated proficiency in their specialty.
British courses[change | change source]
In the United Kingdom, engineering degrees at universities are either three year BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) or four year MEng (Master of Engineering). In many universities it is common to take only one engineering discipline (e.g. aeronautical or civil engineering) although some universities have a general engineering degree. British universities may also offer Doctoral programs as a doctor of philosophy (PhD) or a doctor of engineering (EngD).
Engineers can also get additional recognition in the form of becoming Chartered. A chartered engineer is one who has his degree or doctorate has been recognised by a group of professionals such as the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology), IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers), IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) or ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers). Experience and responsibility enables a further step of recognition by becoming a Fellow of these institutions.
French courses[change | change source]
The best way to become an engineer in France is to take the CPGE (Classe Préparatoire pour les Grandes Écoles is the French class for engineer's school) for two years and then study for three years in an "École d'Ingénieur" (Engineer's school). You can also study in an IUT (Institut universitaire technologique) for two years, and then study three years in an "École d'Ingénieur".
Notes[change | change source]
↑ Principles of Ethical conduct in Engineering Practice Under The North American Free Trade Agreement
The Simple English Wiktionary has a definition for: engineering.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Engineering.
Engineering Citizendium
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Singapore. Obedience extracted through defamation lawsuits is not sustainable
Lee Kuan Yew's one party state government of Singapore Island has a dubious history of filing defamation of character lawsuits against its critics in their Kangaroo Courts to silence criticism. They also hold a dubious world record of never having lost even a single one in the entire history of the Island since 1959! In fact their handpicked judges are so predictable; Lee knows he has won even before he ever steps into the courtroom.
This practice of using the law and their Kangaroo Courts has been so well fine tuned, it works like clockwork. The government scours over the Internet (all print newspapers are state controlled and therefore will contain no criticism) looking for any critical writing. Once identified, the government either goes to their lawyer Davinder Singh of Drew and Napier, one of the island’s largest law firms who then writes to the targeted victim to apologize and remove the offending writing. If the writing had suggested that their Kangaroo Courts were corrupt, the Attorney General writes the same letter threatening contempt proceedings.
These sorts of disgraceful attempts to stifle dissent had much more effect in the past, as invariably they took the hapless victim to court and either bankrupted him or jailed him.
Over a period of time, the government has been finding that this practice of silencing your citizens is really not producing the desired result and in fact counters productive.
Singaporeans were becoming more emboldened and were simply leaving for settlement abroad instead of tolerating this nonsense resulting in the world's highest brain drain, something which is disastrous for a tiny island with a tiny population.
Realizing this, Lee Kuan Yew and his Ministers went on repeated world tours of the capitals and cities where Singaporeans had emigrated to coax them to return but no one did. I think the Singapore government now realizes that those who have left will simply not return and have therefore given up their world tours to dissuade the Diaspora.
Realizing the harm it is doing, they appear to be going slow on the defamation letters, preferring only to give warnings now and once an apology is forthcoming, they let him go. This new policy has actually emboldened many to speak their mind, since they know, very probably, all the government needs is an apology. And after all, they would have managed to get their message across.
The latest threat by the government was only last week. A Singaporean cartoonist Leslie Chew had drawn about the government's deliberate policy of racially discriminating the Island's Malay community, which by the way happens to be a fact.
Another cartoon described the retiring of the Island's Chief Justice in unflattering terms. For his trouble, he got a letter from a lawyer threatening him with a lawsuit and another from the Attorney General threatening to charge him for contempt of court. Had he apologized like they wanted, they would have probably let him go, but because he refused, he was arrested and kept overnight at the police station and interrogated.
I am sure if he apologized they would drop everything but it would be interesting to see what they would do this time, if he remained stubborn.
Please see last Fridays Yahoo News headed "Singapore Cartoonist arrested for alleged sedition" http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pore-cartoonist-arrested-alleged-sedition-143415161.html
The Yahoo News article also refers to series of recent such cases against the island's critics. In January the government sent a lawyers letter to Alex Au who complained of corruption in the Singapore government involving the purchase of computers by a company owned by Lee Kuan Yew's ruling party PAP. He received a lawyer’s letter to which he immediately apologized after which the government let him go.
Not long before that Tamasek Review, a Singapore blog had written about the island's law minister, a Tamil, having an affair with a Chinese woman in his party, a fact well known in public circles. He immediately sent out a lawyer’s letter to which they too apologized and the matter was once again dropped.
Recently there was an instance of the court showing leniency of a Chinese national who used a car in the airport parking lot to kill someone. He was given a mere 25 months in jail when others would have been either hanged or given a life sentence. Naturally Internet blogs in the island were up in arms about this. The government sent lawyer’s letters to these various blogs who all apologized and no further action were taken.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/agc-demands-apology-from-websites-over-v/642730.html
Singapore Island government is wasting its time in such a pointless exercise. Merely because someone ceases and apologizes, does not mean that he now believes the government version. If this cartoonist thinks the government ill treats Malays, he is not suddenly going to think otherwise, just because the government says so. If the blogger really thought there was corruption in Lee Kuan Yew’s ruling PAP party in the sale of the computers, he is not going to think otherwise just because he got the lawyers letter.
In fact, contrary to what the government would think, this cartoonist would now be even more certain and determined in his belief that the government really does racially discriminate.
These people whom the government goes against all live in Singapore. In fact any of these people would be able to leave the island if they want to as all of them are highly qualified and would be a prize to any free country with their qualifications and talent.
I reckon the only reason why they don’t' leave is due to a sense of loyalty and patriotism. Sadly those like them who stay are a very small minority because most qualified capable Singaporeans who have a choice of leaving, do indeed leave, as there is no need to endure this stupidity on the part of the government and their Kangaroo Courts.
In 1991, I left Singapore when it became clear that this government would continue victimizing and punishing me because I refused to submit. First there were the covert messages warning me to stop espousing opposition politics. The there was a contempt of court charge because I made a speech at a election rally in 1991 criticizing the manner of appointment of Subordinate Court judges. I had to pay a hefty fine.
Then there were repeated Law Society actions to harass me with threats of discipline, which finally resulted in my being found guilty of contempt of court merely for writing a letter to the Attorney General demanding an explanation over their actions against the opposition politician JB Jeyaretnam. That was the final straw. I left the island permanently for United States in December of 1991 and obtained political asylum.
Just like me, thousands of educated professionals have all left mostly quietly for Australia, New Zealand Canada and the UK.
The government is clearly in a quandary. All this while they have been getting away by intimidation and threats to silence the opposition but with time, the islanders are getting emboldened because they are no longer in the helpless state they were in the past.
Today they can leave if they want. And if all the educated professionals left, what would Lee Kuan Yew and his son do? On the other hand, they cannot allow freedom of expression either. If they did, both father and son would be unseated that very instant. They are simply caught between a rock and a hard place.
You must have noticed that they leave me alone. It is simply because I live in the USA and they don't have the benefit of their Kangaroo judges and police thugs here. But thanks to the Internet, my message still reaches the entire Singapore population. Isn’t that nice.
Hi Gopalan, is there any hope for those who are not as qualified or talented to leave Singapore?
Fri Apr 26, 02:28:00 AM PDT
To the person who said
" Anonymous said...
Hi Gopalan, is there any hope for those who are not as qualified or talented to leave Singapore?"
Let me answer it with a story. There was a man who prayed everyday to win the lottery. An angel knew this and went to God asking whether he could help this man. God said he has been very willing to help but could only do so if the man bought a lottery ticket!
In your case asking questions by sitting in your Lee Kuan Yew HDB flat is not going to help. Buy a ticket. Go to the country. Find out and look for oppurtunities.
These cartoons are really good. More people should read them.
https://www.facebook.com/DemoncraticSingapore
Fri Apr 26, 09:00:00 PM PDT
FCCcanningtoncell01 said...
To the Anonymous who asked if he/she has a chance if he/she is not so talented:
The answer, in my very humbel personal opinion, really depends (Caveat - this is not giving you advice, it's merely sharing an idea, and pointing you in the options you have):
a) It depends on your age - in the past , countries like Australia have a cut off age of 45. I think the latest VISA requirements to migrate have done away with the age limit. You still have got to have a SKILL that the Government of Australia deem as valuable in that year of migration to OZ. in the past, it was accountancy, some trades like chef, assistant nurses, etc.
It varies from year to year.
So, like Gopalan said - do your homework. Mate, if you are hungry, you will GO somewhere, some place, soon!!!
I'd say - check with your relatives.
If you don't have relatives, go to:
http://wwww.immi.gov.au
I am not giving you any advice as I am not allowed to, but I believe I can point you in the right direction by giving you the website.
Another helpful place if you are stuck is the Australian Embassy opposite Gleneagles Hospital (is it still there???)
b) it also depends on the MOTIVATION and HUNGER you have to leave the place. As Mr. Gopalan has pointed out, I'd add: if there's a flood, and GOD sends 3 helicopters to rescue you from the roof top, you still got to take the effort to GRAB THE ROPE and hang on, mate!
Are yOU HUNGRY enough to move?
If you are, you won't be wasting time.
Time past, cannot be reclaimed!
c) NEXT factor is a very big factor. your family. and kids.
IF your wife/husband is not ready, talk to them. HElp them understand your mission. YOu are not "That talented" , you said. What about your spouse?
d) It takes about 2-3 years nowadays in the PR queue for OZ to be processed. What about other countries?
e) Finally, when you say you are not that talented?
Are you denigrading yourself?
GOD has given each of us a talent. Grow your talent that you have been given. If you can draw cartoons, benefit the rest of us with your talent.
If you are an electrician, check out if you can migrate.
Plumbers in Australia earn AUD$100 call out fee, and this is excluding any parts, extra services, etc, etc.
DO NOT under estimate yourself.
I am 43, and I am still pursuing my MBA whilst working FULL Time.
Please, only YOU can help yourself.
Stop asking for spoon feed, mate!
David, Perth
Western Australia.
Sat Apr 27, 11:05:00 AM PDT
Gopalan,
I have seen pictures of Singaporeans in Perth who have taken photos with the leaders of Singapore who've come to Perth to FIND OUT why they leave.
YES! This exist a few years ago.
Most of the Singaporeans I know do NOT intend to leave.
I am not a Singaporean, was never one, but I lived there for close to 20 years; I'm done and dusted with my gig in Singapore and am happily settled in Australia.
I had always wanted to leave the island, not so much of LKY. It was my mother's death that triggered me to MOVE to another place that's much better in terms of quality of life.
The next day after she died, the company that engage my services instructed me to continue with training, as I need to fulfill my obligations.
It was a SHAME, and I finally realize that PROFITS go before my PERSONAL LIFE in a hectic place like Singapore, HongKong, etc
That was the last straw.
I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I did leave, albeit in a different circumstances from you.
I am happily settled in Australia, and I look forward to the day when perhaps if there's a chance - we can share stories of our struggles for a better world in the form of a FORUM, symposium, etc.
I am sure our paths will cross.
I too, was involved in some minor ways in social activism and social JUSTICE!
take care of yourself, mate!
You don't know what you are missing in life, until you leave SG.
Sun Apr 28, 04:08:00 AM PDT
Singapore island won't dare cane arrested graffiti...
Singapore. Offer to help cartoonist Leslie Chew an...
Singapore. Obedience extracted through defamation ...
Singapore Island Quixotic attempts to stop the inc...
Video. Singapore. Hilarious video by Gabriel Ingle...
Singapore schools only produce dumb followers
Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore an obedience trained isla...
Singapore Island suffers without Rule of Law
Singapore's stand up comedian, the Prime Minister
Singapore losing it's battle with Singaporeans
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The first record of this species was initially found in mid-May 2012 and last seen in mid-October 2013. The actual date of arrival could be during the late fall, winter, or early spring of 2011-2012, as there was no coverage during the preceding winter and an eagle was reported from St. Paul Island during the winter of 2011-2012. The full extent of this bird’s (and subsequent individuals) travels is not known and it has never been reliably reported from any island besides St. Paul, though it likely did visit others within the Pribilof group as it would regularly go “missing” for days or weeks during the tour season. The second record appeared during late fall/winter in 2016, which is probably the time frame for the original bird’s appearance and likely the best time to look for this species in the Pribilofs.
Photo by Doug Gochfeld
Photo by Brad Benter
Photo by Barbara Lestenkof
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Four Unforgettable TED Talks Delivered on Beam
Written by Sonam Patel on 22 February 2018 .
Beam makes it possible for people to be in two places at once -- a game changer for speakers and presenters when traveling isn’t possible. This makes the use of telepresence technology to physically “be there” at any time, anywhere a powerful statement.
It proves that the future is here -- connecting our world, removing distance of location as a barrier, and embodying the future via telepresence in more profound ways than ever before. With telepresence technology, reaching a global audience hungry for leading-edge information poised to spark meaningful, progressive conversations is within reach.
Need an example? Look no further than TED Talks, designed to deliver “ideas worth spreading” from international speakers in short-form addresses. In the following four TED Talks, Beam’s telepresence technology brings speakers like Edward Snowden to local audiences all over the world, adding depth and context to the points each speaker makes, while providing inspiration for how Beam can be used to deliver your own important talks and presentations.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google Inc., TED Talks India (2017), “What’s Google’s Vision for India?”
“Above all, I think, technology is truly transformative. I'm a technology optimist and I think technology will make a big difference for India, and more importantly, I think India will make a big difference for technology at a global stage.”
One of the world's biggest and most influential tech companies is led by an engineer from the South Indian state Tamil Nadu: Google CEO Sundar Pichai. In this TED Talk, Pichai speaks to the audience via an Beam. Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan interviews the visionary leader about a wide range of topics, from self-driving cars and other future technologies to Google’s initiative to provide all Indians with access to affordable, fully connected smart phones, the importance of passion when it comes to hard work, and his vision for how India (and the world) can leverage tech to realize its abundant potential.
Leila Takayama, social scientist researching robot-human interactions, TEDxPaloAlto (2017), “What It’s Like to Be a Robot.”
“It's a little bit like Ender's Game, right? There is a real world on that other side and I think it's our responsibility as people designing these interfaces to help people remember that there are real consequences to their actions and to feel a sense of responsibility when they're operating these increasingly autonomous things.”
In this TED Talk, social scientist Leila Takayama makes the point that robots aren’t from the future or outer space; they technically already live and work among us today. Common home appliances like dishwashers and thermostats that respond to our requests can, according to Takayama, be seen as robots – and yet they’re so integrated into our lives that we'd never think to call them that. Musing on a future with even more robots, she shares her insights into the unique challenges of designing for human-robot interactions and reveals the many ways that in which experimenting with robotic futures can lead to greater understanding of the human experience itself.
Edward Snowden, former CIA employee and NSA whistleblower, TED2014: “Here’s How We Take Back the Internet”
“Your rights matter, because you never know when you're going to need them.”
Having given numerous speeches over the last several years on a Beam, Edward Snowden is the perfect use case of how we like to see our technology put to use. In 2014, Edward Snowden beamed in from Russia to be interviewed by TED curator Chris Anderson about surveillance and Internet freedom. The right to data privacy, according to Snowden in this TED Talk, isn’t a partisan issue, but begs that we consider and rethink the role of the internet in our lives, as well as the laws that protect it. This Talk includes a special guest appearance by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web.
Henry Evans, Robotic Activist, TEDxMidAtlantic (2013), pioneer in adaptive robotic tech and “inspiration and instigator” of Robots for Humanity, “Meet the Robots for Humanity”
“… robotics will eventually provide a level playing field where one is only limited by their mental acuity and imagination, where the disabled are able to perform the same activities as everyone else, and perhaps better, and technology will even allow us to provide an outlet for many people who are presently considered vegetables.”
Paralyzed by a stroke-like attack caused by a birth defect, Henry Evans beamed in to deliver this TED Talk in order to demonstrate how he’s able to live a full and active life, thanks to new robotics that were customized for him by Robots for Humanity. He also demonstrates how drone technology, created by a team led by roboticist and computer Chad Jenkins (also featured in this video), helps him in his daily life, be it walking around a garden or giving a TED Talk.
Your presentation doesn’t have to be as high profile as a TED Talk to benefit from Beam. The medium serves both as the messenger and message, allowing you to deliver your big ideas to your audience, regardless of where in the world you -- or they -- are.
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Is My 600 Lb Life real? Steven Assanti answers the question & talks behind-the-scenes tactics
John January 3, 2018 Did You Know?, My 600-lb Life, Reality TV, Steven Assanti No Comments
Controversial My 600 Lb Life cast member Steven Assanti just took to Facebook for an impromptu Live session in which he answered the question he says he gets asked more than any other: Is My 600 Lb Life real? Ostensibly, the stream was a promotion of the first episode of My 600 Lb Life Season 6, which technically kicks off tonight with a brand-new “Where Are They Now?” episode: one that features Steven and his brother Justin.
What the video turned into, however, was a sort of rambling digression into Steven’s acting aspirations, a Q&A with fans (and insult exchange with haters), and a brief discussion of rumors that Dr. Now has dropped Steven as a patient — all of it interrupted by Steven taking a phone call to confirm a doctor’s visit.
Unfortunately, Steven deleted the video within hours of sharing it. (Steven is well-known among My 600 Lb Life fans for sharing and then deleting far more content than he actually keeps on his Facebook page.) As of this writing, the only videos on his page are the two we wrote about earlier today: the first featuring a naked Steven draped with Christmas lights and singing “Santa Baby”, and the second featuring a naked Steven sitting on the toilet singing a song about sitting on the toilet.
Fortunately, we managed to transcribe most of the video before Steven took it down. So, first enjoy the most recent official trailer for My 600 Lb Life‘s new season, and then settle yourself in for Steven’s thoughts on the process behind the show.
Steven Assanti on the age-old reality TV question: Is My 600 Lb Life real?
Is this show real? Yes. Is it acting? No. Is it exhausting? Yes. Very. So exhausting to the point that there are days that I don’t even want to film. And I try to avoid being filmed, but the camera crew — especially one of them in particular — is so persistent that he will continue to knock on the door, and knock on the door, and knock on the door until you can’t stand it anymore….It’s just a lot of work. A lot of filming, a lot of days put in. I don’t really –and I can’t really — tell you what the process is, because…I could get sued (laughs). There’s a lot of filming involved, a lot of re-takes. And it’s a lot of work for someone who’s morbidly obese.
On whether he enjoys filming the show — and whether he’d like to try any other sort of on-camera work
I enjoy it. Because…I mean, it’s something that I would like to do for a living, I guess. In show business–I’d like to build on that. You know, Build on my appearance on reality TV and make it something that’s worth it.
On whether it’s true that Dr. Now has dropped him as a patient
Dr. Nowzaradan is a really good doctor, he saves lives; and that’s his focus, saving lives. But you’ve just got to follow orders….I feel that I made a huge change, and I look forward to what’s next with the surgeon, Dr. Now. And no, he hasn’t dropped me. I may be one of the worst patients he ever had, but…nobody said it was gonna be an easy journey, and everybody’s journey is different. It’s not easy to lose weight. Hell, it’s not easy to break free from any addiction. Any addiction that you have.
On whether Steven feels he’s made progress with his weight loss since appearing on My 600 Lb Life
I mean, I know my journey’s been a rocky road. Nobody’s journey on that show has been not a rocky road. So, I guess I look forward to the future. Finishing my progress — I think I’m making a lot of progress. I wish I could go into details, but I could get into trouble. I’m doing really good now. I weighed over 800 pounds. The show didn’t document the fact that…my real starting weight was 800 pounds in Rhode Island, where I’m from. And that’s the truth.
Elsewhere, Steven told the tale of the time he was forced to live in the back of his father’s van, because Steven’s obesity had gotten so bad he could no longer make it up the steps to his second-story apartment.
Finally, at a little over the halfway mark, the video became something of a question-and-answer session between Steven and those watching (the footage had close to 8,000 views when we watched it). The answers Steven gave here were much shorter:
On whether he kicked opiates: “Nobody would believe me if I said I did, so what’s the point?”
On his relationship with his family — specifically, with his semi-estranged brother Justin: “My dad’s fine, Justin’s fine, everybody’s fine”
On whether the scene in his first episode in which he fell off of a golf cart was real, or staged:
On whether Steven, who sported a spotty goatee in the Facebook Live video, thought he looked good: “No, I don’t think I look good right now. I look like a bum.”
So there you have it, straight from the participant’s mouth: Is My 600 Lb Life real? It involves reshoots, just like any show filmed for a network — but it isn’t scripted, and it definitely isn’t made up.
My 600 Lb Life‘s new season airs Wednesday nights at 9 on TLC. You can stream the Steven Assanti “Where Are They Now?” episode on TLC’s website here.
(Photo credit: Is My 600 Lb Life real via Facebook)
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Murder Chose Me new season preview and FAQ for Detective Rod Demery
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शिक्षाप्रद कथाएँ
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बादशाह अकबर और बीरबल की कथाएँ
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सिक्ख गुरु साहिबान
श्री गुरु नानक देव जी
श्री गुरु नानक देव जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु नानक देव जी – ज्योति ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु नानक देव जी – साखियाँ
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श्री गुरु अंगद देव जी
श्री गुरु अंगद देव जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु अंगद देव जी – गुरु गद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु अंगद देव जी – ज्योति – ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु अंगद देव जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु अमर दास जी
श्री गुरु अमर दास जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु अमर दास जी – गुरु गद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु अमर दास जी ज्योति – ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु अमर दास जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु राम दास जी
श्री गुरु रामदास जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु राम दास जी – गुरु गद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु राम दास जी ज्योति – ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु राम दास जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु अर्जन देव जी
श्री गुरु अर्जन देव जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु अर्जन देव जी – गुरु गद्दी मिलना
गुरु अर्जन देव जी की शहीदी
गुरु अर्जन देव जी का ज्योति – ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु अर्जन देव जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु हरिगोबिन्द जी
श्री गुरु हरिगोबिन्द जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु हरिगोबिन्द जी – गुरुदाद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु हरिगोबिन्द जी – ज्योति ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु हरिगोबिन्द जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु हरिराय जी
श्री गुरु हरिराय जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु हरिराय जी – गुरु गद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु हरिराय जी – ज्योति ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु हरिराय जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु हरि कृष्ण जी
श्री गुरु हरि कृष्ण जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु हरि कृष्ण जी – गुरु गद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु हरि कृष्ण जी ज्योति – ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु हरि कृष्ण जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु तेग बहादर जी
श्री गुरु तेग बहादर जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु तेग बहादर जी – गुरु गद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु तेग बहादर जी की शहीदी
श्री गुरु तेग बहादर जी – साखियाँ
श्री गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी
श्री गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी – जीवन परिचय
श्री गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी – गुरुगद्दी मिलना
श्री गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी – खालसा पंथ की साजना
श्री गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी – ज्योति ज्योत समाना
श्री गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी – साखियाँ
श्री साईं बाबा जी
श्री साईं बाबा जी की लीलाएं
श्री साईं परिचय व जीवन गाथा
श्री साईं व्रत के लाभ
श्री साईं बाबा जी की आरती
चालीसा श्री साईं बाबा जी की
श्री साईं व्रत के नियम, उद्यापन विधि व कथा
साईं बाबा की भक्तों को शिक्षाएं – अमृतोपदेश
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श्री साईं पद
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श्री साईं वन्दना
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श्री साईं नाम स्मरण
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धार्मिक ग्रंथ
सम्पूर्ण श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता
01. अर्जुनविषादयोग
02. सांख्ययोग
03. कर्मयोग
04. ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग
05. कर्मसंन्यासयोग
06. आत्मसंयमयोग
07. ज्ञानविज्ञानयोग
08. अक्षरब्रह्मयोग
09. राजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग
10. विभूतियोग
11. विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग
12. भक्तियोग
13. क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोग
14. गुणत्रयविभागयोग
15. पुरुषोत्तमयोग
16. दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग
17. श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग
18. मोक्षसंन्यासयोग
उद्धव गीता – संवाद भगवान श्री कृष्ण जी और उद्धव
श्रीरामचरितमानस
01. बालकाण्ड
02. अयोध्याकाण्ड
03. अरण्यकाण्ड
04. किष्किन्धाकाण्ड
05. सुन्दरकाण्ड
06. लंकाकाण्ड
07. उत्तरकाण्ड
महाभारत संस्कृत
01. आदिपर्व
02. सभापर्व
03. आरण्यकपर्व
04. विराटपर्व
05. उद्योगपर्व
06. भीष्मपर्व
07. द्रोणपर्व
08. कर्णपर्व
09. शल्यपर्व
10. सौप्तिकपर्व
11. स्त्रीपर्व
12. शांतिपर्व
13. अनुशासनपर्व
14. आश्वमेधिकपर्व
15. आश्रमवासिकपर्व
16. मौसलपर्व
17. महाप्रस्थानिकपर्व
18. स्वर्गारोहणपर्व
Mahabharata English
01. ADI PARVA
02. SABHAKRIYA PARVA
03. ARANYAKA PARVA
04. VIRATA PARVA
05. UDYOGA PARAVA
06. BHISHMA PARVA
07. DRONA PARVA
08. KARNA PARVA
09. SHALYA PARVA
10. SAUPTIKA PARVA
11. STRI PARVA
12. SANTI PARVA
13. ANUSASANA PARVA
14. ASWAMEDHA PARVA
15. ASRAMAVASIKA PARVA
16. MAUSALA PARVA
17. MAHAPRASTHANIKA PARVA
18. SVARGAROHANIKA PARVA
The American Standard Bible – Numbers
The American Standard Bible – Leviticus
The American Standard Bible – Genesis
The American Standard Bible – Exodus
The American Standard Bible – Deuteronomy
महाभारत के प्रमुख पात्र
रामायण के प्रमुख पात्र
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता के प्रमुख पात्र
भजन संग्रह
श्री सीता जी के भजन
श्री हरि जी के भजन
श्री हनुमान जी के भजन
श्री साईं बाबा जी के भजन
श्री शिव जी के भजन
श्री राम जी के भजन
श्री गौरी अम्बे माँ के भजन
श्री गणेश जी के भजन
श्री कृष्ण जी के भजन
विविध भजन
राधा जी के भजन
मीरा बाई जी के भजन
भगत कबीर जी के भजन
गुरु जी के भजन
भक्त व संत
कबीर दास जी के दोहे अर्थ सहित
भक्त तुलसीदास जी दोहावली
भक्त बुल्ले शाह जी काफियां
आरती संग्रह
चालीसा संग्रह
मंत्र संग्रह
12 राशि चक्र चिन्ह का ज्योतिष अर्थ और विशेषता
हिन्दू व्रत, विधि व कथा
वर्तमान आध्यात्मिक गुरु
अतिथि पोस्ट
पेड़ और पौधे
घरेलू नुस्ख़े
खाद्य पदार्थों के स्वास्थ्य लाभ
बीमारीयों के लक्षण व उपचार
चूर्ण और वटी
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Homeधार्मिक ग्रंथMahabharata English13. ANUSASANA PARVAChapter 142
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“Uma said, ‘Forest recluses reside in delightful regions, among thesprings and fountains of rivers, in bowers by the sides of streams andrills, on hills and mountains, in woods and forests, and in sacred spotsfull of fruits and roots. With concentrated attention and observant ofvows and rules, they dwell in such places. I desire, O Sankara, to hearthe sacred ordinances which they follow. These recluses, O god of allgods, are persons that depend, for the protection of their bodies, uponthemselves alone.'[565]
Maheswara said, ‘Do thou hear with concentrated attention what the dutiesare of forest recluses. Having listened to them with one mind, O goddess,do thou set thy heart upon righteousness. Listen then to what the actsare that should be practised by righteous recluses crowned with success,observant of rigid vows and rules, and residing in woods and forests.Performing ablutions thrice a day, worshipping the Pitris and thedeities, pouring libations on the sacred fire, performing thosesacrifices and rites that go by the name of Ishti-homa, picking up thegrains of Nivara-paddy, eating fruit and roots, and using oil that ispressed out from Inguda and castor-seeds are their duties. Having gonethrough the practices of Yoga and become crowned with (ascetic) successand freed from lust and wrath, they should seat themselves in theattitude called Virasana. Indeed, they should reside in those placeswhich are inaccessible to cowards.[566] Observant of the excellentordinances relating to Yoga, sitting in summer in the midst of four fireson four sides with the sun overhead, duly practising what is calledManduka Yoga, and always seated in the attitude called Virasana, andlying on bare rocks or the earth, these men, with hearts set uponrighteousness, must expose themselves to cold and water and fire. Theysubsist upon water or air or moss. They use two pieces of stones only forhusking their corn. Some of them use their teeth only for such a purpose.They do not keep utensils of any kind (for storing anything for the dayto come). Some of them clothe themselves with rags and barks of trees ordeer-skins. Even thus do they pass their lives for the measure of timeallotted to them, according to the ordinances (set forth in thescriptures). Remaining in woods and forests, they wander within woods andforests, live within them, and are always to be found within them.Indeed, these forest recluses entering into woods and forests live withinthem as disciples, obtaining a preceptor, live with him. The performanceof the rites of Homa is their duty, as also the observance of the fivesacrifices. A due observance of the rules about distribution (in respectof time) of the fivefold sacrifices as laid down in the Vedas, devotionto (other) sacrifices, forming the eighth, observance of the Chaturmasya,performance of the Paurnamasya, and other sacrifices, and performance ofthe daily sacrifices, are the duties of these men dissociated from wives,freed from every attachment, and cleansed from every sin. Indeed, theyshould live even thus in the forest. The sacrificial ladle and thewater-vessel are their chief wealth. They are always devoted to the threefires. Righteous in their conduct and adhering to the path of virtue,they attain to the highest end. These Munis, crowned with (ascetic)success and ever devoted to the religion of Truth, attain to the highlysacred region of Brahman or the eternal region of Soma. O auspiciousgoddess, I have thus recited to thee, in brief, the outlines of thereligion that is followed by forest recluses and that has many practicesin detail.’
“Uma said, ‘O holy one, O lord of all creatures, O thou that artworshipped by all beings, I desire to hear what the religion is of thoseMunis that are followers of the scriptures treating of ascetic success.Do thou recite it to me. Residing in woods and forests andwell-accomplished in the scriptures of success, some amongst them liveand act as they like, without being restrained by particular practices;others have wives. How, indeed, have their practices been laid down?’
“Mahadeva said, ‘O goddess, the shaving of the head and the wearing ofthe brown robes are the indications of those recluses that rove about infreedom; while the indications of those that sport with wedded wivesconsist in passing their nights at home. Performing ablutions there timesa day is the duty of the classes, while the Homa, with water and fruitsfrom the wilderness, belongs to the wedded recluses as performed by theRishis in general. Absorption, Yoga-meditation, and adherence to thoseduties that constitute piety and that have been laid down as such (in thescriptures and the Vedas) are some of the other duties prescribed forthem. All those duties also of which I have spoken to thee before asappertaining to recluses residing in forests, are the duties of thesealso. Indeed, if those duties are observed, they that observe them,attain to the rewards that attach to severe penances. Those forestrecluses that lead wedded lives should confine the gratification of theirsenses to these wedded wives of theirs. By indulging in sexual congresswith their wives at only those times when their seasons come, theyconform to the duties that have been laid down for them. The religionwhich these virtuous men are to follow is the religion that has been laiddown and followed by the Rishis. With their eyes set upon the acquisitionof righteousness, they should never pursue any other object of desirefrom a sense of unrestrained caprice. That man who makes the gift untoall creatures of an assurance of perfect harmlessness or innocence, freedas his soul becomes from the stain of malice or harmfulness, becomesendued with righteousness. Verily, that person who shows compassion toall creatures, who adopts as a vow a behaviour of perfect sinceritytowards al creatures, and who constitutes himself the soul of allcreatures, becomes endued with righteousness. A bath in all the Vedas,and a behaviour of sincerity towards all creatures, are looked upon asequal in point of merit; or, perhaps, the latter is a littledistinguished above the other in point of merit. Sincerity, it has beensaid, is Righteousness; while insincerity or crookedness is the reverse.That man who conducts himself with sincerity becomes endued withRighteousness. The man who is always devoted to sincerity of behaviour,succeeds in attaining to a residence among the deities. Hence, he whowishes to achieve the merit of righteousness should become endued withsincerity. Possessed of a forgiving disposition and of self-restraint,and with wrath under complete subjection, one should transform oneselfinto an embodiment of Righteousness and become freed from malice. Such aman, who becomes devoted, besides, to the discharge of all the dutiesReligion, becomes endued with the merit of Righteousness. Freed fromdrowsiness and procrastination, the pious person, who adheres to the pathof Righteousness to the best of his power, and becomes possessed of pureconduct, and who is venerable in years, comes to be regarded as equal toBrahma himself.’
“Uma said. By what course of duties, O god, do those ascetics who areattached to their respective retreats and possessed of wealth ofpenances, succeed in becoming endued with great splendour? By what actsagain, do kings and princes who are possessed of great wealth, and otherswho are destitute of wealth, succeed in obtaining high rewards? By whatacts, O god, do denizens of the forest succeed in attaining to that placewhich is eternal and in adorning their persons with celestialsandal-paste? O illustrious god of three eyes, O destroyer of the triplecity, do thou dispel this doubt of mine connected with the auspicioussubject of the observance of penances by telling everything in detail.’
“The illustrious deity said, ‘Those who observe the vows relating tofasts and restrain their senses, who abstain from injury of any kind toany creature, and who practise truthfulness of speech, attain to successand ascending to Heaven sport in felicity with the Gandharvas as theircompanions, freed from every kind of evil. The righteous souled man wholies down in the attitude which appertains to Manduka-Yoga, and whoproperly and according to the ordinance performs meritorious acts afterhaving taken the Diksha, sports in felicity in the next world in thecompany of the Nagas. That man who lives in the company of deer andsubsists upon such grass and vegetables as fall off from their mouths,and who has undergone the Diksha and attends to the duties attached toit, succeeds in attaining to Amaravati (the mansions of Indra). That manwho subsists upon the moss he gathers and the fallen leaves of trees thathe picks up, and endures all the severities of cold, attains to very highplace. That man who subsists upon either air or water, or fruits androots, attains in after life to the affluence that belongs to the Yakshasand sports in felicity in the company of diverse tribes of Apsaras.Having practised for two and ten years, according to the rites laid downin the ordinances, the vow relating to the endurance of the five fires inthe summer season, one becomes in one’s next life a king. That man who,having observed vows with respect to food, practises penances for two andtwelve years, carefully abstaining from all interdicted food, taken atforbidden hours, during the periods becomes in his next life a ruler ofearth.[567] That man who sits and lies on the bare ground with the copeof the firmament alone for his shelter, observes the course of dutiesthat attach to Diksha, and then casts off his body by abstaining from allfood, attains to great felicity in Heaven. The rewards of one who sitsand lies down upon the bare ground (with the welkin alone for hisshelter) are said to be excellent vehicles and beds, and costly mansionspossessed of the resplendence of the moon, O lady! That man who, havingsubsisted upon abstemious diet and observed diverse excellent vows, livesdepending upon his own self and then casts off his body by abstainingfrom all food, succeeds in ascending to heaven and enjoying all itsfelicity. That man who, having lived in entire dependence upon his ownself, observes for two and ten years the duties that appertain to Diksha,and at last casts off his body on the great ocean, succeeds in attainingto the regions of Varuna after death. That man who, living in entiredependence upon his own self observes the duties that attach to Dikshafor two and ten years, and pierces his own feet with a sharp stone,attains to the felicity of the region that belongs to the Guhyakas. Hewho cultivates self with the aid of self, who frees himself from theinfluence of all pairs of opposites (such as heat and cold, joy andsorrow, etc), who is freed from every kind of attachment, and whomentally observes for two and ten years such a course of conduct afterDiksha, attains to Heaven and enjoys every happiness with the deities ashis companions. He who lives in entire dependence upon his own self andobserves for two and ten years the duties that attach to Diksha andfinally casts off his body on the fire as an oblation to the deities,attains to the regions of Brahman and is held in high respect there. Thatregenerate man, O goddess, who having properly gone through the Dikshakeeps his senses under subjugation, and placing his Self on Self freeshimself from the sense of meum, desirous of achieving righteousness, andsets out, without a covering for his body, after the due observance ofthe duties of Diksha for two and ten years and after having placed hissacred fire on a tree, and walks along the path that belongs to heroesand lies down (when need for lying down comes) in the attitude of heroes,and conducts himself always after the manner of heroes, certainly attainsto the end that is reserved for heroes.[568] Such a man repairs to theeternal region of Sakra where he becomes crowned with the fruition of allhis wishes and where he sports in joy, his person decked with garlands ofcelestial flowers and celestial perfumes. Indeed, that righteous souledperson lives happily in Heaven, with the deities as his companions. Thehero, observant of the practices of heroes and devoted to that Yoga whichbelongs to heroes, living in the practice of Goodness, having renouncedeverything, having undergone the Diksha and subjugated his senses, andobserving purity of both body and mind, is sure to attain to that pathwhich is reserved for heroes. Eternal regions of happiness are his.Riding on a car that moves at the will of the rider, he roves through allthose happy regions as he likes. Indeed, dwelling in the region of Sakra,that blessed person always sports in joy, freed from every calamity.”
ANUSASANA PARVAMahabharata English
‘रांझा-रांझा’ करदी – काफी भक्त बुल्ले शाह जी
रामभक्त श्रीहनुमान – रामायण
गुरु महिमा – कबीर दास जी के दोहे अर्थ सहित
श्रीकृष्णसखा उद्धव – श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता
मंगलवार व्रत, विधि, आरती और व्रतकथा (Mangalwar Vrat)
कौन बड़ा
दगाबाज दोस्त
माँ की पप्पी करने में क्या दोष है? – श्री साईं कथा व लीला
गुणों की महिमा (अध्याय 18 शलोक 1 से 12)
♻ प्रयास करें कि जब हम आये थे उसकी तुलना में पृथ्वी को एक बेहतर स्थान के रूप में छोड़ कर जाएं। सागर में हर एक बूँद मायने रखती है। ♻
राबिया बसरी-परमात्मा की सच्ची भक्त
बकरा और बन्दर
मौत की खुशी
बाबा कल्ला की समाधि
अनजाने में किया कर्म
राय बुलार की श्री गुरु नानक देव जी के प्रति श्रद्धा – साखी श्री गुरु नानक द�
सिकन्दर लोधी को उपदेश – साखी श्री गुरु नानक देव जी
रुहेल खंड गुलाम छुड़वाना – साखी श्री गुरु नानक देव जी
हाथों पर ईंट का जुड़ना – साखी श्री गुरु नानक देव जी
पीर बहावलदीन के साथ चर्चा – साखी श्री गुरु नानक देव जी
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Grammy Award-winner Macy Gray is at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, October 4
Posted on September 30, 2014 September 30, 2014 by Stacy G
Macy Gray fans won’t want to miss her only area performance at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, October 4, at 8 p.m. A Grammy Award winner known for her raspy voice and style influenced by Billie Holiday, Gray has also released seven studio albums and received five Grammy Award nominations. Her international hit single “I Try” is featured on her multi-Platinum debut album On How Life Is. Macy’s new album, The Way, will be released just three days after her Playhouse show. Special guest is Cary NoKey. For tickets ($60 orches., $55 mezzanine/balc.), call the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
Tom Tom’s (417 Main St., Ridgefield) will pour a complimentary glass of wine with dinner the night of the show when ticket is presented. An AllShows.com VIP Party Pass ($25 addt’l per person), which includes a cocktail party from 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. with open bar, hors-d’oeuvre and priority parking, is available for this show by calling the box office (203-438-5795). This event is partially underwritten by AcousticMusic.org and is part of the Doyle Coffin Architecture Singer/Songwriter and Xfinity Rock Series.
As a fresh alternative to mainstream soul, Macy Gray parlayed an utterly unique voice and outlandish sense of style into R&B stardom at the turn of the millennium. This hybrid diva has appeared in a number of films including Training Day, Spider-Man, Scary Move 3 and Lackawanna Blues.
For tickets ($60 orches., $55 mezzanine/balc.), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
This entry was posted in Lifestyle and tagged Billie Holiday, East Ridge Tennessee, Grammy Award, Lackawanna Blues, Macy Gray, Ridgefield Connecticut, Ridgefield Playhouse, Training Day.
Stacy G
It's What I Know. Who I know .Where I want to go.
Greenwich 2014 Wine +Food Festival
Shopping With Benefits
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14-Term Incumbent Rep. Mollohan Loses W.V. Primary To More Conservative Dem
Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) has been defeated for renomination in his Democratic primary by a more conservative opponent after 14 terms in office, the Associated Press projects.
With 84% of precincts reporting, state Sen. Mike Oliverio leads Mollohan by 56%-44%. Turnout was very low, with only about 56,000 votes so far in the precincts that have come in. Oliverio campaigned against Mollohan as being out of touch, and hammered the incumbent over a recently concluded ethics investigation into the congressman’s financial disclosures and earmarks — no charges were filed, and federal authorities closed the case. Mollohan was first elected in 1982, succeeding his father Bob Mollohan, who had in turn held the seat for 14 years before that.
More importantly, Oliverio campaigned from Mollohan’s right — an unusual step for a Democratic primary. Oliverio has attacked Mollohan for not opposing cap-and-trade enough, though Mollohan did vote against the energy bill last year. Oliverio has also criticized the Democratic leadership in Washington, hedging on whether he would vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. “I will vote for the candidate in the best interest of West Virginia,” Oliverio said two weeks ago. “Hopefully, there will be a better candidate than Nancy Pelosi.”
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Israel Teenfolk
Lev Gringauz
Herzl Campers Among Protesters Heading Toward Jerusalem
JERUSALEM – Food, water, and signs in hand, more than 100 Israeli teens living on the Gaza border are marching to Jerusalem to protest their reality: Bombs, missiles, and incendiary balloons from Gaza, along with the 15 seconds they have to run to shelter from it all. They are hoping that the Israeli government, and the rest of the country, will finally pay them the attention they deserve.
“Since I was born, since everyone on this trip was born, we have rockets,” said Netta Epstein, a member of the march and a senior at the Shaar HaNegev high school, where most of the marchers are from. “Last year, we got the [incendiary] kites. And like, this is our life, this is how we live. And it’s really not okay. This has to change right now.”
Israelis living on the border with Gaza have become fed up with a situation they see no end to, with over 7,000 acres of farmland burned since March and a near-constant barrage of rockets coming from the strip for over a decade. Over the past month, some residents tried to send a message to the Israeli government by blocking roads in Tel Aviv, while others protested by blocking one of the Gaza-Israel border crossings.
Residents feel abandoned by the government. “We’re not from the center of Israel, so we’re not important. We’re just like part of a game,” Netta said.
So students decided to take matters into their own hands and organize the 43.5-mile protest march to Jerusalem, at the end of which, on Thursday, they will arrive at the Knesset. This comes a week after other teens living on the border gained over 60 thousand followers for a new Instagram account, otef.gaza, where they are sharing pictures and video of their lives under constant fear, anxiety, and danger.
“In seven months, nothing serious was done to change the situation,” said Meshy Elmkies, a 16-year-old manager of the otef.gaza account. Neither she nor those involved in the march to Jerusalem, say what exactly should be done by the Israeli government to get that change.
But their message is crystal clear.
“I want silence, to live my life in a regular routine – to wake up in the morning and not to smell fire and smoke,” Meshy told me. “To go to school and not think about if something burns my house, or if my family now can’t breathe because of the smoke from the burning tires. To study without hearing booms…and to go to sleep in quiet and peace, and to succeed in sleeping a full night without sirens, booms, and smoke.”
Netta Epstein (left) holds a sign with the slogan of the march: “Let Us Grow In Quiet” (Photo courtesy Netta Epstein)
Meshy and I spoke through WhatsApp, and my heart fell to the floor when I read her messages. For me, this is a conversation. For these kids, it’s their entire life. And many of those marching, like Netta, aren’t just some random students. They’re former Herzl Camp campers. They’re my campers. And for this piece, here I am, asking them to tell me what it feels like to live on the Gaza border.
It feels horrible. And it feels even worse to know that my campers, who have lived through war all their lives, are now desperate enough to march to Jerusalem just to be heard.
I couldn’t separate reporting from emotions. When Netta came back to Israel from Herzl this past summer, where he was a staff-in-training, he went almost directly to the bomb shelters to hide from a days-long rocket attack from Gaza. During the interview about the march, I asked him how that had felt, and when he said “normal,” I did a double take.
It felt normal?!
“Yes, it did feel normal because that’s what all of my childhood is built from,” Netta told me. “I have the bomb shelters, and I have the alarms, and I have all of that.”
I didn’t know what to say. “…honestly, that’s fucked up,” unwittingly came out of my mouth.
Netta laughed. “Yeah. A little bit,” he said quietly. Then his voice picked up over the phone with energy and mission.
“That’s the reason! That’s exactly the reason, because of your reaction, that’s exactly the reason that we’re doing this trip, to show that it’s so fucked up that we have to change it. Immediately. As soon as we can.”
And the march, though happening for terrible reasons, is also a point of pride. “We’re really happy we can do it,” Netta said. “We’re really happy we had that idea. Because we think that the government can listen to us and they can change something. They can really do it.”
The protest march isn’t just an appeal to the Israeli government. Even other Israelis don’t always understand what life is like on the border with Gaza.
When friends living in the center of Israel messaged Netta about the march, “they asked me a lot of questions, why we are doing this,” he said. “They can’t really understand the situation of having 15 seconds to run as fast as you can, run for your life to a bomb shelter. Once, they told me ‘I didn’t hear the alarm, there was an alarm on my phone so I walked to the bomb shelter’ because they have more than one minute [to reach the shelter before a rocket hits].”
“For me, as one who has been with that his whole life, it’s really hard to imagine someone who doesn’t know that, that you have to run as fast as you can to a bomb shelter the first time you hear the alarm. It’s really weird for me, that some people don’t know that feeling.”
Still, Israeli students across the country are standing with the marchers, as many showed up to school on Tuesday wearing black, holding signs, and canvassing social media with the hashtag “black south,” invoking the farmland that has been burned by incendiary kites and balloons from Gaza.
In many ways, this is a bittersweet moment to witness.
“To see my fellow schoolmates marching to Jerusalem because they are so tired of the situation makes me feel both happy and unhappy,” said Ori Peretz, another former Herzl camper who lives on the border.
“In my opinion, no one at that age should feel the necessity to rise up and say enough is enough. On the other hand, it shows that they have leadership qualities, that they are not afraid and that they are the true fighters against terror.”
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Emmy-Award winning film and television actress Regina King made her episodic directing debut in 2013 on TNT’s Southland, the series where she starred as Detective Lydia Adam for five seasons. That same year, Regina helmed a feature-length film for BET entitled Let The Church Say Amen, based on the best-selling Reshonda Tate Billingsley novel. Regina also served as Producer on the film, producing alongside Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Shelby Stone, Roger Bobb and her producing partner Reina King.
In 2014, she directed four episodes of Being Mary Jane, notably becoming the first female director on that series and returned to direct two more episodes the following season.
Regina’s involvement with the ABC/Disney Diversity Director’s program led to her directing an episode of Shonda Rhimes’ hit ABC series Scandal for which she is set to return again as a director this year. She will follow up with directing episodes on two more highly anticipated shows, Shonda Rhimes’ The Catch and OWN networks’ Greenleaf.
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MG 5326xx
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Winner in category: Domestic Construction £100 - £250k
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Our governing body, the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), has just announced that Tony Benger Landscaping is a winner in the category “Domestic Landscaping Construction” between £100 - £250 k.
The project was to create a large garden for an important Arts and Crafts house in a conservation area on a very challenging site with difficult access. The project involved major soil moving, terracing, retention, stone facing, mortared stonewalling, dry stone walling, 2 deep pools, timber work, steps, cobbling, turfing, wild flower area and substantial planting.
The brief was to create an inspiring and unique garden, with focal points, strategic seating areas, a water feature and to maximise the panoramic views. The main client request was to create level lawn areas and to make it easier to move around the garden (the existing garden was virtually all on a steep slope). From a design perspective, it was important for us to square the garden with the house. From a conservation perspective, the main intention was to make the garden more attractive and usable without impacting on the character or appearance of its setting within the Beer conservation area. We looked at the site from various vantage points around the village to ensure that the design would create a soft green and natural appearance to blend and assimilate with its established surroundings. This is not our first award but one that we are immensely proud of as it was an exceptional test of our all-round design and landscaping abilities. There will be articles in BALI publications and the Pro Landscaper regarding the project. The 2018 BALI Awards ceremony will take place at the Grosvenor Hotel, London on 7/12/18.
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On the Cover of REM: Constant Reinvention Keeps Richard Silver on Top
His enviable grasp of technology and social media has made Silver a sought-after speaker on the use of social media in real estate. “I welcome change,” he says. “In fact, the only constant in our real estate business is change.”
By Dennis McCloskey
When Richard Silver walks into the boardroom at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada’s Toronto office, the veteran Realtor exudes confidence, charm and class. The casually but nattily attired agent immediately puts his visitor at ease.
No one would deign to call the former model, dancer and performer a show-off. But Elton John might disagree, because Sir Elton says, “Performers are all show offs; unless you show off, you’re not going to get noticed.”
Richard Silver is getting noticed!
Three years after joining Sotheby’s Canada, with its 400 agents and offices in 30 residential and resort markets, Silver is consistently among the top one per cent of salespeople in Toronto. He was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate for 2013 by San Francisco-based Inman News.
Born in Edmonton, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon by majoring in phys ed and kinesiology. A professional dancer and performer, he moved to Montreal 40 years ago before accepting a job at Toronto’s York University, teaching dance. Soon he returned to performing.
When he was interested in buying his first house he took a real estate course “to learn the process.” He was hooked. He obtained his licence in 1980 and knew he’d made the right decision to enter the business when he earned the same income in the first month as a real estate agent as he did working as a dancer the entire previous year.
I gave up performing and became a patron of the arts,
he says with a smile. In early pre-technology days, he says everything was done by hand, phone, fax or in person. He laughs at the memory of buyers and sellers having to send him a telegram to confirm an Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Thanks to a tech-savvy pre-teen nephew, who is now in his 40s, Silver became an early adaptor of technology when his nephew wrote a rudimentary customer management system that allowed Silver to connect with clients and keep track of his business. Again, he was hooked!
Today, his enviable grasp of technology and social media has made Silver a sought-after speaker on the use of social media in real estate:
I welcome change. In fact, the only constant in our real estate business is change.
Before joining Sotheby’s, Silver worked with other real estate companies, including 15 years with the venerable Toronto firm, Bosley Real Estate, founded in 1928. He says he learned a lot from Tom Bosley, broker of record, and his wife Ann, but several years ago Silver felt the time had come to join an international franchise:
At first, I didn’t think foreign markets would be of interest to me, but I began seeing more and more showings and offerings from Chinese agents,
He knew there are five Chinese areas in the Greater Toronto Area (Gerrard, Spadina, Town of Markham, Scarborough and Mississauga) and took notice of a large influx of Mandarin- speaking people in the city, including Cantonese from Hong Kong. “China’s middle class has a population of 300 million and they have money to spend.”
He soon realized he needed an understanding of foreign markets, so he obtained his Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation.
Silver adheres to the axiom that happiness and success come from growth, not comfort. And since he loves nothing more than a challenge, he chose to reinvent himself and forge a new path, deliberately and with foresight. He formed a team of several specialists, including Jim Burtnick, broker and senior vice president, sales; Tracy An, who is Asian and serves as translator; and Sherille Layton, British by birth and a recent immigrant with full knowledge of the immigration process. Silver says his team concept is to find people who are not like him but who complement m:
Too many people look for mini-MEs.
He concedes there is much to learn when dealing with foreign markets and he recommends a book by Terri Morrison, titled Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, which is a guide to proper international business protocol and includes 60 country profiles.
Silver agrees it can be a cultural and technological shock marketing a property within China. He speaks only rudimentary Mandarin and Cantonese, mostly in the form of greetings and very light conversation. Silver says the most important challenge in dealing with a Chinese buyer or seller is patience:
It is important not to be shocked or insulted by an extremely low offer. Negotiation is uppermost in their mind and if a buyer likes a property, they’ll most likely buy it. Just be patient.
Sotheby’s is considered to be a “rarefied” brand and Silver likes to call it “a marketing company that sells real estate.” He estimates that 30 per cent of his sales are to the Chinese market. He says it is important to make at least one annual trip to China to create and maintain working relationships with people, but it’s a challenge to get through the Great Firewall of China via the Internet:
It takes an innovative approach and commitment to attract Asian buyers because China has no Google, Facebook or Twitter.
Among his “workarounds” (and keeping in mind the 12-hour time difference), his team uses China-based real estate website Juwai, and China’s most popular instant messaging app, WeChat.
At 67, Silver has no plans to retire just yet. While he does not rule out another re-invention at some point in his real estate career, he says:
My intention is to work as long as I can because I love it.
He and his partner of 18 years like to travel the world and spend time in Puerto Vallarta “for its bright, long, sunny days, the Mexican culture and the ocean.”
There is one thing he does not like and he states it unequivocally: “I don’t like Canadian winters!”
Originally published in REM, Issue #324, June 2016.
This entry was posted in Business, Media Mentions, Toronto Real Estate News and tagged richard on May 31, 2016 .
10th Annual Cabbagetown Garden Tour Top Photo Apps for Real Estate Agents Part 2
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As The Olympic Games Open, War Talk in Washington
By Daniel Sneider : Lecturer, International Policy at Stanford University
Daniel Sneider
Lecturer, International Policy at Stanford University
(Photo by Ed Jones/AFP Photo)
As the Winter Olympic Games open in the freezing temperatures of PyeongChang, South Korea, the frozen politics of the Korean peninsula will be on display as well.
South Korean leader Moon Jae-in finds himself playing host to a high-powered North Korean delegation including Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of dictator Kim Jong Un. On the other side will be United States Vice President Mike Pence, standing arm in arm with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
North Korea’s Kim is the tip of a massive delegation, a handful of athletes wrapped in a small army of performers and officials, all designed to carry out a propaganda barrage, targeted mostly at South Koreans but also with a global audience in mind.
Pence has arrived with the stated goal of leading a counter-propaganda campaign, aimed to “make sure that North Korea doesn’t use the powerful symbolism and backdrop of the Winter Olympics to paper over the truth about their regime.” He is accompanied by Fred Warmbier, the grieving father of the American student who was imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months and returned to the U.S. last year in a coma, dying within days of his return.
The President launched this campaign with a long discussion of North Korea’s horrendous human rights record at his State of the Union speech, followed by an Oval Office meeting with North Korean defectors.
Prime Minister Abe, who met with Pence this week on his way to Korea, is joined at the hip in this attempt to undermine Pyongyang’s charm offensive at the Games. Both men share an open skepticism towards Moon’s desire to engage the North and a fear that the South Korean progressive regime is too ready to ease the economic sanctions which they believe are finally putting the regime under real pressure.
President Moon will do his best to keep a smile on his face and preserve the truce that has been secured for at least the duration of the Games. But these tensions are sure to surface in some form.
The task of easing tensions was made more difficult in recent days by the resurgence of war talk from Washington, DC. The anti-North Korean human rights campaign helped to fuel that talk, viewed by some as part of a concerted plan to create the atmosphere for war, akin to the defamation of Iraq and Saddam Hussein that preceded the Iraq war.
The New York Times reported earlier this week that the senior military leadership at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, a retired Marine general, had deliberately resisted requests from the White House for military options, fearing that it will feed the belief that a military option is viable.
The war talk gained important currency in Washington with the report that the Trump administration’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Victor Cha, a prominent academic expert and former Bush national security official, had been dropped suddenly after many months of preparation for appointment.
The White House insists that Cha was dropped for personal reasons, related to conflicts of interest from his wife’s family in Korea. Cha implied a much more dramatic explanation in the form of an opinion article in the Washington Post which carefully but forcefully rejected the idea of carrying out a limited, preventive military strike, what some have called giving them a “bloody nose.”
Cha took aim at the belief that a military strike would have a shock effect and would not trigger an escalatory response. The risks do not justify such hopes, Cha wrote. “If we believe that Kim (Jong-Un) is undeterrable without such a strike, how can we also believe that a strike will deter him from responding in kind? And if Kim is unpredictable, impulsive and bordering on irrational, how can we control the escalation ladder, which is premised on an adversary’s rational understanding of signals and deterrence?” he wrote.
Whether this was the reason for Cha’s appointment being pulled back is not clear. Some in Washington have jumped to assert that Cha’s reversal is evidence of an imminent strike against North Korea. I am not privy to government secrets, but my informed belief is that it is not the case.
Senior American State Department officials continue to express their belief in possibility of a diplomatic solution and to support the South Korean attempt to open a dialogue with the North. They tell South Korean officials that military options are simply part of the pressure campaign. Even Pence, echoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, left the door open to talking with the North Koreans at the Games. The chance of that remains very small but senior officials told the Moon administration they do not oppose their talks with Pyongyang, though not at the expense of weakening sanctions pressure or undermining the security alliance.
In the last week I also had the opportunity to have extensive contacts with senior U.S. military officials, representing our commands in Korea, Japan and the Pacific command in Hawaii, as well as visiting the 7th Fleet headquarters in Yokosuka. On the surface, at least, there is no evidence of a high state of alert, or even heightened readiness.
The nuclear-powered carrier Ronald Reagan, the most powerful warship in the fleet, is sitting at port in Yokosuka, undergoing maintenance repairs. Our senior commanders in Korea exude calm and confidence in the alliance, ready to resume the joint exercises postponed for the duration of the Olympic Games.
There is no indication, as yet, of preparations for so-called NEOs – Non-combatant Evacuation Operations – the evacuation of military dependents, U.S. officials and their dependents, and non-governmental civilians that many believe must precede any military operation in Korea.
Still there are specific options that have been examined for a preventive-style surgical strike that are more realistic than is widely believed. One such scenario, that is part of current planning, goes like this: if the United States sees preparation for a long-range missile test, which involves mounting the missile on a launch pad at one of North Korea’s two main missile launch sites, it will warn the North Koreans not to carry out the launch, arguing it is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
If they refuse to take the missile down, as is likely, the U.S. would destroy the missile in a precision strike with minimum casualties, and then issue a statement to make clear it is a limited strike, designed to enforce UN resolutions, and not aimed at broader regime attack. In this scenario, it is considered possible that the North Koreans will not respond immediately, out of shock and fear of a wider conflict.
Precisely this option was presented and argued for in a joint opinion article on June 22, 2006 in the Washington Post, during the Bush administration, by two prominent Democrat security experts – former Defense Secretary William Perry and then Harvard professor and future Obama Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. It is worth recalling what they said then:
“Should the United States allow a country openly hostile to it and armed with nuclear weapons to perfect an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering nuclear weapons to U.S. soil? We believe not… Therefore, if North Korea persists in its launch preparations, the United States should immediately make clear its intention to strike and destroy the North Korean Taepodong missile before it can be launched. This could be accomplished, for example, by a cruise missile launched from a submarine carrying a high-explosive warhead. “
The two men even argued that even though the South Korean government would surely not support a U.S. ultimatum, the U.S. should carry it out anyway.
The U.S. “should sharply warn North Korea against further escalation.” They believed that even if the North Koreans threaten war, “it is unlikely to act on that threat” for fear of provoking the end of the regime. Diplomacy, Perry and Carter argued then, cannot prevent the North Korean race to delivery capacity. And a successful ICBM launch, would “only embolden North Korea even further.” In short, they said, there was no other choice.
Today Bill Perry believes that the North Korean development of nuclear weapons and missile capability makes this option no longer viable. But it is precisely the option now under active consideration in the Trump administration.
Military planners privately acknowledge, and have told the White House, I am assured, that there is no way to carry out such a strike without carrying a significant risk of North Korean escalatory response. But it is far from clear if those warnings have been considered seriously, or accepted, by the President and his closest advisors.
If such an option remains open, it is not likely until much later in the year. And it would probably not take place without some clear indications of preparations for a wider war, including a NEO and the movement of additional forces into the region. That, however, would remove any element of surprise and trigger open opposition from the Moon administration.
So, for now, the Olympic Truce will likely remain intact. Television viewers from Tokyo to Toronto can sit back and enjoy the athletic spectacles, even the propaganda wars carried out on the ice rinks and the stages, without too much worry. But as the snows melt in Korea, the freeze will be over on many fronts and we will see what emerges from under the icy ground.
On The Brink Of Economic War Between Japan And South Korea, The US Awakens
Is Abe's Nightmare Coming True?
How To Stage A Policy-Free Official Visit, Japanese Style
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NFL Charities awards Children’s a grant to fund concussion research
More On: concussions, Sports & exercise
Millions of football fans watched on Monday night as Bret Favre took a devastating hit that resulted in a concussion, taking the 41 year-old quarterback out of the game, possibly even ending his career. Favre’s concussion is just one of many head injuries suffered in the National Football League this year. Current figures show that the number of concussions sustained so far this season is up more than 20 percent from the total number reported in all of 2009, and more than 30 percent from 2008.
Those are troubling statistics, but the NFL is determined to do something about it. Starting late last year the league set up new rules for checking players on the sidelines during a game to determine whether they have a concussion or can get back on the field, and has been working closely with the player’s union to increase awareness about the dangers and lasting repercussions of head injuries. It’s a good move for protecting the long term health of the athletes, and one that’s likely to be replicated by college and high school sports programs as well.
William Meehan, MD
In addition to raising awareness about the subject, NFL Charities, the charitable foundation of the NFL owners, has awarded Children’s Hospital Boston a grant to support sports-related medical research on concussions, specifically examining how genetics may influence a person’s health after repeated concussions.
William Meehan, MD, director of the Sports Concussion Clinic in the Division of Sports Medicine at Children’s, is excited to receive the grant, which will help his program further research and treat these injuries.
“The NFL grant will help us develop an accurate model of concussive brain injuries in mice,” he says “The model will be used to test the effects of age and genetics on recovery, as well as potential therapies for the treatment of concussive brain injury.”
To learn more about concussions, read this post by Lois Lee, MD, MPH, of Children’s Emergency Department Injury Prevention Program.
Mark Proctor, MD of Children’s Hospital Boston’s Department of Neurosurgery contributed to the wording of a bill that passed this summer, which does more to protect young athletes from returning to games after concussions.
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One thought on “NFL Charities awards Children’s a grant to fund concussion research”
Amanda Kohn says:
To learn more about concussions in teens, visit the Center for Young Women’s Health’s guide: http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/concussions.html
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Moussa Marega's path to the top in football bears little resemblance to the career enjoyed by Thierry Henry, but the FC Porto striker does share something in common with the France legend.
"We are from the same town. We were both born in Les Ulis" in the Paris suburbs, Marega told UEFA.com.
"He was my first idol. He is also a striker, and I always dreamed of being a striker and scoring as many goals as him."
As a late arrival at the elite level, the 28-year-old Malian international centre-forward may never match Henry's statistics.
However, his goals have played a big part in his club's success over the last 18 months and he is set to again lead the Porto attack in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Liverpool at the Estadio do Dragao.
Last week, Marega was a menace to the Liverpool defence at Anfield but could not prevent his side slumping to a 2-0 defeat that means their hopes of progressing to a first semi-final since they won the trophy in 2004 appear slim.
Marega, though, had an excuse.
"Marega spent practically the whole day throwing up," said his coach, Sergio Conceicao.
Porto have won all four home games in the Champions League this season, but memories of Liverpool's last visit remain fresh -- the Premier League side romped to a 5-0 win in northern Portugal in the last 16 first leg a year ago.
Marega did not score then, but he was his side's top marksman with 22 league goals as they won the Portuguese title.
Illustrious company
This season he has 18 in all competitions, including six in eight Champions League matches, among them a precious goal in the 3-1 win at home to Roma in the last round.
Ahead of this week's matches, only Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski -- each with eight -- have scored more.
It is illustrious company to be keeping for a player who did not come through the academy of any leading club. Instead, he worked his way up to the French third division, where he was playing for Amiens.
In 2014, he joined Esperance in Tunisia, but spent six months without playing due to administrative problems before moving to Portugal.
An impressive spell at Maritimo persuaded Porto to sign Marega from under the noses of Sporting Lisbon in 2016, and he has become a key player for Conceicao's side since a successful loan stint at Vitoria Guimaraes.
After soldiering through the game at Anfield, the pacey and powerful forward got his first league goal of 2019 as Porto won 3-0 at Portimonense on Saturday to stay level on points with leaders Benfica at the top of the table.
Marega should now team up with Yacine Brahimi and Francisco Soares in a front three that will try to break down Liverpool's formidable defence.
"The whole team is playing well in the Champions League, but if I had to pick out someone who makes the difference and gives strength and positive energy to the team it would have to be Marega," said his team-mate, the Brazilian full-back Alex Telles.
Marega and Porto are dreaming of chalking up another famous Champions League comeback having already overturned a first-leg deficit against Roma.
"There are still 90 minutes left in the tie and I call on all our supporters to turn out and create the same atmosphere as against Roma," said Conceicao.
"We will of course give everything on the pitch to try to get through."
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NHL Awards: 5 Potential New Ones
By Ryan Szporer March 7th, 2015
It may not be NHL awards season yet, but talk is heating up along with the weather… in theory anyway. Talk of just who may be up for the league’s top NHL awards is entering into the conversation, as playoff races slowly but surely come to an end.
What would perhaps make the conversation even more exciting, though, is the introduction of new awards. It would be far from unprecedented, what with the Mark Messier Leadership and NHL General Manager of the Year awards being recently introduced.
Maybe one (or some variation) of these next five might be next:
A Wayne Gretzky Trophy
Former-New York Rangers forward Wayne Gretzky – (Wikipedia Creative Commons)
The Great One Wayne Gretzky wasn’t so nicknamed because he was just okay. To this day he still holds over 50 official NHL records, making him arguably the most famous hockey player of all time, one who should probably get his own award (hey… if Mark Messier can…).
Among his records: Most career points (2,857) and most points in a season (215 in 1985-86). However, the Art Ross Trophy, which is given to the player leading the league in points at the end of the season, kind of predates Gretzky, literally. It was created in 1948. While he also holds the one for most goals in one season (92 in 1981-82), the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy addresses that individual accomplishment as well.
That really just leaves assists (not “really”… remember? Over 50 records), with Gretzky again leading the pack overall (1,963) and for one season (163 in 1985-86). However, that almost seems like a cop out, with Gretzky being defined by so much more than just his playmaking ability, however otherworldly it may have been.
So, while the Art Ross exists, why not add in the playoffs when handing out this new trophy, to the player with the most total points at the end of postseason (regular season and playoffs)? It would celebrate overall excellence as well as weed out the players on weaker teams. He did, after all, spearhead a pretty important dynasty.
And, yes, in case you haven’t guessed already, Gretzky holds the record for that one as well (255 in 1985-86).
Potential winner in 2014-15: Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues)
An NHL Award for Best Defensive Defenseman
Former-Detroit Red Wings defenseman Marcel Pronovost
It seems kind of dumb to have to create this award, seeing as the James Norris Memorial Trophy already exists. In theory, it should be handed out to the league’s best “defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”
In practice, though? It’s generally given to the player who can best rack up the points without posting a negative plus/minus rating. That’s what happened in 2013-14 anyway (Duncan Keith). In 2013, it arguably went to P.K. Subban, because he had more goals relative to Kris Letang, with the two finishing with the most points (38).
If hockey writers are going to insist on voting for the league’s best offenseman, why not create another award to be handed out to the consensus top choice as the defenseman most capable of playing defense, which sounds incredibly stupid reading it out. Sometimes, though, voters just need a little more direction.
Potential winner in 2014-15: Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings)
An NHL Award for Top Unsung Hero
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov – (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Ironically, singing someone’s praises would kind of negate the intended purpose of this award. And it would no doubt result in nominations for hundreds of candidates, without any noteworthy stats to back up any of them. But that would be part of the fun… the surprise victor from Team X at the end of the season and the inevitable anonymous forum trolling from fans of the 29 other ones, who thought their fourth-line grinder was so much more deserving. Ah, the age of the Internet.
Still, the Montreal Canadiens, for one example, hand out the Jacques-Beauchamp-Molson Trophy every year, which follows much the same criteria (minus the hate from the fans, because the winner will inevitably be a Hab and everyone gets to go home happy, one would hope) and is voted on by the media.
Past winners include Brian Gionta (2014), Brandon Prust (2013), and Josh Gorges (2012), just to give an idea of who would be up for such an award. There are definitely a few kinks that need to be worked out, but kinks are kind of what prevent potential nominees from becoming bona-fide stars, n’est-ce pas?
Potential winner in 2014-15: Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
An NHL Award for Most Improved Team
Every hockey fan worth their grain of salt knows who gets the Presidents’ Trophy, Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, and the Prince of Wales Trophy at the end of the season (maybe following a cursory glance on Wikipedia in regard to those last two). But no one really follows or recognizes the teams that have improved the most season-over-season (based on points, because how else would you measure it).
Generally speaking, those teams don’t end up winning the above-mentioned awards, let alone the Stanley Cup. But they might be well on their way. And, if they’re not (2001-12 Florida Panthers, I’m looking at you), so be it.
Who would it hurt to spread a little love around even if it’s of the fleeting variety? Some industries are actually built on that sort of thing.
Potential winner in 2014-15: The 2014-15 Florida Panthers
More realistic winners: New York islanders or Nashville Predators
An NHL Award for Trade of the Year
Former-Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson – (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)
The league already hands out the NHL General Manager of the Year Award, but sometimes a trade benefits both teams and is so good it’s worth commemorating as a potential yardstick for future deals. Granted, the goal of any competent general manager is to fleece the other guy, but honoring those types of deals would only serve to rub someone’s face in it. And this is hockey goddammit!
Potential winner in 2014-15: David Clarkson for Nathan Horton (Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs)
Or, operating under the premise that the league wouldn’t want to celebrate bad free-agent signings:
Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux, and a first-round pick for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, and Jason Kasdorf (Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres).
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Man unknowingly liveblogs bin Laden operation
Tags: blogs, News, Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan, Twitter
AP –By DIAA HADID, Associated Press – 1 hr 57 mins ago
CAIRO – A computer programmer, startled by a helicopter clattering above his quiet Pakistani town in the early hours of the morning Monday, did what any social-media addict would do: he began sending messages to the social networking site Twitter.
With his tweets, 33-year-old Sohaib Athar, who moved to the sleepy town of Abbottabad to escape the big city, became in his own words "the guy who liveblogged the Osama raid without knowing it."
Soon the sole helicopter multiplied into several and gunfire and explosions rocked the air above the town, and Athar's tweets quickly garnered tens of thousands of followers as he apparently became the first in the world to describe the U.S. operation to kill one of the world's most wanted militants.
Athar did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment — he explained in another tweet that a filter he set up to stop his email box from flooding could be culling out requests for interviews. He was up to more 70,000 followers by Monday evening.
"I apologize for reporting the operation 'unwittingly/unknowingly' — had I known about it, I would have tweeted about it 'wittingly' I swear," he tweeted after realizing what he had witnessed.
Later, he gave an interview to Al-Jazeera's English-language news network via Skype as he sat in a cafe. When asked if he was scared, he said that he's from Lahore, "so I've had my share of bomb blasts."
His first tweet Monday was innocuous: "Helicopter hovering above Abbottabad at 1AM (is a rare event)."
The noise alarmed Athar, who had moved to the upscale area of Abbottabad to get away from city life after his wife and child were badly injured in a car accident in the sprawling city of Lahore, according to his blog in July.
Nestled in the mountains around 60 miles (95 kilometers) northeast of the capital, Abbottabad is a quiet, leafy town featuring a military academy, the barracks for three army regiments and even its own golf course.
As the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden unfolded, Athar "liveblogged" what he was hearing in real time, describing windows rattling as bombs exploded.
He questioned whose helicopters might be flying overhead. "The few people online at this time of the night are saying one of the copters was not Pakistani," he tweeted.
Athar then said one of the aircraft appeared to have been shot down. Two more helicopters rushed in, he reported.
Throughout the battle, he related the rumors swirling through town: it was a training accident. Somebody was killed. The aircraft might be a drone. The army was conducting door-to-door searches in the surrounding area. The sound of an airplane could be heard overhead.
Soon, however, the rumbling of international events far beyond the confines of this quiet upscale suburb began to dawn on Athar, and he realized what he might be witnessing.
"I think the helicopter crash in Abbottabad, Pakistan and the President Obama breaking news address are connected," he tweeted.
Eight hours and about 35 tweets later, the confirmation came: "Osama Bin Laden killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan," Athar reported. "There goes the neighborhood."
Associated Press writer Eric Carvin contributed to this report from New York.
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Your password needs to be at least 6 characters. (ex: HeN@G%mxY9DL)
Your password needs to be at least 6 characters. (ex: WlFMrzoAI+fc)
20 Songs to Add to Your Playlist If Sad Music Helps You Cope With Depression
“When all hope is gone, sad songs say so much.”
So sang Elton John, and perhaps you can also relate. While many find it helpful to indulge in catchy, upbeat music when in the depths of depression, the same can’t be said for everybody. For some, nothing helps alleviate the fog better than finding companionship in the music of those who have been there before.
If you find solace in sad music when you’re struggling with depression, then read on. We asked our mental health community which sad songs they listen to when they’re depressed, and why those songs help them. Give them a listen below, and be sure to pay attention to how the music affects you. While sad music can help some, be conscious of any negative effects it has on your emotional state.
1. “Fix You” by Coldplay
”I can listen to it on repeat for hours. It is sad, but I also find it invigorating and it gives me hope.” — Samantha L.
2. “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman
“It’s empowering to me because it validates that yes, I feel broken and at the same it’s OK to accept me for who I am. I am brave and I am bruised — two opposites at the same time, like dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) has taught me.” — Amie F.
3. “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd
“The first time I can remember being depressed was when I was about 13. My mom was a Pink Floyd fan, and she has some of their cassette tapes. I would listen to them all night to help me sleep.” — Callie D.
4. “The Sound of Silence” by Disturbed
“I just connect with music and so much of the music I loved growing up is so relatable. It makes me feel like I’m not alone. It’s like pushing the reset button.” Sara P.
5. “I Am A Rock” by Simon & Garfunkel
“This is my absolute favorite. It’s a sad song but it helps to describe the feeling of loneliness and hopelessness in a beautifully positive way.” — Antasia H.
6. “Temporary Home” by Carrie Underwood
“I listen to sad songs to evoke emotion because otherwise I sometimes have a hard time getting myself to cry, and I know it is cathartic for me. My go-to songs are usually sad because I relate to them personally. Another of my favorites is ‘Tied Together with a Smile’ by Taylor Swift.” — Jenna M.
7. “I Went Down to Georgia” by Lost Dog Street Band
“They help me have a cry and just get all the stress and emotion out. There’s a lot of depth to the lyrics too, I find I can relate. Sometimes it’s good to embrace your sadness, feel it and allow it to move on.” — Eithne R.
8. “Give Me Novacaine” by Green Day
“It’s a song that reminds me that thing are just temporarily overwhelming and I’m not gonna feel like this forever. It’s also a song I can cry to since I’m not comfortable crying in front of other people.” — Rachel M.
9. “Lucky” by Radiohead
“That song pulled me away from the brink once, particularly the lyrics, ‘It’s gonna be a glorious day, I feel my luck could change.’ It helped me to see that tomorrow was another day and I could see it if I just held on a bit longer.” — Jade F.
10. “America” by Simon & Garfunkel
“The line as he’s traveling through the country when he turns to his sleeping friend and says, ‘I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why,’ is always so relevant to me. Because even with a mental illness, you don’t truly know why you are empty and aching all the time- medicated or not, deep within, you always just are. It’s a loneliness only those of us who are burdened with it know, and I think the overtones of that song and that line describe it perfectly. That song is very comforting to me, just feeling like I am not the only one who feels that way- that another human being truly gets what that feeling is like and how painful it is. That song has been a comfort to me since I was 19 years old, and still is, 21 years later.” — Jen S.
11. “I Don’t Care” by Apocalyptica feat. Adam Gontier
“The lyrics and instruments just really hit deep. It’s been my song since I was in middle school. It helps me pour all my emotions out. I tend to listen to heavier music, especially when I’m vulnerable and over-emotional. Sometimes having lyrics to scream is better than lyrics you sing.” — Dawn M.
12. “Floodplain” by Sara Groves
“’Some hearts are built on the floodplain / Keeping an eye on the sky for rain … And it’s easy to sigh on a high bluff / Will you have the sense to come on up / Or will you stay closer?’
She found such a perfect metaphor for life with depression. The music is calming and helps to bring me back to a better place.” — Carrie K.
13. “Lullaby” by Nickleback
“’Well everybody’s hit the bottom / And everybody’s been forgotten / Well everybody’s tired of being alone / Yeah everybody’s been abandoned / And left a little empty handed.’
I listen to this song because it reminds me I’m not alone.” — Alexis D.
14. “Drifting” by 4 Non Blondes.
“It just has a beautiful chord progression that evokes a lot of emotion and lyrics that really feel true and honest to what depression is.” — Laura G.
15. “Always” by Killswitch Engage
“It’s actually a song about depression as are many of their albums due to the singer’s experience. Many of the band’s songs helped me chase off the black dog, as well as cope with the black dog at its worst.” — Jason R.
16. “No Surprises” by Radiohead
“I cried my eyes out when they played this song live two years ago. It’s a great reminder of what I am still capable of doing.” — Andrea V.
17. “Hit the Switch” by Bright Eyes
“It makes me feel like I’m not a ‘freak’ for completely disassociating from the people I care about. I need to know that other people feel similar lows and sometimes react in the ways I do.” — Jane C.
18. “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men
“This song always calms me down, even if it is sad. I just always think of the conversations that are sung in song. Whenever I feel like the girl in the story, what the guy says just brings me to tears. Maybe the house is telling me to sleep, and maybe I do miss the little talks with the person in my head.” — Rita L.
19. “Smile Like You Mean It” by The Killers
“It’s such a melancholy song but makes me feel happy and sad at the same time. It reminds me to fake happy because more often than not, when I’m faking being happy, I end up becoming happy.” — Chelsea G.
20. “Truce” by Twenty One Pilots
“It’s not a very well-known song, so often when people ask what I listen to when I’m upset, they don’t judge. It really makes me feel like Tyler, the lead singer, is talking to me, listening.” — Shayna K.
Do you have a song you would want to add? Let us know in the comments below.
If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.
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INTERIOR DESIGNER,
“My goal as a designer is to give my clients and fans an understanding of the full spectrum of design.”
As a young boy living in Southfield, Michigan, Mikel Welch busied himself with the construction of sofas and dining tables for imaginary houses. It was evident to his family that creativity and a passion for design were embedded in Mikel from birth.
Today Mikel runs his interior design business Mikel Welch Designs in New York City and works as an on-air personality and design expert for Pickler & Ben on CMT Network, Executive Produced by Faith Hill. Here, Mikel showcases his talents to the show’s 1.5 million viewers, teaching them how to create luxury inspired spaces on a conservative budget. Prior to working alongside the Country music legend, Mikel worked for comedian and television host Steve Harvey. Mikel served as the design expert for Steve Harvey, recipient of the 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Emmy for best informative talk show. Here, Mikel showed the show’s 2.2 million viewers tips and tricks for renovating unfinished basements, designing sophisticated masculine spaces and creating luxury looks at affordable prices. Mikel joined Steve Harvey as a set designer in 2012. In this role, he created lavish greenrooms for prominent personalities, including First Lady Michelle Obama, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers and Halle Berry.
The public first became familiar with Mikel’s relaxed, fun and enthusiastic personality – when he appeared on HGTV Design Star’s Season 7 in 2012 and finished as a top-four contender. But this wasn’t his first brush with reality television. Mikel worked behind the cameras as a set designer for the Style Network’s hit reality show Jerseylicous in 2011.
Mikel started to formally learn the ropes of the interior design business after graduation from Atlanta’s Morehouse College. At just 27 years of age, Welch opened Dwell Interior Design Solutions in Atlanta which he maintained until he made the decision to relocate to New York City. In Manhattan, Mikel worked for interior design firm Jillian Browder Designs, among others.
In 2016, Mikel was chosen to be one of 20 designers participating in the Traditional Home Magazine “Hampton Designer Showhouse” – one of the country’s top showhouses. As part of this event, he reimagined the center bedroom suite of this luxury coastal home. Welch has appeared as a design expert on CBS-TV’s The Talk, Bravo-TV’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, NBC-TV’s Openhouse NYC, Lifetime Network’s The Way Home, E! Network’s The Fabulist, ABC News, NBC News, Fox News, WGN News and has made special guest appearances on behalf of Inspired Closets, CB2, Ethan Allen, West Elm and Pottery Barn. His designs have been featured in Elle Décor, Conde Nast Traveler, Play Boy Magazine, Family Circle Magazine, The Huffington Post, New York Post, HGTV Magazine, Luxe Magazine and Ebony Magazine. Mikel has recently been profiled in People Magazine, The New York Times and Traditional Home Magazine.
After years of experience as a tastemaker in the television industry, Mikel has been selected as a new designer in the upcoming season of TLC’s hit series, “Trading Spaces.” In this role, Mikel will join such esteemed names as Brett Tutor, Carter Oosterhouse, Doug Wilson, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo Tomas, Joanie Sprague, John Gidding, Kahi Lee, Laurie Smith, Sabrina Soto, Ty Pennington and Vern Yip. “Trading Spaces” is set to air in 2019.
DOWNLOAD MIKEL'S BIO
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With the unification of China under the Qin Emperor in the 3rd Century BCE., this great nation rose to become a center of artistic and technological knowledge for over three thousand years.
Thirteen Emperors Scroll by Yen Li-pen (7th Century)
The Ancient Chinese Civilization
The Head of the kneeling Archer from the Tomb of the Qin Emperor, 3rd Century BCE
The History Of China, as documented in ancient writings, dates back some 3,300 years. Modern archaeological studies provide evidence of still more ancient origins in a culture that flourished between 2500 and 2000 B.C. in what is now central China and the lower Huang He ( or Yellow River) Valley of north China. Centuries of migration, amalgamation, and development brought about a distinctive system of writing, philosophy, art, and political organization that came to be recognizable as Chinese civilization. What makes the civilization unique in world history is its continuity through over 4,000 years to the present century. Recently, the Chinese have begun to rediscover their past, beginning with the excavation of the Tomb of the first Emperor to unify China and the discovery of his Terracotta army.
Chinese Historical Accounts
the Forbidden City, the home of the Chinese emperors until the last dynasty was overthrown in the 20th century
Chinese history, until the twentieth century, was written mostly by members of the ruling scholar-official class and was meant to provide the ruler with precedents to guide or justify his policies. These accounts focused on dynastic politics and colorful court histories and included developments among the commoners only as backdrops. The historians described a Chinese political pattern of dynasties, one following another in a cycle of ascent, achievement, decay, and rebirth under a new family.
Of the consistent traits identified by independent historians, a salient one has been the capacity of the Chinese to absorb the people of surrounding areas into their own civilization. Their success can be attributed to the superiority of their ideographic written language, their technology, and their political institutions; the refinement of their artistic and intellectual creativity; and the sheer weight of their numbers. The process of assimilation continued over the centuries through conquest and colonization until what is now known as China Proper was brought under unified rule. The Chinese also left an enduring mark on people beyond their borders, especially the Koreans, Japanese, and Vietnamese.
Sun-Tzu, the realist writer of the the influential “Art of War”
Chinese civilization, as described in mythology, begins with Pangu , the creator of the universe, and a succession of legendary sage-emperors and culture heroes (among them are Huang Di , Yao, and Shun) who taught the ancient Chinese to communicate and to find sustenance, clothing, and shelter.
The first prehistoric dynasty is said to be Xia , from about the twenty-first to the sixteenth century B.C. Until scientific excavations were made at early bronze-age sites at Anyang , Henan Province, in 1928, it was difficult to separate myth from reality in regard to the Xia. But since then, and especially in the 1960s and 1970s, archaeologists have uncovered urban sites, bronze implements, and tombs that point to the existence of Xia civilization in the same locations cited in ancient Chinese historical texts. At minimum, the Xia period marked an evolutionary stage between the late neolithic cultures and the typical Chinese urban civilization of the Shang dynasty.
Thousands of archaeological finds in the Huang He, Henan Valley –the apparent cradle of Chinese civilization–provide evidence about the Shang () dynasty, which endured roughly from 1700 to 1027 B.C. The Shang dynasty (also called the Yin) dynasty in its later stages is believed to have been founded by a rebel leader who overthrew the last Xia ruler. Its civilization was based on agriculture, augmented by hunting and animal husbandry. Two important events of the period were the development of a writing system, as revealed in archaic Chinese inscriptions found on tortoise shells and flat cattle bones (commonly called oracle bones or ), and the use of bronze metallurgy. A number of ceremonial bronze vessels with inscriptions date from the Shang period; the workmanship on the bronzes attests to a high level of civilization.
A line of hereditary Shang kings ruled over much of northern China, and Shang troops fought frequent wars with neighboring settlements and nomadic herdsmen from the inner Asian steppes. The capitals, one of which was at the site of the modern city of Anyang, were centers of glittering court life. Court rituals to propitiate spirits and to honor sacred ancestors were highly developed. In addition to his secular position, the king was the head of the ancestor- and spirit-worship cult. Evidence from the royal tombs indicates that royal personages were buried with articles of value, presumably for use in the afterlife. Perhaps for the same reason, hundreds of commoners, who may have been slaves, were buried alive with the royal corpse.
The Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang
The army of Terracotta warriors as found in situ at the Tomb of the last Qin Emperor
The discovery of the Terracotta army buried near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first unifier of China, is regarded as one of the most spectacular archaeological finds of the 20th century.
Created 2,200 years ago as an imperial guard to serve the emperor in his afterlife, these thousands of life-size warrior and horse figures equipped with chariots and bronze weapons, bear witness to the military might of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.), and give the world a rare peek into the distant past.
Discovered in 1974 and opened to the public in 1979, this ancient site is now one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world. The Underground Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang The discovery of the Terracotta army buried near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first unifier of China, is regarded as one of the most spectacular archaeological finds of the 20th century. Created 2,200 years ago as an imperial guard to serve the emperor in his afterlife, these thousands of life-size warrior and horse figures equipped with chariots and bronze weapons, bear witness to the military might of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.), and give the world a rare peek into the distant past. Discovered in 1974 and opened to the public in 1979, this ancient site is now one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world. The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the Excavation of the Terracotta Warrior and Horse Figure Pits.
The realism and individualism depicted was unique to each figure, as no two were alike
The mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty, is located in imposing surroundings five kilometers to the east of Lintong County in ShanXi Province, with Lishan Mountain to its south and the Wei River to its north. It is surrounded by orchards of fragrant apricot trees. The underground palace, built more than 2,000 years ago, has not yet been excavated. But judging from the results of test drilling and excavations, the mausoleum and the accompanying burial grounds occupy an area of 56 square kilometers. The mausoleum with its outer and inner walls surrounding the tomb mound was built with an eastward orientation, and covers and area of two square kilometers. The tomb mound itself, shaped like and inverted bowl, towers 76 meters over the southern section of the inner wall. It is said that the tomb was originally surrounded by huge stone animals, but to date these have not been found. In the neighborhood of Xiyang Village, I. 5 kilometers east of the mausoleum are the pits containing the Terracotta warrior and horse figures. So far four such pits have been discovered. Pit No. 1 contains mainly infantrymen along with a number of charioteers. Pit No. 2 contains cavalrymen and armored kneeling archers. In Pit No. 3, the presence of commanding officers, their aides and bodyguards suggests that this was presumably the command headquarters. No warrior or horse figures were found in Pit No. 4. perhaps a rebellious peasant army approaching Xianyang, the Qin capital, forced the construction of the mausoleum to a halt.
The Zhou Period
The Great Wall of China, perhaps the most monumental achievement of the Ancient world
The last Shang ruler, a despot according to standard Chinese accounts, was overthrown by a chieftain of a frontier tribe called Zhou, which had settled in the Wei Valley in modern Shaanxi Province.
The Zhou dynasty had its capital at Hao, near the city of Xi’an, or Chang’an, as it was known in its heyday in the imperial period. Sharing the language and culture of the Shang, the early Zhou rulers, through conquest and colonization, gradually sinicized, that is, extended Shang culture through much of China Proper north of the Chang Jiang ( or Yangtze River). The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other, from 1027 to 221 B.C. It was philosophers of this period who first enunciated the doctrine of the “mandate of heaven” (tianming or ), the notion that the ruler (the “son of heaven” or ) governed by divine right but that his dethronement would prove that he had lost the mandate. The doctrine explained and justified the demise of the two earlier dynasties and at the same time supported the legitimacy of present and future rulers.
The term feudal has often been applied to the Zhou period because the Zhou’s early decentralized rule invites comparison with medieval rule in Europe. At most, however, the early Zhou system was proto-feudal (), being a more sophisticated version of earlier tribal organization, in which effective control depended more on familial ties than on feudal legal bonds. Whatever feudal elements there may have been decreased as time went on. The Zhou amalgam of city-states became progressively centralized and established increasingly impersonal political and economic institutions. These developments, which probably occurred in the latter Zhou period, were manifested in greater central control over local governments and a more routinized agricultural taxation.
In 771 B.C. the Zhou court was sacked, and its king was killed by invading barbarians who were allied with rebel lords. The capital was moved eastward to Luoyang in present-day Henan Province. Because of this shift, historians divide the Zhou era into Western Zhou (1027-771 B.C.) and Eastern Zhou (770-221 B.C.). With the royal line broken, the power of the Zhou court gradually diminished; the fragmentation of the kingdom accelerated. Eastern Zhou divides into two sub periods. The first, from 770 to 476 B.C., is called the Spring and Autumn Period, after a famous historical chronicle of the time; the second is known as the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.).
The Birth of Empire
A Qin Archer from the tomb of the first emperor
Much of what came to constitute China Proper was unified for the first time in 221 B.C. In that year the western frontier state of Qin, the most aggressive of the Warring States, subjugated the last of its rival states.
(Qin in Wade-Giles romanization is Ch’in, from which the English China probably derived.) Once the king of Qin consolidated his power, he took the title Shi Huangdi ( First Emperor), a formulation previously reserved for deities and the mythological sage-emperors, and imposed Qin’s centralized, nonhereditary bureaucratic system on his new empire. In subjugating the six other major states of Eastern Zhou, the Qin kings had relied heavily on Legalist scholar-advisers. Centralization, achieved by ruthless methods, was focused on standardizing legal codes and bureaucratic procedures, the forms of writing and coinage, and the pattern of thought and scholarship. To silence criticism of imperial rule, the kings banished or put to death many dissenting Confucian scholars and confiscated and burned their books (). Qin aggrandizement was aided by frequent military expeditions pushing forward the frontiers in the north and south.
To fend off barbarian intrusion, the fortification walls built by the various warring states were connected to make a 5,000-kilometer-long great wall. What is commonly referred to as the Great Wall is actually four great walls rebuilt or extended during the Western Han, Sui, Jin, and Ming periods, rather than a single, continuous wall. At its extremities, the Great Wall reaches from northeastern Heilongjiang Province to northwestern Gansu. A number of public works projects were also undertaken to consolidate and strengthen imperial rule. These activities required enormous levies of manpower and resources, not to mention repressive measures. Revolts broke out as soon as the first Qin emperor died in 210 B.C. His dynasty was extinguished less than twenty years after its triumph. The imperial system initiated during the Qin dynasty, however, set a pattern that was developed over the next two millennia.
One of the guard Towers that extends high above the wall at intervals
After a short civil war, a new dynasty, called Han (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), emerged with its capital at Chang’an. The new empire retained much of the Qin administrative structure but retreated a bit from centralized rule by establishing vassal principalities in some areas for the sake of political convenience. The Han rulers modified some of the harsher aspects of the previous dynasty; Confucian ideals of government, out of favor during the Qin period, were adopted as the creed of the Han empire, and Confucian scholars gained prominent status as the core of the civil service. A civil service examination system also was initiated. Intellectual, literary, and artistic endeavors revived and flourished. The Han period produced China’s most famous historian, Sima Qian ( 145-87 B.C.?), whose Shiji ( Historical Records) provides a detailed chronicle from the time of a legendary Xia emperor to that of the Han emperor Wu Di ( 141-87 B.C.). Technological advances also marked this period. Two of the great Chinese inventions, paper and porcelain, date from Han times.
The Han dynasty, after which the members of the ethnic majority in China, the “people of Han,” are named, was notable also for its military prowess. The empire expanded westward as far as the rim of the Tarim Basin (in modern Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region), making possible relatively secure caravan traffic across Central Asia to Antioch, Baghdad, and Alexandria. The paths of caravan traffic are often called the “silk route” because the route was used to export Chinese silk to the Roman Empire. Chinese armies also invaded and annexed parts of northern Vietnam and northern Korea toward the end of the second century B.C. Han control of peripheral regions was generally insecure, however. To ensure peace with non-Chinese local powers, the Han court developed a mutually beneficial “tributary system”. Non-Chinese states were allowed to remain autonomous in exchange for symbolic acceptance of Han over-lordship. Tributary ties were confirmed and strengthened through intermarriages at the ruling level and periodic exchanges of gifts and goods.
After 200 years, Han rule was interrupted briefly (in A.D. 9-24 by Wang Mang or , a reformer), and then restored for another 200 years. The Han rulers, however, were unable to adjust to what centralization had wrought: a growing population, increasing wealth and resultant financial difficulties and rivalries, and ever-more complex political institutions. Riddled with the corruption characteristic of the dynastic cycle, by A.D. 220 the Han empire collapsed.
The collapse of the Han dynasty was followed by nearly four centuries of rule by warlords. The age of civil wars and disunity began with the era of the Three Kingdoms (Wei, Shu, and Wu, which had overlapping reigns during the period A.D. 220-80). In later times, fiction and drama greatly romanticized the reputed chivalry of this period. Unity was restored briefly in the early years of the Jin dynasty (A.D. 265-420), but the Jin could not long contain the invasions of the nomadic peoples. In A.D. 317 the Jin court was forced to flee from Luoyang and reestablished itself at Nanjing to the south. The transfer of the capital coincided with China’s political fragmentation into a succession of dynasties that was to last from A.D. 304 to 589. During this period the process of sinicization accelerated among the non-Chinese arrivals in the north and among the aboriginal tribesmen in the south. This process was also accompanied by the increasing popularity of Buddhism (introduced into China in the first century A.D.) in both north and south China. Despite the political disunity of the times, there were notable technological advances. The invention of gunpowder (at that time for use only in fireworks) and the wheelbarrow is believed to date from the sixth or seventh century. Advances in medicine, astronomy, and cartography are also noted by historians.
Religion, Thought and Mythology
Lao-Tzu, the “Old Sage” and historic father of Taoism
The writing of mythological tales began in the Wei and Jin Dynasties (220-420), when various writers, influenced by the alchemist’s ideas and Taoist and Buddhist superstitions, were interested in inventing stories about gods and ghosts. Some of them show their unusual imagination and mastery of the written language. This practice was continued in the next period, the period of Southern and Northern Dynasties.
In the middle of the Tang Dynasty many well-known writers and poets began story writing. Their stories incorporate a wide range of subject matter and themes, reflecting various aspects of human nature, human relations and social life. In form they are not short notes or anecdotes like the tales produced before them, but well-structured stories with interesting plots and vivid characters, often several thousand words in length. Among them are many tales whose main characters are gods, ghosts, or foxes.
The Chinese Gods
The Supreme Ruler of Heaven, the Jade Emperor
YU-HUANG-SHANG-TI: Father Heaven – The August Supreme Emperor of Jade, whose court is in the highest level of heaven, originally a sky god. The Jade Emperor made men, fashioning them from clay. His heavenly court resembles the earthly court in all ways, having an army, a bureaucracy, a royal family and parasitical courtiers. The Jade Emperor’s rule is orderly and without caprice. The seasons come and go as they should, yin is balanced with yang, good is rewarded and evil is punished. As time went on, the Jade Emperor became more and more remote to men, and it became customary to approach him through his doorkeeper, the Transcendental Dignitary. The Jade Emperor sees and hears everything; even the softest whisper is as loud as thunder to the Jade Emperor.
CH’ENG-HUANG: God of moats and walls. Every village and town had its own Ch’eng-Huang, most often a local dignitary or important person who had died and been promoted to godhood. His divine status was revealed in dreams, though the gods made the actual decision. Ch’eng-Huang not only protects the community from attack but sees to it that the King of the Dead does not take any soul from his jurisdiction without proper authority. Ch’eng-Huang also exposes evil-doers in the community itself, usually through dreams. His assistants are Mr. Ba Lao-ye and Mr. Hei Lao-ye — Mr. Daywatchman and Mr. Nightwatchman.
CHU JUNG: God of fire. Chu Jung punishes those who break the laws of heaven.
KUAN TI: God of war. The Great Judge who protects the people from injustice and evil spirits. A red-faced god dressed always in green. An oracle. Kuan Ti was an actual historical figure, a general of the Han dynasty renowned for his skill as a warrior and his justness as a ruler. There were more than 1600 temples dedicated to Kuan Ti.
KWAN YIN: Goddess of mercy and compassion. A lady dressed in white seated on a lotus and holding an infant. Murdered by her father, she recited the holy books when she arrived in Hell, and the ruler of the underworld could not make the dead souls suffer. The disgruntled god sent her back to the world of the living, where Kwan Yin attained great spiritual insight and was rewarded with immortality by the Buddha. A popular goddess, Kwan Yin’s temple at the Mount of the Wondrous Peak was ever filled with a throng of pilgrims shaking rattles and setting off firecrackers to get her attention.
LEI KUNG: God of thunder. Lei Kung has the head of a bird, wings, claws and blue skin, and his chariot is drawn by six boys. Lei Kung makes thunder with his hammer, and his wife makes lightning with her mirrors. Lei Kung chases away evil spirits and punishes criminals whose crimes have gone undetected.
P’AN-CHIN-LIEN: Goddess of prostitutes. As a mortal, she was a widow who was much too liberal and inventive with her favors, and her father-in-law killed her. In death her more professional associates honored her and eventually became the goddess of whores.
THE SHI-TIEN YEN-WANG: The Lords of Death, the ten rulers of the underworld. They dress alike in royal robes and only the wisest can tell them apart. Each ruler presides over one court of law. In the first court a soul is judged according to his sins in life and sentenced to one of the eight courts of punishment. Punishment is fitted to the offense. Misers are made to drink molten gold, liars’ tongues are cut out. In the second court are incompetent doctors and dishonest agents; in the third, forgers, liars, gossips, and corrupt government officials; in the fifth, murderers, sex offenders and atheists; in the sixth, the sacrilegious and blasphemers; in the eighth, those guilty of filial disrespect; in the ninth, arsonists and accident victims. In the tenth is the Wheel of Transmigration where souls are released to be reincarnated again after their punishment is completed. Before souls are released, they are given a brew of oblivion, which makes them forget their former lives.
TI-TSANG WANG: God of mercy. Wandering in the caverns of Hell, a lost soul might encounter a smiling monk whose path is illuminated by a shining pearl and whose staff is decorated with metal rings that chime like bells. This is Ti-Tsang Wang, who will do all he can to help the soul escape hell and even to put an end to his eternal round of death and rebirth. Long ago, Ti-Tsang Wang renounced Nirvana so that he could search the dark regions of Hell for souls to save from the kings of the ten hells. Once a priest of Brahma, he converted to Buddhism and himself became a Buddha with special authority over the souls of the dead.
T’SHAI-SHEN: God of wealth who presides over a vast bureaucracy with many minor deities under his authority. A majestic figure robed in exquisite silks. T’shai-Shen is quite a popular god; even atheists worship him.
TSAO WANG: God of the hearth. Every household has its own Tsao Wang. Every year the hearth god reports on the family to the Jade Emperor, and the family has good or bad luck during the coming year according to his report. The hearth god’s wife records every word spoken by every member of the family. A paper image represents the hearth god and his wife, and incense is burned to them daily. When the time came to make his report to the Jade Emperor, sweetmeats were placed in his mouth, the paper was burned, and firecrackers were lit to speed him on his way.
TU-TI: Local gods. Minor gods of towns, villages and even streets and households. Though far from the most important gods in the divine scheme, they were quite popular. Usually portrayed as kindly, respectable old men, they see to it that the domains under their protection run smoothly.
The Eight Immortals as depicted in Art
YENG-WANG-YEH: Lord Yama King – Greatest of the Lords of Death. Yeng-Wang-Yeh judges all souls newly arrived to the land of the dead and decides whether to send them to a special court for punishment or put them back on the Wheel of Transmigration.
THE PA HSIEN: The Eight Immortals of the Taoist tradition. Ordinary mortals who, through good works and good lives, were rewarded by the Queen Mother Wang by giving them the peaches of everlasting life to eat. They are:
TIEH-KUAI Li – of the Iron Crutch. A healer, Li sits as a beggar in the market place selling wondrous drugs, some of which can revive the dead.
CHUNG-LI CH’UAN – A smiling old men always beaming with joy, he was rewarded with immortality for his ascetic life in the mountains.
LAN TS’AI-HO – A young flute-player and wandering minstrel who carries a basket laden with fruit. His soul-searching songs caused a stork to snatch him away to the heavens.
LU TUNG-PIN – A hero of early Chinese literature. Renouncing riches and the world, he punished the wicked and rewarded the good, and slew dragons with a magic sword.
CHANG-KUO LAO – An aged hermit with miraculous abilities. Chang owned a donkey that could travel at incredible speed. The personification of the primordial vapor that is the source of all life.
HAN HSIANG-TZU – A scholar who chose to study magic rather than prepare for the civil service. When his uncle chastised him for studying magic, Han Hsiang-Tzu materialized two flowers with poems written on the leaves.
TS’AO KUO-CHIU – Ts’ao Kuo-Chiu tried to reform his brother, a corrupt emperor, by reminding him that the laws of heaven are inescapable.
HO HSIEN-KU – Immortal Maiden – A Cantonese girl who dreamed that she could become immortal by eating a powder made of mother-of-pearl. She appears only to men of great virtue.
Warfare in Ancient China
The Chinese were the first to use gunpowder, yet they did not capitalize on it’s use militarily
Ancient China during the Shang Dynasty was a Bronze Age society based on chariot armies. Archaeological study of Shang sites at Anyang have revealed extensive examples of chariots and bronze weapons. The overthrow of the Shang by the Zhou saw the creation of a feudal social order, resting militarily on a class of aristocratic chariot warriors.
In the Spring and Autumn Period, warfare increased exponentially. Zuo zhuan describes the wars and battles among the feudal lords during the period. Warfare continued to be stylized and ceremonial even as it grew more violent and decisive. The concept of military hegemony and his “way of force” came to dominate Chinese society.
This Bronze figure was recently unearthed in a new phase of excavation ongoing at the Qin Emperor’s tomb
Warfare became more intense, ruthless and much more decisive during the Warring States Period, in which great social and political change was accompanied by the end of the system of chariot warfare and the adoption of mass infantry armies. Cavalry was also introduced from the northern frontier, despite the cultural challenge it posed for robe-wearing Chinese men. Military strategy shifted toward an emphasis on deception, intelligence and stratagems as codified in Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
Museum: Chinese Art Collection – Freer Sackler Museum
Illustrated Story of Night Attack on Yoshitsune's Residence At Horikawa 16th Century - via Wikimedia Commons
Hasekura Tsunenaga in Rome (1615) by Claude Deruet - via Wikimedia Commons
Samurai on horseback, wearing armor and horned helmet, carrying bow and arrows (1878) Author Unknown - via Wikimedia Commons
Arashi Rikan III or IV Plays the Armored Samurai Yoshimura - Utagawa Yoshitaki (Japanese, 1841-1899) - via The Walters Art Museum
The battles between Takeda Harunobu and Uesugi Kenshin- Utagawa Kuniyosh - via via Wikimedia Commons
Tsuki hyakushi - Yukimori (1543-76), a samurai known for his great strength and loyalty Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1886) - via Wikimedia Commons
Strong man Matano Goro Kagehisa wrestling with Sanada Yoichi Yoshitada. by Utagawa Kuniyoshi - via Wikimedia Commons
Samuri by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1860) - via Wikimedia Commons
Hasebe Nobutsura during the taira attack on the takakura palace, Kyoto by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1886) - via Wikimedia Commons
Rear view of Onikojima Yatarô Kazutada in armor with a sashimono by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1853) - via Wikimedia Commons
Honcho komei kagami - by Yoshitora (1861) - via The Walters Art Museum
Explore Ancient Asia & Oceania
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China’s farms pose growing antibiotic resistance risk
February 11, 2013 5.53pm EST
Georgina Scambler, Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation, Matthew Cooper
Georgina Scambler
Sunanda Creagh
Head of Digital Storytelling
Interviewed
Matthew Cooper
Prof. Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland
Widespread and unmonitored use of antibiotics in commercial Chinese pig farms may pose a risk to human health worldwide, the study said. podchef, http://www.flickr.com/photos/86571141@N00
Unchecked use of antibiotics in Chinese farms had led to widespread antibiotic resistance, a new study has found, with researchers warning the problem may spread worldwide through manure and fertiliser run-off.
China is the world’s biggest producer and consumer of antibiotics in the world, with at least 46.1% being used in livestock, as much as four times the amount used by livestock industry in the US.
Some bacteria have genes that make them resistant to antibiotics, while others can get such resistance from another bacteria. Overuse of antibiotics kills the germs with no resistance but grows the proportion of resistant bacteria in the environment.
In a study published today in the journal PNAS, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Michigan State University analysed manure from three large scale commercial pig farms in China, looking for antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in bacteria.
They also tested a control sample of manure from pigs never fed antibiotics and soil from a pristine forest in Putian, China.
“We detected 149 unique ARGs among all of the [commercial farm] samples, which is three times more types of ARGs than were found in the control samples,” the researchers said in their paper, warning that the antibiotic resistant genes could spread globally and pose a human health risk.
“Microbes from manure, compost, or soil containing the ARGs are subject to dispersal via runoff into rivers, leaching to subsurface waters, air dispersal via dust, human travel, and distribution of agricultural products, including compost for gardening, which could expand a local contamination to regional and even global scales.”
The researchers also found high levels of metals such as arsenic and copper in the commercial farm samples, and theorise that the metals may be contributing to the development and persistence of antibiotic resistance.
“Policies and management tools to facilitate prudent use of antibiotics and heavy metals, including their combined use, in animal industries and animal waste management are needed,” the researchers said.
A co-author of the study, graduate student Timothy Johnson from Michigan State University, said the researchers did not test for superbugs, which are germs that are resistant to a combination of antibiotics.
“We do see that there is extensive and alarming enrichment for antibiotic resistance genes, but these genes may be spread out in many different bacteria so that individual bacteria may not be resistant to many antibiotics, or it may be the case that they are superbugs. With the data we have we just cannot say if they are superbugs or not,” he said.
Professor Matthew Cooper from the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience said this type of resistance evolution had been seen before but this paper quantified it in Chinese pigs for the first time.
“If you look at the reports and many studies, there is a recognised and clear statistical link between the use of antibiotics as growth promoters and the incidence of superbugs in animals and their transfer to the human population,” said Professor Cooper, who was not involved in the study.
“That drove the European Union to ban antibiotics as growth promoters, then more recently the US has begun to ban more and more classes of antibiotics and Australia have done the same.”
The scale of the problem means that a collective approach is needed, he said.
“Let’s take the hypothesis that a country was the only country in the world that used antibiotics – that doesn’t help us at all. We need some type of framework whereby all countries standardised the practice.”
Professor Cooper called on authorities in China and India to bring in more transparent reporting measures for antibiotic use, saying that people should be very concerned by the results of this new study.
“Animals get transported between countries, as do people. Infectious disease is no longer a national issue, it’s a global issue.”
Superbugs vs Antibiotics
And don’t infect everyone else in the office either. Shutterstock
Why you shouldn’t take antibiotics for colds and flu
Drug-resistant strains of gonorrhoea, once easily dispatched with penicillin, are spreading across the globe resulting in chronic pain and sterility. (Shutterstock)
Canada could lead the fight for life in a post-antibiotic world
Antibiotic use is a big issue as the more we use, the more likely bugs are to grow resistant, rendering them useless. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
FactCheck: Is Australia’s use of antibiotics in general practice 20% above the OECD average?
A quantum dot: A high-resolution transmission electron micrograph of cadmium telluride nanoparticles. (The scale bar in the lower right is 2 nanometers long, or two millionths of a millimeter.) Nagpal Group, University of Colorado
Fighting superbugs with nanotechnology and light
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Peter Reeves
Professor of Microbiology, School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney
The Reeves lab work on bacterial pathogenesis and evolution.
The species chosen for all of the work include pathogenic forms. All are important pathogens, but all are also very convenient for studying evolution as they include non-pathogenic forms. There are also good collections of strains available and usually a lot of data on diversity because of serotyping etc., both very helpful for sorting out the relationships of strains and the steps involved in development of pathogenicity for example
Recent publications have looked at the relationships of the major pathogenic clones of V. cholerae, the genetic basis of the 90 different capsules on the surface of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the overall population structure of E. coli, which gave insights into the origins of the different pathogenic forms.
Projects in the lab usually cover a particular aspect of a species or group of related species, and most involve a mix of lab work and DNA sequence.
Professor of Microbiology, School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Sydney
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EPA/Enric Fontcuberta
Spain’s hard line on Catalonia is no way to handle a serious secession crisis
October 24, 2017 9.51am EDT
Miriam Bak McKenna, Lund University
Miriam Bak McKenna
Postdoctoral Fellow in International Law, Lund University
Miriam Bak McKenna does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Lund University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.
Spain is facing its deepest constitutional crisis since the restoration of democracy in 1977, and it’s only getting deeper. On October 18, the Spanish government invoked Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, beginning the process of stripping the Catalan government of its autonomy and imposing direct federal rule. Just hours after the announcement was made by the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, 450,000 people took to the streets in protest.
Citing the Catalan government’s “conscious and systematic rebellion and disobedience”, this is a heavy-handed response to Catalonia’s recent separatist moves. Spain hardened its line when it jailed the leaders of two of the largest separatist organisations. The national attorney general has now threatened to arrest the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, and others for sedition should a further declaration of independence be issued.
These tough measures aren’t just politically risky and pragmatically dubious, but also constitutionally untested. It is the first time that Article 155 has been invoked, allowing the government to intervene in one of Spain’s regions if its autonomous government “fails to fulfil the obligations imposed upon it by the constitution or other laws, or acts in a way seriously prejudicing the general interests of Spain”.
The Constitution of 1978 provides for a flexible and open framework that recognises both “the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation” and “the right to autonomy of nationalities and regions”. And while the Catalan government’s decision to hold the October 1 referendum undoubtedly violated both the Spanish Constitution and the Catalan Statute of Autonomy, the refusal of the central government to pursue dialogue with the Catalan government, and its attempts to oust democratically elected leaders and suspend regional autonomy will only deepen the antagonism between Catalonia and Madrid.
The question, then, is what an appropriate and reasonable response to this secession claim would look like. And inconveniently, this is something of a grey area.
Taking independence seriously
While international law affirms that peoples have a general right to self-determination, it provides little guidance on how that right should be exercised. It’s particularly vague when it comes to secession, which leaves claims like the Catalans’ in something of a legal vacuum. In its Kosovo opinion of 2010, the International Court of Justice found that a unilateral declaration of independence does “not violate general international law”, but the specific international or domestic legal ramifications of a secessionist claim were left unclear.
The upshot is that different national governments can treat these claims almost as they see fit. The resulting ambiguity is a tricky problem, and it’s played out vividly in two analogous independence movements: Quebec’s and Scotland’s.
In 1995, the Quebecois independence movement lost a referendum on independence by a mere 1.16%. The result kicked off years of political talks and legal wrangling, and in 1998, the Supreme Court of Canada weighed in on whether secession claims were legitimate in principle.
Debating the future of Quebec, 1998. EPA/Paul Chiasson
It concluded that outside of a colonial context and in the absence of severe repression or exclusion from the state, there is no positive entitlement to claim statehood. But it also found that the Canadian state, at least on the basis of its own constitutional law, could not “remain indifferent to the clear expression of a clear majority of Quebecers that they no longer wish to remain in Canada”. Crucially, the court noted that under the Canadian constitution, the government has a duty to negotiate. Were it to refuse, that could undermine its claim to legitimacy, which could have international ramifications.
Following this logic, were Quebec to vote for independence in some future referendum, that would impose a duty on the federal government and the province alike to enter into negotiations in good faith – though there would be no specific obligation to conclude the negotiations amicably.
Then there’s Scotland. The UK Government took a similar approach to Canada, passing the Edinburgh Agreement in 2012, which granted Scottish nationalists legal authority to stage an independence referendum. They duly did so in 2014. And while that vote ultimately endorsed the status quo, had a majority been in favour of independence, it was largely accepted that the result would have been binding .
Refuse and reject
The Spanish government has chosen to pursue a different course. While the vast majority of Catalans wanted to vote in a referendum, the central authorities have been steadfast in their refusal to allow a vote, or recognise the result, and are now refusing to engage in dialogue with the Catalan authorities.
This intransigence dates back to at least 2010, when the independence campaign emerged in response to a growing dissatisfaction with current constitutional arrangements, a centralisation of the distribution of competences, and the impact of the financial crisis. With the Spanish government not responding to requests for dialogue, the Catalan authorities have for years continually invoked a “right to decide”, derived from a broad reading of self-determination as the right to “democratic management of public affairs”.
Catalans wave their ballot papers during the October 1 referendum. EPA/Alberto Estevez
Legally speaking, it’s a stretch to argue that the principle of self-determination guarantees the right to hold a vote on secession. Nevertheless, the principle of free political participation and representation is clearly established under international law, and it could certainly provide the basis of a demand for dialogue and negotiation where there is broad public support for independence.
Given that there is also scope for seeking dialogue under the Spanish Constitution, this latest sabre-rattling by the Spanish government is unwarranted, as are its actions in recent weeks – threats to arrest Catalan mayors, interference with civic budgets, raids on newspaper office, and mass police deployment including excessive force used by the Spanish police in attempting to prevent the Referendum taking place. These all reinforce the secessionists’ narrative of repression by an anti-Catalan Spanish regime.
For the good of Spain as a whole, a collaborative and productive dialogue needs to begin. The Spanish government’s actions have not yet crossed the threshold of repression that would grant the Catalans a so-called “remedial right” of independence under international law, but its intransigent, hardline approach is inflaming tensions to no end – and enhancing the credibility of the Catalan claim.
Spanish politics
Catalonian independence
Mahatma Gandhi with Lord and Lady Mountbatten, 1947. Wikimedia Commons
How the Partition of India happened – and why its effects are still felt today
Saad Mohammad Al-Husainy, a student in Birmingham, marries Colette O'Neill in 1954. Photograph courtesy of Sùna Al-Husainy
Three families’ stories of new beginnings after the horror of Indian partition
Luxury in the British Raj: Calcutta’s memorial to Queen Victoria, 1921. PA Archive
Colonialism in India was traumatic – including for some of the British officials who ruled the Raj
No dogs, no Indians: 70 years after partition, the legacy of British colonialism endures
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Tag: #romance
January 29, 2018 January 28, 2018 Rachael CorbinLeave a comment
WARNING: POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE SECOND BOOK IN THE OUTLANDER SERIES, A DRAGONFLY IN AMBER. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
My relationship with the Outlander series so far is mired by indecision.
There’s so much to adore about these books: the remarkable characters, the rich descriptions, the sexy-fun times, the action-packed storyline that constantly keeps you on your toes.
However, there are also problems with it as well. Problems that are often very difficult to overlook.
For example, the distinct lack of plot that seems to dog each story from the get-go. Plenty of things happen, mind you, and there is conflict for days. Nonetheless, it just doesn’t always feel as if it is working towards something.
It’ll give A Dragonfly in Amber some credit in that it is a lot better than it’s predecessor at having some direction. The Frasers’ plan to stop Bonnie Prince Charlie’s rebellion counts as a plot…I suppose. Unfortunately, it’s often thrown by the wayside in favor of entertaining weird diversions that have nothing to do with anything. Hell, you could make trading cards out of all the pointless interludes these books dole out: random sword fights, Jamie being dared to piss into a bucket but then being unable to after suffering a trampling by a horse, some argument between Jamie and Claire about him getting horny over some hookers.
Oh, speaking of Clarice and Jamie.
To add to my list of grievances, there is one exchange between Claire and Jamie that’s a bit too Freud-like for my taste. At one point, Clarice mentions to Jamie that she wishes she could –I’m not making this up, I swear– put him in her womb to keep him safe.
Claire wanted to put her grown, adult husband inside of her womb to keep him safe.
Um… I haven’t had an overwhelming amount of romantic entanglements in my life, but that does not seem like a normal compulsion for someone to have. Especially not a compulsion that the layman would voice out loud to anyone for any reason ever.
Not to mention Jamie’s reaction to it is fondness bordering on indifference. Look, I know you’re used to her saying weird shit to you, what with her being a time-traveler and all, but that has to give you some pause, doesn’t it?
Pretty much any sentence that could be formed in the english language would be less awkward than that one. If she said she wanted to shrink him and put him in her pocket that would be kind of cute. But her womb? Her baby-holder? Her Dutch oven? She wants actually put him in-
It doesn’t help that they shared a quasi-incestuous moment in the previous novel. When Claire is trying to snap him out of his rape-induced depression, he literally calls her “mother” and she encourages him to come to her bosom and-
Okay, moving on.
So, Captain Randall should be renamed Captain McGuffin as his only function seems to be to get things rolling again once the story has become stale.
No, really, he shows up everywhere they go: France, Scotland, your closet. I know he’s important since he’s the great-great grandaddy of Claire’s husband, but come on.
What are the actual odds? They could be sitting on a park bench feeding the birds and all of the sudden weeeep a Wild Randall appears!
Randall uses Creep Attack.
It’s super-effective!
Bearing all of this in mind, what nice things do I have to say about this book? Well, it kept me guessing, I suppose. Although I already knew they would lose the battle, you know, because the story began with Claire in the future having already been through-
Okay, good things dammit.
Claire’s reactions seemed quite a bit more realistic in this book than in Outlander. When she and a friend are set upon by rapists, she has a breakdown and doesn’t just shrug it off and shag her husband like she did in Outlander. There’s also a reference to when she murdered a 15 year-old soldier who was just trying to do his job, which had previously gone unobserved until this book. I found it pretty disturbing it hadn’t gotten much of a mention before since, you know, she committed murder of a child.
Uh….in spite of the many distractions, the pacing overall was a lot snappier than the previous novel and from the beginning it jumped right into the action instead of lolly-gagging around forever.
As usual, Jamie is wonderful in every way as is his inability to understand modern beauty standards such as waxing your private parts.
The chemistry between the two main characters continues to be engaging and a joy to read about (at least when they aren’t going full Oedipus on us, that is). Truth be told, I think the story shines the brightest when it’s focusing on their relationship with each other. I appreciate the Bonnie Prince story line for giving these stories a reason to exist, nevertheless, I never found it as enjoyable as reading Claire and Jamie simply being in each other’s company.
Another point in this book’s favor is that Gabaldon doesn’t particularly romanticize the past (apart from, well, the actual romance, of course.) She is unflinching when it comes to describing the horrible living conditions and bleakness that comes with 18th century living. It’s not all fancy dresses and handsome heroes. There’s a sinisterness and hopelessness about it as well. I also appreciate the fact that none of her characters necessarily make it out unscathed. When they aren’t being raped (which happens quite often) they are being tortured, or captured, or dying. The pain they feel is quite real and, unlike in the first novel, isn’t glossed over as much.
I was afraid after reading the ending of the first book that the horrible torture Jamie experienced at the hands of Captain Jack Randall was going to be brushed under the rug, however, I was pleased to learn that this was not so. Jamie’s experiences still haunt him and has a visible impact on who he is as a person. I’m grateful that his rape had a lasting effect and wasn’t just used as a plot devise to create more tension.
I loved that more of Clarie’s psyche was explored in this novel. In fact, the dream she had about being in Frank’s classroom while he was lecturing may have been my favorite part of the entire book, oddly enough. It just made her seem more three-dimensional as we don’t often hear that much about her past aside from the odd parcel about being raised by her uncle and such. I would actually be interested in reading a chapter or two dedicated to describing a scene that occurred in her formative years or during the War. We get a snippet here or there, but I’m always left hungry for more. We hear quite a bit about Jamie’s past, but not that much of Claire’s.
Overall, I enjoyed reading A Dragonfly in Amber even as I mentally criticized it. There’s just something about Gabaldon’s writing that sucks you in.
I told myself in the past that I was going to give up on this series, but I don’t think I can bring myself to do so. Maybe it’s the romance, the fascinating historical backdrop, the characters, or Jamie’s sexiness. I don’t know, but whatever foibles this series may have, it’s still a damn enjoyable story and I don’t believe it will be long before I begin the next one.
Posted in #romance, adventure, book blogging, Book Reviews, Books, Fiction, historical fiction, UncategorizedTagged #fiction, #opinion, #romance, #scotland, A Dragonfly in Amber, book blogging, book review, Diana Gabaldon, historical fiction, Outlander, Outlander series
Thoughts on “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon
June 2, 2017 Rachael Corbin6 Comments
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK OUTLANDER AHEAD.
Strap in, folks, this is gonna be a long review. Then again this was a long book, so what do you expect?
What I liked:
The great characters. I didn’t always like Claire, but she always felt like a person and not just a vassal through which the author could carry out the story. Everyone had an interesting backstory and their own distinct personality, which really helped me get into the spirit of the novel. The dialogue was very personalized as well and I was impressed at how each character was able to give lengthy exposition without it sounding too unnatural. I also found that, despite the Game of Thrones level number of characters, it was easy enough to remember who each one of them were because of how unique Gabaldon made them.
The immersive environment. It’s very easy for a reader to lose themselves in this book. The way Gabaldon is able to describe the lay of the land is impressive and I never had any difficulty wondering where exactly these people were or what the environment looked like. What I can appreciate is the environment isn’t just a backdrop, it’s engrained into the story itself.
Sexy times for all. While the romance between Jamie and Claire may have been a bit rushed, what with Claire still having a husband back home, I believe the chemistry between these two is strong. The fact that they’re both well-developed characters helps me care more about their relationship and I think Gabaldon writes sex pretty well. She doesn’t explain so little that you can’t tell what’s happening, but she also doesn’t explain so much that it comes across as mechanical and weird.
The historical accuracy. It’s obvious that a lot of research went into this novel and as someone who has tried to write historical fiction with mixed results, I can really appreciate her efforts. The details she put into this really help the story come alive, especially when she writes about the environment and costumes people wear. She also doesn’t shy away from describing the abominable odors that persist in these types of places back in the 18th century. I was doubly impressed when she went into details about which herbs to use for healing and how to describe how someone would properly attend a wounded man back in those days.
What I didn’t like:
The focus was all over the place. I don’t think I would be out of line for saying that this book is by and large plotless. While there are many obstacles that the lead characters run into, there is no centralized conflict. For the most part, the structure of the story is “this happened, and then that happened, and then this happened.” It didn’t ever seem to be leading up to anything. On the one hand it left me guessing as to what would be the final outcome of the story, but on the other hand it made me wonder just what the point of all of this was. This is a shame because there were so many points of interest such as Claire missing the modern world, Jamie’s outlaw status and, I think most importantly, the inevitable doom that is to befall the Highlanders.
Claire’s unrealistic reactions to killing. The book makes it clear on several occasions that Claire is accustomed to seeing people dying because of her position as a nurse during the War. However, I’d like to point out that there is a huge difference between watching someone dying and actively participating in their murder. In my humble opinion, Claire’s reaction to having murdered someone is disturbingly understated. Granted the person she murdered was trying to sexually assault her, taking a life is an unnatural act and a psychologically stable person would be horrified at having to do so. Especially one who swore an oath to always preserve life in any way she can. I thought they would explore this more after she was forced to murder a 16 year-old in order to save Jamie, but even then she doesn’t seem to feel that guilty about it. What makes this even more difficult for me to swallow is that this boy really didn’t do anything wrong. He was just a young lad who was trying to do his job to the best of his ability. He just happened to be on the wrong side.
It went on for too long. I think much of this can be attributed to the fact that this book lacked a plot so the author just went along with the story until she felt like stopping. While I enjoyed this book, most of this story didn’t actually need to happen in the grand scheme of things and I’m actually shocked at what they left out. For instance, the final battle to collect Jamie from the infamous Scottish prison….happens off screen…….
We spent pages and pages talking about Claire fighting a wolf (a conflict that I don’t believe even needed to exist since it doesn’t contribute anything to the plot), but when it comes to the climax, the great escape, the novel’s main villain dying….it happens off screen…….
There was no reason to cut that part out. There were so many other pointless scenes that could have been scrapped. They did not need to cut the one part that needed to be in there.
I admit, I’ve gone into this fandom totally blind so perhaps Black Jack comes back with a cyborg eye and there will be a real show-down. I don’t know. I’m just judging this book by its own merits.
What the hell is up with Chapter 39? So the scene where Claire tries to save Jamie’s life after his torture at the hands of Randall while they’re at the monastery….Can anyone tell me what happened in that scene? I think she was trying to rekindle his will to live but…that should not have worked. Mind you, I only have a passing knowledge of psychology when it comes to PTSD related events, but I’m pretty sure forcing a patient to relive a traumatic event literally days after it happened in an uncontrolled environment would not result in a sudden miraculous turn-around in their mental behavior. Particularly when they are at death’s door to begin with. In fact, I’m reasonably sure that should have made him keel over.
Jamie’s torture. I’m gonna be honest, I thought it was overkill. The extent of his injuries and psychological torture should have left him a completely unresponsive husk of a man or dead. At least if this had stayed as true to life as it had been before. One of the most interesting aspects of his torture was left, for the most part, unexplored. While recounting the horror he faced while against Randall, he lets slip that the sight of Claire makes him ill because Randall basically conditioned him so every time he thought about Claire he would either be beaten or worse. In one of the most emotionally devastating scenes in the whole book, he tearfully explains that he doesn’t want to see her again because just her being there reawakens all of these awful memories.
Wow. That is dark. More than dark, that’s completely and utterly heart-wrenching.
Aaaaaaand after Claire’s Most Awful Idea Ever, he’s totally fixed and ready for some bairn-making.
There’s no reason why this should have worked. You can’t just undo classical conditioning.
Mrs. Gabaldon, you seem like a smart lady and all, but I don’t think you understand how psychology works. Sadly, once a mind is screwed up that badly, the damage is usually permanent. If not, it takes a looooong time for an individual to overcome it.
I think that Jamie’s aversion to Claire would have made an excellent jumping off point for the next novel and would justify a book of equal length, especially if she found out during this debacle that she was pregnant with his child. Not only would Claire have to deal with the impending slaughter of the Highlanders and the Dragoons looking for Jamie, she would also have to confront the possibility of raising a child in a foreign country in the past alone. That’s more than enough conflict for a book, in my opinion. But instead we get a miraculous recovery from Jamie and they all live happily ever after. At least for now.
Overall opinion:
I enjoyed reading this novel and I’m more than a little interested in reading the next installment. However, I also believe this book could have been so much better if some things were cut and if the story had been given more focus. It was interesting just watching them go about their daily lives, but I think actually giving it a plot would have raised the stakes a considerable amount.
Posted in #blogging, book blogging, book review, Books, Character Development, Fantasy, Fiction, historical fiction, history, OpinionTagged #books, #fiction, #opinion, #reading, #romance, #scotland, amreading, book blogging, book review, Book Reviews, Claire Beauchamp, Diana Gabaldon, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Jamie Fraser, Outlander, popular fiction, reading books, romantic fiction, Scottish Highlands, Scottish history
Matchmaking Literary Characters
March 31, 2016 March 31, 2016 Rachael CorbinLeave a comment
WARNING: Contains spoilers and crack ships.
If you are a fan of any type of fiction, you may have engaged in what is known as “shipping.”
I’ve been exposed to many ships and it’s made me experimental when it comes to the exploring the dynamics of compatibility.
For fun, I decided to pair up characters from a variety of different books and see who made the most interesting couple. These are what crack ships are made of, but if you keep an open mind, perhaps you’ll see where I’m coming from
1. Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow
Tragically, they never met. But I have a feeling if they did, there would be a spark. We know Jon Snow digs powerful women and Daenerys is a kickass queen with dragons, an army, and a no-nonsense attitude.
Jon may be less brash than Drogo, but he is more than capable of holding his own in battle. He’s also, like Dany, an excellent leader who isn’t afraid to stand by his convictions, even though they could get him killed.
In fact, these two have quite a bit in common. Both have a strong moral center that makes them seem like pushovers to those that don’t know them better. Both struggle with forming their own identity outside of what their parents did/who they are. And both make dire mistakes on their way to meeting their goal.
I think if he got to know Daenerys, Jon would consider her the best person to rule the Seven Kingdoms and Daenerys would enjoy having him fight for her side (if she’d be able to convince him to give up being a Man of the Night’s Watch, which is debatable).
2. Rhett Butler and Elizabeth Bennet
Personally, I think Rhett would find Elizabeth handsome enough to tempt him.
At their core, both are nonconformists who refuse to conduct themselves in a way that society dictates. Both are intelligent, enjoy dancing, and have a mischievous nature about them.
Rhett is slightly more worldly than Lizzie, but she is his equal in about every other respect. Like Scarlet O’Hara, Rhett’s estranged wife, Lizzie is exceptionally strong-willed (occasionally at her own expense). Moreover, she could win a battle of wits with anyone she chooses and is not willing to demur to anyone. I’m willing to bet Rhett would enjoy the challenge of crossing mental swords with her.
Lizzie would be interested to hear all about Rhett’s checkered past. While she might be unnerved by some details, I believe that she would be a sympathetic ear.
Put together they would likely mortify everyone in their respective time periods with their sassiness.
Mrs. Bennet’s poor nerves.
3. Sherlock Holmes and Amy Dunne
One is a highly functioning sociopath while the other is just plain psycho.
Imagine what Gone Girl would have been like with a Sherlockian twist. While Sherlock would likely outwit Amy in the end, he would be impressed by how methodical and patient she was in executing her revenge plot. Not to mention how easily she was able to play with society’s expectations and use media bias to work in her favor.
I think Amy would take immense pleasure in appealing to Sherlock’s darker nature and laughing with him about how moronic the rest of society is.
I can’t stop wishing I could see these two geniuses go toe-to-toe with one another, one constantly trying to outsmart the other.
This would potentially be the most toxic relationship in the history of the literary world, but, damn, if it wouldn’t be interesting to watch.
4. Dorian Gray and James Moriarty
Imagine how much darker The Picture of Dorian Gray could have gotten if Dorian had befriended Moriarty instead of Lord Henry.
Dorian would respect Moriarty as a worldly and ingenious gentleman, and Moriarty would revel in having a young, naive Dorian to mold into a despicable villain.
While Dorian was out wooing some diplomat (or his wife), Moriarty would be working behind the scenes to tear down the British government’s infrastructure brick by brick. Blackmail, theft, murder, who knows how much havoc they could wreak?
With Dorian’s looks and Moriarty’s brains, they could have London on its knees in a matter of months.
Can you think of any book characters that would make a good couple? Let me know!
Posted in MenuTagged ##AmyDunne, #books, #crackshipping, #fiction, #GameofThrones, #GoneGirl, #GoneWiththeWind, #JohnSnow, #literarycouples, #lovestory, #matchmaking, #mismatchingliterarycouples, #Moriarty, #novels, #PrideandPrejudice, #RhettButler, #romance, #Sherlock, #shipping, #ThePictureofDorianGray
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immigrant jails
“Blood on American Hands”: Richard Falk on Palestine
C.J. Polychroniou,
Noam Chomsky: “Worship of Markets” Is Threatening Human Civilization
We’re Spending Trillions on Weapons and War. Let’s Spend It on Health Care.
Lawsuit Could Force For-Profit Detention Centers to Pay Detainees Minimum Wage
House Progressives Say Condemning Trump’s Racism Isn’t Enough: “We Must Impeach”
Liz Cheney Goes All-In on Trump’s Racism: Meet the Future of the GOP
Part of the Truthout Series
Gaza on Fire
For over 20 years, Israel and the United States have been working to separate Gaza from the West Bank, in violation of the Oslo Accords they had just signed declaring them to be an indivisible territorial unity. The latest carnage in Gaza is part of an ongoing Israeli imperial policy which, as Noam Chomsky wrote to me just a couple of days ago, seeks “to take over what’s of value ‘in the land of Israel,’ reduce the population to marginal existence (with the usual neocolonial exception: an enclave for the rich and Westernized sectors in Ramallah), and if they leave, so much the better.” But, as Richard Falk, Albert G. Milbank professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, former UN special rapporteur for Occupied Palestine, and author of the forthcoming book Palestine: The Legitimacy of Hope, which will be published in October by Just World Books, underscores in this exclusive interview, Israel always claims that its attacks against Palestinians are provoked by the Palestinians themselves.
C.J. Polychroniou: Professor Falk, here we go again: Israel, one of the world’s mightiest military powers, has launched yet another ground offensive into the Gaza Strip on the rather bogus proposition that Hamas provoked Israel to attack Gaza. What is Israel’s real purpose in attacking Gaza this time around?
Richard Falk: I believe that Israel periodically “mows the grass” in Gaza as one right-wing Israeli advisor to Sharon distastefully expressed the goal of Israel policy toward Gaza several years ago. There were factors present in the context of this Israeli attack that help explain why now. The main two factors in my view were the unwelcome establishment of an interim “unity government” on June 2 by the leadership of Fatah and Hamas, which undermined the Israeli approach of keeping the governing authorities in the West Bank and Gaza as divided as possible. The second element was Israel’s strong incentive to weaken Hamas in the West Bank so that Israel could justify its moves in April to end direct negotiations with the Palestinian Authority and move ever closer to incorporating the West Bank, or most of it into Israel, and fulfill the expansionist Zionist dream to move beyond the 1967 borders.
The June 12 kidnapping incident involving the three teenage settler children from the Gush Etzion settlement near Jerusalem provided the Netanyahu government with the pretext it needed to mount an anti-Hamas campaign that started as a supposed hunt for the perpetrators, detaining up to 500 suspected of a Hamas connection and generally imposing a variety of oppressive measures, including house demolition, lockdowns of Palestinian towns, and random violence that led to six Palestinian deaths. As has been shown, the incident was manipulated in a most cynical fashion by the government pretending to search for the kidnapped youth, while knowing that they were already dead, using public anxiety and anger to incite the Israeli citizenry to justify the oppressive tactics of the government and to create an atmosphere of vigilante vengeance.
Having denied any involvement in the kidnapping incident, it is hardly surprising that in retaliation for Israel’s provocations that Hamas in retaliation began firing rockets at Israeli towns. Israel used its formidable propaganda machine to tell the world that its third major military assault on defenseless Gaza in the last five years (2008-09, 2012, 2014) was a defensive response to unprovoked rocket attacks. With mock innocence, Netanyahu told the world that Israel needed to act to protect its citizens from the rockets, without any mention, of course, of the prior anti-Hamas rampage that included ugly Israeli racist slurs directed at the Palestinians and revenge attacks on Palestinian children.
Why did the ceasefire negotiations in Cairo fail?
The ceasefire failed for several reasons. Hamas was excluded from the process leading up to the proposed ceasefire, and was informed only by the public media. Beyond this, the previously announced Hamas conditions for agreeing to a ceasefire were ignored: release of Palestinians who had been part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange three years ago (in which a single captured IDF soldier was released in exchange for the agreed Israeli release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners) and were rearrested in recent weeks as part of the crackdown on Hamas; lifting the blockade and opening the crossings; cease interference with the unity government; restore the 2012 ceasefire. Also, Sisi’s Egypt is hardly a suitable or trustworthy intermediary from Hamas’ perspective. Not far in the background is the brutal repression of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and related hostility to Hamas, which is regarded by the Sisi government as an offshoot.
Would Israel have launched an attack if the new Egyptian government was not also bent on seeing Hamas destroyed?
This is a very speculative issue. Israel did initiate a major attack on Gaza in November 2012 while Mohamed Morsi was president despite his affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, and did then accept a ceasefire arranged under Cairo’s diplomatic auspices. Having General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as president of Egypt is certainly a favorable development from Israel’s perspective. Sisi has substantially destroyed the extensive tunnel network on which Hamas depended to receive needed supplies as well as to collect tax revenues required to administer Gaza. Egypt in recent months has been cooperating with Israel and the United States, including in relation to control of the passage through the Rafah crossing to Egypt, which is the only escape route available to the people of Gaza, including those needing medical attention only available in Cairo. I believe that the Israeli attack occurred at this time principally for reasons of Israeli state policy, and would have taken place without regard to the attitudes of the leadership in Cairo.
With 1.8 million people trapped in an overcrowded war zone, it should be obvious that the Israeli jets’ attacks constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. Yet, once again, Israel is allowed to get away with murder because it enjoys US diplomatic backing as well as US military and financial support. As such, doesn’t this make the United States just as complicit in crimes against humanity as Israel itself?
I do agree that the United States for the reasons you give is definitely complicit in relation to the criminal nature of the Israeli attack. Whether this kind of complicity involves legal culpability, as well as moral and political complicity is an open question. The United States is not, so far as is known, directly involved in planning and carrying out this “aggression” against Gaza and “collective punishment” against its people. Giving military assistance or providing military equipment to a foreign government does not by itself constitute a sufficient connection with the attack as to satisfy legal tests of complicity.
What is clear is that the continuing and unconditional diplomatic support given by the US to Israel, including shielding Israel from formal censure at the UN, and the failure to discourage war crimes being committed, results in much blood on American hands. Activist opponents of this American policy are now more committed to calling upon churches and universities to divest from corporations doing business with the settlements or facilitating Israeli militarism, and there are increasing national and international calls for an arms embargo on Israel, which would be of mainly symbolic force, given Israel’s robust arms industry, which is supplying weapons to many countries, with the grotesque selling point that they have been “field-tested,” that is, used, in Gaza.
Hamas has been faced with a similar situation before, yet, every time it gets into a military confrontation with Israel, it seems to be emerging stronger than before. Should we expect things to be any different this time around?
It is difficult at this point to say. What the encounter did reveal was that Hamas and other militias in Gaza have a considerable supply of longer-range missiles able to strike any city in Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It also seems that Israel’s reliance on air attacks and naval shelling was not able to curtail the numbers of rockets being fired. True, despite firing more than 1,000 rockets, no Israeli has yet been killed by a Palestinian rocket (apparently the only Israeli so far killed died from a mortar shell fired from Gaza while he was rushing to a shelter, an option Gazans do not have) [as of interview conducted on July 19]. At the same time, the psychological and political effects of being unable to stop the launch of rockets has damaged Israeli prestige, and may push it to pursue more ambitious goals than destroying tunnels into Israel from Gaza, the stated objective of Operation Protective Edge, the code name Israel has given for its military operation. The high proportion of civilians among the Palestinian casualties (75 to 80 percent) also suggests that Hamas has become more sophisticated in protecting its militants from Israeli firepower as compared to the results of the two earlier attacks.
Of course, to the extent that Israel is politically weaker, Hamas emerges stronger, withstanding the mighty Israeli military onslaught, demonstrating resilience under the most difficult circumstance, and mounting stubborn resistance that frustrates Israel’s announced war goals.
Has Israel become a “fundamentalist” state, betraying all dreams and aspirations that led to its original founding?
I think Israel has definitely moved gradually in the direction of a maximalist understanding of the Zionist project, which is now quite clearly intended to exercise permanent sovereign control over “Judea and Samaria,” what the world knows as “the West Bank.” The new president of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, due to take over very soon from Shimon Peres, belongs to the right wing of Netanyahu’s Likud Party. He is an undisguised advocate of an enlarged Israel that claims the whole of biblical Palestine and repudiates all diplomacy associated with establishing peace on the basis of a Palestinian state, in effect, a one-state approach with Palestinians as permanent minority. Additionally, the Israel of today has moved far to the right; many Israelis have developed a consumerist mentality, and the conflict with Palestine, except during crises as at present, has posed serious threats in recent years to the stability and serenity of the country. Also, due to high fertility rates and the importance of the settler movement, religious Judaism has been playing a larger role, and injects a certain measure of religious extremism and ethnic intolerance into Israeli political and social life.
The two-state solution, long proposed by supporters of the Palestinian cause, including the late Edward Said, seems to be a dead end – at least in my own eyes. Do you agree with this assessment, and, if so, what is the alternative for securing lasting peace among Israelis and Palestinians?
To clarify Edward Said’s position: He did favor for a time in the late 1980s, as did the PLO, the two-state solution, but in the last years of his life he strongly endorsed a single, secular bi-national state as the only workable arrangement allowing the two peoples to live together in peace and dignity. Said rejected the idea of an ethnic state for either people, and believed that Zionist claims to have a Jewish state in historic Palestine would never result in a just and sustainable peace that acknowledged Palestinian rights under international law, including the right of return and equality for the Palestinian minority living in Israel.
I share Said’s latter assessment, and believe that the scale and resolve of the settlers is such as to make their removal politically impossible. For this reason, I have opposed the sort of direct negotiations that the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, pushed so hard a year ago as creating false expectations and artificial pressures. The political preconditions for two states with equal sovereign rights living side by side definitely do not presently exist, and may never have existed. To negotiate with that awareness of futility is to play Israel’s game of endless talks, while the building cranes in the settlements continue their unlawful work at an accelerated pace. Time has never been kind to the Palestinians. Their territorial prospects have been continuously diminished and have now reached the point of a virtual zero. Recall that the UN partition plan in 1947 seemed unfair to the Palestinians when it offered them only 45 percent of Palestine, which then was reduced to 22 percent by the outcome of the 1948 war, and related expulsion of the Palestinians, and still further by “the facts on the ground” (settlements, wall, settler only roads) steadily created since 1967.
The best hope of the Palestine national movement at this time is to proceed via a unity government, also engaging the refugee and exile community of 7 million, by working together with the global solidarity movement that is growing rapidly. In other words Palestinian prospects in the future will depend on the continued mobilization of global civil society to support nonviolent coercive action on a worldwide scale. The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) campaign has been growing at a rapid rate recently, with analogies to the anti-apartheid struggle that toppled a racist regime in South Africa against all odds and expectations becoming more relevant. This shift in Palestinian tactics in the direction of what I have called “waging a legitimacy war” seems reinforced in its plausibility by the growing global outrage in response to Israel tactics, especially in callous disregard of Palestinian civilian innocence.
The stakes have never been higher
As attacks on women’s rights, health care, the environment and democracy intensify, we’re going to need truth-telling journalists more than ever.
At Truthout, unlike most media, our journalism is free from government and corporate influence and censorship. But this is only sustainable if we have your support. If you like what you’re reading or just value what we do, will you take a few seconds to contribute to our work?
C.J. Polychroniou
C.J. Polychroniou is a political economist/political scientist who has taught and worked in universities and research centers in Europe and the United States. His main research interests are in European economic integration, globalization, the political economy of the United States and the deconstruction of neoliberalism’s politico-economic project. He is a regular contributor to Truthout as well as a member of Truthout’s Public Intellectual Project. He has published several books and his articles have appeared in a variety of journals, magazines, newspapers and popular news websites. Many of his publications have been translated into several foreign languages, including Croatian, French, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish. He is the author of Optimism Over Despair: Noam Chomsky On Capitalism, Empire, and Social Change, an anthology of interviews with Chomsky originally published at Truthout and collected by Haymarket Books.
Gaza Cease Fire Reports Fall Into Uncertainty
A six-day negotiation led by Egypt neared a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, but optimism for the ceasefire has now turned to uncertainty.
Nancy A Youssef,
Gaza Hospitals Can’t Cope
Medical crews are unable to cope with the havoc wrought on Gaza by Israel’s heavy military.
Mohammed Omer,
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TV ReviewsThe MiddleSeason 7
The Middle: “The Show Must Go On” / The Goldbergs: “Have A Summer”
The MiddleSeason 7
Have A Summer / "The Show Must Go On"
Have A Summer
The Middle: “The Show Must Go On”
As someone who hasn’t hesitated to acknowledge my increasing annoyance with The Middle’s tendency to play the “we forgot about Brick” card, you can probably imagine the annoyed murmuring that emerged when it looked as though we were going to be closing out the show’s seventh season by going down that very road. As it happens, though, they did so in a manner which found Frankie finally finding a legitimate burst of guilt for the way she’s been treating Brick for lo these many years.
Not that there’s any reason to believe that it’ll be anything other than an isolated incident, of course, but it’s just nice to see it happen at all.
Given the way this season has been progressing, it seemed more likely than not that the predominant storyline was destined to involve Sue’s impending departure for Dollywood, dealing perhaps with Axl’s increasing willingness to acknowledge his fondness for his sister and the realization that he might actually miss her when she’s gone. In the end, Axl ended up being handed a storyline which felt like a bit of a throwaway, focusing as it did on his new summer gig as a counselor at the Orson Heights Country Club. Yes, there was a certain degree of amusement to be derived from the realization that he was dealing with a kid whose obnoxiousness mirrored his own methods of getting under people’s skin, but there wasn’t a great deal of time spent on the lad for there to be much emotional heft when Axl turned the kid around and got him to join the team. That said, the way Axl handled the situation provided proof that the sweeter side of him that we’ve seen around Sue lately isn’t just limited to his family members.
In regards to Sue’s aforementioned Dollywood departure, she’s been excited as all get-out about her summer gig and getting to spend time with her best buddy, Brad, but given Mike’s admitted lack of enthusiasm about her leaving town for the summer and her aforementioned bond with her brother growing stronger, it would not have surprised me if she’d suddenly gotten cold feet at the last second. But she didn’t. She did, however, have a brief crisis of conscience in regards to whether or not she was willing to stay for Brick’s graduation at the possible expense of her Dollywood gig, but even that ultimately came to naught, with Brad helping execute an excuse to allow her to be late arriving at the park. In the end, though, she did indeed leave for the summer as she’d been determined to do all along, and while we didn’t see how things went when the whole family dropped her off, we did get to see that she totally crushed if, even if her Southern accent does tend to shift into British sometimes.
Now let’s get back to talking about this whole Brick and Frankie storyline, which finds Brick really laying it on thick about how he’s excited to finally get his moment in the sun and explain that, in lieu of being valedictorian, he’s going to be singing during graduation. Frankie, meanwhile, is scrambling like nobody’s business to try and make up for the fact that she did indeed completely forget about Brick’s graduation, which is likely why she’s so emotional so quickly when she learns that Brick and several other students have been dropped as singers from the graduation ceremony, causing an abrupt halt to the “hero’s journey” he’d believed himself to finally be on. Before she can head down to the school to give them a piece of her mind, Mike intervenes and offers to go instead. It was a nice idea, but of course he fails to live up to Frankie’s expectations, and spectacularly so: not only does he fail to get Brick back in the ceremony, but his meeting with the principal results in everyone being removed from performing.
This, in turn, upsets Nancy Donahue, which leads to Ron going to the school and getting the original nine performers added back to the ceremony…and that’s when Frankie bursts into the school herself and launches into a tirade of Bev Goldberg proportions against Brick’s principal (played by Wayne Wilderson) which inevitably results in her getting her way. And this, of course, is when Brick says that he’s over the idea of singing in front of his class, a belief which causes Frankie to tell Mike via text, “I’m going to kill him.” Thankfully, death proves not to be imminent: after a bit more wrangling behind the scenes, Brick ends up being allowed to do a duet with his classmate Troy accompanying him on guitar. While it’s thoroughly unsurprising that Frankie should abruptly realize just before Brick’s performance that she has no clue if he can sing or not, Brick and Troy manage to surprise just about everyone – and that includes yours truly – by launching into a harmony-laden comer of The Zombies’ “This Will Be Our Year” while is remarkably moving.
Frankie Heck will never be Mom of the Year – she’s far too prone to getting focused on her problems over other people’s issues for that to ever happen – but this week she proved that she’s still capable of stepping up and fighting back against whoever or whatever might be trying to keep her youngest son down. And Sue proved that she could leave her comfort zone to try something new that will benefit her in the long run. And Axl proved that he could be a positive influence to younger kids, even if he almost certainly warped their little minds at least a bit.
As for the decision to reveal up front what the characters have to look forward to over the summer, hey, why not? But at least we ended up with a little bit of a cliffhanger, which adds a nice bit of excitement to the proceedings. Who is the love of Axl’s life? I reckon we’ll find out in the fall. For now, though, we’ve gotten a fun family-filled finale that wraps up with everyone in the car, chatting away. Granted, I generally prefer my episodes of The Middle to begin with talking rather than having them fade out to chatter, but when it comes down to it, I’m just glad that everyone’s happy.
The fact that Sue didn’t get up in arms about abruptly losing her departure celebration in favor of trying to pacify Brick indicates to me that she’s resigned to her fate and ready to just go and be done with it.
Brad got the date of Sue’s Dollywood arrival wrong, but he had a very good explanation: he looked at the wrong Lady Gaga calendar, which he hasn’t been able to throw away because “nobody puts Gaga in a wastebasket!”
I loved the recurring gag of everyone attempting to reminisce using sentimental clips from past episodes, only for them to be interrupted abruptly and forced to stop.
Nice work from Wayne Wilderson as Brick’s principal, particularly the weariness he expressed by the time she threw herself in front of his car t keep him from leaving. (“I’ll provide the match!”)
Well, of course the boat Axl’s working on with the kids at the country club is called the S.S. Fart Barge.
Oh, the new blue bag? Frankie forgot that one, too.
The Goldbergs: “Have A Summer”
Given how exhausted both students and teachers tend to be as the school year wraps up, the last few days of class before summer vacation are often among the best days you get all year. What’s that? You say you actually took final exams when you were in school? Well, look, I don’t know what kind of fancy-pants learning institution you went to, Poindexter, but wherever it was, you clearly should’ve transferred out of there and gone to William Penn Academy instead, where words like “exam” and “test” are never uttered within the context of the school year’s end. Instead, they’re watching Bloodsport in gym class (and while they’re outside sitting in the grass, no less) and rationalizing the screening of Cannonball Run 2 in Calculus because there’s a number in its title.
Clearly, these final days of school aren’t about education. Heck, they’re not even about watching wildly inappropriately movies. They’re about fear…or to put it more specifically, they’re about Freshman Fear Week.
Ah, the good old days: when the tradition of psychologically and physically torturing underclassmen was so commonplace that it was actually school-sanctioned. It’s ironic that this particular storyline should end up being featured in an episode which also features a reference to Duckie from Pretty in Pink, given that I immediately thought of my most recent AV Club interview with Jon Cryer, where we talked about his favorite teen-centric films and he made this remark in regards to Carrie:
“It’s a very interesting change in terms of how my son is going through his high school years and how I went through them. Now those social things, the hazing and the bullying and all that stuff, when I was a kid, those things were just an accepted part of the subculture, but now schools are making a real conscious effort to de-normalize that stuff. So it’s weird! I feel like these kids are going to high school on Mars, you know? Because things are so different from my experience. You sort of go, “Well, maybe it toughened me up.” And maybe it did… or maybe it was just horrible!”
Probably it was a little bit of both, which seems to be the case with Adam. There’s no question that it’s horrible – if it wasn’t, then he and his friends wouldn’t be having instant anxiety attacks at the mere thought of Freshman Fear Week – but at the same time, it’s the inherent terror of the situation that leads him to perform a move that both saves him from humiliation and makes him into one of the coolest kids in school. Sure, it’s at the expense of his brother’s credibility, but you take the good, you take the bad…
Before Adam spontaneously flips Barry, however, his initial instinct – to run home and tell Mama – sets another of the episode’s storylines into motion. When he tells Bev all the bad things Barry’s going to do to him in celebration of Freshman Fear Week, Barry quickly counters with arguably the most brilliantly devious maneuver we’ve ever seen him perform: he forces her to look at her former baby boy and truly see the “pubescent monster” that he’s become, and to paraphrase a famous bit of Futurama narration, now that she’s seen it, she can’t un-see it. Having an instant anxiety attack of her own, Bev immediately seeks solace by sitting on the floor of a dark closet, inhaling the scent of Adam’s old baby blanket like she’s Frank Booth in Blue Velvet. Pops is concerned, as well he might be, but Murray writes off his wife’s actions as her “just having some Bev time” until he’s begrudgingly prodded in the direction of performing an intervention, convincing her that it’s time to put away the blanket. Unfortunately, Erica ends up being the one to put it away, doing so in a slightly more long-term manner than had been intended, which brings to the third storyline of the proceedings.
Yes, kids, you know it’s a special episode when The Goldbergs delivers an A-story, a B-story, and a C-story.
Actually, it’s really more of a B1 storyline and a B2 storyline, since Erica’s story is so inextricably linked to Bev’s, but…well, let’s stop splitting hairs and just talk about the time capsule. Allie Grant returns Evelyn Silver, and she’s in charge of the capsule, which is a responsibility that she takes very seriously, even if not everyone else does. (Witness the number of Rubik’s Cubes submitted for inclusion.) Erica, at least, tries to do it by the book, bringing one of her prized – or at least formerly prized – New Kids on the Block collectible plates and wrapping it in a blanket to avoid breakage, whereas Geoff Schwartz decides to be absurdly romantic by slipping a cassette tape into the capsule which features him declaring his love to Erica and singing Asia’s “Heat of the Moment.” These are decisions which will comes back to haunt both Geoff and Erica, but while he and the rest of the JTP are hanging around the capsule, there’s an obvious spark between him and Evelyn.
Okay, so maybe the feelings are only one-sided at first. Certainly there’s something appropriate about the mention of putting a Hall & Oates poster in the capture: Evelyn is a man-eater, and it’s obvious that she has plans to eat Geoff up.
Erica, meanwhile, is oblivious to just about anything Geoff-related, having dismissively written “have a summer” in his yearbook, but it turns out that she’s also been oblivious to the blanket she’s used to wrap her plate: it was Adam’s baby blanket, and despite the fact that it apparently smells like chicken pox and night sweat, when Bev finds out it’s been buried, she won’t rest until it’s been dug back up and returned to her possession. It doesn’t take long for Erica to find herself wrangling into helping with the reacquisition efforts, however, and when Geoff ends up accidentally being privy to Erica and Bev’s plans, he realizes that he needs to get involved as well, lest she find out about the tape. In the end, everything goes to hell in a handbasket: Geoff accidentally hits a water pipe, causing $600 in damage, the blanket is soaked through and is completely devoid of Adam’s scent (man, that really felt creepy to type), and everything in the time capsule is ruined except for the tape, which Erica dismisses, along with any suggestion that she might possibly have feelings for Geoff. Except she does, of course, which is why the episode ends just as we’d known it would: with Geoff and Evelyn having becoming a couple at apparently the precise moment that Erica had her epiphany.
Sorry, kid, but that’s your lot in life when you’re part of a “will they or won’t they?” sitcom romance.
To jump back to Adam and Barry, it’s actually a pretty unexpected and wonderful moment when Adam flips Barry. Certainly, it’s unexpected for Barry, given his WTF response when it goes down, but it’s decidedly less wonderful for him than it is for Adam, which becomes obvious when Barry comes to school the next day to find himself being mocked, ridiculed, and ostracized by everyone from the JTP on down. I mean, you know things are bad when the JTP don’t even feel comfortable replying to Barry’s “J!T!P!” with a “J!T!P!” of their own, but when even Lainey seems on the fence about being by his side in his time of need, that’s just downright tragic.
At first, Adam is unabashedly unapologetic about his actions, but he begins to question his adamant stance when Barry suggests that he was only going to torture Adam as a sign of respect…or something like that, anyway. It’s Pops who really brings it home for him, though, reminding him that the older brother / younger brother dynamic is basically what makes Barry the person that he is, and if he doesn’t get that back, it could prove devastating. Adam tries to just talk it out, explaining the (fake) scientific phenomenon that enabled him to execute the flip, and his completely unconvincing explanation absolutely convinces Barry that it was a fluke. To help Barry get his social standing back, however, Adam goes a step further and helps his big brother execute a prank of the highest order, turning the sprinklers on during graduation practice, thereby showering not only the rising freshmen but also the principal. Everyone walks away a winner.
Well, ‘til next season anyway. Wait ‘til they find out that Bev’s going back to school to get her teaching certificate. They’ll be thrilled.
“You’re not athletic enough to get athlete’s foot!”
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there’s nothing wrong with being a Duckie.
I loved the “shush” vs. “shower sound” argument between Adam and Barry.
“She’s got the forearms of a tennis pro!”
Coach calling Barry “Goldberg” and Adam “Goldfarb” back to back was awesome.
“Some people are upset about their pet project.” Stephen Tobolowsky always nails his lines, but that one was particularly great.
Watching Gummi Bears while eating Gummi Bears? The mind boggles.
“…and no doing the worm, Dave Kim. I am onto you.” “This is America, man!”
“No! This is my graduation turtleneck!”
Lastly, I would just like to say that I love Asia, I have always loved Asia, and I always will love Asia. Like, to the point where my giddiness was off the charts when the original lineup of the band got back together in 2008 and released a new album. It’s like the never left, baby!
Well, that’s it for another season of The Middle and The Goldbergs, but before I go, I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the news that fans of both The Middle and The Goldbergs have probably already heard by now: when the two series return in the fall, The Middle will be moving to Tuesdays at 8 pm and The Goldbergs will be moving forward to the 8 pm Wednesday slot.
You can view this as a vote of confidence from ABC that The Middle is strong enough to help the network kick off their newly-minted Tuesday night comedy block, or you can view it as a vote of confidence in The Goldbergs that it’s strong enough to serve in The Middle’s stead on Wednesday nights. If you’re me, though, you view it as an opportunity to actually go to bed before the wee hours of Thursday morning because there won’t be two reviews to write in a single night.
As to whether or not the AV Club will let me continue to do the reviews of both shows when the fall rolls around, well, that’s actually a decision that’s made somewhere above my pay grade, but I’ll say this much: if they do let me keep doing them, I expect there’ll be far fewer typos and duplicated words and/or whole paragraphs. I’ll also add that it sure seems like we’ve had more comments on the reviews this season, which makes me wonder if we could indeed find ourselves with enough reader interaction to make them worthwhile as independent reviews.
For now, though, I’ll just say thank you to everyone who’s been reading these late-night / early-morning missives about my two favorite family sitcoms, and I hope you’ll keep reading next season, no matter what happens.
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Joe Morton on keeping Shonda Rhimes' secrets and working with directors "who don't know how to write for black people"
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The Vernon Chorale > Accompanist
KATHLEEN BARTKOWSKI
In addition to The Vernon Chorale, Kathleen Bartkowski accompanies the University Chorale and the vocal department at Central Connecticut State University. She is frequently invited to accompany choral festivals, musicals, and other community, college, and professional ensembles. In 2014, Kathleen was contracted to play for the CT Eastern Region HS Honor Choir and the New England Music Festival Association (NEMFA) Honor Choir.
Among other groups, Kathleen has accompanied are the Vermont Opera Theater, Mak’hela (Jewish Chorus of Western Massachusetts), the Mystic River Chorale, and many ACDA and NAfME honors choirs and conference sessions on the local, state, and national levels. Some recent highlights include Connecticut All-State Honors choirs, New York All-State Honor Choir, and the ACDA National Men’s Honor Choir. She has also had the honor of traveling with the UMass choirs and the Mystic River Chorale to Europe on several occasions.
Kathleen has been playing for churches for over 25 years, and is currently the Organist and Celebrate Accompanist for St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, Connecticut. She has served as a Member-at-Large on the Connecticut American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and New London County American Guild of Organists (AGO) Executive Boards. Her professional achievements are recognized in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who in the World.
Kathleen earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Accompanying from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she accompanied the University Chamber Choir, Chorale, vocalists, and instrumentalists. While pursuing her degree, she was granted the Eugenie M. May Award for Piano Performance. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Connecticut, where she served as accompanist for the choral department, playing for the University Chorale, Concert Choir, and Graduate Vocal Ensemble, as well as vocalists and instrumentalists. While attending UConn, Kathleen was awarded a University String Scholarship and the Victor Borge Scholarship.
Kathleen lives in Colchester with her husband, Doug, and their cats, Ben and Jerry.
The Vernon Chorale presents high-quality choral concerts three times a year, drawing its members from Greater Hartford’s community of trained musicians. Our programming covers a broad range of choral music from composers of the Renaissance to newly commissioned works.
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Erections occur in response to tactile, olfactory, and visual stimuli. The ability to achieve and maintain a full erection depends not only on the penile portion of the process but also on the status of the peripheral nerves, the integrity of the vascular supply, and biochemical events within the corpora. The autonomic nervous system is involved in erection, orgasm, and tumescence. The parasympathetic nervous system is primarily involved in sustaining and maintaining an erection, which is derived from S2-S4 nerve roots.
Erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. The Massachusetts Male Aging Study surveyed 1,709 men aged 40–70 years between 1987 and 1989 and found there was a total prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 52 percent. It was estimated that, in 1995, over 152 million men worldwide experienced ED. For 2025, the prevalence of ED is predicted to be approximately 322 million worldwide.
However, testosterone is only one of many factors that aid in adequate erections. Research is inconclusive regarding the role of testosterone replacement in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In a review of studies that looked at the benefit of testosterone in men with erection difficulties, nearly half showed no improvement with testosterone treatment. Many times, other health problems play a role in erectile difficulties. These can include:
A vacuum erection device is a plastic tube that slips over the penis, making a seal with the skin of the body. A pump at the other end of the tube makes a low-pressure vacuum around the erectile tissue, which results in an erection. An elastic ring is then slipped onto the base of the penis. This holds the blood in the penis (and keeps it hard) for up to 30 minutes. With proper training, 75 out of 100 men can get a working erection using a vacuum erection device.
These oral medications reversibly inhibit penile-specific PDE5 and enhance the nitric oxide–cGMP pathways of cavernous smooth muscle relaxation; that is, all prevent the breakdown of cGMP by PDE5. It is important to emphasize to patients that these drugs augment the body’s natural erectile mechanisms, therefore the neural and psychoemotional stimuli typically needed for arousal still need to be activated for the drugs to be efficacious.
It is essential to discuss erectile dysfunction with your doctor, so any serious underlying causes can be excluded and treatment options can be discussed. Many men are embarrassed discussing this issue with their doctor, or even their partner. Open communication with your doctor, and in your relationship, is important for effectively managing this common problem.
Modern drug therapy for ED made a significant advance in 1983, when British physiologist Giles Brindley dropped his trousers and demonstrated to a shocked Urodynamics Society audience his papaverine-induced erection.[35] The drug Brindley injected into his penis was a non-specific vasodilator, an alpha-blocking agent, and the mechanism of action was clearly corporal smooth muscle relaxation. The effect that Brindley discovered established the fundamentals for the later development of specific, safe, and orally effective drug therapies.[36][better source needed][37][better source needed]
The development of an erection is a complex event involving integration of psychologic, neurologic, endocrine, vascular, and local anatomic systems. Positron emission tomography scanning studies have suggested that sexual arousal is activated in higher cortical centers that then stimulate the medial preoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus.5 These signals ultimately descend through a complex neural network involving the parasympathetic nervous system and eventually activate parasympathetic nerves in the sacral area (S2 to S4).
Martha K Terris, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Urological Association, Association of Women Surgeons, New York Academy of Sciences, Society of Government Service Urologists, Society of University Urologists, Society of Urology Chairpersons and Program Directors, and Society of Women in Urology
The aim of treatment for hypogonadism is to normalize serum testosterone levels and abolish symptoms or pathological states that are due to low testosterone levels. The exact target testosterone level is a matter of debate, but current recommendations advocate levels in the mid-lower normal adult range (Nieschlag et al 2005). Truly physiological testosterone replacement would require replication of the diurnal rhythm of serum testosterone levels, but there is no current evidence that this is beneficial (Nieschlag et al 2005).
All NOS subtypes produce NO, but each may play a different biologic role in various tissues. nNOS and eNOS are considered constitutive forms because they share biochemical features: They are calcium-dependent, they require calmodulin and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate for catalytic activity, and they are competitively inhibited by arginine derivatives. nNOS is involved in the regulation of neurotransmission, and eNOS is involved in the regulation of blood flow.
But if a man with sleep apnea is diagnosed with low testosterone alone, taking the supplemental hormone can worsen sleep apnea. That's why it's crucial for men with low testosterone to get a thorough workup by an endocrinologist so underlying conditions that can cause low testosterone, such as sleep apnea or pituitary-gland tumors, don't go undiagnosed, Dr. Goodman says.
Saw palmetto: Uses, dosage, and side effects Saw palmetto is an extract from the berries of a type of palm tree. The berries have traditionally been used to ease urinary and reproductive problems. The extract is now used in herbal remedies to stabilize testosterone. Learn about its use, its effectiveness, the science behind the claims, and any side effects. Read now
There are risks to prosthetic surgery and patients are counselled before the procedure. If there is a post-operative infection, the implant will likely be removed. The devices are reliable, but in the case of mechanical malfunction, the device or a part of the device will need to be replaced surgically. If a penile prosthesis is removed, other non-surgical treatments may no longer work.
Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction or ED, is a very common problem, affecting up to half of 40-70 year old men in Australia.Treatment techniques for impotence have varied through the years, from external steel mechanical attachments, to static electricity attached to the penis and testicles, to simple aphrodisiacs such as oysters. Until as recently as 1970, erectile failure was almost always seen as being due to psychological causes and was usually treated with psychotherapy.Since then, the medical causes contributing to impotence have been recognised and the treatment of impotence has been revolutionised, providing a range of options which are far more acceptable and very much more successful.Treatment options for impotenceTreatment choices for erectile dysfunction include:medicines;self-injection therapy;devices such as vacuum pumps;penile implant surgery;hormone therapy; andcounselling.If you have erectile dysfunction, the treatment your doctor recommends will depend on the severity of symptoms and the underlying cause of your impotence.Your doctor will want to check that any conditions that could be contributing to or causing erectile dysfunction are being treated.Your doctor may also suggest that you make some lifestyle adjustments, such as:increasing the amount of physical activity you get;losing weight if you are overweight;reducing the amount of alcohol you drink;quitting smoking; andnot taking illicit drugs.These lifestyle recommendations can help improve impotence related to several causes and improve your health in general.Medicines for erectile dysfunctionThe first tablet available for erectile dysfunction, sildenafil (brand name Viagra), has been largely responsible for helping to bring the topic of erectile dysfunction out into the open. Similar medications — tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil ( Levitra) — are also available. These medicines all work in a similar way, although there is some difference in how long their effect lasts. Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil belong to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors because they block the PDE5 enzyme.How do oral medicines help treat erectile dysfunction?PDE5 inhibitors help in the process of getting and keeping an erection by working on chemicals in the body that are involved in erections. These medicines work by stopping PDE5 from breaking down an erection-producing chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP helps to relax the smooth muscle cells in the penis's erectile tissue, allowing more blood to flow into the penis to cause an erection. When PDE5 is temporarily blocked by these medicines, it can’t break down the erection producing cGMP, so an erection can be achieved and maintained. PDE5 inhibitors can be used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction that is due to physical or psychological causes.Medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra will work only if you are sexually stimulated. They are not aphrodisiacs and won’t increase your sex drive.Side effects of PDE5 inhibitorsSide effects of these medicines can include headaches, flushes, blocked nose, indigestion and dizziness.In rare situations, sildenafil and vardenafil can cause a distortion of vision or change in colour vision.Tadalafil has been associated with back pain.Who can take medicines for impotence?PDE5 inhibitors cannot be taken by all men, so your doctor will need to evaluate your suitability before prescribing either of these medications.Men taking nitrates (often used to treat angina) should never take phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors should also not be taken with some medicines used to treat high blood pressure.PDE5 inhibitors may also not be suitable for men with certain heart conditions or low blood pressure. Check with your doctor to find out if this type of medication may be suitable for you.Self-injection therapySelf-injection therapy delivers a medicine called alprostadil (brand name Caverject), also known as prostaglandin E-1, to the erectile tissue of the penis. Prostaglandin E-1 occurs naturally in the body and helps increase the blood flow to the penis to cause an erection. Unlike the PDE5 inhibitors, alprostadil will cause an erection whether the penis is stimulated or not.Self-injection therapy is usually recommended if PDE5 inhibitor medicines are not suitable or have not been effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.How to use self-injection therapyAlprostadil is injected into either of the 2 cigar-shaped chambers of the penis known as the corpora cavernosa, which run along the length of the penis, one on either side. Your doctor or urologist (specialist in problems with male reproductive organs and the urinary tract) will give you instructions on how to do this.Alprostadil should produce an erection in 5 to 20 minutes and, generally, the erection will last for 30 to 60 minutes.You should not use alprostadil more than once in a 24-hour period, and you should use it no more than 3 times a week.Don’t try to use more than the recommended dose of alprostadil, as your erection may last longer than is medically safe.Who can use self-injection therapy?You should ask your doctor if alprostadil is suitable for you. Your doctor will also be able to tell you how much alprostadil to use, depending on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medications, and also how to use alprostadil properly.People with certain illnesses, such as leukaemia and sickle cell anaemia, or who have a penile implant or Peyronie’s disease, where the penis may be scarred and produces erections that are not straight, should not use alprostadil.Men for whom sexual activity is not advised should not use alprostadil.Side effects of injection therapyThe most common side effects of alprostadil include pain in the penis or bruising in the penis at the site of injection. Fibrosis (the development of fibrous tissue) can also develop following injections into the penis.The most serious side effect is priapism (a persistent erection), which is a medical emergency. Your doctor will inform you of what to do if you have an erection that persists for 2 hours or more. It is very important that you follow your doctor’s instructions and inform them that you have experienced this side effect.Vacuum erection devicesVacuum erection devices work by creating a vacuum, which increases blood flow to the penis, producing an erection.The penis is lubricated and placed inside a hollow plastic chamber. Air is pumped out of the chamber, either manually or by a battery powered pump. This creates a vacuum which pulls blood into the penis to cause an erection. This takes about 5 minutes.Once the penis is erect, the man fits a rubber ring around the base of his penis to keep the blood trapped inside the penis when the cylinder is removed. After intercourse, the ring can be removed to return the penis to a limp state.Vacuum erection devices avoid surgery and can be used as often as required. However, they may be difficult to use, and many men and their partners feel they take much of the pleasure and spontaneity away from sexual activities. Vacuum pumps are not suitable for men who have problems with blood clotting, or blood disorders such as leukaemia.Penile implant surgery for impotencePenile implant surgery is not a common procedure but in some cases it may be the most appropriate treatment for erectile dysfunction.The procedure involves placing an implant inside the penis, along its length, so that it can become erect. The implant may be a pair of semi-rigid rods or a pair of inflatable cylinders.The inflatable implants allow the penis to look and feel limp (flaccid) or erect, depending on how much the cylinders are inflated. The cylinders in an inflatable implant are hollow, and the man gets an erection by squeezing a pump located in his scrotum to fill the cylinders with salt water (saline) stored in a reservoir implanted in his lower abdomen. A release valve drains the saline out of the cylinders and back into the reservoir.With the semi-rigid, malleable rod type of implant, the rods run along the length of the penis and can be bent upwards to produce an erect penis, or downwards when an erect penis is not required.Like all surgery, there are some risks, such as infection or bleeding. If you have had surgery and have severe pain, fever, swelling or excessive bleeding, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.Vascular surgery for erectile dysfunctionIn cases where a man’s anatomy prevents blood flow into or out of the penis, vascular surgery may be an option. This treatment option is rarely recommended, and is usually only successful in younger men.If there is a blockage that prevents blood from flowing into the penis, a doctor may recommend an operation that bypasses the blocked blood vessels, using a length of vein or manufactured tubing, to allow more blood to flow into the penis and help produce an erection.If the problem is that blood leaks back out of the penis, this can be corrected by tying off the major veins that drain the penis, a procedure known as venous ligation.Hormone treatments for impotenceIn a small number of men, blood tests may show abnormally low levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone. In such cases your doctor might prescribe a course of testosterone injections or a testosterone implant. The supplements can help boost sex drive as well as increasing the ability to have erections. Testosterone gel or patches, applied daily to the skin, are another option.Complementary medicines for erectile dysfunctionThere is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of complementary therapies for the treatment of impotence.Always check with your doctor before taking any herbal medicines or supplements for impotence. These formulations may contain ingredients that can interact with other medicines or cause dangerous side effects.Counselling for men with impotenceErectile dysfunction often has physical causes, but sometimes there is a psychological basis for erection problems. Often this is a form of performance anxiety. A man may have had an episode of erectile dysfunction due to some passing cause like fatigue, stress, relationship difficulty or intoxication. This may have led to embarrassment or a feeling of failure. Even if the physical cause does not remain, future attempts to have sex may trigger memories of this embarrassment and acute anxiety that it will happen again. This anxiety itself is capable of causing erectile dysfunction, and so a man may get trapped in a self-reinforcing cycle of anxiety and erectile dysfunction. In these instances, seeing a GP, counsellor or psychologist can be very helpful.Stress, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, in fact, almost all significant emotional problems, can have a major effect on sexuality. So do many chronic physical illnesses, even if they don't directly affect genital function. Counsellors and psychologists can assist with these and a wide range of other sexual and relationship problems and can also help female partners suffering from sexual problems. They are particularly skilled in helping patients to overcome guilt or anxiety relating to sexual abuse, and in helping couples to sort out relationship difficulties. Simple problems can be dealt with in a few visits, but more complex problems may require several months or even years of therapy.Your doctor may be able to recommend a psychologist or counsellor who specialises in sexual and relationship problems. Last Reviewed: 12 December 2016
Think of erectile dysfunction as your body’s “check engine light.” The blood vessels in the penis are smaller than other parts of the body, so underlying conditions like blocked arteries, heart disease, or high blood pressure usually show up as ED before something more serious like a heart attack or stroke. ED is your body’s way of saying, “Something is wrong.” And the list of things that cause erectile dysfunction can include:
Sally has a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Sciences (B.Sc.). She is a specialist in reviewing and summarising the latest findings across all areas of medicine covered in major, high-impact, world-leading international medical journals, international press conferences and bulletins from governmental agencies and regulatory bodies. At News-Medical, Sally generates daily news features, life science articles and interview coverage.
Cardiovascular disease, and its underlying pathological process atherosclerosis, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed and developing world. Coronary heart disease in particular is the commonest cause of death worldwide (AHA 2002; MacKay and Mensah 2004). As well as increasing with age, this disease is more common in the male versus female population internationally, which has led to interest in the potential role of sex hormones in modulating risk of development of atherosclerosis. Concerns about the potential adverse effects of testosterone treatment on cardiovascular disease have previously contributed to caution in prescribing testosterone to those who have, or who are at risk of, cardiovascular disease. Contrary to fears of the potential adverse effects of testosterone on cardiovascular disease, there are over forty epidemiological studies which have examined the relationship of testosterone levels to the presence or development of coronary heart disease, and none have shown a positive correlation. Many of these studies have found the presence of coronary heart disease to be associated with low testosterone levels (Reviews: Jones, Jones et al 2003; Jones et al 2005).
Overall, few patients have a compelling contraindication to testosterone treatment. The majority of men with late onset hypogonadism can be safely treated with testosterone but all will require monitoring of prostate parameters HDL cholesterol, hematocrit and psychological state. It is also wise to monitor symptoms of sleep apnea. Other specific concerns may be raised by the mode of delivery such as local side effects from transdermal testosterone.
Penile erection is managed by two mechanisms: the reflex erection, which is achieved by directly touching the penile shaft, and the psychogenic erection, which is achieved by erotic or emotional stimuli. The former uses the peripheral nerves and the lower parts of the spinal cord, whereas the latter uses the limbic system of the brain. In both cases, an intact neural system is required for a successful and complete erection. Stimulation of the penile shaft by the nervous system leads to the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), which causes the relaxation of smooth muscles of corpora cavernosa (the main erectile tissue of penis), and subsequently penile erection. Additionally, adequate levels of testosterone (produced by the testes) and an intact pituitary gland are required for the development of a healthy erectile system. As can be understood from the mechanisms of a normal erection, impotence may develop due to hormonal deficiency, disorders of the neural system, lack of adequate penile blood supply or psychological problems.[18] Spinal cord injury causes sexual dysfunction including ED. Restriction of blood flow can arise from impaired endothelial function due to the usual causes associated with coronary artery disease, but can also be caused by prolonged exposure to bright light.
It also had a purpose. It turns out posing in powerful stances causes your testosterone to increase within 20 minutes [13,14]. In those two studies, power posing for just a few minutes also dropped cortisol and boosted confidence. It’s a great way to start your day, or to give yourself an edge before a job interview or a big presentation. They don’t call it “warrior pose” for nothing!
Exercise is the original testosterone booster, and it’s one of the most powerful full-body hacks around. Men see a sharp increase in both testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH) after lifting weights, and the boost is greater with shorter rest time between sets (1 minute rest outperforms 3 minutes rest) [9]. With the shorter rest time, women also get a large boost in HGH.
The most common treatment for erectile dysfunction is drugs known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. These include tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and sildenafil citrate (Viagra). These are effective for about 75% of men with erectile dysfunction. They are tablets that are taken around an hour before sex, and last between 4 and 36 hours. Sexual stimulation is required before an erection will occur. The PDE-5 inhibitors cause dilation of blood vessels in the penis to allow erection to occur, and help it to stay rigid. Men using nitrate medication (e.g. GTN spray or sublingual tablets for angina) should not use PDE-5 inhibitors.
Instead of the hesitation with which he had accosted the cardinal a quarter of an hour before, there might be read in the eyes of the young king that will against which a struggle might be maintained, and which might be crushed by its own impotence, but which, at least, would preserve, like a wound in the depth of the heart, the remembrance of its defeat.
Testosterone is included in the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines, which are the most important medications needed in a basic health system.[172] It is available as a generic medication.[10] The price depends on the form of testosterone used.[173] It can be administered as a cream or transdermal patch that is applied to the skin, by injection into a muscle, as a tablet that is placed in the cheek, or by ingestion.[10]
When I first started TRT, my physician prescribed a cream that you rub into your skin. The cream version of TRT is not too convenient, because if someone touches you while you have the cream on, the testosterone can rub off on him/her. This can be really bad around kids or pregnant women. If you’re sleeping next to someone, the cream can get on the sheets and transfer over that way, too. The cream can be annoying, but it works. There’s also a gel version called AndroGel; I skipped it because it doesn’t absorb as well as the cream does.
Sexual functioning involves a complex interaction among biologic, sociocultural, and psychological factors, and the complexity of this interaction makes it difficult to ascertain the clinical etiology of sexual dysfunction. Before any diagnosis of sexual dysfunction is made, problems that are explained by a nonsexual mental disorder or other stressors must first be addressed. Thus, in addition to the criteria for erectile disorder, the following must be considered:
There is a negative correlation of testosterone levels with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (Glueck et al 1993; Phillips 1993), which is a major prothrombotic factor and known to be associated with progression of atherosclerosis, as well as other prothrombotic factors fibrinogen, α2-antiplasmin and factor VII (Bonithon-Kopp et al 1988; Glueck et al 1993; Phillips 1993; De Pergola et al 1997). There is a positive correlation with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) which is one of the major fibrinolytic agents (Glueck et al 1993). Interventional trials have shown a neutral effect of physiological testosterone replacement on the major clotting factors (Smith et al 2005) but supraphysiological androgen administration can produce a temporary mild pro-coagulant effect (Anderson et al 1995).
Diabetes. Erectile Dysfunction is common in people with diabetes. An estimated 10.9 million adult men in the U.S. have diabetes, and 35 to 50 percent of these men are impotent. The process involves premature and unusually severe hardening of the arteries. Peripheral neuropathy, with involvement of the nerves controlling erections, is commonly seen in people with diabetes.
The device consists of an acrylic cylinder placed over the penis that uses a lubricant to achieve a good seal between the penile body and cylinder. An erection is then achieved by creating a vacuum inside the cylinder with a pump connected to the cylinder. Once an erection is achieved, a constriction band is applied to the base of the penis to maintain the erection. The cylinder can then be removed and the patient can engage in intercourse with the constriction band at the base of the penis maintaining the erection. The band can remain on for approximately 30 minutes and then must be removed. The erection produced by the device differs from a normal erection likely because of venous occlusion from the constriction band resulting in generalized swelling of the entire penis, with probable preservation of arterial inflow.
However, a review of a United Kingdom medical record database found no evidence that the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors independently increase the risk for ED. In 71,849 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the risk of ED was not increased with the use of finasteride or dutasteride only (odds ratio [OR] 0.94), or a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor plus an alpha blocker (OR 0.92) compared with an alpha blocker only. In addition, the risk of ED was not increase in 12 346 men prescribed finasteride 1 mg for alopecia, compared with unexposed men with alopecia (OR 0.95). The risk of ED did increase with longer duration of BPH, regardless of drug exposure. [48]
Long-term predictions based on an aging population and an increase in risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, pelvic and prostate surgery, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and lower urinary tract symptoms) suggest a large increase in the number of men with ED. In addition, the prevalence of ED is underestimated because physicians frequently do not question their patients about this disorder.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. In general, exercise, particularly of the aerobic type, is effective for preventing ED during midlife. Exercise as a treatment is under investigation.[22]:6, 18–19 For tobacco smokers, cessation often results in a significant improvement.[23] Oral pharmacotherapy and vacuum erection devices are first-line treatments,[22]:20, 24 followed by injections of drugs into the penis, as well as penile implants.[22]:25–26 Vascular reconstructive surgeries are beneficial in certain groups.[24]
Hypogonadism (as well as age-related low testosterone) is diagnosed with blood tests that measure the level of testosterone in the body. The Endocrine Society recommends testing for suspected low T with a total testosterone test. It may be performed in the morning when testosterone levels tend to be highest in young men, although this isn't necessarily the case in older men. The test may be repeated on another day if the results show a low T level. (5)
The FDA recommends that men follow general precautions before taking a medication for ED. Men who are taking medications that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, should NOT use these medications. Taking nitrates with one of these medications can lower blood pressure too much. In addition, men who take tadalafil or vardenfil should use alpha blockers with care and only as instructed by their physician, as they could result in hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure). Experts recommend that men have a complete medical history and physical examination to determine the cause of ED. Men should tell their doctor about all the medications they are taking, including over-the-counter medications.
The primary nerve fibers to the penis are from the dorsal nerve of the penis, a branch of the pudendal nerve. The cavernosal nerves are a part of the autonomic nervous system and incorporate both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers. They travel posterolaterally along the prostate and enter the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to regulate blood flow during erection and detumescence. The dorsal somatic nerves are also branches of the pudendal nerves. They are primarily responsible for penile sensation. [10]
Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in men and women. In the MMAS, 52% of the respondents reported some degree of erectile difficulty. Complete ED, defined as (1) the total inability to obtain or maintain an erection during sexual stimulation and (2) the absence of nocturnal erections, occurred in 10% of the respondents. Mild and moderate ED occurred in 17% and 25% of responders, respectively. [15]
Treatment involves addressing the underlying causes, lifestyle modifications, and addressing psychosocial issues.[1] In many cases, a trial of pharmacological therapy with a PDE5 inhibitor, such as sildenafil, can be attempted. In some cases, treatment can involve inserting prostaglandin pellets into the urethra, injecting smooth muscle relaxants and vasodilators into the penis, a penile prosthesis, a penis pump, or vascular reconstructive surgery.[1][2] It is the most common sexual problem in men.[3]
Oral/buccal (by mouth). The buccal dose comes in a patch that you place above your incisor (canine or "eyetooth"). The medication looks like a tablet but you should not chew or swallow it. The drug is released over 12 hours. This method has fewer harmful side effects on the liver than if the drug is swallowed, but it may cause headaches or cause irritation where you place it.
A related issue is the potential use of testosterone as a coronary vasodilator and anti-anginal agent. Testosterone has been shown to act as a vasodilator of coronary arteries at physiological concentrations during angiography (Webb, McNeill et al 1999). Furthermore men given a testosterone injection prior to exercise testing showed improved performance, as assessed by ST changes compared to placebo (Rosano et al 1999; Webb, Adamson et al 1999). Administration of one to three months of testosterone treatment has also been shown to improve symptoms of angina and exercise test performance (Wu and Weng 1993; English et al 2000; Malkin, Pugh, Morris et al 2004). Longer term studies are underway. It is thought that testosterone improves angina due its vasodilatory action, which occurs independently of the androgen receptor, via blockade of L-type calcium channels at the cell membrane of the vascular smooth muscle in an action similar to the dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers such as nifedipine (Hall et al 2006).
Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED or impotence, is the inability to attain or maintain an erection of the penis adequate for the sexual satisfaction of both partners. It can be devastating to the self-esteem of a man and of his partner. As many as 30 million American men are afflicted on a continuing basis, and transient episodes affect nearly all adult males. But nearly all men who seek treatment find some measure of relief.
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20 years after devastating M6.7 Northridge earthquake, Los Angeles
Posted by Teo Blašković on January 17, 2014 at 09:50 UTC (5 years ago)
Categories: History, Seismic activity
At 4:30 on the morning of January 17, 1994, some 10 million people in the Los Angeles region of southern California were awakened by the shaking of an earthquake. The earthquake, named for its epicenter in the town of Northridge, was a magnitude 6.7 (M = 6.7, Depth=18.4 km) shock that proved to be the most costly earthquake in United States history.
This was the first earthquake to strike directly under an urban area of the United States since the 1933 Long Beach earthquake.
The earthquake occurred on a blind thrust fault, and produced the strongest ground motions ever instrumentally recorded in an urban setting in North America. Faults involved: Northridge Thrust (also known as Pico Thrust) , several other faults experienced minor rupture, rupture during large aftershocks, or triggered slip. (SCEC)
The shaking heavily damaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley, and their surrounding mountains north and west of Los Angeles, causing estimated losses of 20 billion dollars.
Fifty-seven people died, more than 9 000 were injured, and more than 20 000 were displaced from their homes by the effects of the quake.
Although moderate in size, the earthquake had immense impact on people and structures because it was centered directly beneath a heavily populated and built-up urban region. Thousands of buildings were significantly damaged, and more than 1 600 were later "red-tagged" as unsafe to enter. Another 7,300 buildings were restricted to limited entry ("yellow-tagged"), and many thousands of other structures incurred at least minor damage.
The 10-20 seconds of strong shaking collapsed buildings, brought down freeway interchanges, and ruptured gas lines that exploded into fires. Fortuitously, the early morning timing of the earthquake spared many lives that otherwise might have been lost in collapsed parking buildings and on failed freeway structures.
TV Shake Map - Image credit: USGS
USGS made available this raw silent video footage of the damage:
Video courtesy of USGS
The earthquake was felt throughout much of southern California and as far away as Turlock, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Richfield, Utah and Ensenada, Mexico.
The maximum recorded acceleration exceeded 1.0g at several sites in the area with the largest value of 1.8g recorded at Tarzana, about 7 km south of the epicenter. A maximum uplift of about 15 cm occurred in the Santa Susana Mountains and many rockslides occurred in mountain areas, blocking some roads.
Some ground cracks were observed at Granada Hills and in Potrero Canyon. Some liquefaction occurred at Simi Valley and in some other parts of the Los Angeles Basin.
It caused many thousands of landslides over an area of 10 000 square kilometers, mostly concentrated in sparsely populated areas north of the San Fernando Valley. The landslides destroyed homes, roads, and utility lines, and blocked streams. They also generated dense clouds of dust, precipitating an outbreak of valley fever that caused three fatalities.
Collapsed apartment building after the Northridge Earthquake of January 17, 1994. Photo taken Saturday, January 22, 1994 by Gary B. Edstrom.
The Kaiser Permanente Building after the Northridge Earthquake of January 17, 1994. Photo taken on Saturday, January 22, 1994 by Gary B. Edstrom.
Damaged portion of the Golden State Freeway at Gavin Canyon. Image credit: FEMA. Photographed by Robert A. Eplett.
Shake Map - Instrumental intensity. Credit: USGS
Learn more: USGS Response to an Urban Earthquake: Northridge '94
Tags: california, northridge earthquake
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Fast track authority: trade policy or politics?
Paola Conconi, Giovanni Facchini, Maurizio Zanardi 21 May 2008
The US Congress recently denied President Bush trade promotion authority and scuttled the US-Colombia trade agreement. This column discusses the importance of “fast track” negotiating authority in liberalising global trade and presents an explanation of the politics that led to its recent lapse.
The success or failure of international trade agreements often depends on what happens in the U.S. Congress. A recent example is provided by the controversial vote cast on April 10, in which Congress suspended fast track procedures for the ratification of the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement, thus reneging on the rules that have regulated the trade negotiations of the U.S. with its trading partners for over thirty years.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution empowers Congress “to regulate commerce with foreign nations”. Since 1974, Congress has recurrently delegated this power to the executive by granting fast track authority, now called trade promotion authority (TPA), to the President. Under TPA, trade deals made by the executive can only be approved or rejected without amendments within 90 days after the implementing legislation is presented to Congress. In the absence of TPA, there are no limits to Congressional debate and amendments.
Fast track procedures played a crucial role during the Tokyo Round and the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, as well as in all but one of the free trade agreements signed by the U.S.1 Fast track authority, renamed “trade promotion authority” by the George W. Bush administration, was last granted in 2002 for five years, allowing the U.S. to implement several free trade agreements with countries such as Australia and Chile, and to negotiate additional bilateral trade deals with Peru, Panama, South Korea and Colombia. The expiration of TPA in July 2007 has caused much concern, since “without renewal of fast track… the prospects for completion of the Doha Round of global trade talks, as well as several proposed bilateral U.S. trade deals, remain bleak.” (Wall Street Journal, 29 June 2007).
A two-level game
Notwithstanding its importance for the outcome of international trade negotiations, the decision to grant TPA remains very much a “domestic” decision, driven by the effects it has on the legislators’ constituencies. In other words, the decision is the result of a “two-level game” (see Putnam, 1988), in which international and domestic considerations are intimately related. How can domestic institutions affect the outcomes of trade negotiations? This is not a new question in the international economics literature. For example, Grossman and Helpman (1995) have considered the role of domestic pressure groups in shaping international agreements.
The role of domestic institutional procedures is less well understood. What drives the behaviour of legislators in the U.S. Congress when a vote is called upon delegating trade negotiating power to the President? What are the effects of TPA on the United States and the world? In a recent working paper, we address these questions, examining the theoretical determinants of a congressional representative’s decision to vote in favour or against TPA. In our setup, the executive and the legislators represent the trade policy interests of their own electoral constituencies, which depend on the relative importance of import-competing and export industries located there. When voting in favour or against fast track, legislators anticipate the impact that TPA (or the lack thereof) will have on the outcome of the negotiations with the foreign country. In terms of their trade preferences, legislators can differ from each other and from the executive, as a result of an uneven geographical distribution of production activities: for example, compared to the President, representatives from districts that are specialised in the production of import-competing goods will be less willing to exchange reductions in domestic protection for reductions in foreign trade barriers. The opposite is true for representatives of districts that are characterised by higher stakes in export activities.
Our theoretical model predicts that congresspersons from constituencies with higher stakes in import-competing industries will tend to vote against TPA, while representatives of more export-oriented constituencies may vote in favour or against, depending on the degree of protectionism of the majority of Congress. To understand this result, notice that, when the executive lacks TPA, it is as if Congress were to negotiate directly with foreign executives. More “liberal” congressmen then realise that they may be able to extract better concessions from the partner country if they let a conservative majority negotiate rather than the President, since the latter is more willing to enter an agreement. This is in line with results obtained in the literature on strategic delegation, which show that principals may gain by delegating decision-making power to status quo-biased agents, to increase their “bargaining power” in negotiations (e.g., Schelling, 1956).
This argument also implies that the lack of TPA would result in more protectionist trade agreements, which might end up discouraging trade partners from starting to negotiate with the United States in the first place. This can explain, for example, why Chile finalised a free trade agreement with the United States in 2003, after the latest renewal of TPA, rather than during the period between 1994 and 2002, when the executive lacked such authority.
Is this theoretical argument consistent with the facts? In order to answer this question, we conduct an empirical investigation of the determinants of legislators’ voting behaviour on fast track authority since its inception in 1974. The results are consistent with our model; in particular, the degree of protectionism of the majority that would form in Congress to negotiate a free trade agreement is an important determinant of the voting decision. The empirical analysis also points out the role of additional factors, which can help explain the current situation. First, over time fast track authority has become less popular among U.S. legislators, reflecting growing concerns on the effects of “globalisation”. Second, members of the Democratic Party are much less likely to vote in favour of fast track. These two findings, combined with the fact that we are in Presidential election year, make it not surprising that the Democrat majority in Congress is now firmly against granting fast track to the outgoing administration.
If it is true that “the power of a negotiator often rests on a manifest inability to make concessions and to meet demands” (Shelling, 1956), the U.S. Congress may find little comfort in this theoretical argument. In particular, the tough negotiating stance of the United States may push away its trading partners. As Jagdish Bhagwati recently pointed out, “if we don’t have fast track, we are going to lose out in the race for bilaterals.” In this case, the United States would bear large costs.
Now that the U.S. President does not have fast track authority, many commentators have underlined the difficulties that future U.S. administrations will face in initiating and leading international trade negotiations. Even more worrying is the recent vote on the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement, which suspended the 90-day limit for ratification of deals negotiated under TPA. Susan Schwab, the U.S. Trade Representative, called this move “pure, partisan politics”. Indeed, trade policy looks more and more like a “one-level game”, in which decisions are driven solely by domestic concerns. Congress seems to have very little consideration for the repercussions of its decisions on other countries, as well as on the international reputation of the United States, disregarding the recent warning of Condoleezza Rice: “the eyes of many nations are upon us, and let no one think that the choices we make will not echo around the globe.”
Conconi, P., G. Facchini, and M. Zanardi (2008). “Fast Track Authority and International Trade Negotiations,” CEPR Discussion Paper n. 6790.
Grossman G. M., and E. Helpman (1995). “Trade Wars and Trade Talks,” Journal of Political Economy 103, 675-708.
Putnam, R. (1988). “Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of Two Level Games,” International Organization 42, 427-460.
Schelling, T.C. (1956). “An Essay on Bargaining,” American Economic Review 46, 281-306.
1 Since 1974, the US-Jordan free trade agreement is the only one that has not been negotiated under fast track rules.
Topics: International trade Politics and economics
Tags: US Congress, Trade Promotion Authority
Paola Conconi
Professor of Economics, Université Libre de Bruxelles; and CEPR Research Fellow
Giovanni Facchini
Professor of Economics, University of Nottingham and University of Milan and CEPR Research Fellow.
Maurizio Zanardi
Professor of International Economics, Lancaster University Management School
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L-Valine anion
Formula: C5H10NO2-
Data compiled by: John E. Bartmess
Note: Please consider using the reaction search for this species. This page allows searching of all reactions involving this species. A general reaction search form is also available. Future versions of this site may rely on reaction search pages in place of the enumerated reaction displays seen below.
Individual Reactions
C5H10NO2- + =
By formula: C5H10NO2- + H+ = C5H11NO2
rH° 1431. ± 7.9 kJ/mol CIDC Jones, Bernier, et al., 2007 gas phase
rH° 1420. ± 13. kJ/mol G+TS O'Hair, Bowie, et al., 1992 gas phase
rG° 1391. ± 13. kJ/mol CIDC O'Hair, Bowie, et al., 1992 gas phase
C5H10NO2- + = C5H12NO3-
By formula: C5H10NO2- + H2O = C5H12NO3-
rH° 59.8 ± 1.7 kJ/mol N/A Wincel, 2008 gas phase
rG° 30.1 ± 2.9 kJ/mol TDAs Wincel, 2008 gas phase
Go To: Top, Reaction thermochemistry data, Notes
Jones, Bernier, et al., 2007
Jones, C.M.; Bernier, M.; Carson, E.; Colyer, K.E.; Metz, R.; Pawlow, A.; Wischow, E.D.; Webb, I.; Andriole, E.J.; Poutsma, J.C., Gas-phase Acities of the 20 Protein Amino Acids, Int. J. Mass Spectrom., 2007, 267, 1-3, 54-62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2007.02.018 . [all data]
O'Hair, Bowie, et al., 1992
O'Hair, R.J.; Bowie, J.H.; Gronert, S., Gas Phase Acidity of the alpha-Amino Acids, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Proc., 1992, 117, 23, https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1176(92)80083-D . [all data]
Wincel, 2008
Wincel, H., Hydration energies of deprotonated amino acids from gas phase equilibria measurements, J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom., 2008, 19, 8, 1091-1097, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasms.2008.05.014 . [all data]
Go To: Top, Reaction thermochemistry data, References
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Meraviglia Class
15 June, 2018 by wetravel2u
MSC Cruises unveils plans to build fifth Meraviglia class vessel
MSC Cruises aggressive fleet expansions plans are set to continue after the brand revealed plans to build a fifth Meraviglia-class vessel.
The line announced its decision to build a ship, due to be delivered in 2023, during a ceremony today (June 14) at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard in STX France.
The vessel will be the 13th ship to be built during MSC Cruises’ 10-year investment plan which will see the line double its capacity by 2020 and more than triple it by 2026.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman, said: “Our fifth Meraviglia-class cruise ship will bring a new generation of cutting-edge environmental technology to the market, benefiting from a new generation of LNG-powered engines.
“This will help us further reduce our environmental footprint and advance in our journey of constant improvement.”
The line also revealed at the event that the fourth Meraviglia-class vessel would be called MSC Virtuosa, which underwent its steel cutting ceremony today.
For the first time in Saint-Nazaire’s history, three cruise ships belonging to a single cruise brand are under simultaneous construction at the shipyard.
MSC’s agreement with STX France to add another ship to its order book represents an investment of €900 million.
Thursday’s event was held to mark three shipbuilding milestones: the steel cutting ceremony of the fourth Meraviglia class vessel, the coin ceremony of MSC Grandiosa and the float of MSC Bellissima.
MSC Bellissima will be christened at a ceremony in Southampton on March 2 2019.
The event will be attended by more than 2,000 guests, including VIPs and important British stakeholders.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christened, LNG Fuelled, Meraviglia Class, MSC Bellissima, MSC Cruises, MSC Meraviglia, Pierfrancesco Vago, Saint-Nazaire, southampton, stx france | Leave a comment
1 June, 2017 by wetravel2u
MSC Cruises Officially Receives MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises officially took delivery of MSC Meraviglia.
During the ship’s flag ceremony, the ship received her official flag and blessings for good fortune. The ceremony was attended by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic and other high-level dignitaries from the French government.
MSC Cruises said it estimates that its total investment at STX France from 2003 to 2020 will amount to over 7 billion euros, effectively making the company the country’s number one foreign private investor.
Following her christening ceremony, which will take place in Le Havre on June 3, MSC Meraviglia will start her inaugural season sailing the Western Mediterranean.
“MSC Meraviglia’s coming into service marks a key milestone in the history and future of our Company,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “She represents the first realization of our long-term vision for further significant growth, which, in its first phase, culminated with MSC Cruises becoming two years ago the number one cruise brand across all of Europe, while on its way to further global growth.”
“Above all, we must celebrate the work of everyone: from all the workers of our partner STX France to MSC Cruises’ New Builds Team, each and every supplier and sub-supplier who has contributed to turning our vision into reality as well as everyone at MSC who has worked ashore and on board on this amazing project. A galvanized team of up to 3,000 workers a month and over 400 suppliers, built over the past three years the largest and most technologically advanced cruise ship ever constructed by a European ship owner. This is worth celebrating!” added Vago.
“Delivering a ship is always a time of great emotion for the shipyard: it is the culmination of three years of intense work for our employees and those of our partners, who have spared no effort to deliver on the exact date and in the quality conditions desired by our client MSC Cruises, this first ship of the Meraviglia class,” said Laurent Castaing, CEO of STX France. “Benefiting from our advances in R&D from the “Ship of the Future” program supported by ADEME, this prototype is a great achievement that we can all be proud of and which allows us to look confidently at the next three ships.”
During today’s flag ceremony, the shipyard’s pennant and the French flag were lowered, accompanied by the French national anthem, before Laurent Castaing, CEO of STX France, formally handed the ship over to MSC Cruises’ owner Gianluigi Aponte.
Aponte then gave command of MSC Meraviglia to Master Raffaele Pontecorvo before the ship’s flag and MSC Cruises’ pennant were raised.
The honor of cutting the ribbon fell to the ceremony’s godmother, Zoe Africa Vago, daughter of MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman and Alexa Aponte-Vago, MSC Group’s CFO. After the traditional breaking of the bottle of champagne, three blasts from the ship’s siren signaled the end of the ceremony.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ADEME, Gianluigi Aponte, Meraviglia Class, MSC, MSC Cruise, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, stx france | Leave a comment
MSC Cruises Finalizes Two-Ship Construction Contract with STX France
STX France and MSC Cruises have announced they have finalized the contracts for two new 177,000-ton cruise ships for MSC.
The two next-generation ships will be the largest ever built for a European cruise line.
Delivery is scheduled for 2019 and 2020, respectively.
The ships will be known as the “Meraviglia-Plus” class, an evolution of the smaller 167,000 GRT “Meraviglia” class. The first of two “Meraviglia” ships are scheduled to enter into service in June 2017. The will have capacity for 6,300 passengers in 2,450 cabins.
“I am extremely pleased to see us continuing to deliver against our industrial plan with the coming into force of the final contract for the two “Meraviglia-Plus” ships,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “I view this as a further reflection of the strength of the relationship in place from day one between MSC Cruises and STX France. It is for this reason that, in addition to having built at STX France all twelve of our existing ships, through 2026 up to eight more are currently planned to be built in France at STX.”
MSC Cruises said the two units finalized this week are part of the company’s €9 billion investment plan for eleven new next-generation cruise ships to coming into service by 2026
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged investment plan, Meraviglia Class, Meraviglia-Plus, MSC, MSC Cruise, MSC Divina, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Poesia, MSC Seaside, MSC Splendida, stx france | Leave a comment
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← On TV: DETROPIA
In Theatres: THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK →
Hot Docs 2013 in Brief, Part Four: Nightvision, Rule Breakers & Next
Wrapping up my reactions to films from this year’s Hot Docs, this post looks at a few of the remaining programming sections not covered in previous posts (here, here, and here). These include the playful and subversive Nightvision, thematic focus on Rule Breakers & Innovators, and the art, music, and culture strand Next.
THE GREAT HIP HOP HOAX
One of the titles I was saddest to have missed upon its premiere at SXSW was Jeanie Finlay’s exploration of a talented but disrespected Scottish hip hop duo who managed to talk their way into a recording contract only after passing themselves off as California natives (pictured above). Though intending to reveal the truth early into their scam, Billy and Gavin get caught up in their “Silibil n’ Brains” assumed identities, and make it much closer to hip hop stardom than anyone can believe – only to just miss capitalizing on their big break, at the cost of their friendship. Finlay has their full participation, as well as thoughts from others who were caught in their web of well-meaning mischief, to reveal the full, entertaining, and often unbelievable story in this expertly constructed cautionary tale about the siren call of fame.
SHOOTING BIGFOOT
Speaking of hoaxes, British filmmaker Morgan Matthews turns his camera on several men who aim to find the legendary man ape, the subject of numerous hoaxes over the decades. Despite the lack of any believable evidence, Bigfoot has developed an impassioned following of would-be cryptozoologists and hunters, eager to prove the Sasquatch’s existence. Matthews follows three different search parties: Dallas and Wayne, prone to trying to communicate with the creature via unusual screams; short-tempered longtime hunter Tom Biscardi and his motley crew of assistants, including comic standout Chico, a Navy Seal; and, primarily, “master tracker” Rick Dyer, who is trying to rehabilitate his image after a 2008 hoax wherein he claimed to have the body of a Bigfoot. Matthews, logically, is skeptical as to Bigfoot’s existence, but affects a naivete during his ridealongs that proves revealing of his subjects. Audiences will likely debate this, but, generally, Dallas and Wayne seem genuine in their beliefs, and ultimately harmless, while both Biscardi and Dyer come off as absolute hucksters, either trying to trick Matthews into buying into their schtick, or otherwise, working in collusion with him to perpetrate another hoax – the jury’s still out. Regardless, it can’t be denied that Matthews’ film is very entertaining, if structurally challenged – for all the buzz the conclusion has generated, it ends abruptly, basically dropping the Dallas and Wayne and Biscardi threads to focus exclusively on a suspicious (and dubious) encounter in the woods while accompanying Dyer.
SICK BIRDS DIE EASY
Also speaking of hoaxes… This Nightvision entry purports to be the chronicle of filmmaker Nicholas Fackler’s expedition to Gabon with a random assemblage of friends and others to explore the healing properties of iboga, a plant used by shaman to cure addiction, but illegal in the Western world. The entire pretentious enterprise seems manufactured rather than real, with thoroughly and intentionally unlikeable and illogical characters right out of central casting – arrogant, entitled Westerners who speak for the pygmy tribe they visit rather than actually gain any insight from them, and who continuously engage in morally ethical behavior. It’s hard to give this the benefit of the doubt and trust that it’s a genuine, if ineptly made, documentary rather than some ill-planned attempt at a satire. Whether it is or not, it just doesn’t work at all.
NAKED OPERA
There’s a huge amount of pretension displayed by the subject of Angela Christlieb’s portrait, wealthy Luxembourger Marc Rollinger – but he’s refreshingly well aware of and even self-deprecating about his pomposity. Rollinger is obsessed with Don Giovanni – so much so that he spends his free time jetting to whichever European city is staging the opera, usually with a handsome, beefy, and well-compensated male companion at his side. Unapologetically opinionated, strangely candid, and possessed of an often quite funny sardonic wit, Rollinger sees his life paralleled in the opera – not just in the protagonist’s self-indulgence but also in his tragic end: Rollinger suffers from a terminal autoimmune disease, which motivates his excesses and informs his sadness. Still, even Rollinger, early in the film, questions whether he makes for an appropriate documentary subject, and I’m not entirely sure he’s wrong, to be honest. There are intriguing aspects to his life and his way of approaching impending mortality, but he doesn’t always sustain viewer interest in what is, nevertheless, a well-shot and stylish film.
FUREVER
Mortality and grief are at the core of the final film in Nightvision, Amy Finkel’s engaging exploration of the bond between pets and their caretakers, even beyond the grave. The film surveys the lengths pet owners (aka “pet parents”) go to process their grief after their companion’s death – from freeze-drying to pet cemeteries, mummification to cloning – revealing our culture’s own uneasy relationship with mortality. Owners interviewed indicate a sense of comfort from their attempts to hold on to their beloved animals, speaking to the scientific research briefly presented about the biochemistry at play between human and animal, while service providers note the importance of validating their customers’ loss – pets viewed as beloved family members, not just as a disposable piece of property. In some ways an updated GATES OF HEAVEN, Finkel’s approach is ever respectful, even when dealing with some of the more outré practices on display.
FREE THE MIND
Moving over to the festival’s thematic sidebar, Rule Breakers and Innovators, Phie Ambo’s film puts more of a focus on brain chemistry and its potential to address serious disorders. Ambo’s focus is the work of researcher Richard Davidson and his scientific work on the Buddhist practice of Mindfulness, as demonstrated in parallel studies of PTSD in soldiers and ADHD in children. The former go through a more regimented treatment for the debilitating effects their time in combat is having on their lives, while the latter is primarily focused on the efforts to help a small boy conquer his fear of riding in elevators. While it’s interesting to consider the contrasting applications of Davidson’s theories on these two distinct studies, the veterans are far more practically explored, and, honestly, simply more convincing than the situation with the young boy, on whom the concept of Mindfulness is far more diffusely applied. As a whole, the film provokes intriguing questions, but seems to be stretching a bit to show Davidson’s efficacy.
TINY: A STORY ABOUT LIVING SMALL
Taking on just the right amount for its length and focus, Christopher Smith and Merete Mueller’s follows the filmmaking couple as they set out to build a tiny house – a residence that suits their essential needs but can fit in a standard parking space. Decidedly Smith’s dream, but with Mueller’s cooperation and support, he purchases five acres of pristine Colorado land and sets to work, of course underestimating how complex the undertaking is. The filmmakers’ observations about the process, and their personal and environmental reasons for wanting a tiny house, join interviews with other tiny house owners to impart a clear sense of the growing movement. By the project’s nature, the personal narration works more often than it doesn’t, and the film’s structure makes for an ultimately satisfying viewing experience.
Andreas M Dalsgaard also offers a design-oriented doc for Hot Doc’s Rule Breakers strand with this smart consideration of the need for city planning to return to the smaller scale. Using Danish urban planner Jan Gehl’s ideas as a focus, the film looks at several cities that are attempting to shift their design away from an elevated macro view to an eye-level perspective, where residents, and, importantly, pedestrians, can make better use of them than motorists. Beautifully lensed, with a smart selection of test case cities under consideration, Dalsgaard’s film is a compelling thinking piece, even if it’s at times a bit insular.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY APPLY
Rounding out Rule Breakers, Cullen Hoback serves as a guide through the erosion of privacy on the Internet. Recognizing that most people spend no more than a few seconds glancing at the various terms and conditions agreements connected to various websites, applications, and the like, Hoback seeks to understand what exactly we’re authorizing by so easily clicking “yes.” This alone is a great structuring device for a doc, and Hoback follows it through to its often sobering conclusion, establishing how we’ve become willing participants in the destruction of our own privacy, authorizing entities like Google or Facebook to give authorities access to our information and behavior patterns. While the film is constructed on the conventional side, and Hoback’s narration might be somewhat overused, both approaches are suited to the project, and its provocative conclusions definitely hold the viewer’s attention.
THE PUNK SINGER
The Next section of the festival turns the spotlight on films about art, music, and culture. Sini Anderson’s entry is a comprehensive, honest, and intimate appreciation of Kathleen Hanna, known to many as the lead singer of seminal bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, and one of the pioneers of the riot grrrl movement – and someone who inexplicably vanished from the scene for several years. Blending an impressive body of archival footage of performances and personal movies with candid interviews from Hanna and key musicians and other figures from her life, the doc reintroduces adherents to the singer’s appeal and importance, especially to young women in the 1990s, and, no doubt, wins her some new fans. Well-spoken and outspoken, Hanna also candidly discusses the health concerns that led to her withdrawal from music until very recently in Anderson’s strong portrait.
AS TIME GOES BY IN SHANGHAI
Uli Gaulke’s film offers a collective profile of the oldest jazz band in China, Shanghai’s Peace Old Jazz, as they prepare for an international concert appearance in Rotterdam. Ranging in age from 65 to 87, these men have seen dramatic change in their country, including the Cultural Revolution, which was meant to cut them off from their passion for American music. Some still performed in secret, waiting until China opened up again to play professionally, which the band has done since 1980. With multiple characters, Gaulke never gets into extreme depth with any one individual, but the passing musings they make evoke an ethereal sense of the tumultuous history of China in the 20th century, elevating this from what could have been a condescending, sentimental geriatric portrait.
THIS AIN’T NO MOUSE MUSIC!
Closing out Next and this year’s Hot Docs coverage, Chris Simon and Maureen Gosling’s doc celebrates the work of Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz, a German immigrant who has made it his life’s unrelenting mission to locate and preserve American folk music in its myriad forms. The only thing the affable Chris doesn’t like, as noted by the film’s title, is soulless, irredeemable commercial throwaway music, and this breadth of interest informs Simon and Gosling’s portrait, which is awash in the sounds of New Orleans jazz, zydeco, Louisiana blues, and Tex-Mex norteño. Chris doesn’t provide a strong enough central thread to carry the film, resulting in a high concentration of anecdotes and an overall survey-like approach, but his passion is clearly and lovingly conveyed, proving resonant with the audience.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief, Recommendations
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Diageo Plans New $115 Million Kentucky Distillery
May 29, 2014 – Diageo plans to solve its Bourbon supply issues by spending $115 million to build a new whiskey distillery in Shelby County, Kentucky east of Shelbyville. The plan announced today will result in a new distillery capable of producing 1.8 million proof gallons of spirit a year for what the company described in a news release as “current and future Diageo bourbon and North American Whiskey brands.” In the release, Diageo North America President Larry Schwartz said the project will cement the company’s future in the North American whiskey market.
“The distillery will build on our presence in Kentucky and we are committed to being a productive member of the local community. We are very thankful for the support we have received thus far from state and local officials and look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship.”
Diageo has agreed to purchase 300 acres of land on Benson Pike east of Shelbyville, approximately halfway between Louisville and Lexington. Construction could begin by the end of this year, with the distillery to begin production by the end of 2016. The distillery must still receive state and local governmental approval, but in the news release, Shelby County Judge-Executive Rob Rothenburger praised the project as a welcome investment.
“The Shelby County Fiscal Court is very excited that Diageo is proposing to expand its worldwide distillation operations by building a state-of-the-art distillery in Shelby County. We look forward to a great partnership with Diageo and we welcome them to the community.”
Rothenburger was out of town and unavailable for interviews this week, according to an aide. Company officials will hold an open house for community members on June 10 at the Shelbyville Country Club to discuss the project’s impact on the community. A public hearing is scheduled for June 17 in Shelbyville. The site will also include six warehouses for maturing whiskey, with approximately 100 acres of land to serve as a buffer zone around the distillery and warehouses. While the Diageo news release pledged that the distillery will be designed with environmental protection in mind, the company faces a class-action lawsuit in a Louisville federal court along with other whisky producers over allegations that mold problems on homes near their facilities has been caused by alcohol vapors coming from maturation warehouses.
Diageo’s investment appears to answer the long-term question of a source for Bulleit Bourbon, which had been distilled at Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg under a long-term supply contract that was to end in March. As reported here in September, Four Roses had notified Diageo that it would exercise its right to terminate the contract, citing the need to use the distilling capacity for its own whiskies. Four Roses and Diageo executives have declined to comment on the contract since then, with the only statements from Diageo during that time suggesting that a solution was being developed. Bulleit is Diageo’s primary Bourbon brand, along with the Orphan Barrel line of vintage whiskies introduced this year. Those whiskies were distilled at the old and new Bernheim distilleries in Louisville, but Diageo has not owned a working distillery in Kentucky since it sold the current Bernheim Distillery to Heaven Hill in 1999.
The announcement may also quash speculation for now about plans to revive the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, which has been closed since 1992. Diageo is expanding the current Bulleit Experience visitor attraction at the distillery, which opened as a training facility in 2011, and plans to add it to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in the near future. Company sources have confirmed that plans were being developed to reopen the distillery, which faces a number of environmental and safety issues that would add to the cost of reviving it. Diageo’s news release did not address whether the new distillery will have a tourism element. However, it should be noted that while the city of Shelbyville is “wet” (meaning liquor sales are allowed), the rest of Shelby County is “dry” with no liquor sales or tastings allowed at present. The distillery is located in the “dry” part of the county, meaning that any on-site visitor attraction would not be allowed to offer tastings or sell whiskey without a change in the law.
This story will be updated with more details. As of now, Diageo has declined to make company executives available for interviews, saying that there “are a number of steps in the process that have to be cleared” first.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include an architect’s rendering of the proposed distillery supplied by Diageo, along with information on Shelby County’s “dry” status and Judge-Executive Rob Rothenburger’s unavailability for interviews.
Links: Diageo | Bulleit
News Updates Presented By
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With Explore the Planets, investigate the planets, their moons, and understand the processes that shape them. By G. Jeffrey Taylor, Ph.D. See our DVD collection.
Edward White
Edward White was an American astronaut who was born on November 14, 1930, in Texas. Before he became an astronaut, White was an Air Force test pilot. He logged over 3000 hours of flight time.
White became an astronaut in 1962. He has spent over 96 hours in space on one spaceflight. In 1965, White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. White floated for 22 minutes from the Gemini 4 spacecraft.
White was killed in a flash fire during testing of the Apollo 1 spacecraft in 1967.
Our online store includes books on science education, classroom activities in The Earth Scientist, mineral and fossil specimens, and educational games!
Ready, Set, SCIENCE!: Putting Research to Work in K-8 Science Classrooms
What types of instructional experiences help K-8 students learn science with understanding? What do science educators teachers, teacher leaders, science specialists, professional development staff, curriculum designers, school administrators need to know to create and support such experiences?...more
The Apollo space program, scheduled for its first launch on Feb. 21, 1967, started in tragedy. On Jan. 27, 1967, astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee were executing a dress rehearsal when...more
Andrew Allen is an American astronaut who was born on August 4, 1955 in Pennsylvania. Before he became an astronauts, Allen was a Navy and Marines pilot. He has flown over 4500 hours on more than 30 different...more
Jay Apt
Jay Apt is an American astronaut who was born on April 28, 1949 in Massachusetts. Before he became an astronaut, Apt was a physicist who worked on the Venus space probe project. Apt joined NASA in 198...more
Neil Armstrong is an American astronaut who was born in Ohio in 1930. Before entering the space program, he was a pilot for the U.S. Navy and Air Force, flying gliders, helicopters, and jets. Armstrong...more
Ellen Baker
Ellen Baker is an American astronaut who was born on April 27, 1953 in North Carolina. Before she became an astronaut she was a geologist and a medical doctor. Baker joined NASA as a medical officer in...more
Michael Baker is an American astronaut who was born on October 27, 1953 in Tennessee. Before he became an astronaut, Baker was a Navy pilot. He logged over 5000 hours of flight time aboard 50 different...more
John Blaha
John Blaha is an American astronaut who was born on August 26, 1942 in Texas. Before he became an astronaut, Blaha was an Air Force pilot. He has flown over 5500 hours in 33 different types of aircraft....more
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Old Time Rock ‘N’ Roll
Posted on August 8, 2018 by Tom Allan
Lester Braniff Brings Back Classic Rock Music With His New Single Release “Bright and Sunny Morning”
Bright and Sunny Morning
Lester Braniff, the humble musician from Workington, Cumbria in the UK, recently released a new single called “Bright and Sunny Morning.” The single is available on Spotify, where fans of classic rock will be able to listen to original music that will get their blood pumping with the great sensibilities of the 1980s music.
As a musician who can still remember the glory of classic rock, Lester Braniff brings it closer to his listeners through his very own compositions. Besides his new single, he’s also released an album called Three Songs from the Crypt, available in Spotify, Apple Music, and a number of other music sites. Released on March 23, 2017, it contains the songs Bright and Sunny Morning, Spread like an Eagle, and The Life Song.
Unlike today’s music with themes often of love, drugs, and sex. Lester Braniff focuses on writing songs that speak of more profound emotions and more meaningful topics. The themes of classic rock are varied and just like the old songs, Braniff’s songs speak of something else entirely. His songs help to relax, spacey, and soothing, which listeners are sure to enjoy.
Besides his writing and singing his own songs, he also revives classic rock songs such as Behind Blue Eyes by The Who, Wishing Well by Free, The Wizard by Black Sabbath, and Crossroads by Cream. All three are popular classic rock songs to which he had revived in his very own rendition. As an avid fan of classic rock himself, he wants to share his passion for the music through his own voice.
Lester Braniff is a musician/artist who has been playing music for more than 35 years. He lives at Cumbria, UK, a vocalist who composes and performs the music of blues and classic rock genre. Often writing music in his back kitchen during Sunday mornings, Lester writes songs while enjoying a relaxing day with his dog “Archie”. This is how he’s able to come up with songs that stir up such emotion and pain.
There are a lot of things to like about classic rock. There are the actual instruments being played in the background. There is the fact that the artists are the real songwriters, much like with Lester who writes his own songs. Unlike today’s pop songs and artists, classic rock music never plays with auto-tune. All of Lester’s songs are touched up with his own unique voice.
More than the amazing music, it’s the live performance that makes classic rock the best. On that note, Lester never fails to attend gigs and perform his songs in front of a crowd. The best of all, classic rock songs never get old. They are the kind of songs one would want to listen over and over again. Lester Braniff is proud to say his album and newest single are made for classic rock fans. Young and old, anyone who listens to classic rock legends like Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Eric Clapton, etc. will enjoy Lester Braniff’s brand of music.
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-ation, -ization (-iz[e] + -ation); -isation (British spelling variation)
(Greek > Latin: a suffix; action, act, process, state, or condition; or result of doing something)
Although there are over 1,450 word entries ending with -ation or -ization listed in this unit, there are certainly many more which exist in the English language. At any rate, this unit provides a significant number of -ation and -ization examples for you to see.
deoxidation
Depriving a chemical compound of its oxygen.
depigmentation
1. Absence, or partial loss, of pigmentation (or less than normal pigmentation) of the pigment melanin; especially, in the skin, eyes, or hair.
2. Loss of color (pigment) from the skin, mucous membranes, hair, or retina of the eyes.
The condition of having reduced numbers of inhabitants or resulting in no inhabitants at all.
deportation (s) (noun), deportations (pl)
1. The forcible transfer of a foreign national from a country: The deportation of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson took place when they were found to be without a visa or the official stamp in their passports that would allow them to legally enter the country.
2. The removal or sending back of aliens to the country from which they came because their presence is legally considered inconsistent with public safety: Deportations may be done without any punishments being imposed or considered for the deportees.
depravation (dep" ruh VAY shuhn) (s) (noun), depravations (pl)
1. In medicine, a deterioration or a change for the worse: The depravations of sleep resulted in the Robert's health getting worse.
2. That which is bad or morally corrupt: The depravation of Mr. Moore, the politician, was revealed and ended his career as a leading member of his political party.
depravation, deprivation
depravation (dep" ruh VAY shuhn) (noun)
The corruption of or making something or someone evil: A consequence of living on the streets was a depravation of the character of the young man.
deprivation (dep" ruh VAY shuhn) (noun)
Not having basic or perceived basic requirements for living; lacking desired or necessary items or things: Elvira eventually overcame the deprivation of her childhood.
It is a political truth that the deprivation of a group of people may easily lead to their depravation and result in violence against a government that has deprived them of literacy and social justice.
depredation (s) (noun), depredations (pl)
1. A predatory attack; a raid.
2. Damage or loss; a ravaging.
1. The state of being without or denied something, especially of being without adequate food, water, and/or shelter.
2. The act of taking something away from someone or preventing anyone from having something.
3. An act of depriving someone of food or money or rights.
4. The disadvantage that results from losing something.
5. In medicine, the loss or absence of body parts, organs, powers, or anything that is needed.
deputation (s) (noun), deputations (pl)
1. A group of representatives or delegates: Many countries sent deputations to the peace conference.
2. An appointment of subordinates who make decisions: The deputation, which was arranged by the CEO of Frank’s company, allowed experienced employees to determine how to achieve the desired profits with the next big project.
3. An appointment of a person, or people, to represent or to act for another or others: The local hospital has officially permitted the nurses to be deputations who perform some of the medical treatments that doctors normally are responsible for. © ALL rights are reserved.
derivation (der" uh VAY shuhn (s) (noun), derivations (pl)
1. The origin, or source, of something; such as, a word or someone's name.
2. The formation of a term, from another one or from a basic form.
3. The historical origin and development of an entry: An etymology is an example of a derivation
4. A mathematical, or logical argument, whose steps show that the conclusion follows necessarily from initial assumptions.
5. The act of obtaining something from a source or issuing from a source.
6. Etymology: from Latin derivare, "to lead or to draw off (a stream of water) from its source".
Then from Old French deriver. "to flow, to pour out; to originate".
derogation (s) (noun), derogations (pl)
1. A partial repeal, or abolition, of a law: The state government passed a derogation of some social services because it was costing too much to maintain them.
2. A deviation from a rule or law; especially, one which is specifically provided for: The Senate Committee required new data in order to determine which sectors of the law would qualify for the derogation.
3. The act of belittling, or criticizing, someone or something: Gary, the radio talk-show host, used derogations to discredit the politician's positions on how to improve the nation's economic situation.
desecration (s) (noun), desecrations (pl)
1. Blasphemous behavior or the act of depriving something of its divine character: It was a complete desecration of the cemetery when the army drove their tanks through the burial grounds.
2. Damage done to or showing no respect towards something holy or very much respected: The desecration of the windows of the church was heart breaking for the congregation when they saw what had happened.
desegregation (noun), desegregations (pl)
1. The action of incorporating a racial or religious body of people into a community: The members of the local church were proud to have been the first to incorporate policies of desegregation into their bylaws.
2. The elimination of laws, customs, or practices under which different races, assemblages, etc., are restricted to specific or separate public facilities, neighborhoods, schools, organizations, or similar groups and places: The desegregation of the local schools, accomplished by the use of military forces, caused huge negative reactions in the neighborhood.
desensitization (s) (noun), desensitizations (pl)
In medicine, to make (a person, animal, or tissue) nonreactive or nonallergic to a substance by removing the antibodies from affected cells or tissues: In an effort to control his allergies, Jason and the doctor went through a process of desensitization to eliminate the antibodies that were causing his sneezing.
1. A process by which an area changes to, or becomes, a desert.
2. The rapid depletion of plant life and the loss of topsoil at desert boundaries and in semiarid regions; usually, caused by a combination of drought and the overexploitation of grasses and other vegetation by people.
3. Etymology: from about 1973, formed from English desert + -ification, "causing to become" as with calcification and stratification.
Showing page 27 out of 96 pages of 1436 main-word entries or main-word-entry groups.
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William Joyce
Joyce shortly after capture, 1945
(1906-04-24)24 April 1906 Brooklyn, New York City, United States
3 January 1946(1946-01-03) (aged 39)Wandsworth Prison, London, England
Judicial execution (hanging)
American[1] British Irish German
Lord Haw-Haw
Birkbeck College, University of London
Broadcasting German propaganda in World War II
William Joyce (24 April 1906 – 3 January 1946), nicknamed Lord Haw-Haw, was an Irish-American fascist politician and Nazi propaganda broadcaster to the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He was controversially hanged for treason by the British as a result of his wartime activities, being taken to owe allegiance to the UK by his possession of a British passport, a document to which, ironically, he was not entitled.
[hide] *1 Early life
2 British Union of Fascists
3 Lord Haw-Haw
4 Capture and trial
4.1 Appeal
5 Execution
6 Joyce's family
[edit] Early life Edit
Joyce was born on Herkimer Street in Brooklyn, New York[2] to a Protestant mother and an Irish Catholic father who had taken United States citizenship. A few years after his birth, the family returned to Galway, Ireland. Joyce attended the Jesuit St Ignatius College in Galway from 1915 to 1921. Unusual for Irish Roman Catholics, both Joyce and his father were strongly Unionist. Joyce later said that he had aided the Black and Tans during the Irish War for Independence and had become a target of the Irish Republican Army.[3][4]
Following what he alleged to be an assassination attempt in 1921 (which supposedly failed because he took a different route home from school), he left for England where he briefly attended King's College School, Wimbledon on a foreign exchange. His family followed him to England two years later. Joyce had relatives in Birkenhead, whom he visited on a few occasions. He joined the Royal Worcester Regiment in 1921 but was discharged when it was discovered that he had lied about his age.[5] He then applied to Birkbeck College of the University of London and to enter the Officer Training Corps. At Birkbeck, he worked hard and obtained a First Class degree.[6] He also developed an interest in fascism, and he worked with (but never joined) the British Fascisti of Rotha Lintorn-Orman.
In 1924, while stewarding a Conservative Party meeting, Joyce was attacked and received a deep razor slash that ran across his right cheek. It left a permanent scar which ran from the earlobe to the corner of the mouth. Joyce was convinced that his attackers were "Jewish communists". It was an incident that had a marked bearing on his outlook.
[edit] British Union of Fascists Edit
[2][3]Flag of the British Union of FascistsIn 1932, Joyce joined the British Union of Fascists (BUF) under Sir Oswald Mosley, and swiftly became a leading speaker, praised for his power of oratory. The journalist and novelist Cecil Roberts described a speech given by Joyce: Thin, pale, intense, he had not been speaking many minutes before we were electrified by this man ... so terrifying in its dynamic force, so vituperative, so vitriolic.[7]In 1934, Joyce was promoted to the BUF's director of propaganda and later appointed deputy leader. As well as being a gifted speaker, Joyce gained the reputation of a savage brawler. His violent rhetoric and willingness to physically confront anti-fascist elements head-on played no small part in further marginalizing the BUF. After the bloody debacle of the June 1934 Olympia rally, Joyce spearheaded the BUF's policy shift from campaigning for economic revival through corporatism to a focus on antisemitism. He was instrumental in changing the name of the BUF to "British Union of Fascists and National Socialists" in 1936, and stood as a party candidate in the 1937 elections to the London County Council. In 1936 Joyce lived for a year in Whitstable, where he owned a radio and electrical shop.[8][9]
Between April 1934 and 1937, when Mosley sacked him, Joyce also served as Area Administrative Officer for the BUF West Sussex division. Joyce was supported in this role by Norah Elam as Sussex Women’s Organiser, with her partner Dudley Elam taking on the role of Sub-Branch Officer for Worthing. Under this regime, West Sussex was to become a hub of fascist activity, ranging from hosting Blackshirt summer camps to organising meetings and rallies, lunches etc. Norah Elam shared many speaking platforms with Joyce and worked on propaganda speeches for him. One area of particular concern that Joyce had her work on was the government's India Bill (passed in 1935), designed to give a measure of autonomy to India, allowing freedom and the development of limited self-government. Joyce harboured a desire to become Viceroy of India under a Mosley administration should he ever head a BUF government, and is recorded as describing the backers of the bill as "feeble" and "one loathsome, fetid, purulent, tumid mass of hypocrisy, hiding behind Jewish Dictators".[10] Unlike Joyce, the Elams did not escape detention under Defence Regulation 18B; both were arrested on the same day as Mosley in May 1940. The relationship between Joyce and Norah Elam was evidence of the strange bedfellows that politics can bring together. Elam's father had been an Irish Nationalist, while Joyce had been a Unionist and supporter of the Black and Tans. In later life, Elam reported that although she disliked Joyce, she believed that his execution by the British in 1946 was wrong, stating that he should not have been regarded as a traitor to England because he was not English, but Irish.[10]
Joyce was sacked from his paid position when Mosley drastically reduced the BUF staff shortly after the 1937 elections; upon which, Joyce promptly formed a breakaway organisation, the National Socialist League. After the departure of Joyce, the BUF turned its focus away from anti-Semitism and towards activism, opposing a war with Nazi Germany. Though Joyce had been deputy leader of the party from 1933 and an effective fighter and orator, Mosley snubbed him in his autobiography and later denounced him as a traitor because of his wartime activities.
[edit] Lord Haw-Haw Edit
Main article: Lord Haw-HawIn late August 1939, shortly before war was declared, Joyce and his wife Margaret fled to Germany. Joyce had been tipped off that the British authorities intended to detain him under Defence Regulation 18B. Joyce became a naturalised German in 1940.
In Berlin, Joyce could not find employment until a chance meeting with fellow Mosleyite Dorothy Eckersley got him an audition at the Rundfunkhaus ("broadcasting house").[11] Eckersley was the former wife or second wife[11] of the Chief Engineer of the British Broadcasting Corporation, Peter Eckersley. Despite having a heavy cold and almost losing his voice, he was recruited immediately for radio announcements and script writing at German radio's English service.
The name "Lord Haw-Haw of Zeesen" was coined by the pseudonymous Daily Express radio critic Jonah Barrington in 1939,[12] but this referred initially to Wolf Mittler (or possibly Norman Baillie-Stewart). When Joyce became the best-known propaganda broadcaster, the nickname was transferred to him. Joyce's broadcasts initially came from studios in Berlin, later transferring (due to heavy Allied bombing) to Luxembourg and finally to Apen near Hamburg, and were relayed over a network of German-controlled radio stations that included Hamburg, Bremen, Luxembourg, Hilversum, Calais, Oslo and Zeesen. Joyce also broadcast on and wrote scripts for the German Büro Concordia organisation, which ran several black propaganda stations, many of which pretended to broadcast illegally from within Britain.[13] His role in writing the scripts increased as time passed, and the German radio capitalized on his public persona. Initially an anonymous broadcaster, Joyce eventually revealed his real name to his listeners, and would occasionally be announced as "William Joyce, otherwise known as Lord Haw-Haw".[14] Urban legends soon circulated about Lord Haw-Haw, alleging that the broadcaster was well-informed about political and military events, to the point of near-omniscience.[15]
Although listening to his broadcasts was officially discouraged (but not illegal), many Britons did indeed tune in to them. At the height of his influence, in 1940, Joyce had an estimated 6 million regular and 18 million occasional listeners in the United Kingdom.[16]
The German broadcasts always began with the announcer's words "Germany calling, Germany calling, Germany calling" (because of a nasal drawl this sounded like "Jairmany calling"). These broadcasts urged the British people to surrender, and were well known for their jeering, sarcastic and menacing tone. There was also a desire by civilian listeners to hear what the other side was saying, since information during wartime was strictly censored and restricted and at the start of the war it was possible for German broadcasts to be more informative than those of the BBC. This was a situation which was reversed towards the middle of the war, with German civilians tuning (usually secretly) to the BBC.[citation needed]
Joyce recorded his final broadcast on 30 April 1945, during the Battle of Berlin.[17] Rambling and audibly drunk,[18] he chided Britain for pursuing the war beyond mere containment of Germany, and warned repeatedly of the "menace" of the Soviet Union. He signed off with a final defiant "Heil Hitler and farewell".[19] There are conflicting accounts as to whether this last programme was actually transmitted, despite a tape being found in the Apen studios.[20] The next day Radio Hamburg was seized by British forces, who on 4 May used it to make a mock "Germany calling" broadcast denouncing Joyce.[21]
Besides broadcasting, Joyce's duties included writing propaganda for distribution among British prisoners of war, whom he tried to recruit into the British Free Corps. He wrote a book Twilight Over England promoted by the German Ministry of Propaganda, which unfavourably compared the evils of allegedly Jewish-dominated capitalist Britain with the alleged wonders of National Socialist Germany. Adolf Hitler awarded Joyce the War Merit Cross (First and Second Class) for his broadcasts, although they never met.
Scripts and the microphone used by Joyce were seized by soldier Cyril Millwood and have now come to light following the ex-soldier's death.[22]
[edit] Capture and trial Edit
At the end of the war, Joyce was captured by British forces at Flensburg, near the German border with Denmark. Spotting a dishevelled figure while resting from gathering firewood, intelligence soldiers – including a Jewish German, Geoffrey Perry (born Horst Pinschewer), who had left Germany before the war – engaged him in conversation in French and English. After they asked if he was Joyce, he reached for his pocket (actually reaching for a false passport); believing he was armed, they shot him through the buttocks, leaving four wounds.[23]
Two intelligence officers then drove him to a border post, and handed him to British military police. Joyce was then taken to London and tried at the Old Bailey on three counts of high treason:
William Joyce, on the 18th of September, 1939, and on other days between that day and the 29th of May, 1945, being a person owing allegiance to our Lord the King, and while a war was being carried on by the German Realm against our King, did traitorously adhere to the King's enemies in Germany, by broadcasting propaganda.
William Joyce, on the 26th of September, 1940, being a person who owed allegiance as in the other count, adhered to the King's enemies by purporting to become naturalized as a subject of Germany.
William Joyce, on 18 September 1939, and on other days between that day and the 2 July 1940, being a person owing allegiance to our Lord the King, and while a war was being carried on by the German Realm against our King, did traitorously adhere to the King's enemies in Germany, by broadcasting propaganda.[24]
The only evidence offered that he had begun broadcasting from Germany while his British passport was valid was the testimony of a London police inspector who had questioned him before the war while he was an active member of the British Union of Fascists and claimed to have recognised his voice on a propaganda broadcast in the early weeks of the war (Joyce had previous convictions for assault and riotous assembly in the 1930s).
During the processing of the charges Joyce's American nationality came to light, and it seemed that he would have to be acquitted, based upon a lack of jurisdiction; he could not be convicted of betraying a country that was not his own. He was acquitted of the first and second charges. However, the Attorney General, Sir Hartley Shawcross, successfully argued that Joyce's possession of a British passport, even though he had mis-stated his nationality to get it, entitled him (until it expired) to British diplomatic protection in Germany and therefore he owed allegiance to the king at the time he commenced working for the Germans. It was on this basis that Joyce was convicted of the third charge and sentenced to death on 19 September 1945.
[edit] Appeal Edit
His conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal on 1 November, and by the House of Lords (on a 4–1 vote) on 13 December.
In the appeal, Joyce argued that possession of a passport did not entitle him to the protection of the Crown, and therefore did not perpetuate his duty of allegiance once he left the country, but the House rejected this argument. Lord Porter's dissenting opinion was based on his belief that whether Joyce's duty of allegiance had terminated or not was a question of fact for the jury to decide, rather than a purely legal question for the judge.
Joyce also argued that jurisdiction had been wrongly assumed by the court in electing to try an alien for offences committed in a foreign country. This argument was also rejected, on the basis that a state may exercise such jurisdiction in the interests of its own security.
It is alleged that Joyce made a deal with his prosecutors not to reveal his links to MI5. In return, his wife Margaret, known to radio listeners as 'Lady Haw-Haw', was spared prosecution for high treason.[25]
[edit] Execution Edit
He went to his death unrepentant and defiant: In death as in life, I defy the Jews who caused this last war, and I defy the power of darkness which they represent. I warn the British people against the crushing imperialism of the Soviet Union. May Britain be great once again and in the hour of the greatest danger in the West may the standard be raised from the dust, crowned with the words – "You have conquered nevertheless". I am proud to die for my ideals and I am sorry for the sons of Britain who have died without knowing why.Joyce was executed on 3 January 1946 at Wandsworth Prison, aged 39. He was the penultimate person to be hanged for a crime other than murder in the United Kingdom. The last was Theodore Schurch, executed for treachery the following day at Pentonville.[citation needed] In both cases the hangman was Albert Pierrepoint. In spite of pleadings from the hospital chaplain, Joyce chose to die in his mother's faith, that of the Church of Ireland.[26][dubious – discuss]
It is said that the scar on Joyce's face split wide open because of the pressure applied to his head upon his drop from the gallows.[27]
As was customary for executed criminals, Joyce's remains were buried in an unmarked grave within the walls of HMP Wandsworth. In 1976 they were exhumed and reinterred in the Protestant section of the New Cemetery in Bohermore in County Galway, Ireland. A Roman Catholic Tridentine Mass (in Latin) was celebrated at his reburial.[28]
[edit] Joyce's family Edit
Joyce had two daughters by his first wife, Hazel, who went on to marry Oswald Mosley's bodyguard, Eric Piercey. One daughter, Heather Piercey (m. Vincenzo Iandolo 1955–72), has spoken publicly of her father.[29]
[edit] See also Edit
[4][5]Dämmerung über England (Twilight over England), 3rd edition, Berlin 1942*Azzam the American
Charles Bewley
Axis Sally
Hanoi Hannah
Jean Hérold-Paquis
John Amery
Baghdad Bob (also known as Comical Ali)
Philippe Henriot
Seoul City Sue
Stuttgart traitor
Fred W. Kaltenbach
Tokyo Rose
Iva Toguri D'Aquino
Aycliffe Angels
^ "Joyce Apellant; and Director of Public Prosecutions". House of Lords. 1946. pp. 1. http://www.uniset.ca/nold/1946AC347.pdf. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
^ Christenson, Ron (1991). Ron Christenson. ed. Political trials in history: from antiquity to the present. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 978-0-88738-406-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=wBdOvs2THGEC&pg=PA233&dq=%22William+Joyce%22++born+Brooklyn. Retrieved 22/June/2009.
^ Lord Haw-Haw and the Black and Tans, Axis History Forum.
^ Joyce, William; Imperial War Museum (Great Britain). (1992). Twilight over England, (Issue 5 of Facsimile reprint series ed.). Imperial War Museum, Department of Printed Books. pp. Introduction (x). ISBN 978-0-901627-72-8. http://books.google.ie/books?id=-mxnAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22william+joyce%22+%22black+and+tans%22&q=%22black+and+tans%22#search_anchor. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
^ A.N. Wilson, "After the Victorians", Hutchinson, London, 2005, p. 421
^ A.N. Wilson, "After the Victorians", Hutchinson, London, 2005
^ Selwyn, Francis (1987). Hitler's Englishman: the crime of Lord Haw-Haw. Taylor & Francis. pp. 61. ISBN 978-0-7102-1032-6. http://books.google.com/?id=6t0OAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=%22he+had+not+been+speaking+many+minutes+before+we+were+electrified%22#v=onepage&q=%22he%20had%20not%20been%20speaking%20many%20minutes%20before%20we%20were%20electrified%22&f=false. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
^ "North West Wales Blaenau Ffestiniog — Coed-y-Bleiddiau". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/blaenau/pages/hawhaw.shtml.
^ "1900–1950". Canterbury. http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2431.
^ a b McPherson, Angela; McPherson, Susan (2011). Mosley's Old Suffragette – A Biography of Norah Elam. ISBN 978-1-4466-9967-6. http://www.oldsuffragette.co.uk.
^ a b 45/25728/244. CAB 98/18. Simpson 135-6. Thurlow, the 'Mosley Papers' and the Secret History of British Fascism 1939–1940, K/L, 175. Reporting statement from the Mail on 14.3.40
^ Hall, J. W. (1954). "William Joyce". In Hodge, James H.. Famous Trials. 4. Penguin Books. p. 80. "Usually, the inventor of popular nicknames is unidentifiable, but the ‘onlie begetter’ of Lord Haw-Haw was undoubtedly Mr Jonah Barrington, then of the Daily Express…"
^ "Black propaganda by radio: the German Concordia broadcasts to Britain, 1940–1941". Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television (Find Articles at BNET.com). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2584/is_n2_v14/ai_15588719/pg_1. [dead link]
^ Nazi Wireless Propaganda: Lord Haw-Haw and British Public Opinion in the Second World War, Edinburgh University Press, 2000, page 13
^ David Suisman, Susan Strasser, Sound in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009, pages 55–56
^ Axis Sally: The Americans Behind That Alluring Voice, HistoryNet, 23 November 2009
^ "The last Broadcast of Lord Haw Haw, 1945". http://eyewitnesstohistory.com/vohawhaw.htm.
^ An excerpt from the broadcast can be heard in the episode on Joyce of the 1990s documentary TV series Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th century.
^ "Lord Haw Haw’s Last Broadcast" (MP3). http://www.earthstation1.com/WWIIAudio/Germany/HawHaw'sLastBroadcast.mp3.
^ "excerpt from Mock ‘German Calling’ broadcast" (WAV). http://www.earthstation1.com/WWIIAudio/Mock_'Germany_Calling'_broadcast.wav.
^ "Microphone used by Lord Haw Haw to be sold at auction". Daily Mail. UK. 26 August 2009. http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1209142/Microphone-used-Lord-Haw-Haw-broadcast-Nazi-propaganda-UK-goes-sale.html. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
^ Phillips, Martin (24 April 2009). "Geoffrey Perry". London: The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/article2395729.ece?offset=4. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
^ "Chapter 4: The Trial and Death of Lord Haw-Haw". http://www.safran-arts.com/42day/history/h4jan/03hawhaw.html#haw4
^ 'Haw-Haw: The Tragedy of William and Margaret Joyce' by Nigel Farndale (Macmillan, 2005)
^ A.N. Wilson, op. cit., p 420
^ Seabrook, David (2002). All the devils are here. Granta. pp. 97. ISBN 978-1-86207-483-5. http://books.google.ie/books?id=c-AWAQAAIAAJ&q=%22spine+snapped+and+the+scar+burst%22&dq=%22spine+snapped+and+the+scar+burst%22. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
^ Wilson op cit
^ Beckett, Francis. "'My father was a traitor but he was kind and loving to me'", The Guardian, 5 December 2005.
Wharam, Alan (1995). Treason: Famous English Treason Trials. Alan Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-0091-9
[edit] Further reading Edit
Haw-Haw: the tragedy of William and Margaret Joyce by Nigel Farndale (Macmillan, London, 2005)
The Trial of William Joyce ed. by C.E. Bechhofer Roberts [Old Bailey Trials series] (Jarrolds, London, 1946)
The Trial of William Joyce ed. by J.W. Hall [Notable British Trials series] (William Hodge and Company, London, 1946)
The Meaning of Treason by Dame Rebecca West (Macmillan, London, 1949)
Lord Haw-Haw and William Joyce by William Cole (Faber and Faber, London, 1964)
Hitler's Englishman by Francis Selwyn (Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd, London, 1987)
Renegades: Hitler's Englishmen by Adrian Weale (Weidenfeld and Nicholson, London, 1994)
Germany Calling — a personal biography of William Joyce by Mary Kenny (New Island Books, Dublin, 2003)
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December 6, 2009 by Karen L Hogan
’There were no human voices, no everyday sounds,’ she wrote.
‘There was only beauty, peace, and the grandeur of death.’”
From “Errand,” by Raymond Carver
My friend George died at 5:20 in the evening on Thursday December 3, 2009. He was sixty-three.
I met George when we were among the first group of volunteers for a hospice program at San Francisco General Hospital. It was early 1980.
We worked with people for whom economic circumstance made daily reality an uphill struggle. Our job was to help people through the system so their dying had some dignity. My first patient was a woman who was diagnosed with oat cell cancer just as she emerged from rehab.
At monthly support meetings we talked about our patients, exchanged ideas for how best to support them, and drew strength from each other. Death, we learned, was intimate, and we were privileged to be a part of that intimacy.
It was in this context that I became friends with George. A friendship forged in the intimacy of pausing to recognize that death has come and gone and a life has ended—what Raymond Carver refers to in his short story “Errand,” a story about Chekov’s death, as the “grandeur of death.”
Shortly after we began volunteering, what started as random articles on page fifteen of the San Francisco Chronicle about a strange trend in cancers found in young gay men, morphed into more alarming articles about a “gay cancer,” and then became the tsunami that was AIDS.
San Francisco and the General were ground zero for confronting the tsunami head on. While gay men died in shameful isolation in hospitals around the world, the General created an AIDS Ward that was revolutionary in the way it treated people who had terminal illnesses.
The room usually reserved for doctors and nurses became a place where patients and medical staff met over coffee. The emotional chasm between patient and physician or nursing staff did not exist on this ward. Since AIDS at that time was such a devastating disease, cut a swath through an otherwise young and healthy population, success was not measured in cure, but rather in how to maintain quality of life even as it was ebbing.
Staff did not draw away or reject patients as death drew near. They stayed close, opened their hearts. The system was set up to welcome compassion—including compassion for those who provided care.
The hospice program continued to serve all of the population at General as it integrated the AIDS patients, usually young, otherwise healthy men.
George was gay. As long as I knew him, he never tried to hide it. But I think that for him as well as a lot of gay men, being gay had to take on a new meaning of identity—the response to the disease was delayed because it was largely affecting gay men, who deserved to die because they committed acts that were an abomination against God.
I think it was that commitment to his sexuality as well as what he learned in those early years at General, that drew him to Maitri, first as a volunteer and then as a board member. He became the voice of conscience about who they needed to remember to serve: those who would otherwise not be served.
Perhaps because he was gay, George saw and embraced the beauty in women in a most unique way. My personal experience is this:
In the early nineties, while riding the California Street cable car he saw a woman and thought, I really like her energy. “As the car passed by her,” he said, “I realized it was you, Karen.”
For the first time in my life, I felt—desirable—not because he desired me, I knew he was gay, but because he recognized something in me that I thought was forbidden to be: a woman in charge of her own destiny.
I suspect that the reason gay men and strong independent women connect so well is that we have both had to overcome notions that our very beings were somehow a threat that might unravel social conventions and bring a society to its destruction.
Those notions are probably true. Our very beings do unravel those social conventions that bond people together through hatred for and fear of the other. By thriving, we are living proof that being authentic is more life affirming than is surrendering to hatred of yourself.
George and I kind of lost contact over the past few years. My move to Livermore put more of a physical distance between us and that seemed to also put a distance in our relationship.
In retrospect, I think my part in the distancing had to do with facing childhood demons—demons I thought I had dealt with during the thirty-four years I had been gone. These demons were not easily dissuaded. For those who followed my blog over the recent months, these were demons who were not happy about being written out of my story. Facing them was like running a gauntlet with them throwing old messages of fear and loathing at me.
My rage was fully engaged.
I have no idea how this affected my relationships. But I know that in August, 2008, when I met George for coffee shortly before he was due to check into the hospital for his hip replacement operation, I was depressed. Felt like a loser.
It was during his hospitalization for his hip replacement that George learned he had a sarcoma in his pelvis. Sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer is very nasty.
When he called to tell me his diagnosis, I asked, “How are you?”
I don’t remember his answer exactly, but it was clearly polite, designed to protect me.
“No,” I said, “How are you?”
He exploded in anger. “Oh, I can’t go there.”
He apologized for his outburst, but that kind of set the stage for our relationship over the following year. I spoke with him one other time, and he was angry with me then, too. I suspect that the awkwardness between us was born in the context of our initial friendship—a time of facing death head on.
I don’t think George was ready for that. And I could never find a way to meet him authentically while I was acutely feeling the prospect of losing him.
Finally, late this last summer, the chasm began to be bridged. But I was still on the periphery of his life. That felt peculiar to me, because of the intimacy we had had over the years.
It pained me. I feared that I had misread our relationship over the years—a fear that spilled over from the final year of my mother’s life.
George weighed heavily on my mind and heart. Then I remembered the story he had told me about being on the cable car, and wrote a draft of a poem that came out of that memory.
When I spoke to him the Friday before Thanksgiving, he seemed like the George I had known over the years. Whatever shield he had put up to cope with his illness and impending death had come down, as had my fear of misinterpreting our relationship.
We found a project to work on together—preparing for publication the blog he had posted that tracked his journey from diagnosis to search for wellness to acceptance that he would not recover from the illness to his preparation for death.
I prepared a design for the publication and sent it to him. The next time we talked, it was clear that he was starting to drift. “I know I haven’t been there for you, Karen,” he said.
I assured him that he had always been there for me.
It occurred to me that in this brief exchange, we had acknowledged the distance that had occurred between us and that it didn’t matter. What mattered was the connection, and that distance had not broken it, only covered it in the fog of everyday living.
I don’t regret the distance—our lives just took us in directions that created the fog. We each had to pay attention to what our lives demanded.
Maitri was home to George in his final days. His request was that following his death, he lie in repose there for three days. His request was based, as far as I know, on several traditions that believe that the soul stays connected to the body for three days after death.
I received the call about George’s passing on Thursday evening as we were having dinner with our friend, Rob. He had come over for dinner and to play music with Tom. The two (Tom on piano, Rob on saxaphone) played for me, their music carrying me through the first shock of grief and loss.
I woke on Friday and knew that it was important for me to sit with George.
The staff had prepared his body, washing it with water scented with cinnamon and vanilla. He looked very natural lying in the bed, a soft green comforter covering him. His mouth, as rigor set in, had formed the beginning of a smile. He looked as if he was at peace with himself.
Others had come to sit with him as well. As we spoke, I kept expecting him to open his eyes and join us, felt that in many ways he was there with us.
I will miss George. I want more. I want more of those times that George and I talked on the phone, met over dinner, went to the symphony together. We came away each time energized, with new insights about the course of our lives.
One of the gifts George gave me was to help me send my demons scurrying. His dying forced me to see that life has an expiration date—and that it was time for me to embrace my life, instead of keeping it at arms length through guilt and shame. Without guilt and shame to nourish them, demons quickly fade away.
It feels strange to have someone who shared a particular moment in a time of my life gone. George was a touchstone. I fully expected that we would grow old together, sitting on the park bench like bookends.
I carry those memories of times we shared alone now.
I believe that, as a culture, if we can figure out how to have compassionate birth and compassionate death, that everything else will fall into place.
George did his part through his actions in life and his dying to show us what compassionate death means.
And on Friday, as I sat with George, there was only beauty, peace, and the grandeur of death.
This entry was posted in Following your bliss, Living, On Being Authentic, On Turning 60, Slaying dragons, Writing and tagged chekov, compassionate death, death, george stevens, grandeur of death, hospice, letting go, Maitri, raymond carver, sending demons scurrying. Bookmark the permalink.
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5 thoughts on “Beauty, Peace and the Grandeur of Death”
Kathleen | December 8, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Thank you for your beautiful description of your times with George. I am a friend of Ann Peden’s and only met George a few times. He really touched my life, heart and spirit. I too will miss him.
wolfwriter | December 8, 2009 at 11:13 pm
He was unique. A sweet gentle soul.
Unity | December 28, 2009 at 7:25 am
Thank you for your post about George. I had been thinking of him tonight and still feel at a loss that he is gone. Many blessings.
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Nepalese veteran Sherpa guide Kami Rita, 49, is welcomed by his sister at the airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, May 25, 2019. The Sherpa mountaineer extended his record for successful climbs of Mount Everest with his 24th ascent of the world's highest peak on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Nepal's record-setting Everest guide returns hero
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Family, friends and supporters welcomed a veteran Sherpa guide upon his return to Nepal's capital on Saturday, days after his 24th climb of Mount Everest extended his record.
After flying back from Everest to Kathmandu, Kami Rita was greeted by the waiting crowd at the airport. His wife hugged him and the crowd covered him with a cream-colored scarf and offered him yogurt.
The brief celebration at the airport parking area with traditional drums was followed by Rita riding on a truck waving to supporters as they drove out of the airport.
He told reporters he was very happy but exhausted.
Rita reached Everest's 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) peak on Tuesday, the second time he had climbed to the summit in a week. He also reached the top of the world's highest peak on May 15, then returned to base camp before climbing again this past week.
The climbs bring Rita, 49, closer to his target of 25 ascents of Everest before he retires from high mountain climbing. His two closest peers have climbed Everest 21 times each, but both of them have retired from mountain climbing.
There are 41 teams with a total of 378 climbers permitted to scale Everest during the spring climbing season. An equal number of Nepalese guides are helping them get to the summit.
About half a dozen climbers died this past week, most of them while descending from the summit during only a few windows of good weather each May. Most are believed to have suffered from altitude sickness, which is caused by low amounts of oxygen at high elevation and can cause headaches, vomiting, shortness of breath and mental confusion.
Among the latest fatalities was British climber Robin Haynes Fisher, 44.
Murari Sharma, managing director of Everest Parivar Expedition Pvt Ltd, said Fisher and his Sherpa guide reached the summit at around 8:30 .a.m. on Saturday and had descended 150 meters (490 feet) when he fell unconscious. A group of Sherpas changed his oxygen bottle and tried to give him some water but he could not be revived, he said.
Rita first scaled Everest in 1994 and has been making the trip nearly every year since.
His father was among the first Sherpa guides employed to help climbers reach the summit, and Rita followed in his footsteps and then some. In addition to his two dozen summits of Everest, Rita has scaled some of the other highest mountains, including K-2, Cho-Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse.
Sherpa tribespeople were mostly yak herders and traders living deep within the Himalayas until Nepal opened its borders in the 1950s. Their stamina and familiarity with the mountains quickly made them sought-after guides and porters.
Record setting events
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The Offensive on Hodeidah
Since the killing of the President of the Supreme Political Council in a Saudi-led coalition airstrike, anti-Houthi militias backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have managed to wrest much of southern Hodeidah governorate from Houthi control, setting the stage for a full-out assault on the port city and sparking fears of increased suffering by civilians should the port cease to function. As highlighted in a report recently published by ACLED (ACLED, 10 May 2018), National Resistance forces led by Tareq Saleh are reportedly leading the renewed offensive on the western coast, accompanied by a number of UAE special forces and other UAE-backed Southern and Tihama resistance militias.
On April 17, a coalition airstrike on Hodeidah city reportedly killed the head of the Houthi-led Supreme Political Council Saleh Ali al-Sammad and six other important political figures, sparking a wave of protests within Houthi-administered areas (Al Jazeera, 23 April 2018; Al Masdar 30 April 2018.) Despite heavy resistance, since Sammad’s death, a coalition of anti-Houthi forces including the Southern “Giants” brigade, Tihama Resistance, and National Resistance forces have made considerable gains into the governorate of Hodeidah, advancing up the coast to take control of Haymah, Mutaynah, and Fazzah villages as well as interior areas of Jarrahi and Tuhaytah districts (see figure below). Throughout the latest offensive, dubbed “Operation Red Thunder”, the UAE has increasingly taken a more direct role within the conflict by providing air and logistical support, as well as limited ground operations. In a rare event, UAE forces carried out an amphibious assault on Al Fazzah prior to its taking by National Resistance Forces, destroying a Houthi-controlled command center and seizing a number of documents and weapons (Emirates News Agency, 15 May 2018). At least one Emirati soldier was reportedly killed in the latest round of fighting (Gulf News, 18 May 2018).
Increased fighting and intense airstrikes throughout areas of southern Hodeidah governorate have taken a major toll on civilian populations. Since 1 April 2018, airstrikes have reportedly killed at least 46 civilians and wounded countless others in Hodeidah. The United Nations estimates that clashes in Yemen’s western coast have already displaced 100,000 people in recent months (Amnesty International, 17 May 2018). As anti-Houthi forces continue to advance toward the port city of Hodeidah, international organizations have warned of an impending crisis.
The port of Hodeidah is a critical entry point for food, medicine, and fuel supplies, and accounts for an estimated 70 to 80 percent of commercial imports into the country (ACAPS, 29 March 2018). During the last escalation of violence along the west coast, a blockade by the Saudi-led coalition in November of 2017 deprived millions of Yemenis access to clean water, food, and healthcare (INGO Joint Statement, 16 January 2018). Rapid advancements by anti-Houthi forces toward Hodeidah city over the last few weeks have sparked renewed fears that an all-out assault on the port would have disastrous consequences for both the civilian population within the city and those residing in the surrounding governorates. Looking to the future, the death of Sammad and the most recent developments along the west coast of the country may hinder plans for renewed negotiations that the newly-appointed UN special envoy, Martin Griffiths, had been developing.
Tagged on: Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Yemen
Braden Fuller 22/05/2018 13/02/2019 Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Current Hotspots, Middle East, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests
Election Violence in Indian West Bengal →
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Regional Overview – Middle East
Throughout the Middle East region last week, instances of battles continued to decrease, while remote violence events such as airstrikes and IED attacks increased. This trend has been ongoing since approximately the beginning of 2019. Reported fatalities remained relatively low despite increasing slightly from the previous week. Demonstrations meanwhile increased significantly from the previous week, notably in Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, and Palestine.
Armed conflict escalated last week in Israel along the border with Gaza, with unidentified mortars and incendiary devices being launched into HaDarom province. The incendiary devices sparked fires in Karmiyya and the Yad Mordekhay. Makeshift incendiary devices — often taking the form of balloons or kites with attached explosives — have caused significant damage to agricultural areas in southern Israel since they first were used in April 2018 (for more on that, see this past ACLED piece). However, following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli government last November, there have been no reports of incendiary devices causing damage until last week.
In Palestine, there was an increase in demonstrations and instances of violence against civilians, primarily in the West Bank. An Israeli settler’s body was found in the woods outside Jerusalem the previous week, leading to an increase in settler violence and activity by Israeli forces in the region. The case is subject to a gag order so the specifics of the event remain unknown; however, the arrest of a Palestinian suspect in Ramallah was reported by Israeli forces (Jerusalem Post, 9 February 2019).
In Gaza, the weekly Monday and Friday demonstrations continued against the 12-year long siege of the Gaza Strip. The “Night Confusion” unit, a group of demonstrators known for setting tires on fire at night, was more active this week in initiating demonstrations (Middle East Eye, 12 February 2019). During Friday’s Great March of Return, around 11,000 Palestinians took part in demonstrations, which are typically situated in five main locations along the Gazan border. At least 20 Palestinians were reportedly injured during clashes with Israeli security forces, including a minor, a journalist, and a medic. Furthermore, it was reported last week that a 17-year old Palestinian had succumbed to wounds he had sustained during the previous week’s Friday clashes east of al Bureij.
In Lebanon, only two demonstrations were reported last week, signalling a possible calming of tensions following the long-awaiting forming of the government. Among those demonstrations, a sit-in was held in Riad al-Solh, Beirut, to express a lack of confidence in the recently formed government. A second demonstration Beirut was held in front of the Ministry of Education in response to a man who set himself on fire the previous week after being unable to pay his daughter’s tuition fees. It was also reported that Israeli forces resumed the installation of a concrete barrier wall on the border between Lebanon and Israel (Naharnet, 13 February 2019).
In Jordan, a civilian and two police officers reportedly lost their lives, and several others were injured, as two explosives detonated in As Salt city. The explosions were in the same location that an unidentified armed group had earlier hid explosives during an attack in August 2018. Two days later, in an unrelated incident, two men were detained in Ajloun by police for refusing to provide identification. The detained men called their relatives who attacked the police and gendarmerie with stones and gunfire. One man was reportedly killed during the armed clash, while five, including four police officers, were injured. Additional riots followed news of the death, leading to instances of arson and attacks on government buildings and other property (Jordan Times, 17 February 2019). Ajloun is a rural agricultural area of Jordan where armed clans and kinship are powerful, and periodically lead to clashes.
Finally, the weekly protest near the fourth circle in the capital of Amman continued, with demonstrators demanding changes to economic policies and state corruption.
In Iran, a suicide bomber targeted a bus transporting a number of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) personnel from Khash to Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan province, in one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in recent years. The 13 February attack reportedly killed 27 soldiers, and wounded 13 others. The Sunni Baloch armed group, Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), claimed responsibility for the attack (BBC, 13 February 2019). Sistan and Baluchestan is a volatile area bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, where militant groups and drug smugglers frequently operate. It is populated mainly by Sunni Muslim ethnic Baluchis. Jaish al-Adl, a Pakistan-based Sunni Balochi separatist group, has carried out dozens of deadly bombings, ambushes, and other attacks on Iranian security forces since its emergence seven years ago. The group is considered to be an offshoot of Jundullah (Soldiers of God) which led a bloody rebellion in the early 2000s; the group was weakened when its leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, was executed by the Iranian state in 2010 (France 24, 14 February 2019).
In Bahrain, meanwhile, dozens of riots and protests across the country marked the eighth anniversary of the 14 February 2011 uprising against the ruling Al Khalifa regime. While the majority of demonstrations were peaceful, rioters clashed with security forces in several towns and villages, with many of them throwing Molotov cocktails. In many locations, rioters blocked the streets with burning tires or debris (Daily Telegraph, February 2019).
In Turkey, nationwide peaceful protests occurred last week against China’s ongoing mistreatment of Turkic Muslims in East Turkestan. The majority of demonstrations took place following morning prayers in mostly central Anatolian cities. Tensions between China and Turkey have been strained as a result of the issue (VOA, 13 February 2019).
Meanwhile, demonstrations by Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) members and MPs continued in southeastern cities to support Leyla Guven — an HDP MP on hunger strike to demand an end to the isolation of political prisoner and PKK Leader, Abdullah Öcalan. The majority of the demonstrations were stopped by police. Guven was hospitalized as a result of her hunger strike, but was discharged after she refused treatment (Bianet, 13 February 2019).
Also in the southeast, Turkish military forces continued to clash with Kurdistan Workers Party fighters in the provinces of Igdir and Hakkari, as well as in the Dahuk and Erbil governorates of northern Iraq. Extensive military raids throughout the region led to the destruction of multiple PKK hideouts, the confiscation of explosives, and the arrest of at least 55 people allegedly associated with the group.
In Iraq, there was an increase in Islamic State (IS) attacks on police, military, and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) throughout the country. A large concentration of the attacks occurred in the governorates of Anbar and Diyala. In the latter, a remote explosive hit a battalion of Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades) fighters and reportedly killed nine of them.
Elsewhere in Anbar, at least eight civilians were abducted by IS while in the desert near the towns of Haditha and Rawah. In Sala al-Din governorate, the chief of the explosive devices disposal department (Col. Ghaleb al-Dawri) with the Ministry of Interior was killed by a remote explosive on a road in the Makhoul mountains.
In Yemen, clashes continued in the Kushar district of Hajjah governorate, as Hujur tribal militias backed by the Saudi-led coalition clashed with Houthi forces in the area; at least 90 fatalities were reported throughout the week. Battles also increased along Saudi Arabia’s southern border as Houthi fighters stepped up attacks against border outposts and the Yemeni militias stationed there. Further clashes were fought in Ad Dali’s Al Husha district between local tribesmen and Houthi fighters after the latter blew up the house of a local tribal official.
Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed at least two attacks throughout the week, one which targeted Houthi forces in Al-Bayda governorate and the other against UAE-backed Security Belt forces in Mahfid district of Abyan governorate.
Throughout the week, Saudi-led coalition air raids targeted various locations, with at least one set of strikes targeting an area near the capital of Sana’a.
In Syria, exchanges of shelling between regime and rebel forces — mostly Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) — intensified in and around the DMZ in the governorates of Idleb, Hama, and the Aleppo countryside.
In the east, operations by Syrian Democratic Forces (QSD), supported by Coalition airstrikes, continued against the last remaining enclave of IS fighters in the vicinity of Baghuz village, Deir-ez-Zor governorate. Several members of IS have surrendered to QSD forces, although the group as a whole is refusing to give up until they are allowed to safely retreat along with evacuated civilians. Negotiations so far have been unsuccessful (Times of Israel, 18 February 2019).
Lastly, Israeli forces targeted several Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militia positions in Quneitra province. These attacks followed reports from the previous week of Iranian-backed militias moving out of the Deir-ez-Zor countryside towards Quneitra governorate.
© 2019 Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). All rights reserved.
Tom Hart
Global Research Coordinator
Tom Hart is the Global Research Coordinator with ACLED, and a part-time brewer and genealogist. He received his BA in International History from Carleton University in Ottawa, where he focused on colonial relationships, intercultural interaction, and geocultural perspectives. Tom is currently based out of Ottawa, Canada, and is fluent in English and French.
Tagged on: Bahrain Iran Iraq Israel Jordan Lebanon Palestine Syria Turkey Yemen
Tom Hart 19/02/2019 Analysis, Middle East, Regional Overviews
← Regional Overview – Asia
Demanding More: Demonstrations Ahead of Senegal’s 2019 Elections →
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How Hard Is Polish for a Native English Speaker? Bardzo.
Out of the Mouths of Babes: Language is an Evolutionary Force
Why Baby Brains Can Learn Two Languages at Same Time
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe - a Useful Toolkit
A large online survey shows that users of e-cigarettes are smokers trying to quit and they are succeeding!
Is Peri-Menstrual Chocolate Craving A Cultural Artifact Or A Biological Urge?
By Alex Berezow — June 19, 2016
Still confused? (Credit: Shutterstock)
Twice a year, when I visit my in-laws in Poland, I get to dabble in the soft science of linguistics in my futile attempt to learn the Polish language. Few people outside my immediate family can understand me because what I think of as "speaking" others perceive as caveman-like grunts with a Yankee accent.
It's not just me; Polish is, indeed, a difficult language for native English speakers. Why? A handy chart I created shows a side-by-side comparison of various grammatical features of the English and Polish languages with explanations that follow.
Why Polish is more difficult than English.
Difficult spelling. Spelling Bees exist in both the United States and Poland for a reason: The words are not easy to spell. English has many homophones (e.g., meat/meet/mete), words of foreign origin, silent letters, and arbitrary exceptions, which makes spelling perhaps the language's most difficult feature. Polish isn't plagued by that many problems, but it is still not easy to spell a word given its pronunciation.
Difficult pronunciation. It is not exactly obvious that the correct pronunciation of colonel is KUR-nel or that conceit and receipt rhyme, even though the latter has an extra p in it. Words in Polish, on the other hand, are relatively straightforward to pronounce if given the spelling.
Articles. A, an, and the trip up many native speakers of Slavic languages since articles do not exist in most of them, including Polish and Russian.
Perfective/Imperfective. Both English and Polish are made more complicated by perfective and imperfective verb aspects*. The perfective aspect indicates an action has been completed (e.g., I have gone to the store), while the imperfective aspect indicates an action is ongoing (e.g., I have been going to the store).
And now, the features of the Polish language that make it nearly impossible for a non-native speaker to master.
Complex verb conjugation. Verbs change form -- often dramatically and unrecognizably -- depending on person (1st person - I; 2nd person - you; 3rd person - he/she/it); whether the noun is singular or plural; whether the action is in the past, present, or future; and whether the person speaking (or being spoken about) is a man or a woman. Check out this table, which shows the many, many ways that the Polish verb skakać (to jump) can be conjugated. On the other hand, conjugation of most verbs in English is trivial: Just add -s, -ed, or -ing.
Gendered nouns. Nouns have one of three genders in Polish (masculine, feminine, or neuter), and adjectives that describe those nouns must agree with the gender. The Polish word for table is masculine, lamp is feminine, and beer is neuter. Why? Because.
Multiple plural forms. In English, nouns are either singular or plural, and this is generally indicated by adding an -s. In Polish, there are multiple plural forms and different ways to express plurality depending on the noun. For example, one dog is jeden pies, two dogs is dwa psy, five dogs is pięć psów, and ten dogs is dziesięć psów. Twenty-five dogs uses the psów form, but 32 dogs uses the psy form again. Why? Because. (If there is a pattern to these, no native Polish speaker I've asked knows what it is.)
Noun declension. Declension is probably the most difficult feature of the Polish language. Not only are noun and adjective endings affected by gender and number, but they also change based upon their context in a sentence, known as grammatical case. There are seven different cases in Polish. For instance, table is stół, on the table is na stole, and under the table is pod stołem. English only has a small vestige of this system, which manifests in our substitution of the words I for me, he/she for him/her, and we for us depending on the context.
Conclusion. Many native English speakers are under the false impression that English is a difficult language. It is not. Indeed, as The Economist put it in one of the most memorable essays it ever published, "English is a relatively simple language, absurdly spelled." Polish, on the other hand, seems to me a difficult language designed to intimidate foreigners. At least it's not !Xóõ or Tuyuca.
*Grammar Nazis will point out that English does not have a general imperfective aspect.
English speakers
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Marketing Innovation
Apple Again Tops Kantar Media’s List of the 5 Biggest Spenders on New TV Ads
Brand spent big on media placement for a variety of new ads last week
By Erik Oster
Apple spent $6.7 million on three new spots promoting the iPhone 7 Plus.
Last week saw an overall increase in spending on national broadcast campaigns. Advertisers spent nearly $848 million compared with a little over $822 million the previous week, according to Kantar Media. Spending on placement for new creative also rose, from just under $89 million to nearly $122 million.
Advertisers spent more on placement during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards than any other programming, devoting $4.9 million, or 4.1 percent of their new creative budget on the event.
For the first week of May, Apple spent more on broadcast placement for new creative than any other advertiser, devoting around $10 million to its “The City” spot promoting the iPhone 7 Plus. Last week, Apple returned to the top of the list, devoting 62 percent of its overall broadcast budget of $12.6 million, or nearly $7.9 million, to a series of seven new ads—$6.7 million of that went to three new spots promoting the iPhone 7 Plus, including “Barbers,” a spot showing photos taken with its portrait mode attracting customers to a New Orleans barbershop. Apple also released two Apple Music spots featuring Shakira and Harry Styles and two “Designed for Everyone” brand spots promoting Apple devices.
Apple devoted 22 percent of its new creative spending to the Billboard awards, spending a total of $1.7 million on placement during the event, more than any other advertiser, for a total of two minutes of airtime. Its Apple Music ad with Shakira made its debut during the event. It also ran its iPhone 7 Plus spot and another Apple Music spot (the one with Styles), which debuted May 15.
Old Navy spent a higher percentage of its overall broadcast placement on new creative than any other advertiser, devoting 91 percent of its approximately $7 million budget, or nearly $6.4 million, to the latest in its “Hi, Fashion” campaign. The brand devoted $836,000 of its spend on placement of the 30-second “Hi, Light” ad promoting its “Summer Essentials” event during NBC’s The Voice.
The third biggest spender on new creative last week, Mercedes-Benz, spent just over $4.1 million to promote its C-Class series. That represented 62 percent of the Daimler AG brand’s overall media budget of around $6.6 million.
Mercedes May 2017 from Kantar Media US on Vimeo.
Mercedes just edged out the next advertiser on the list, AT&T. The telecommunications giant devoted around $4 million of its $9 million broadcast placement budget on a new version of a spot in the “Terms & Conditions” campaign it launched last month starring Mark Wahlberg. While not a new ad, that version of “Unlimited” included an iPhone 7 offer, which technically qualifies it as “new creative,” and $684,000 of AT&T’s spend for the ad was for placement during PGA Tour golf.
Lowe’s rounded out the list of the top five biggest spenders on broadcast placement on new creative at around $3.6 million. That was good for 54 percent of the hardware chain’s budget of nearly $6.7 million.
Lowes May 2017 from Kantar Media US on Vimeo.
http://adweek.it/2rRmNkS
Erik Oster
@ErikDOster
Erik Oster is a staff writer for Adweek.
WCCB-TV News Rising Co-Host
WCCB-TV
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CNN Details Online Coverage of Royal Wedding
By David Cohen
CNN RSVPed with its online plans for coverage of the United Kingdom’s royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton, set for Friday, April 29.
CNN.com has already launched The Wedding Planner, a special section that includes background, profiles, photo galleries, video-on-demand, and other exclusive content.
Also up and running is blog Unveiled, which covers all of the behind-the-scenes details leading up to the big event.
iReport, the cable news network’s citizen journalism outlet, is holding a Royal Wedding iReporter Contest, with one U.S.-based winner traveling to London to cover the wedding. Contestants are asked to submit 90-second videos explaining why they should cross the pond.
Beginning April 22, iReport is also inviting citizen journalists to share their experiences, as well as launching CNN iReport Open Story: Royal Wedding, which will feature photos and videos placed along an interactive time line and map.
And CNN set up a CNN Royal Wedding page on Facebook.
http://adweek.it/2k8ENUl
Client Success Manager
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Oral history interview with Victor Thall, 1965 June 8
Thall, Victor, 1902-1983
Size: Transcript: 33 pages
Format: Originally recorded on 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 4 digital wav files. Duration is 1 hr., 15 min.
Summary: An interview of Victor Thall conducted 1965 June 8, by Betty Hoag, for the Archives of American Art New Deal and the Arts Project, at the artist's home, in Los Angeles, California.
Victor Thall was a painter from Los Angeles, California.
Conducted as part of the Archives of American Art's New Deal and the Arts project, which includes over 400 interviews of artists, administrators, historians, and others involved with the federal government's art programs and the activities of the Farm Security Administration in the 1930s and early 1940s.
The following oral history transcript is the result of a tape-recorded interview with Victor Thall on June 8, 1965. The interview took place in Los Angeles, CA, and was conducted by Betty Hoag for the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
BETTY HOAG: This is Betty Lochrie Hoag on June 8, 1965 interviewing the artist, Victor Thall, in his home in Los Angeles. Mr. Thall was an artist on the New York project...
VICTOR THALL: The easel project.
BETTY HOAG: ...in the easel section. Thank you. Mr. Thall, do you use a middle initial with that?
VICTOR THALL: S. Edward, that's the way my passport reads.
BETTY HOAG: S. Edward. And what is the S, or is that a secret?
VICTOR THALL: I don't know.
BETTY HOAG: Doesn't "Victor" read on the passport?
VICTOR THALL: Victor S. Edward. I don't know -- nobody ever told me what the S is. I'm afraid to think.
BETTY HOAG: That's fun. We can make up names.
VICTOR THALL: Actually my legal name is Victoria. My mother was an Anglophile and she named me after Queen Victoria. You can imagine what that did to me when I was a child. I hated English...
BETTY HOAG: They told you as a child? They shouldn't have told you.
VICTOR THALL: Well, you know, that's all she did was yak about England and her Kensington garden and the fact that I was named after Queen Victoria, so you can imagine how I felt about the English when I got to England and met them. I hated them.
BETTY HOAG: Did she come from England?
VICTOR THALL: She was one of those transplanted Anglophiles that thought that the United States was full of Indians. She hated it and she spent her whole life in a garden in Milton, Massachusetts trying to recreate a Kensington garden. And she did it too very successfully because they gave her a silver watering can for the best garden and that thing haunted me all through my childhood because she never relinquished it after she won it. And I hated the English like you can't believe it until I got to England, you know, about 1923 and discovered how great they were.
BETTY HOAG: Oh! Where were you born, and when? Do you mind telling us?
VICTOR THALL: I was born in Brooklyn in 1902, and they whipped me off to Milton, Massachusetts before I had a chance to catch my breath.
BETTY HOAG: Was this a boys' school or something?
VICTOR THALL: No, that's a town - Milton, Massachusetts.
BETTY HOAG: I see, the family moved there.
VICTOR THALL: Yes, they took me there, and I spent my childhood in that town. And curiously enough, my wife is from not too far away, from Holyoke, Massachusetts, and years later we met again back in Brooklyn...
BETTY HOAG: Oh, that's interesting.
VICTOR THALL: ...on a blind date.
BETTY HOAG: Without ever having known each other?
VICTOR THALL: No. It's ridiculous. We're both the same age.
BETTY HOAG: Having been in the same schoolroom together there?
VICTOR THALL: Well, I never went to school, so that didn't matter.
BETTY HOAG: Not at all?
VICTOR THALL: No.
BETTY HOAG: Not even grade school?
VICTOR THALL: No. I played hookey for so many years they thought I left the country. I just wouldn't go to school, ever.
BETTY HOAG: Oh! Well, what about art school, Mr. Thall?
VICTOR THALL: Oh, art school I attended that.
BETTY HOAG: When did you start?
VICTOR THALL: I started at the Art Students League when I was eleven years old, when I got back to Manhattan. And I was painting nudes, you know, an adult class, I was about eleven, and the model, the naked model wouldn't pose in the same class with me because in those days, you know, little boys didn't have any costumes like they have today where the little boy looks like his dad. We wore those little Lord Fauntleroy suits and I had Buster Brown curls down to my shoulder and short little trousers with brass buttons...
BETTY HOAG: And the name of Victoria.
VICTOR THALL: So with the skinny little legs and the little boy look the model wouldn't pose for me. But the board of control said he's an art student and you have to.
BETTY HOAG: How long were you there?
VICTOR THALL: Well, not long enough to do me any damage, although I did go -- we didn't have much of an art education in the United States in those days, you know. It wasn't as cultivated as it is today so that the reigning masses were pretty bad. And I was victimized by some pretty incompetent teachers.
BETTY HOAG: Because you were a child prodigy?
VICTOR THALL: No, because there was nothing but ignorant men teaching art.
BETTY HOAG: At the Art Students League?
VICTOR THALL: Oh...
BETTY HOAG: I thought that's where the greatest taught.
VICTOR THALL: No, it took me years - of course I was - I might have a bit of extra-sensory perceptivity because I began to suspect by the time I was twelve that the teacher didn't know much. You know there was something phony about my first criticism, the very first.
BETTY HOAG: At the age of eleven you could sense it?
VICTOR THALL: I felt it, that it was a lie when he told me that the highest light was always next to the darkest dark, that's how you get form, sounded like a false ...
BETTY HOAG: Were you going to the museums yourself and studying the masters and analyzing things?
VICTOR THALL: Well, that's where I was going when I wasn't going to school. I never got a grammar school diploma.
BETTY HOAG: Well had your mother been a teacher? Or your father?
VICTOR THALL: No, they were business - my father was a business man. And I spent my childhood in the library, the zoo, and the museums. And actually I played hookey for so long, for so many months that when they caught me - I'll never forget one time - I still remember this, I might have been about twelve years old when they hauled me up before this principal, and the idiot wore a beard, I still see him with his little van Dyke and his pince nez with a ribbon, and he had that benign look, you know, that they always give the little boy - that lofty position of an adult. And he said, "Don't you like your teachers, Victor?", you know. And I could see myself looking at him with my bald, black eyes and saying, "I don't even know them." I'd never seen them, how could I dislike them?
BETTY HOAG: Well didn't they have rules there that would put your parents in jail, or something?
VICTOR THALL: Oh, but you'd be surprised if a little boy is determined what he can get away with. I'd go off with my books and disappear into my world, and I just wouldn't go.
BETTY HOAG: You did do a lot of reading?
VICTOR THALL: Oh yes. I mean I wasn't interested in the teachers interpretation of Shakespeare or Socrates, I was interested in the original. I was just one of those nasty little boys that just wouldn't sit in a classroom, I was very anti-social, I wouldn't play with other boys, I wasn't interested in baseball, I was in a world of my own, and I was not going to be cheated out of it.
BETTY HOAG: How much of this was art? This world of your own that you were in?
VICTOR THALL: I was drawing since I was five. And I finally got rid of the Art Students League because I was listening to a lot of bilge and I went to the museums and discovered that it wasn't true because I looked at Rembrandt and everybody I loved, and I saw no indication whatsoever that the highest light was next to the darkest dark. I just didn't see it. And I've seen every museum in the world since then and I'm still looking for it, and I haven't found it from that day to this. So obviously I had an intuitive realization that he was telling me a great lie.
BETTY HOAG: Well, you must have been old enough to have seen the Armory Show and understood some of it then if you were...
VICTOR THALL: Well, I didn't understand it, but I knew it was important. I saw the Armory Show in 1913, actually that was my first shocking realization of what art should be...
BETTY HOAG: Did you like it or not like it?
VICTOR THALL: Oh, of course, I was overwhelmed by it. I didn't understand it because that's ridiculous but I certainly knew that it was better than John Singer Sargent and my teachers, Frank Vincent Dumont and George Bridgman and all those idiots, you know.
BETTY HOAG: Well, George Bridgman was a great anatomist, wasn't he?
VICTOR THALL: Well, what am I supposed to be, a taxidermist?
BETTY HOAG: Well, it's basic to other kinds of painting.
VICTOR THALL: No, it isn't true. That's a fraud.
BETTY HOAG: Do you think so?
VICTOR THALL: It just isn't true. It's one of those lies that gain momentum but never becomes more truthful no matter how great the snowball becomes. It's one of those monstrous lies that's perpetrated ad infinitum ad nauseam to every art school in the world, and it just is not true.
BETTY HOAG: Well it certainly is repeated though.
VICTOR THALL: It's repeated in every school that I went from the Art Students League and after going to - look it, this is the masters, ostensibly masters - George Bridgman - I was the prize little pupil, you know, I had the class when I was fifteen years old standing behind me watching me paint the model. You know I was the little genius and at the same time with an unconscious realization that it was all wrong, that whatever I was doing was wrong. My bravura and dexterity, my virtuosity had nothing to do with art, and they were destroying me literally. They could have too if I'd been anything else but what I am. I don't know how these things happen, frankly, except that it's formulated a theory that's never been changed in my mind that I'm suspicious largely of Freud, Jung, Adler et al, who insist that the child is formulated and victimized by these early traumas. Do you understand my point?
BETTY HOAG: Very much.
VICTOR THALL: And I'm just not too interested although I won't deny it completely because I've reached the age where I'm not sure of anything any more, but I'm very suspicious of some neurotic authority who leans heavily on the fact that his mother didn't love him.
BETTY HOAG: I agree with you.
VICTOR THALL: Well, I couldn't care less whether my mother loved me or not, you know; I couldn't care less. And I believe that at any given moment in anybody's life if they've got a brain they can wipe everything out starting yesterday and draw a debit and credit column now and start over.
BETTY HOAG: And go on with that.
VICTOR THALL: Go on with it.
BETTY HOAG: Yes. Well I think modern psychiatry is coming around to that. The latest...
VICTOR THALL: Do you understand what I mean?
BETTY HOAG: Yes, I do.
VICTOR THALL: And I'm thoroughly suspicious of this kind of pattern where people, you know, wander around in a fog because their mother didn't love them when they were five years old, for nothing could have made me happier if I could have escaped from mine.
BETTY HOAG: It's an easy thing to hide behind.
VICTOR THALL: Oh, it's a copout.
BETTY HOAG: Yes.
VICTOR THALL: You know it's the sweetest copout in the world, and I'm just not interested.
BETTY HOAG: Well you stayed at the Art Students League until you were at least fifteen. How much longer?
VICTOR THALL: No. I stayed at the Art Students League until I was about sixteen and then I went to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia searching for something else that the Art Students League wasn't giving me.
BETTY HOAG: I gather however that your parents were behind this?
VICTOR THALL: They gave me the money. My father was a business man but he loved art. As a matter of fact, he hated business men. And there were a lot of things wrong with him but he had certain qualities that were great, and he had an extraordinary feeling about creative human beings. Because when I came back from Europe in 1927 and I was complaining bitterly that my genius wasn't being properly recognized, you know, without being cognizant of the fact that I didn't have much genius that was worth much at the time.
BETTY HOAG: You hadn't developed it anyway.
VICTOR THALL: He said, quote "You wanted to be an artist, did you not? Do you expect to get paid too?"
BETTY HOAG: Smart man.
VICTOR THALL: I mean to him an artist was such a sacrosanct kind of thing that he couldn't conceive of the fact that one would expect to rule a pay for such a privilege...
BETTY HOAG: He knew that it was a goal to earn.
VICTOR THALL: He knew that it was the alpha and omega within itself, and he desperately tried to set me up so I would never have to earn my living. I wish he had succeeded, you know.
BETTY HOAG: You were fortunate, wonderful.
VICTOR THALL: Fortunate in what sense? No, I was fortunate in one sense; but unfortunate in the sense that he let me live like a feudal baron for twenty-five years and then there wasn't any more money.
BETTY HOAG: You were on your own.
VICTOR THALL: So that then at twenty-five, or rather about at twenty-seven I was facing the world, that real world, with the kind of an equipment that a convent-bred schoolgirl would have if she approached Wall Street with a complete set of Horatio Alger junior books. And I just wasn't prepared for it.
BETTY HOAG: Well before this happened, you had been to Europe. Had you studied with anyone in particular?
VICTOR THALL: I went to Europe but not at this point. Well, I got a scholarship at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine arts and the same thing obtained in Philadelphia, I had Denny Garpe and Arthur B. Carls and all sorts of men and there was always this feeling that there was something else, something terribly missing, I mean that kind of intuitive feeling without any cognizance really.
BETTY HOAG: Did you find it in Europe?
VICTOR THALL: No. And the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts was exactly the same as the Art Students League in New York except that it was more midget. And to win this scholarship you had to really do terrible, stupid, academic rubbish. I mean to express yourself you had gone duck. So that I made that kind of concession...
BETTY HOAG: To conform to get your scholarship.
VICTOR THALL: I wanted a scholarship, and I got it with a whole bunch of other men. And I got to Paris in 1922.
BETTY HOAG: Were you being sent to a school or just to study?
VICTOR THALL: No, you could do anything - you didn't have to go if you didn't want to, you just got the money.
BETTY HOAG: How wonderful.
VICTOR THALL: As a matter of fact some men went to Paris, stayed a week, spent all the money on books, and turned around and went back.
BETTY HOAG: Oh, for heaven's sake! Really!
VICTOR THALL: I remember several of them did that.
BETTY HOAG: How amazing!
VICTOR THALL: They just went around and bought a lot of art books and turned around and went home. Other men on the same scholarship which was supposed to last for a year, stayed for fifteen years and damn near died of hunger.
BETTY HOAG: They probably did a lot of painting and were willing...
VICTOR THALL: Those were artists, you know. But some of them were cowardly, they just bought all the books and went home. One of them didn't even go at all.
BETTY HOAG: Well when you came back...
VICTOR THALL: I was well - you know - apart from that as a matter of fact I stayed on for so many years, and some of the men said, "Jesus, you're really making this scholarship stretch out. What kind of a scholarship did you get?" And I said, "I got an Edward B. Thall scholarship." That was my father.
BETTY HOAG: Oh!
VICTOR THALL: Because he'd been backing my little stipend up with ten times as much, you see.
BETTY HOAG: Well when you came back you said that this financial support was missing. Were you able to make a living then?
VICTOR THALL: No, it didn't work like that. I got the death shock, you see, when I went immediately to the Ecole des Beaux Arts, which was supposed to be it. And besides that I had this romantic conception about Paris and the notion that if you stood on the corner of Boulevard Montparnasse and Raspai and took three deep breaths you were an artist, you know.
BETTY HOAG: All rub off. All the glow.
VICTOR THALL: Yes, by osmosis.
BETTY HOAG: Did you live on the Left Bank too?
VICTOR THALL: Yes, I had a great studio, I had several great studios, I had a great studio at 33 Edgar Quinet, it was just back of the Cafe du Dome. And don't forget those are the Roaring Twenties.
BETTY HOAG: How do you spell Edgar Quinet?
VICTOR THALL: Edgar... Q U I N E T T. And I was there before Hemingway wrote anything. We used to have breakfast at the Cafe du Dome when he was, you know, working on the newspapers as manning the cables, and he hadn't even written anything yet, I mean he had a couple of little pamphlets published at Sylvia Beach, and don't forget that The Sun also Rises which precipitated him into a world figure was published in 1927. So in 1923 I mean he was just somebody around the Quarter with a bee and a bandage and he was still on crutches from the Italian front.
BETTY HOAG: Did you meet him or Hemingway or Stein or any of that crowd?
VICTOR THALL: Oh, knew everybody! Knew them all.
BETTY HOAG: Wasn't it stimulating?
VICTOR THALL: Oh, it was tremendous. I mean one of the characters in The Sun Also Rises - all the characters in The Sun also Rises were friends of mine. Everyone of them. But the shocking thing is, my dear, is that there are schools in Paris that are exactly the same frauders as in the United States. That was the great denouncement that unhinged me, you know.
BETTY HOAG: Well, had all of the avant garde artists, experimentalists left the school? Were they all painting on their own?
VICTOR THALL: I mean no artist - there's never been an artist that ever came out of an art school. The whole conception is preposterous. Can you imagine Picasso going to an art school? Or Paul Cezanne?
BETTY HOAG: I always thought he did.
VICTOR THALL: Nonsense! Impossible!
BETTY HOAG: I thought that's why he came from Spain to Pais in the first place was to go to art school.
VICTOR THALL: He came from Spain to Paris to breathe the juices of the air of all the creative energies that were around. But never in an art school. It's not possible. It just doesn't work. It just doesn't work. This is the monstrous fraud that's being perpetrated. I remember when I was just a kid finally, you know, when you constantly go from one to the other thinking this is it, you know, and you always have that romantic notion, you just never give up the idea. Finally, it was the famous Academie Julien and then...
BETTY HOAG: That wasn't it either?
VICTOR THALL: No. And this is the Rue du Drabout, and all my life I've seen etchings by Whistler with this beautiful building with the ivy on it and you stand there in front of this building and there's the footsteps of the masters and you think this is it. I mean it's like the guy looking for that woman, you know, that he never finds, some people I mean never find, you know, you wander. And finally I go past those sacrosanct portals and there are the same miserable, academic drawings in the hall that you see everywhere, the same naked man or woman holding a staff in his hand, the same idiocy, you know.
BETTY HOAG: Well, what were you doing, mostly landscapes and wandering around?
VICTOR THALL: I was studying art! And wandered from one country to another trying to trace the history of art in the museums, I mean I covered half the world by then, you know, I'd been practically everywhere, I'd been to thirty countries possibly in those years and all the great museums. And there was nothing in the museums that had anything to do with what you saw in an art school, no connection.
BETTY HOAG: Well, what about the school of Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, the Fauves, the Blue Rider, all of these people? The work was around then.
VICTOR THALL: Of course! But what has that got to do with what you see in an art school?
BETTY HOAG: You saw that in a museum.
VICTOR THALL: Saw that anywhere, but there was no possible connection, you know, between the creative energies of the men that you love with what you were going to learn in an art school. And I was, you know, it was running itself out. And of course the Academie Julien was the final fraud when they had - there were rings hanging from the ceiling, you know, like in a gymnasium...
BETTY HOAG: What for?
VICTOR THALL: I don't know. I thought that's pretty eccentric, and I thought well perhaps they turned the place into a boxing club at night, I don't know, it looked a little peculiar to see this. And of course the windows hadn't been opened for fifty years. The stench would kill you; the leaky stove, you know gas from this stove, and the unwashed French bodies and the socks and the turpentine, I mean the stench had dimension. And I discovered quickly enough what those rings were. They were some enterprising art student got up on them and started to cavort over everybody's head, wrapped his leges around the nude model and hauled her aloft too and then they did a flying gymnast performance, you know, the whole thing was bohemianism and lunacy.
BETTY HOAG: I thought you were going to say to ventilate the room, all this breeze.
VICTOR THALL: I mean it was nonsense, you know. And then I was talking with Frank Harris at the time. Of course I can't tell you this story because it's too vulgar. But I'll never forget Frank Harris sitting at the Cafe Dome with me one day and he said, "What's the matter, kid, you look unhappy?" And I was telling him about these desperate experiences I was having at the Academie Julien, and he said, "Kid, you don't know what you're talking about. You should have known it in my day." And he told me a story about his days, ho, ho, ho, ho!
BETTY HOAG: Real French days.
VICTOR THALL: You know Frank Harris was something in those days. He was cute.
BETTY HOAG: You came back in about '25?
VICTOR THALL: 1927, I came back to the United States.
BETTY HOAG: Almost in time for the depression.
VICTOR THALL: Well, no...
BETTY HOAG: Two years before then.
VICTOR THALL: I knew nothing of the depression. I came back, you know, just to look around and about, to see my family, my sister was ill at the time, and I came home, and I met this woman who I married immediately, and we shipped right back to Paris. And we did a few countries and had some fun, could have plenty of money still. And in the meantime I had given up art schools and had a studio and I was, you know, painting, studying.
BETTY HOAG: Was she an artist too?
VICTOR THALL: No. And we just went back to Paris, and we stayed on, did a few other countries, had a ball, and I was painting and I was in the museums, and forgetting art schools because I had long since given them up.
BETTY HOAG: Were you selling yet, or were you ready for that?
VICTOR THALL: Well, I wasn't interested in that. It never occurred to me, I never thought of that.
BETTY HOAG: Really?
VICTOR THALL: Uh! Last thing in my mind. If that father of mine had fulfilled his promise to me and set me up, you know, so I would have had all the money I anticipated I would have, I would still own the first drawing I ever made from that day to this. I would never have sold anything ever. I had no interest in that. That's the unfortunate situation that a professional artist (obnoxious term) is compelled to do. This thing is going to go to New York in another month and it just kills me to let it go out of this studio, even though I'm going to get $15,000 for it I can't stand it; but I have to, you know. What are you going to do? I hate that part of it.
BETTY HOAG: I would think that would give you pleasure. If I were an artist that's the part I would like.
VICTOR THALL: That's the least interesting. It's just an obnoxious necessity. Now that isn't true of other people; I'm only talking about myself. Because I know people that sell them while they're still wet and before they even realize when they're worthless. That's another point of view. I'm talking completely subjectively now and I know from empirical experience that if my father had done what he planned to do that my whole life would have have dilettanteism, that means that most intense work because nobody can work as hard as I do, you know. I would have put in my whole life at art, I would have never had an exhibition or sold a picture until after I'm dead. Because I just don't approve of it.
BETTY HOAG: Do you think that that would have been better for you?
VICTOR THALL: I don't know whether it's better or worse, but it's the way I would have lived my life. I would have done what Picasso is doing now, he's got thousands of pictures stashed away in his castle that nobody can see. Because they represent milestones of my development and I want them around me, I want them in a different kind of a thing than this idiot studio. It would have been, you know, an armory, and they would have been racked up and I would have everything, because I'm just not interested...
BETTY HOAG: Incidentally, I think this is a beautiful studio, you should see some of them that I see, you're lucky.
VICTOR THALL: This is not a studio, it's boudoir. You should have seen the studio...
BETTY HOAG: It has the light and the display room...
VICTOR THALL: It's not bad, but it's not - I'm living with my wife, my daughter, my grandchild, it's a kind of pleasant situation but it has nothing to do with the studio. You should have seen the studio I've got in Palma de Mallorca, it's fifteen times the size of this, three times as high, you know, it's workshop. The one I just left in New York a month ago had a thirty-foot ceiling, it was great.
BETTY HOAG: Gosh, how wonderful.
VICTOR THALL: It was the old house that old John D. Rockefeller built about ninety years ago, and it was enormous, you know, old, high ceilings, lovely woodwork. This is not a studio but it's adequate for the moment, you know, it's that kind of situation, and I'm rather enjoying it because I've been away from my family for so long it's kind of fun to have them around me. I was here for five years by myself, you know, this past trip.
BETTY HOAG: No, I didn't know that.
VICTOR THALL: Five years. In any case what happened at Paris was that in 1929, or little later than that, in 1930, we were in Paris when I got the bad news, you see, that there wasn't any more money; it was all finished. And I mean I was - I just couldn't cope with it, just didn't know how to deal with it, because I'd been in Europe enough years and had spent enough money to know that without money a foreigner in Europe is de trop, you know, persona non grata, nobody wants to even talk to them. I mean, for instance, even jazz bands in Montmartre - and if there was a Negro American who played a hot trumpet or something when the inspectors came in they hid him, that kind of thing, it was impossible for a foreigner to get a job.
BETTY HOAG: What did you do, for heaven's sakes?
VICTOR THALL: Well, it was a shocking thing. And of course the only thing I could think of was that I was going to go home immediately because I just couldn't face it. And Mona here who has another kind of point of view about these things said, "Well, let's stay." Which absolutely made my eyes open wide, you know. I said, "What do you mean, stay?" She said, "Well, if we haven't got any money, we haven't got any money anywhere. So why don't we stay where we want to be?"
BETTY HOAG: Good for her.
VICTOR THALL: Which is unbelievable, isn't it?
BETTY HOAG: Yes. Like a good wife.
VICTOR THALL: So we stayed on until about 1932 or so, almost '33, went down to the South of France where at least the sun shone and you could reach out and get a lemon or an orange.
BETTY HOAG: Provence, or ...
VICTOR THALL: And we had a pretty salty time, believe me, you know; I'm not even going to attempt to describe the way we lived; you can't believe it. I mean those cats would have died. Because I had a dog in my studio and he died and I took him to a veterinarian and he said, "Where did you have this creature?" I said, "In my studio where I live with my wife." And he said, "He died of exposure." That's the truth. That is the truth. But animals die unless they're warm and well-fed, but men don't. It's true. We had a pretty salty time. And finally in the South of France things started to change and I began to have some success and things. And still not knowing anything about what was happening in the United States actually, and I left my wife and child - I had a child at that time - and I came back to New York to have an exhibition, if you will, because everybody was advising me to do it.
BETTY HOAG: You didn't have anyone sponsoring you ahead of time?
VICTOR THALL: No. I just had some success and people were talking about me and this and that an in a moment of mental aberration I went home, and discovered there wasn't any world of art, the galleries were closed up...
BETTY HOAG: Surely. It was gone at that time.
VICTOR THALL: And it was finished, you know; there was nothing. And there was nothing at all, I mean I went to Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, you know. The gallery dealers were sitting - those who were still in existence - looking at their pictures racked up and planning to go into the fur business or something. It all was just insanity, nothing. So my wife had nothing to do but take my child and my dog and follow me home. And then the whole thing started after that, you remember it was just about that time.
BETTY HOAG: The Federal Art Project?
VICTOR THALL: Well, not quite. I mean I went out to the West Coast riding freight trains and carrying on for another while, for a year or so, and got myself involved in all sorts of insanity. And then it started when I got back, with, you know, all that business of picketing the museums and carrying on and wild scenes.
BETTY HOAG: Were you part of that? Or just an observer?
VICTOR THALL: Oh, part of all of it, part of all of it. I was one of the - how shall I say, how will I describe my relationship to all of that? I was one of the men that was busy at the front while the smart politicians were sitting in the background directing it. And we were all busy, busy, busy, in and out of prison and getting knocked about and being carried on, I was a real crusader.
BETTY HOAG: Well, this was for the Artists Union? This had nothing to do with the project yet?
VICTOR THALL: This was all part of it, and part of the whole business, you know how busy you had to be to keep it alive while the smart politicians were directing it from behind and never put their own signatures on our pamphlet or anything, you see. And I was the front of the Dies Committee and all that kind of thing, and Red activity and all that jazz, you know, and just was a big crusader. It was just ridiculous, you know, when you come to think of it how completely victimized you can be, and naive. And now that I remember some of these men they never did anything themselves, they were just the big directors behind the scene, you know, the smart boys. It was very cute. And I'll never forget the time - which I suppose had something to do with it - where they hauled me up before the Dies Committee and I was sitting facing a dozen I don't know what you call them, politicians? Could they be called politicians? They looked at me as if I was something odd. And I remember Congressman Mark Antonio defended me at the time.
BETTY HOAG: Where was he? In New York Congressman?
VICTOR THALL: Yes, he was in New York and he was supposed to be the big Red something or other, you know. And I'll never forget the questions these idiots asked me. They hauled down a huge montage, photo-montage of a Mayday parade, and there was a beard, you know...
BETTY HOAG: They thought it was your beard? In the photograph?
VICTOR THALL: Well, you know - there it was, but you know what kind of a thing that looks like. All you see is black dots, you know. So they said, "Is that you?" Well, it could have been, I mean you couldn't tell; it was impossible to recognize it. So I said, "Give me a magnifying glass." So they gave me a magnifying glass and I looked at it and now the spots were like soup plates, it didn't change any, the spots just got bigger, and I still didn't know if it was me or not. But I was furious with these louts, you know, so I said, "No, I'm much better-looking than that." And then they asked me these odd questions to prove that I was some kind of a editious character, you know.
BETTY HOAG: Well, was this just to prove whether or not you had been in one of the rebellions?
VICTOR THALL: Well, I'd been in all the actions, you know we were always in and out of jail, being knocked about, I was on the picket lines and things, these were part of the project activity.
BETTY HOAG: Yes. But it had nothing to do with any of the painting you had done?
VICTOR THALL: No. I was painting my own pictures, but there was always these actions that you were involved in to keep this lunacy alive because it was crumbling, you know; and to keep it alive you had to be awfully busy with it. I mean we went to Washington, you know that hunger march, it was all lunacy part of the whole crazy goings-on, you know. It was complete...
BETTY HOAG: That whole situation was.
VICTOR THALL: I mean sitting there looking at these men, these brutes asking me those questions, and then each one of them coming up with a different question to prove their point, you know, that I was some sort of a Red. And one of these bright boys said, asked me if I read The Daily Worker, you know this was supposed to be the big, pointed question. I said, "Yes, I read The Daily Worker and I read the New York Times. I read the Holy Bible, I read the Farmer's Almanac, I read Balzac, and I read Dostoievsky, and Bobsy Twins at the Seashore, I'm a reader, Mister, I read everything." I said, "What do you read?" And the final question that was supposed to really prove the point - another bright boy asked me if I believed in free-love. That's a hot one, that's right out of Moscow.
BETTY HOAG: Had a lot to do with the problem.
VICTOR THALL: And I looked at these, you know, from one face to the other and I said, "Well, I don't know about you gentlemen, but it's always been free for me." I mean they were just too ridiculous. And finally when they couldn't hook me with anything, and the whole thing was over, and we were about to go, I said, "I've been asked a lot of questions. I think I'd like to make a statement." In the meantime Mark Antonio was dragging me out of there. He said, "Let's go." I said, "No, I've had enough of this." There was a secretary taking this down on a stenotype, and I said, "I want you to take this down, Miss, and if I talk too fast slow me up and be sure you spell it right." And I said, "Let me tell you something" - because this was all going to Washington, you know - "I was born in the United States, I'm an American and I've spent my entire life studying art for whatever glory it could be for myself and my country and I've never spent five minutes in a poolroom or a bar and I resent being questiond by twelve louts, poolroom loafers who have the presumptuous effrontery to question my patriotism." I said, "Have you got this down?" And Mark Antonio was trying to drag me - I mean I'm boiling with fury by now, you know, and this all went to Washington, this whole mess, because I was black with rage by now at this whole maneuver. Anyway that was the time that the whole thing was beginning to crumble, and all sorts of reactionary politicians were involved, that's when the whole thing blew up, you know, at the end.
BETTY HOAG: Now did this have anything to do with the art project? Were you on it already at this time?
VICTOR THALL: Of course!!! Of course! Because don't you understand in the ...
BETTY HOAG: You had a different situation than we did in California, I don't know too much about it actually, I mean I'm still trying to get it through my head how it was in the New York project.
VICTOR THALL: The New York project at no time from its beginning to its end was it not under attack, do you see, by reactionary elements in Washington. There were forces in operation, there were those men part of the Roosevelt regime who wanted it, and there were other men who did not, so it was constantly under fire.
BETTY HOAG: Was this political for the content of pictures, or the technique of painting, or what was the ....
VICTOR THALL: No. It was just that they didn't want any part of it. It was all this talk that it was a lot of boondoggling waste, you know the old jokes - listen, I want to tell you something, that the whole face of this country was changed by the projects. I'm not talking about the art projects now, I'm talking about Riverside Drive when it was an eyesore, when you drove up Riverside Drive and looked down there were tin houses where there were thousands of people living in tin cans where the railroad trains went, where it was a detriment and an eyesore, and the projects cleaned it up and made it into a garden, where there were parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, roads built all over the country by workers. I'm not talking about the art project. In my opinion that was the least important part of it because most of the pictures went down the drain anyway, they were just thrown away, there were only a few things left.
BETTY HOAG: Was that at the end of the project?
VICTOR THALL: From the beginning to the end.
BETTY HOAG: Well, you were an easel artist, you were doing - what? Pictures at home and turning them in every week?
VICTOR THALL: I was painting pictures. That's right. I had a week or a month or so to paint a picture.
BETTY HOAG: Well, then, didn't these pictures go into public institutions like schools...
VICTOR THALL: Aw, they were thrown away. You can't believe it. I know collectors that went down to the final warehouses and hauled out pictures. I know people that own pictures of mine, they bought them at auction for fifty cents, or seventy-five cents. The things are just stored away in warehouses, there are only a few things that exist in buildings where they couldn't be ripped off, you know, I mean like in airports and things where certain men got up on the mural project, they did a job so there was some element of permanence. But most of the pictures, I mean most of everything was just nothingness. It was blown away.
BETTY HOAG: Did you work on any of the mural projects?
VICTOR THALL: No, I was never on the mural project. I was on the lithograph project and the easel project.
BETTY HOAG: Oh, you were lithograph, too?
VICTOR THALL: Yes, I did lithographs, and I've got some of them in the Brooklyn Museum.
BETTY HOAG: Did they give you your own materials, your own stone for liths? How did that work?
VICTOR THALL: I used to - you know, there was a place where you could go and do it, and I liked lithography, I didn't care about murals, it wasn't my cup of tea, I wanted to be on the easel project and I wanted to be on the lithograph project. Now there were men on the Writing projects, you know the Orson Welles bunch came out of that Theatre group, I haven't the slightest doubt that the hinterlands of this country and peasants and farmers saw the theatre for the first time in their lives.
BETTY HOAG: That's true.
VICTOR THALL: It was a tremendous thing.
BETTY HOAG: It's also true of painting, however, because...
VICTOR THALL: Well, I'm not so sure about that. I think that was the least important.
BETTY HOAG: Well, I've talked to artists who were in the sticks, like Kansas where they hadn't had a chance to see paintings before until the project came along, and they had these shows. Montana and different...
VICTOR THALL: That could be true but I'm speaking now in terms of retrospect, I would dare to suggest that the least important aspects of the whole conception of the Federal project, the least important was the painting aspect of it, in terms of reaching the people. The Theater to me was terribly important because it gave people an opportunity to see theatre - Shakespeare, Orson Welles, whatever. They saw plays. And the physical change of the country. I saw parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, road, decatus in poverty torn up some areas and changed into gardens by workers, in spite of the fact that all the bad jokes were made about, you know, the guy leaning on the rake and the foreman comes along and says, "What are you doing?", you know.
BETTY HOAG: Yes, there was a lot of that talk.
VICTOR THALL: "What are you doing?" An old guy standing there, he says, "What are you doing? Why aren't you working?" He says, "I haven't got a rake to lean on like this other guy." So they'd give him a rake to lean on so he'd pile up some leaves. He'd say, "What am I supposed to do now?" He says, "Well, knock it down and pile it up someplace else." To a large extent that was true.
BETTY HOAG: Well, they did a lot of good. We had the CCC boys out in the West...
VICTOR THALL: Wait a minute, don't mix that up, that's not the same thing.
BETTY HOAG: Well, it was part of the Federal Project, a branch of it.
VICTOR THALL: Yes, but it's another kind of an aspect of it. And there's also another aspect of it which nobody knows anything about...
BETTY HOAG: What's that?
VICTOR THALL: ...which I was part of, and nobody knows anything about that. It was transient camps sprung up all across the United States, they had bindlestiff, so-called, if you know what the term means...
BETTY HOAG: No. Never heard of it.
VICTOR THALL: Oh, my dear!
BETTY HOAG: I'm sorry, I didn't. Bindlestiff. Is that a hobo?
VICTOR THALL: A bindestiff - let's get back to the beginning of its conception. A hobo, but a particular form. At that time, because I rode the freight trains all over the country for about eighteen months, as a matter of fact one of my children was eight months old before I saw her, you see, and I left New York, and my wife was just pregnant -- because I couldn't cope with it - this is before the project. I mean my wife was pregnant in New York and I had a little apartment and I just couldn't stand the whole gaff, this was before the actual projects were established, and she had a family up in Massachusetts and I said, "Why don't you go up and stay with your mother?" Because there's a whole bunch of kids and there was always enough to eat, they owned a little home up there, and she had thirteen brothers and sisters. So I said, "Why don't you go up there and stay there?" And I went to the West Coast because I had a weird idea that if there's anything left in the United States it's the movie business. Because there are still movies, somebody is making movies. But I thought there would be something to do out there because I had played in some movies in Europe. And I'd worked with Rex Ingram in a couple of films. He said I had talent, he said, "If you ever get to the United States why don't you go to Hollywood?" Well, actually I wasn't interested in the theatre, and I'm not an actor, and I have no interest in it...
BETTY HOAG: But you were good at it.
VICTOR THALL: Well, not really because I'm not interested. But I did know that there was something happening on the West Coast. People were working at least. Because there was nothing in New York except shovel snow. And I have no talent for that, do you see? So I simply sent my wife to Massachusetts, I gave my apartment and all its furniture to a young fighter friend of mine who had a pregnant wife and he had no place to live, he was living with his mother in some rat-hole on Third Avenue. His name was Al King and he should have been lightweight champion of the world, except that he was too lazy. He'd lie in bed and read Socrates instead of training. I used to run around Central Park with him in the night and make him train. We used to box together. But he was a natural fighter only he didn't want to work at it. So he never became champion. He got knocked out finally. But he had great natural talent. So King and I used to run along the Reservoir in Central Park. This is ridiculous, isn't it? But he wouldn't work, I mean he was a kind of 135 pound Gene Tunney who wanted to be an intellectual. This is ridiculous, isn't it?
BETTY HOAG: But you gave him your apartment?
VICTOR THALL: So I have him my apartment and all the furniture, he moved in. And my wife went to Massachusetts, and I grabbed the freight train and went to the West Coast.
BETTY HOAG: Did you come to Los Angeles?
VICTOR THALL: I got to Los Angeles. I went to work for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
BETTY HOAG: How long were you here?
VICTOR THALL: Well I came out here, but they wanted me to do junk, you know, and I just couldn't do anything creative. So I was in a position where I was taking little postcards of Rembrandt and blowing them up big full size to use in the movie sets, you know, if they have an elaborate home where they wanted some impressive, you know, pictures by Velasquez or Rembrandt, they have these idiots copying them. Well that's hardly my cup of tea, you see, so I couldn't face it; although it was a fat salary, I couldn't make it. But something curious happened though. I got to Chicago - this is going to go on for days, I mean we're digressing in too many different directions...
BETTY HOAG: We're supposed to concentrate on the project, so we'd better get you back in a few minutes.
VICTOR THALL: Yes, we're going off in too many directions. So, in any case, the point of the whole story is that in this moving around the country at the time, riding the rods, I discovered the interesting fact that there were possibly ten million people on the move. Well, you know you read it in Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" but he never touched this particular aspect of it. The "Grapes of Wrath" describes the okies...
BETTY HOAG: The dust bowl people.
VICTOR THALL: ...and their migration from Oklahoma to California, because they were migrators. But he didn't know anything about, or he didn't write about the thousands of other people who had nothing to do with that fact, who were just wandering the world. Whole families in freight trains with babies and mattresses and lunacy, you know. And they were a disgraceful sight so that they were very unwanted, not only from Oklahoma to California but all over the country. So that we find this fantastic fact that these workhouses sprang up that were built by the men who were arrested as vagrants.
BETTY HOAG: You mean the communities sponsored these to help them?
VICTOR THALL: No, darling, it was a piece of Fascism, it was open Fascism in this country at that time...
BETTY HOAG: I didn't know that.
VICTOR THALL: ...that nobody knows anything about, actually...
BETTY HOAG: I never heard of it.
VICTOR THALL: Nobody else did either. So that, for instance, suppose you were in a boxcar, you know, there I am in a boxcar with men, just in a boxcar, - of course I discovered something very interesting about being an artist in a situation like that - again if you have a mind and a spirit you just don't suffer as much as other people, it's an interesting fact that men, no matter how strong they are, if they're cold and hungry they're completely comatose, they huddle in a corner like animals and they suffer. But if you have a spirit you just don't. And I still had a sketchbook in my pocket and I could still look out at a moving landscape and be alive and aware of what was going on, you know, even though I was undernourished, had colitis, malnutrition, intestinal poisoning, I weighed 117 pounds at the time, but my brain was still functioning, I had not lost my identity. I'm still Victor Thall and I can still walk into the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in a pair of dungarees and say mack of the hotel...
BETTY HOAG: Yes, with your head up.
VICTOR THALL: Even if I was starving. It's a kind of thing that you have - if you have that kind of beginning - it's a curious fact, you know, and maybe that's what my father gave me with the money, because you somehow develop an identity. I wonder if there's any possible validity to this, that the people who are impoverished when they're children are marked by it, and they just re-try to escape from it and they never want to go back because they have a horror recollection of it, I'm talking about people in the slums of New York who finally get up to Park Avenue, they never; want to get below 42nd Street again ever...
BETTY HOAG: For any reason.
VICTOR THALL: Now they're the same people - the path of behavior hasn't changed except for the outward appurtenances, you know, the car, or whatever. As a matter of fact i had a man sitting in; this studio just last week who now has an income of one million a year, and he told me this. Now I remember him when he was a fifteen dollar a week bundle-wrapper. Now he has an income of a million a year, and the biggest Rolls-Royce in the country, he informed me, but I realize - talking to him - that he hasn't gone one inch away from his beginnings, not an inch. He's still the same bundle of insecurities, the same nothing that he was...
BETTY HOAG: Well, maybe you'll change your mind about Freud, then? This put a different complexion on it.
VICTOR THALL: Well, I told you that I wasn't sure, remember?
BETTY HOAG: Yes. I mean I'm just wondering, I'm not contradicting you.
VICTOR THALL: You understand that I said that I'm not sure.
VICTOR THALL: I'm stating this particular fact that I met this man at a time when I wa broke but I had a lifetime behind me of luxury and a certain kind of status of the childhood that I had, and this man, much younger than me, was a clerk - not a clerk, he was a bundle-wrapper, he got fifteen dollars a week, but he had to have money. And I remember at the time saying to some of his companions on the beach when I had my boat out saying to be a little more respectful of him because I said you're all going to be working for him. They said, "What are you talking about?" And I said, "Brother, I can smell gold around this boy." There was a Midas all around him that you can't believe.
BETTY HOAG: A drive...
VICTOR THALL: A drive to break down those walls. Now in subsequent years he had his nose done with plastic surgery, he developed a phony accent, he had all the outward appurtenances of money. And now, right now, he's got an income of one million a year. But he has to make the statement and tell you about his Rolls-Royce. But he's the same ignorant lout that he always was; and he's a bundle of insecurity. It's interesting.
BETTY HOAG: Amazing. Very interesting.
VICTOR THALL: Now if he had rode those freight trains with me, he would have died. You know, in the first place he would have died of nothing but cowardice because he couldn't have faced the situation, he would have been scared to death, you know. But the whole point of the whole thing is this...
BETTY HOAG: Well after you had been for eighteen months you came back to New York...
VICTOR THALL: Yes, but I wasn't to tell you about those things.
BETTY HOAG: Oh yes.
VICTOR THALL: Because nobody knows about it. It's very interesting. So that you find yourself in a situation where you're in a boxcar with x number of men, and now the police come in and you're hauled off to the pokey. It doesn't make any difference where it is. Because it's illegal, so you're arrested. Now you spend a night in jail, because you're not allowed to do that and it doesn't make any difference whether it's done all over the country. You're taken away to the pokey. As a matter of fact, in Los Angeles at that time if two men were standing on a corner the police would come over and you'd be taken away. They'd take you up to a transient camp and I remember one at the time was in Banning, California up in the high mountains. Now this was a building, a succession of buildings that were built by the 800 men that occupied them. Everyone of them had been arrested as vagrants. Now among these vagrants were steamfitters, plumbers, electricians, first-class workers, because otherwise they couldn't have put this building up with shower baths and everything...
BETTY HOAG: Well, were they paid for this work?
VICTOR THALL: Sure, they were paid.
BETTY HOAG: Or made to do it?
VICTOR THALL: They were paid a package of tobacco a week, ten cents worth of tobacco.
BETTY HOAG: Well, were they under arrest and made to do it?
VICTOR THALL: They were put in this transient camp, they were all over the country, they were building...
BETTY HOAG: I mean did they have a choice of staying there?
VICTOR THALL: Sure they had a choice...
BETTY HOAG: They could leave if they wanted to?
VICTOR THALL: That's right.
BETTY HOAG: Well, they were being fed probably, weren't they?
VICTOR THALL: Yes. The food was four cents a meal per man.
BETTY HOAG: Were they an unhappy group of men.
VICTOR THALL: Well, there was nothing they could do about it.
BETTY HOAG: I mean conditions were so bad. Was this better than what they had before?
VICTOR THALL: I don't know what the conditions were but the situation was that they were in a transient camp, there were tiers of beds with chicken wire mattresses, they got up at the crack of dawn and piled into trucks and went up into the mountains to make fire bricks or do piping or road work, they'd work, they'd put in the kind of day's work that today would pay the minimum would be a dollar and a half an hour, and these were, some of them, skilled workers, plumbers, and electricians and steam fitters and one thing and another. And they were paid a pack of tobacco, they ate meals that were swill and they could leave any time, and if they'd walk fifty yards away from the place the chief of the camp, which was a big, six-foot lout with a couple of guns, would telephone the local constabulary, they would pick them up again and be whipped into another one in a like situation. And some of them...
BETTY HOAG: Well, let's hope it never happens again.
VICTOR THALL: Now, nobody knows about this. This is an absolute fact. I saw some of them, like Houston, Texas; El Paso where there were notices on the wall that stated that if anybody offered any of these men a job there would be a bus to take them to the job location. Now with some twenty million people unemployed what was the likelihood of any recognized firm reaching into El Paso, Texas into a transient camp to offer somebody a job? And I know this is true because I escaped from this one using a little device of my own.
BETTY HOAG: Good heavens!
VICTOR THALL: I was stuck in El Paso, Texas and I couldn't get out, and the next step was a chain gang, and I'm telling it was weird, weird, and I'd had it, you know, I had a child I hadn't seen, and I wanted to get out of this mess, and I had no talent for swinging a pick, you understand.
BETTY HOAG: So you did get out?
VICTOR THALL: I wrote a postcard to Marie Sterner Galleries in New York, that's all I could find was a little lousy postcard and I wrote small and instructed her to send me a letter offering me a job. And I prayed that I'd get an answer, it was just like sending a carrier pigeon out into the unknown. And finally I was called to the office of these two big, six-foot louts carrying guns, wearing boots, had opened my letter, it was on linen from the Marie Sterner Galleries in New York offering me a job as a salesman for a hundred and fifty dollars a week. You know, this is insanity because it doesn't happen but she followed my instruction, and they came in, they were turning this letter over suspiciously, they knew it was a fake, but they couldn't put their finger on it, and a bus was waiting for me and it took me from Texas to New York to this job location, and I got my job back to New York. And I came back with a black eye, with my teeth through my lower lip, I weighed 117 pounds, I had malnutrition, intestinal poisoning, colitis, both eyes black, my nose half broken from being beaten up, and I was taken into a delousing machine and I got out of this delousing machine, my wet body fell against the metal and all the skin of my buttocks was ripped off and pasted against the steel, and that's how I rode from Texas to New York. And I came to Al Hirschl's apartment who was the theatrical caricaturist for the New York Times and I walked in with this costume of the rover with my bundle over my back, and his jaw literally dropped. You know, you hear this expression in acting "his eyes opened up and his mouth fell open" and I just turned around and unbuttoned by trousers and turned around in my bare buttocks, and he fainted. That's the sight I was. And I couldn't go up to see my wife and show my face to my mother-in-law, so I called up a doctor friend of mine who was chief-of-staff at Sloan's and he reported to me that I had intestinal poisoning, malnutrition, colitis, weighed 117 pounds. And I stayed in Al Hirschl's apartment for weeks until my face cleared up and then my wife came down from Massachusetts to see me and it took me two months before I was in any kind of shape to go up to see my child in Massachusetts. And that was the end of this experience on the road. This is before the project, the legitimate project had stared.
BETTY HOAG: How did you hear about the project in the first place?
VICTOR THALL: Well, I was back in New York, you see, then and the whole thing began. You know then they started with picketing of the Museum and all that lunacy that went on. Then they started to get this thing going, you see, and I was on the easel project. And the Theatre project and the rest of it was beginning. But nobody knows about these transient camps, and it was a piece of absolute Fascism because they were working, these men were working building roads, and working hard all day long eating the kind of meals that they get at Folsom Prison, absolute rubbish, and they were paid a ten cent package of mild tobacco a week, and they used to shoot crop to win their week's wages and that's what was going on.
BETTY HOAG: Some day somebody will write...
VICTOR THALL: I mean it was a piece of madness that would stagger the imagination. I saw it, I saw it all over the country, I saw this lunacy, and I've never met anybody back in civilization that ever heard anything about it.
BETTY HOAG: Did you feel that the project helped a lot of artists who might have been that hard up without it? I mean you've implied that...
VICTOR THALL: I have ambivalent feelings about it.
BETTY HOAG: ...the Theatre project did so much good...
VICTOR THALL: I think the Theatre project made sense; I think the physical projects, you know, the men who were actually out doing a job of work, for instance, cleaning up Riverside Drive and building parks and playgrounds; but in terms of the Writing projects and the actual painting I never saw much come out of it that made much sense. Everybody knows how de Kooning and all these masters now that are getting, you know, millionaires today - but I tell you frankly that if it ever came about again - I heard somebody the other day say they're going to start some lunacy now where they're going to have some kind of a base of $150 a month...
BETTY HOAG: Oh really?
VICTOR THALL: Somebody told me this. Of young talents. I would be for it, but I wouldn't take it again if I were dying.
BETTY HOAG: You mean a government project?
VICTOR THALL: Some kind of a thing where they're gong to have a base of $150 a week for young talent, writers and painters so they can paint, so they won't starve to death.
BETTY HOAG: I haven't heard of that.
VICTOR THALL: I heard of this. I wouldn't - I'd die first. I would have nothing to do with it. Nothing! Nothing!
BETTY HOAG: Well, why do you say that, Mr. Thall? Do you think it breaks their spirit if they feel they don't have to work for it?
VICTOR THALL: I don't want any part of it, that's all. I don't like any interference with me. Nothing to do with it. I don't want any part of any nonsense like that. I'll take my chances. We live under the...
BETTY HOAG: Well, that's for you personally, but what do you think about the other artists?
VICTOR THALL: I told you. Everybody should have it, all the young talents should be supported.
BETTY HOAG: They should?
VICTOR THALL: I don't want any part of it.
BETTY HOAG: Before we went on the tape you were telling me something about seeing project material dumped in the river, and about actually rescuing easels...
VICTOR THALL: Oh, they were breaking up everything...
BETTY HOAG: Well, was that at the end of it when from the central..
VICTOR THALL: At the end of the whole thing they were breaking up beautiful material and throwing it away.
BETTY HOAG: Well, why did they do that? I can't understand it. Why?
VICTOR THALL: I don't understand it either. I just don't understand it. It was just one of those things. They didn't know what to do with the junk. And they just wanted to wipe if off the boards, you know.
BETTY HOAG: Why didn't the artists just go in and get it?
VICTOR THALL: I don't know. They were breaking up priceless stuff, they were throwing away easels and beautiful architect's drawing boards and brushes and everything was being dumped, you know, dumped, thrown away. They wanted to wipe it out of existence, all of it, you know. What were they going to do with the stuff? Put it back in the art school stores? The art stores were loaded with junk anyway.
BETTY HOAG: Well, they could have given it to art schools, I should think they would have been glad to have it.
VICTOR THALL: Why don't they give milk away when people go hungry? Why do they pour that stuff away? Why do they burn up pigs for? Because I saw...
BETTY HOAG: That's a different thing.
VICTOR THALL: What do you mean? What's different about it. Do you know what I saw when I was on this business, when I was riding the rods. I saw men spray mountains of oranges with gasoline and children standing looking at it with their bellies swollen with pellagra, that had never tasted an orange in their lives, and men were spraying millions of dollars worth of fruit with gasoline and burning it up. And animals slaughtered, and milk poured into rivers; and children standing there that had never tasted milk and had never tasted an orange. So what's the difference between that and pouring more paint and easels into art supply stores that were already loaded? It's the same idiocy, isn't it?
BETTY HOAG: Well, it is certainly an idiocy.
VICTOR THALL: Yes, it's the same kind of lunacy. And I like to be left alone, you know, I love this great democracy of ours where you have the inalienable right to starve to death in your own fashion.
BETTY HOAG: Well, what about this business of the rapport between the different artists working on the project? Did you make a lot of friends? Do you feel you influenced some of the other artists?
VICTOR THALL: It was a great movement. It doesn't exist anymore. It doesn't exist.
BETTY HOAG: You feel it was at that time?
VICTOR THALL: Great! There was nothing like it, there's never been anything like it and there's never been anything like it since. The rapport, the affinity, the warm closeness between all those men who are now rugged individualists and totally separated from each other and now it comes to animosity and a nastiness and evil ambitions. I don't want to know them, do you understand? I wouldn't let Bill de Kooning come into this house right now and sit at my table because he's such a noxious coward, when he was my close friend who I loved. Because I don't like what h's become, he's a drunken lout, an egocentric, who screams with bodyguards to protect him, "Don't talk to me, I'm an institution."
BETTY HOAG: Good heaves!
VICTOR THALL: Well, I don't want to know anything like that. I like to remember what he was in those days, you know, a warm, human being...
BETTY HOAG: He was on the project when you were in New York?
VICTOR THALL: He was on the project, and as he'd walk in everybody and there was a great, close warmth and friendship between us all and it was great, and now it doesn't exist. And now I just look at their pictures and I don't want to know them.
BETTY HOAG: Well, maybe if this thing you spoke of, of helping young artists, comes along it will help reinstitute this for men again.
VICTOR THALL: I don't know, but there was certainly a warmth and a camaraderie and a - it was great, it was a great movement; it doesn't exist anymore; it's finished. Now there are nasty little groups, cliques, you know, if you sit with this man at the cafe table those other twelve will never talk to you again.
BETTY HOAG: Excuse me, I have to change my tape.
END OF TAPE
PART 2 (TAPE 61)
BETTY HOAG: This is Betty Hoag on June 8, 1965 interviewing Victor Thall, Tape Number 2. Now you were going to tell me about Orson Welles.
VICTOR THALL: No, I'm simply going to reiterate the fact that there was absolutely and indubitable a rapport, a quality of camaraderie, a warmth and a friendship, and an interlocking relationship between all these men that never existed before in this country, and I have never seen anything that obtains comparable to it since the projects ended; and I haven't the slightest doubt that if Orson Welles were sitting here he would say the same thing of the theatre. And I know now that in the theatre there's the same thing; each is a rugged individualist, each with their own personal ambitions, each with their own little, petty, boggy patterns of behavior, and it's all gone and separated; something great blew away; with us.
BETTY HOAG: Do you feel that accounts in painting for the diversified school system?
VICTOR THALL: No, it has nothing whatever to do with that, it has to do with the fact that when the projects, which meant a group therapy -if you will - it was the kind of thing, it was exactly the same kind of thing that obtained if you were running alongside of a moving freight train, and you lifted up your hand and ten hands reached out and you were jerked from the ground up into the warmth of a boxcar, and if there was one cigarette it went around to thirty men and everybody taking a puff; if there was one blanket it covered all those men; if there was one lousy apple everybody got a bite, you know, that kind of thing. It was the same kind of peace that two cats get from each other when you find them curled up and interlocked on a door mat. It was the necessity of convivial warmth and mutual fear, that's what it was, and it's a deep psychological and sociological fact. You know like somebody said once - I remember reading a novel thirty years ago in which a man was describing his - there was an impoverished family and there was a great line - I don't remember a thing about the book - but there was one line that stuck in my craw in which he extolled the virtues of poverty in a family because the toilet seat was always warm. Isn't that cute?
BETTY HOAG: Quite a line.
VICTOR THALL: And I'll never forget it, I don't know who wrote it or anything about it, but that one line stuck in my mind.
BETTY HOAG: It's unfortunate that this wonderful thing had to come out of oppression.
VICTOR THALL: And that kind of thing, and the kind of childhood my wife had when, you know the last one up didn't have anything to wear, because if you got up you had your choice, you know, with thirteen brothers and sisters and everybody grabbed the best and the last one up was naked, there wasn't enough to go around. And it was that kind of thing that actually obtained on the projects. There was a warmth, we sat in each other's studios, there was a feeling of artists and their problems and the same thing obtained when I was a kid in Montparnasse. And the same thing obtained, I'm sure, fifty years ago when Picasso was a close friend of Matisse and Derain and George Braque. But it doesn't happen now! When Picasso goes to visit Matisse now he comes in suspiciously you know and hopes he's going to catch him, you know, behind a curtain with a secretary. If you read Picasso's life by his mistress you'll know what I mean, you know. But it wasn't true when they were starving in Arouge together when they shared each other's pants, when Modigliani and Soutine lived next door to me I mean when I was in Cannes-sur-mer they had one pair of pants between them, and when one went out the other had to say in, you know. But now that they're all giants and masters and all solving their individual problems it doesn't happen any more. And I know that to be true today because I want to tell you that I've been away now from New York for thirteen years and I went away and I shut doors on myself because I'm a romantic, see, the only religion I've got is art and I couldn't stand the evil smell that was coming on the scene, because it was offensive to me. And at the last conversation I had, the last civilized conversation I had with Bill de Kooning was at the corner of 57th Street in front of Carnegie Hall, and I was teaching at the Art Students League and he was teaching up at Yale, and we met, and I hated my life. In the first place I was getting myself sucked into a sinecure of an art teacher and that's, to me, is the trap closing in, where it's getting cushy now and safe, and you become a political prostitute, because you can't criticize these dear little geniuses, you just got to put your arms around them and tell them how talented that are because if you criticize them they run off to some other teacher and then you're out of a job because your success is not determined by the quality of your teaching but by the number of students you've got. And to prove that conclusively, the highest priced teacher who drew a tab of $32,000 a year was an idiot named Frank J. Riley who doesn't know from the day he was born to the end of his life what drawing, painting, aesthetics or the history of art could possibly be, you know, for he's an idiot, an absolute moron, but he drew $32,000 a year at the Art Students League because he was all things to all people. And he just knew how to titillate these, you know, little egos...
BETTY HOAG: Is that the kind of teacher de Kooning has become?
VICTOR THALL: No, I don't know anything about de Kooning as a teacher but he was up at the Yale Art School. I'm only stating that we had a conversation in which I said to Bill, quote I've had it! I've just swapped a painting for a Packard station wagon and I'm going! Because there must be a better life than this." And he said, you know, in his quiet little, charming little fashion, because in those days he hadn't been picked up by the tide that swung him into world figure, "Well, at least I'm going to stick it out and see what happens." And I just went away, because I insisted - now I'm not going to dare to suggest, Mrs. Hoag, that it was a mistake on my part because in terms of an economic mistake it might well have been, but I do know this: that I wouldn't take ten million dollars in cash for the life I've lived from that day to this because I insist on my personal identity and my personal integrity. Now I went away, I went to the West Indies, I went to Mexico, I went to Europe, and I've lived my life; win, lose or draw I want every minute to belong to me. Now the next step was that a monstrous tidal wave swung Bill de Kooning et al. up into a preeminent position. Now whether I would have been swept up by the same tide I don't know.
BETTY HOAG: Sure. Nobody can tell.
VICTOR THALL: Who can tell? And I don't give a damn, you see. I don't care. But I know this: that de Kooning today is impossible to communicate with; impossible; impossible! Because he's a drunken lout and an egomaniac and he's just ridiculous; he's ridiculous. and I'm not talking for myself, I'm talking about dear friends of his, collectors who love his work and have purchased some. In the last conversation I had with one of them in New York just a short six weeks ago we were discussing Willem, he said, "I can't even talk to him, he's ridiculous and impossible." And in those days there was no such a thing, during the project days he was another human being, you know. And Arshile Gorky is now dead, you know he hung himself; when I was in the West Indies he put a rope around his neck; when I came back from Jamaica he was dead.
VICTOR THALL: And a painting that he couldn't sell for eight dollars that I remember in his studio that he used to have, you know, rolled up, stuck up in a closet with a couple of old bicycle parts was now ironed out, patched up, polished and framed and sold for eight thousand dollars by the Sidney Janis Gallery because he was dead, you know. So that if you're interested in the possibility that that kind of thing created a warmth and a mood and a camaraderie, I could never deny it because there's no margin of a doubt that it obtained, and it doesn't happen any more.
BETTY HOAG: But it only obtained at that time. I did not hold...
VICTOR THALL: I never saw it again; the only thing I ever saw comparable to it was those great days in the Roaring Twenties when we were all art students in Paris and we were all hungry, and having fun, and studying art, and it was a great life.
BETTY HOAG: Well, Mr. Thall, I certainly appreciate you sharing this with us...
VICTOR THALL: I just can't imagine what good it's all going to be.
BETTY HOAG: Well, I think it will be. We get all these pictures put together. Thank you so much. I appreciate having the tape.
END OF INTERVIEW
Last updated... December 19, 2002
Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.
Quotes and excerpts must be cited as follows: Oral history interview with Victor Thall, 1965 June 8. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
McGlynn, Betty Lochrie Hoag, 1914-2002
New Deal and the Arts Oral History Project
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Colorado sheriff accused of sexually assaulting inmate
Posted: 1:02 AM, Aug 25, 2016
<p>In this Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, booking photograph provided by the Logan County, Colo., Sheriffs Department, Sedgwick County, Colo., Sheriff Thomas Hanna is shown after being arrested on sex assault and misconduct allegations. Hanna, who is sheriff of a county nestled along the Nebraska border in the extreme northeast corner of Colorado, is due to appear in court Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016 in Sterling, Colo. (Logan County, Colo., Sheriffs Department via AP)</p>
DENVER (AP) — A sheriff in rural Colorado was arrested after being accused of taking a developmentally delayed inmate to his home, sexually assaulting her and threatening to put her in prison for the rest of her life if she told anyone, according to an arrest affidavit released Wednesday.
Sedgwick County Sheriff Tom Hanna, 43, was taken into custody Tuesday at his office, and bail was set at $250,000. He has not been formally charged, and it is unclear if he has hired an attorney.
Jeff Huston, an investigator with the district attorney's office, wrote in the affidavit that the inmate told him that Hanna offered to pay her $60, forced her to strip and sexually assaulted her after taking her to his home in his personal vehicle on Aug. 10.
"He told me if I say anything, he was going to try and put me in prison. ... I felt like I was raped, to be honest and this has bothered me a lot and it feels good to get it out because I'm telling the truth," the inmate said, according to the affidavit. Her name had been redacted from the document.
Huston described the woman as timid and having a hard time organizing her thoughts during the interview.
The investigator said the sheriff denied the allegations and explained that he was interviewing the inmate after she reported having information on her cellphone about a crime.
Hanna acknowledged making a mistake when he took her to his home, Huston said in the document.
The sheriff later dropped off the inmate at a jail in neighboring Logan County and put $20 on her commissary tab because he said he has a big heart and wanted to make sure she could call her brother, according to the affidavit.
Sedgwick County contracts with jails in other counties because it is unable to house long-term inmates.
Dottie Woltemath, a victim advocate for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, described the inmate as developmentally delayed, according to the affidavit. She did not elaborate.
The inmate described herself as suffering from malnutrition as a child and saying "her brain is like a kids" in the affidavit.
The allegations came to the attention of prosecutors after a Sedgwick County deputy raised concerns about the sheriff's interaction with the woman. District Attorney Brittny Lewton told The Denver Post on Wednesday that she plans to review all the cases Hanna investigated.
Hanna, who could face eight years to life in prison if he is convicted, is due back in court Sept. 16.
Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler has been appointed as a special prosecutor in the case. His office plans to formally charge Hanna with sexual assault of an at-risk adult, sexual conduct with a correctional inmate, official misconduct and solicitation of prostitution.
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Prince: DNA test shows Colorado inmate is not late singer's son
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — DNA test results show a Colorado prison inmate is not Prince's son, a person who has seen a sealed document said Wednesday.
The finding means that Carlin Q. Williams is not entitled to inherit a fortune worth up to $300 million.
The person who spoke to The Associated Press was not authorized to release the finding and therefore requested anonymity.
TMZ, citing unnamed sources with direct knowledge of the case, first reported the DNA results.
Attorneys for Bremer Trust, the special administrator for the estate, filed the results Wednesday in Carver County District Court.
Prince died of an accidental drug overdose on April 21 and no will has emerged for him. He had no known surviving children although a few other people besides Williams have filed documents claiming Prince was or might have been their father.
Williams claimed that his mother had unprotected sex with Prince at a Kansas City, Missouri, hotel in 1976. Williams, a 39-year-old Kansas City man whose long criminal record includes drug and domestic violence charges, is serving nearly eight years in federal prison for unlawfully transporting a firearm in a stolen vehicle.
An attorney for Williams did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Messages left with the Bureau of Prisons to request an interview with Williams were not immediately returned Wednesday. He has previously denied a request to be interviewed by The Associated Press.
Under Minnesota law, Prince's sister, Tyka Nelson, several half-siblings, and a possible niece and grandniece currently stand to inherit shares of the estate.
"There is really nothing to say," said President Nelson, Tyka Nelson's son. "There isn't much to say because it was never a thing."
The judge overseeing the estate case, Carver County Judge Kevin Eide, has not set a deadline for filing paternity and kinship claims.
Eide issued an order Wednesday sealing Williams' test results "due to the confidential nature of the determination of heirship issues" under Minnesota law.
Williams had long asserted that he was Prince's son, though it's not clear whether Prince was aware of that. Before he went to prison, Williams was trying to launch a career as a hip-hop artist under the moniker Prince Dracula. His page on Reverbnation, a site that supports emerging artists, describes him as Prince's son, and a vocalist and lyricist. Like Prince's music, the sound is heavy on synthesizers.
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Author Name Committee
Book Title The Heritage of Etowah County, Alabama
Binding (hardback, paperback, etc.) Hardcover
Book Condition Near Fine with No dust jacket as issued
Edition Limited Edition; First Impression
Publisher's Name Clanton, Al Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc. 1999
Green leatherlike cover with gilt print. Looks new. Extensive index. Its county seat is Gadsden. Its name is from a Cherokee word meaning "edible tree". In total area, it is the smallest county in Alabama, but one of the most densely populated. Etowah County comprises the Gadsden, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area. The territory of Etowah County was originally split among the neighboring counties, with most of it belonging to DeKalb and Cherokee counties. It was separated and established as Baine County on December 7, 1866, by the first postwar legislature, named for General David W. Baine of the Confederate Army. The county seat was designated as Gadsden.Because of postwar tensions and actions against freedmen, a state constitutional convention was called in 1868. During it, this new county was abolished, replaced on December 1, 1868 by one aligned to the same boundaries and named Etowah County, from a Cherokee language word.[5] Most of the Cherokee had been removed in the 1830s to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.; The Alabama Heritage Series; Vol. 28; Photographs, Maps, Illustrations; 4to 11" - 13" tall; 314 pages
Genealogy History Americana Family History
Price = 189.97 USD
The Heritage of Sumter County, Alabama
The Heritage of Lee County, Alabama
The Heritage of Russell County, Alabama
The Heritage of Choctaw County, Alabama
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Want to create jobs? Curb occupational licensure
By Matthew D. Mitchell / Director, Equity Initiative At The Mercatus Center, George Mason University
Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 at 12:02am
Halloween is over and election night has passed. But for politicians, the scariest days of the year might be the days after the election, when campaign platitudes – “create jobs,” “grow the economy” – must be reworked into actual policy. The truly terrifying part is that many constructive reforms, those that provide new economic opportunities to the powerless, can raise the ire of well-established businesses and interest groups.
That’s why real reform is often spearheaded by people with nothing to lose. Gov. Susana Martinez’s efforts to reform occupational licensure are a case in point. Through a recent executive order, the outgoing governor aims to make it easier for New Mexicans to find meaningful and rewarding work.
An occupational license is a state-created barrier to employment. Those who wish to enter professions that require licenses must first obtain permission. To do that, one must typically pay a fee: over $800 for an aspiring pre-school teacher in New Mexico; take exams: four to be an installer of HVAC ducts; and undergo a certain amount of training: four years to be an athletic trainer.
The share of Americans needing a license to work has increased fourfold in the past 50 years. This includes nearly 26 percent of New Mexicans, according to the Brookings Institution. It’s not just doctors and nurses: The state licenses some 270 or so professions, including barbers, cosmetologists, sign language interpreters and bartenders. Focusing on low- to middle-income occupations, the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm, ranks New Mexico as the 11th “most broadly and onerously licensed state” in the union.
The ostensible reason for licensure is to protect public health and safety. A well-designed set of tests and training requirements might do that. On the other hand, licensure limits one of the strongest guarantors of good service: competition.
Consider the data.
Among 19 peer-reviewed academic studies, 63 percent find that licensure has no discernible effect on the quality of the work provided. Among the other studies, 21 percent find that licensure reduces quality (compared to the 16 percent that find it enhances it.)
How about prices? Here, economic theory is unambiguous: licensure limits the supply of people providing a service and that raises costs for consumers. It is no surprise, then, that 100 percent of the reviewed studies found this very effect.
The anti-competitive effects of licensure help explain why it has expanded so much in recent years: Industry insiders, who are typically more politically organized than consumer groups, have found the political process a convenient way to make things harder on anyone who seeks to challenge their businesses.
Those who find the burdens of licensure to be the hardest are often disadvantaged in other ways, too. People with criminal records are stymied by licensing rules that bar them from employment, even if they have done their time and seek work that poses little risk to the public. Immigrants are hindered by domestic work requirements or English proficiency rules. Compared with the general population, military spouses are more likely to work in licensed professions and more likely to move, necessitating a new license wherever they go. Four of five studies find that licensure has a disparate impact on ethnic minorities.
The consensus among economists is that the system is burdensome and counterproductive. It was enough to persuade the Obama administration that reform was necessary.
Evidently it has persuaded Gov. Martinez, as well. Her executive order aims to reduce licensing fees to 75 percent of the national average or less, make it easier for those with criminal histories to work, and allow recent transplants to use their out-of-state experience to work in New Mexico.
But there is only so much the governor can do. Many licensing requirements will need an act of the Legislature to be overturned. And to be truly sustainable, the governor will need some help from colleagues on both sides of the political aisle.
Economist Matthew D. Mitchell is an Albuquerque native and Angel Fire resident.
From the newspaper
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PNM to be carbon free five years sooner
By Kevin Robinson-Avila / Journal Staff Writer
Monday, April 22nd, 2019 at 2:14pm
PNM President, Chairman and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn
JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Public Service Company of New Mexico says all its electric generation will be carbon-free by 2040, five years earlier than required under the state’s new Energy Transition Act.
PNM President, Chairman and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn announced a plan to accelerate its clean-energy goals Monday afternoon during an event at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, members of the state’s U.S. congressional delegation, and local and state officials attended the event, timed to coincide with Earth Day.
The Energy Transition Act, which the state Legislature passed this year and the governor signed into law, requires New Mexico’s public utilities to derive 50 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2030 and 80 percent by 2040, followed by a transition to completely carbon-free generation by 2045.
PNM said it has since realized it can achieve those goals five years early, Vincent-Collawn said at the event.
“After its passage, we went back to consider scenarios that would get us to the 2045 goal without hurting customers’ pocketbooks and while maintaining reliability,” Vincent-Collawn said in a speech. “We soon realized that we were not only up for the challenge of a 100 percent emission-free goal by 2045, but that we could do better…by becoming the nation’s first investor-owned utility to achieve a zero-emission goal by 2040.”
By shaving five years from the timeline, PNM can significantly increase environmental benefits.
“In today’s numbers, those five years equals a reduction in carbon in our state by over 32 million metric tons, or the equivalent of 6.9 million cars on the road for one year,” Vincent-Collawn said. “This also saves 15 billion gallons of water. That amount could fill up 300 million bathtubs.”
Coinciding with the announcement, PNM released a general overview of how it plans to achieve the goals.
It reaffirmed previous commitments to completely shut down the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station outside Farmington in 2022 and pull out of the nearby Four Corners Power Plant by 2031. That alone will cut emissions by more than 70 percent, according to PNM.
Starting in 2028, the company will also begin closing natural gas plants around the state, with the last ones shuttered by 2040. It will replace lost generation with renewable resources like wind and solar, and possibly geothermal power.
Power from the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Arizona will also continue to supply PNM’s grid, at least through 2045.
PNM said it could consider installing a “peaking” natural gas plant that turns on and off as needed when wind and solar are unavailable, smoothing the grid’s transition to clean energy. But it will rely on “technology advancements,” particularly in battery storage, to achieve 100 percent emissions-free generation by 2040.
To kick things off, PNM will seek Public Regulation Commission approval in June to build another 140 megawatts of wind generation, increasing renewables on the grid by about 4 percent.
Eliminating coal generation and replacing it with cheaper solar and wind will make the energy transition cost-effective for consumers, according to PNM.
Sierra Club New Mexico Chapter Director Camilla Fiebelman
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Barclays Research estimate the price for utility-scale solar power plummeted by 80 percent from 2010-2017, from $5.44 to $1.11 per watt. And wind has declined by a similar amount.
In fact, PNM says shutting San Juan will immediately result in a $6 to $7 per month savings on an average customer’s bill because of the lower cost of replacement resources.
The company will add transmission and distribution — including power lines, substations and other infrastructure — to the grid as it transitions to renewables and clean energy. That will raise costs to ratepayers going forward, but sticking with coal and natural gas would be more expensive, according to PNM.
PNM will offer details on potential replacement resources in its next “integrated resource plan,” which maps long-term goals over 20 years, with public meetings to solicit input starting in June.
PNM also must file an application for PRC approval this spring to abandon San Juan, along with details on replacement power.
Those things could turn controversial, depending on what PNM proposes. Some environmentalists oppose continued reliance on nuclear power from Palo Verde. Others could object to installing a natural gas peaking plant.
“There is no question the lowest-cost way to provide electricity in New Mexico is with renewables,” said Sierra Club New Mexico Chapter Director Camilla Fiebelman in a statement. “Relying on gas even in the short term is a step back, not forward.”
Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs
JOURNAL FILE IMAGE
Some oppose the Energy Transition Act overall, including many Republicans who voted against it. The true costs are unknown, they say, and ratepayers will pick up the bill.
“The most negative impacts will be felt by lower-income families who spend a proportionally larger share of their monthly income on energy,” said Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs, in an op ed in Monday’s Journal.
Most Recent Biz News
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Home / News and Events / African Development Bank Group's premier Regional Economic Outlook for South Africa region for launch
African Development Bank Group's premier Regional Economic Outlook for South Africa region for launch
12-Mar-2018 00:00 to 11:45
Pretoria, Afrique du Sud
Following the successful launch of the 2018 edition of its flagship African Economic Outlook, the African Development Bank will on Monday, March 12, 2018 launch the regional versions of the Report.
This is the first time in the African Economic Outlook’s 15-year history that an economic outlook report for each one of the Bank’s 5 regions in Africa has been prepared to complement the main report.
The Regional Economic Outlook Report for the Southern Africa – a premiere
“The African Economic Outlook is a flagship Bank publication. It is highly regarded by policy makers, researchers and experts because of its strong analytical contents and its practical recommendations on how to handle critical development issues. It also provides an economic snapshot of all 54 African countries. By introducing a regional focus for the first time, we are leveraging our expertise to add more granularity and policy relevance to this publication,” said Celestin Monga, Chief Economist and Vice-President responsible for economic governance and knowledge management. “By introducing a regional focus for the first time, we are leveraging our expertise to give this publication greater depth of analysis and relevance.”
The Southern Africa region economic analysis covers specific features, including challenges, successes and prospects: macroeconomic developments, trends and development in poverty, inequality and employment, budgetary pressures, debt and inflation. The report also looks at regional developments and competition in food value chains in Southern Africa.
Southern Africa – Economic recovery is underway, but growth is expected to remain sluggish
Estimated at 1.6% on average in 2017, real GDP growth in the Southern Africa region should improve to 2% in 2018 and then 2.4% in 2019.
The economic outlook for the Southern Africa region is cautious, especially given the diverging growth patterns for the region’s economies. South Africa, the largest economy in the region, turned in low and declining rates of growth. Meanwhile, lower income transitioning economies such as Madagascar and Mozambique, recorded moderate and improved growth, albeit at reduced rates.
“The African Economic Outlook is the result of extensive research including data collection, analysis, and projections. The Bank’s economists have redoubled their efforts to produce the regional economic reports, which further enrich the knowledge products of the Bank,” said Abebe Shimeles, Acting Director, Macroeconomic Forecasting and Research.
The Bank’s regional economic outlook for Southern Africa will be presented to the public on March 12, 2018 at 2.00 PM at the Bank’s Regional Office in Pretoria, South Africa. The Report will be presented by Stefan Muller, the Bank’s Lead Economist for the Southern Africa Region on behalf of the Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice-President, Celestin Monga. The Bank’s Deputy Director General for the Region Josephine Ngure will chair the event.
Representatives from the Government of South Africa, development partners, the private sector and the civil society have been invited to attend the event.
The economic outlook reports for each of the Bank’s 5 regions in Africa will be presented to the public on same date time.
The report is embargoed until March 12, 2018.
Faïza Ghozali
Chief Economist's Office
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Home / News and Events / African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation Gains Momentum
African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation Gains Momentum
The 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE), held in Khartoum, Sudan, from July 15th to 17th, attracted 47 participants from 17 countries. Among these were three Speakers of Parliament (from Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda), emphasizing the support that the network enjoys at the highest levels. Development partners including UN Women, the Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results for Anglophone Africa (CLEAR-AA), and Independent Development Evaluation of the AfDB also participated.
APNODE has made headway in its advocacy for the use of factual, evidence-based evaluations as a means of improving the results of development policies and projects, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, and enhancing accountability towards citizens.
Opening the meeting, the Chairperson of APNODE, Senator Roger Mbassa Ndine, invited new members to embrace the mission, vision and objectives that APNODE has forged over the last 3 years. He stressed that members of the network should leverage their combined resources to promote evaluation as a means of achieving development effectiveness and inclusive growth at national, regional and at continental levels. Individually, as well as collectively, parliamentarians have a key role to play in the use of evaluation to spur credibility.
The agenda of the APNODE AGM included presentations of activities undertaken by members of the network during the year to promote the use of evaluation in overseeing development spending and results in their countries and regions. New national chapters of APNODE were formed in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Tanzania during the past year. These will benefit from the support of the network to engage in evaluation processes in their respective countries. The success stories of parliamentarians in their bid to advocate for evaluation provided the backdrop for the discussion and adoption of the APNODE Strategic Plan 2017-2020.
The third AGM also discussed and approved amendments to the APNODE Constitution which clarified issues on the role of parliamentarians, as individual members, as opposed to that of parliaments as institutions, in the network. The issue of mobilizing resources for the network to enable it to implement its Strategic Plan was also discussed.
A new Executive Committee of APNODE was elected to serve for the next two years (2017-2019). Sen. Roger Mbassa Ndine (Cameroon) was elected as the Chairperson, with Hon. Evelyn Mpagi-Kaabule (Uganda) as Vice–Chairperson. The Treasurer is Hon. Raphael Chegeni (Tanzania). Hon. Assou Jean–Marie Apezouke (Togo) stands as Member from the previous Executive Committee. Other elected members are Hon. Jérémie Adomahou (Benin), Hon. Imbassou Ouattara Abbas (Côte d’Ivoire), Sen. André Richard Moussounda Mikala (Gabon), Hon. Arnaud Tody (Madagascar), Hon. Dr. Abdeen Shareef (Sudan), and Hon. David Chapfika (Zimbabwe). Representatives from partner organizations are the Independent Development Evaluation of the African Development Bank (IDEV/AfDB), the Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results Anglophone Africa (CLEAR-AA), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women).
Jayne Tambiti Musumba
Independent Development Evaluation
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Samantha Jane Power
Place of Birth: Dublin, Ireland
Displaying 1-10 out of 13 results.
Vol 58 No 3 |
Calling Trumpsville
Also in the frame for the top Africa job at the State Department are: veteran military intelligence officer and specialist on international crime syndicates Charles Snyder (AC Vol 45 No 23); Kate Almquist Knopf Director of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in the Department of Defense with strong academic credentials but with a brand of Republicanism including friendships with Democrats such as the outgoing US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and former National Security Advisor Susan Rice which might be too liberal for the current zeitgeist (AC Blog AFRICA/UNITED STATES: Tussling for influence in Trumplandia); and Jeffrey Krilla former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy Human Rights and Labor...
READ FOR FREE
Money and the military
Political sources in Washington downplayed such a possibility citing strong criticism of Khartoum's record from outgoing US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power...
Vol 57 No 19 |
Salva and Riek in the dock
On 2-5 September the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power led a delegation of ambassadors from the 15 UNSC member states to South Sudan...
Riek rival boosts Salva
'On the brink' The United States Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said 'we all need to support' regional proposals to bolster peacekeepers who 'offer a basis to re-establish a secure environment' when the country is 'on the brink of an abyss'...
Missing men mar Déby’s win
The visiting United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power publicly raised the issue but also praised Chad's support in tackling Boko Haram...
A last blast for sanctions
Also important is Enough's network of friends in government such as National Security Advisor Susan Rice; the Ambassador to the United Nations and former genocide activist Samantha Power; and the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development Gayle Smith who worked in Sudan in the 1980s...
Intervention that never was
He followed up with another mission on 21 January accompanied by the United States Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and other UN envoys to urge the President to negotiate with the opposition...
AU force eyes Burundi
' Another memo from the United States' Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said: 'We are leaving Burundi...
The military moves against Nkurunziza's third-term bid
Earlier the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski urged Nkurunziza to allow peaceful criticism while the US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said that Nkurunziza had violated the Arusha Agreement...
Stepping up the fight against Ebola
The cerebral United States Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power spoke of a 'surprisingly positive' situation in Ghana Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone after visiting the region at the end of October (AC Vol 50 No 14 Washington's Africa team takes shape)...
Kagame mourns – and warns
Looking for a specific issue? Search our online archive of over two decades of Africa Confidential
Volume: 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37
Number: 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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Georgia TE Orson Charles breaks out
Carroll Rogers Walton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NONE —
ATHENS -- Orson Charles doesn't move like a tight end (no offense), he doesn't catch like a tight end (no offense) and he doesn't wear the number of a tight end (that's just math).
But Charles, No. 7, plays tight end for Georgia, and he played it well Saturday night.
On "Senior Day," the freshman had the game of his young career, catching four passes for 73 yards and a touchdown -- all in the first half.
"I told all the seniors, I have their back for the game," Charles said. "I wanted to go out with a bang. And I wanted them to remember this game."
Showing sticky hands and receiver-like quickness, Charles accounted for more than half of quarterback Joe Cox's seven completions and 143 yards passing in the first half.
But Charles didn't touch the ball in the second half and his performance was overshadowed in a 34-27 loss to Kentucky.
"I had a good half, but I didn't complete the game, and we didn't win, so all that doesn't matter," Charles said.
In a game where the Bulldogs needed receivers to emerge in the absence of the injured A.J. Green, Charles took the lead early. He caught as many passes in one first-quarter drive -- three -- as he had in any game to that point.
Charles, who caught a previous career-best three passes against Tennessee Tech, caught all three passes Cox threw his way on Georgia's first scoring drive for a field goal. Two of the passes came on bootleg plays for big gains: a 24-yard catch on the first play and a 13-yard catch five plays later.
Then Charles showed his soft hands on a diving catch over the middle for a 16-yard gain after Cox got hit as he released, forcing his throw off-target.
Charles' fourth catch of the first half was good for a 20-yard touchdown on a play-action pass down the left sideline. Charles dove into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season.
The 73 yards receiving were a career-high for Charles, topping the 62 yards receiving he had on two catches against Arkansas.
Kentucky was onto him by the start of the second half, and when the Bulldogs ran the bootleg on the first play of their second drive, Charles was covered closely. But that left Tavarres King free a little deeper down the field and Cox found him for a 37-yard gain. Georgia scored on Cox's 43-yard pass to Rantavious Wooten on the next play to go up 27-13.
Charles, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, caught 75 passes for 1,440 yards as a senior at Plant High School in Tampa. This is nothing new to him, just maybe the start of something good.
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Justin Thomas is done thinking about 2015
Ken Sugiura, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas is not looking back to 2015. Monday, following the team’s first spring-practice session, Thomas gave voice to his forward-thinking mindset.
“Last year was last year,” he said. “We can’t worry about it.”
There’s plenty of reason to avoid contemplating the worst season at Tech since 1994. The Yellow Jackets lost six games by eight points or fewer in finishing 3-9 and 1-7 in the ACC. The team’s 18-year bowl streak was among the casualties of a season marked by injuries and poor play.
“Just got to go in there and work,” Thomas said. “Put last year behind you. You can’t focus on that. We’re looking to the future.”
Thomas has work to do with a raft of inexperienced running backs. For example, at A-back, Lynn Griffin moved over from defensive back midseason, J.J. Green sat out the season after transferring from Georgia and Qua Searcy missed the final nine games with an ankle injury. At B-back, Marcus Marshall and Marcus Allen both played last season, but none of the other four candidates have played a snap of college football.
“I’m just trying to improve on everything each day,” Thomas said. “It’s not one particular thing, but you’ve got to work on the full craft and just try to get in unison with the rest of the guys.”
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4th Circuit Upholds Trump Travel Ban Injunction
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the differences between the first and second Trump travel bans, and the preliminary injunctions issued to prevent enforcement of the most recent ban. Last week, the full panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the injunction issued by a Maryland court.
The 4th Circuit order was the latest in an uninterrupted string of defeats for Trump in his efforts to bar citizens of seven predominately Muslim countries from entering the United States, and to put a moratorium on the acceptance of refugees from the same countries.
Key Points from the 4th Circuit’s Ruling on the Second Travel Ban
Chief Judge Roger Gregory wrote the opinion, stating the following:
The question for this Court, distilled to its essential form, is whether the Constitution…remains “a law for rulers and people, equally in war and in peace.” And if so, whether it protects Plaintiffs’ right to challenge an Executive Order that in text speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination.
The True Purpose of the Second Trump Travel Ban Was to Exclude Muslims
The Court relied to a great degree on public statements made by Trump and high-level advisors during and after the Presidential campaign. The Court determined that Trump’s repeated statements demonstrated his clear intent to bar Muslims from entering the country, though the language of the second travel ban executive order was religiously neutral.
The government had argued that campaign speech should not be considered as evidence of the intent of the order.
The National Security Rationale Was Weak
In rejecting the claim that national security justified the travel ban, the 4th Circuit pointed to powerful information that the lower court had considered. Ten former officials from the White House, State Department, DHS, and the Central Intelligence Agency advised that there was no national security purpose for a total ban on entry for aliens from the designated countries. Four of these former officials had knowledge of terrorism-related threats as of January 20, 2017.
What’s Next for the Trump Travel Ban?
After courts halted the first travel ban in January, Trump vowed to fight. This week, he took that fight to the nation’s highest court. On June 1st, the Justice Department filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking review of the 4th Circuit’s decision and urged the Justices to decide whether to hear the case before they leave for their summer recess. Four votes are required to grant the petition seeking review. The Supreme Court is likely to agree to hear the appeal.
The administration also petitioned the high court to lift the stay and allow the travel ban to take effect while litigation moves forward. The Supreme Court has ordered those seeking to block the ban to file responses to the government’s emergency petition by June 12.
Check back for further news on Trump’s travel ban.
The Alagiri Immigration Law Firm helps people with U.S. immigration matters. For more information, call (650) 562-6900, or fill out the contact form on this site.
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Delay in investigating case leads to unfair dismissal award
A recent case1 from the Employment Appeals Tribunal (the EAT) highlights the importance for employers of investigating any allegation of misconduct without undue delay. Failure to do so may result in the delay being held to amount to an unfair process. The case serves as a reminder of the paramount importance of fair procedures being afforded to employees.
The claimant in the case was a senior manager in the National Car Testing Centre. The respondent employer had a detailed Code of Ethics/Integrity Policy. Integrity was central to the values of the respondent's business. An example of the detail of the Code was that it was forbidden for an employee to test one's own vehicle or one belonging to family members. In March 2012 the claimant tested his own vehicle. He paid for this test and also alleged that he was never informed that testing his own vehicle would result in dismissal.
In June 2013 (approx.14 months after the incident) he was called to an investigative meeting. There was no explanation as to why the matter was being investigated over a year after it happened. In the intervening period the claimant continued to work and no further incidents arose. A disciplinary meeting followed in August 2013 on foot of which he was suspended with pay pending a final determination. In September he was informed that his employment was terminated.
The EAT had to determine whether the action of the claimant was of a seriousness to justify dismissal and whether the respondent had acted in a manner that was not arbitrary, unfair or irrational. It acknowledged that the incident had the potential to embarrass the respondent if it came to light and accordingly it was justified in taking the matter seriously. However, for over a year, the respondent remained either unaware or overlooked the incident. The EAT was of the view that this delay undermined the decision to dismiss the claimant and ultimately amounted to an unfair process. Taking account of the claimant's contribution to his dismissal, the EAT awarded €35,000 in compensation.
This case is a clear example of an employer being tripped up by a basic procedural flaw. Often when we refer to the right to fair procedures in the investigation and disciplinary context concepts such as the right to be informed of the charges against you; the right to be accompanied (as distinct from legally represented) to meetings; and the right to respond to any charges put to you, spring to mind. This case reminds employers of a basic component of fair procedures – that any misconduct should be investigated without undue delay. Failure to do so may make it difficult for an employer to remedy its hand in relation to any subsequent substantive action it takes.
For more information please contact Sinead Grace, sgrace@algoodbody.com or your usual contact in A&L Goodbody Solicitors.
1 Richard Godsland v Applus Car Testing Limited (UD 1422/2013)
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Workplace banter or sexual harassment – what's the difference?
Workplace banter or sexual harassment – what’s the difference?
In the wake of numerous claims of sexual harassment, Hollywood heavyweight, Harvey Weinstein has resigned and most recently Oscar winning actor, Kevin Spacey has become the latest movie mogul to face such allegations. With #MeToo now trending globally, the world's population are registering their own experience of sexual harassment in the workplace – which, in today's digital world, is not confined simply to the office. In circumstances where Irish law defines sexual harassment as "unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature", the current spotlight is firmly focused on what is and isn't appropriate in the workplace. Exactly when does "harmless" workplace banter fall foul of this definition? At what point does that "office romance" or "horseplay" stray into the kind of territory that warrants action by Irish employers and presents a media nightmare for businesses with both significant reputational and economic consequences?
The cultural tide
This year an Uber employee posted allegations of sexual harassment within the Uber workplace on her blog. The ensuing investigation resulted in 20 Uber employees being dismissed for inappropriate conduct including sexual harassment and, significantly from an employer's perspective, management ignoring reports of sexual harassment. Turning a blind eye or chalking such behaviour down to "a little bit of fun" or harmless banter simply won't cut it.
What the legislation says
The definition of sexual harassment within the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 (the "Acts") is exceptionally broad. Section 14(7)(A) of the Acts defines sexual harassment as:
"any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature…which has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the person".
The Employment Equality Act 1998 (Code of Practice)(Harassment) Order (SI 208/2012) provides further clarity on the breadth of sexual harassment:
"The essential characteristic of sexual harassment is that it is unwanted by the recipient, that is for each individual to determine what behaviour is acceptable to them and what they regard as offensive".
Accordingly, provided the conduct in question occurs in the workplace (or in the course of the complainant's employment) and it is (i) unwanted; (2) persistent; (3) has the effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an offensive environment, it's caught by the statutory definition of sexual harassment.
However, section 14(A)(2) of the Acts provides a defence to employers where they can show that "reasonably practicable" steps were taken to prevent the sexual harassment of the employee in question or, where such harassment has occurred, that it took action to reverse its effect.
What the Courts say
A key issue in assessing whether conduct amounts to sexual harassment is to consider whether it was wanted or not. On this basis, a distinction can be made between "friendly behaviour", which is welcome and mutual versus conduct that is unwelcome and makes the recipient feel uncomfortable. The 2016 Labour Court case of A store v A worker EDA163, which resulted in an award of €15,000 even though the employer had an anti-harassment policy in place provides a useful case study of the courts' approach to sexual harassment claims in Ireland.
Briefly, the facts of this case concerned a female sales assistant who alleged she had been sexually harassed by a male co-worker, despite telling him that she was not interested in any form of relationship with him.
On informing her manager of the offensive conduct, the complainant gave evidence that she was advised that the type of conversation complained of was "ok as they [the male co-workers] were just young lads".
So was it sexual harassment or harmless banter?
The key feature of this behaviour, which placed it squarely in the "sexual harassment" side of the "banter" fence, was that it was unwanted and unwelcome. The complainant gave evidence that she had approached the co-worker on several occasions and asked him to desist to no avail.
The Court ruled that the complainant was sexually harassed. The Court noted that "most people of normal sensitivity or fortitude" would likely find that conversation of a "sexually explicit nature" creates an offensive working environment.
Did the employer have a defence?
The Court considered whether the employer could avail of the statutory defence that it had taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent the sexual harassment occurring. Here the Court cited A Hotel v A Worker EDA0915 which held:
"An employer must be conscious of the possibility of sexual harassment occurring and have in place reasonable measures to prevent its occurrence as well as policies and procedures to deal with such harassment…"
The Court concluded that the employer had not taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of the complainant:
The policy was not properly understood by the manager responsible for its implementation;
The policy was only available in English, which was not the native tongue of the perpetrators; and
While the employer had an anti-harassment policy displayed in the staff area, the policy was not "properly or adequately applied in practice".
So what is "reasonable"? What should employers be doing?
Case law has found that an employer's duty of care requires the employer to show that it took reasonably practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of sexual harassment, not just to deal with such harassment if it occurs. Having a comprehensive anti-harassment policy is an essential first step.
Recent decisions have demonstrated that the lack of an anti-harassment policy can be fatal to an employer's defence even where an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment was undertaken. The 2017 Labour Court decision of Catlan Trading Ltd v McGuinnes ADE/16/78, re-emphasised the importance of having a suitable policy in place even in circumstances where the alleged sexual harassment is not brought to the employer's attention. Here the Labour Court relied on the Circuit Court decision of Atkinson v Carty [2005] ELR 1 which held:
"The failure of the Defendants to have in place adequate procedures renders them liable and by reason of their failure to fulfil their statutory obligations they are responsible and cannot plead immunity from same simply because the Plaintiff failed to make a complaint".
However, it is not enough to have a policy sitting on the office bookshelf that can be dusted off and produced by way of a defence to an employee's claims of sexual harassment. A vital second step is that such a policy is well-known and effectively implemented. Employers should ensure that the policy is easily accessible, regularly reviewed and prominently displayed.
While prevention of sexual harassment is critical, an employer's response to such allegations is crucial. The courts have emphasised the need to ensure management are trained to both investigate incidents of harassment promptly and confidentially, and to recognise its manifestations. It is essential that a person with appropriate seniority and a clear understanding of an employer's statutory obligations conduct the investigation. In Ms C v A Multi-National Grocery retailer E2015-079, the Tribunal re-iterated that "employers will not be able to rely on an excellent policy if it has not been effectively implemented".
A prudent employer should:
1. Put in place training on the content and purpose of its anti-harassment policy - not just for management level staff, but for all employees. An employer's investment in its staff's awareness and understanding of what is and isn’t acceptable conduct in the workplace will be a valuable aid to demonstrating a sincere effort to prevent the occurrence of sexual harassment in the workplace. Considerations of cost to the employer, from both a financial and time perspective, can be weighed alongside the significant adverse impact that allegations of harassment have resulted in from the standpoint of Uber and Miramax. It is also worthwhile noting that recent decisions have resulted in substantial awards in the region of 12-18 months remuneration.
2. Have an Employee Assistance Programme in place to ensure employees have access to confidential and professional support.
3. With the festive season approaching, remind staff that the anti-harassment extends to cover social events!
For more information please contact Ailbhe Dennehy, Senior Associate, and Karen Killalea, Partner – A&L Goodbody Employment Practice Group.
Date Published: 15 November 2017
Employment, Pensions & Incentives
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Too little, too late for Bhopal
Families of victims of India's 1984 gas leak that killed thousands say sentence not enough.
09 Jun 2010 12:45 GMT
A court in India has sentenced seven ex-employees of Union Carbide to two years in jail after finding them guilty of negligence over a deadly gas leak that killed thousands in 1984 [AFP]
Sanjay Verma was only five months old when a cloud of poison gas killed his parents and five siblings in Bhopal, India, as they slept in their beds.
His parents and siblings were among some 3,500 people who died immediately after the December 1984 gas leak while more than 15,000 others perished from the lingering effects of the world's worst industrial disaster.
On Monday, a court in Bhopal found seven ex-employees of the Indian unit of Union Carbide, the US company that owned the chemical plant, guilty of "causing death by negligence".
They were sentenced to two years in jail, a penalty similar to those handed out for deadly traffic accidents, and ordered to pay fines of $2,100 each.
'No option'
But for Verma, the victory provides little comfort, as Warren Anderson, Union Carbide's former CEO, did not show up for court.
"In a sense I was lucky," Verma said. "I was too young to see the bodies in the streets. I was lucky I didn't know my parents."
Monday's ruling was the result of a court battle that dragged on for 23 years and came after Mohan P Tiwari, the chief judicial magistrate, reviewed testimony from 178 prosecution witnesses and the contents of 3,008 documents.
The convicted parties will likely appeal the verdict in India's supreme court.
But the case against company officials is just one of several ongoing court battles surrounding the Bhopal disaster, which according to Indian government records, affected 578,000 people.
More than 25 years later, many are still grappling with its effects.
"About 30,000 people are still drinking contaminated water," Karuna Nundy, a human rights lawyer in New Delhi who is representing victims on a pro-bono basis, said.
Nundy is arguing a separate case before India's supreme court, trying to get better medical care for Bhopal's victims.
"These are poor people who have no option but to drink the toxic water, even though they know how dangerous it is.
"There are children who have been born with chromosomal defects, who have terrible health care."
Advice ignored
Inside Story: What does the verdict mean?
It happened in ... Bhopal
Bhopal survivors demand action
Bhopal's undelivered justice
When the 25 tonnes of toxic methylisocyanate gas leaked from a storage tank, drifting into the streets of Bhopal and the homes of its 1.5 million residents, Nundy said "all six of the most important safety measures failed".
"The siren that should have gone off to warn the surrounding populations did not go off."
Union Carbide built the plant, which Nundy said had been leaking toxins into the local water supply and soil since 1977, in a densely populated urban area, despite the advice of its own experts.
On December 7, 1984, days after the disaster, Indian officials arrested Warren Anderson, but he was released on bail and allowed to return to the US.
Victims like Verma are enraged by the decision to allow Anderson to leave the country, but Nundy speculates that the Indian government may have feared that keeping him imprisoned would have discouraged foreign investment in the country.
In 1989, Union Carbide paid a $470mn settlement to the Indian government. But because the number of victims was so high, rights activists say each one received just about $1,000.
Union Carbide divested its stake in its Indian division in 1994 and a message on the company's website says that it, and former chairman Anderson, "worked diligently to provide aid to the victims and set up a process to resolve their claims".
It also attributes the gas leak to an act of sabotage.
But rights activists and lawyers say the claim is absurd and that it has been disproven in various courts.
Dow Chemical paid $12bn to acquire Union Carbide in 2001 and denies that it holds responsibility for the Bhopal disaster. Dow Chemical's India division did not respond to Al Jazeera's request for an interview.
Bhopal survivors launched a class action lawsuit against Union Carbide in the US in 1999.
During court hearings in New York in 2002, internal Union Carbide documents were disclosed, showing the company was using "unproven technology" at its Bhopal plant.
But, the company did not use this "unproven technology" in its US operations.
In separate US litigation in 2002, Dow Chemical set aside $2.2bn to compensate American workers who were exposed to asbestos at Union Carbide operations, leading rights activists to accuse the company of attaching greater value to the lives of Americans than those of Indians.
In June 2009, Bhopal survivors secured the signatures of 27 members of the US congress, who wrote a letter to Dow Chemical asking the company to clean up toxic waste from the site.
"We request that Dow ensures that a representative appears in the ongoing legal cases in India regarding Bhopal, that Dow meets the demands of the survivors for medical and economic rehabilitation, and cleans up the soil and groundwater contamination in and around the factory site," the politicians wrote in the letter to Dow Chemical's CEO.
However, the company did not comply with these requests and survivors continue to fight court battles in India over rehabilitation and clean up.
"The toxic waste case is now before the high court of Madhya Pradesh [the state where Bhopal is located]," Nundy said.
"I am also arguing a case in which the supreme court is directing better medical care for the victims of the gas leak."
After a series of delays and procedural issues, US litigation around the Bhopal disaster continues in a New York court.
Despite Monday's guilty verdict, litigation surrounding the disaster will continue in other Indian courts.
Rights activists, however, worry that the Indian government and foreign multinationals will go on with business as usual.
As India's economy grows quickly, the country has announced plans for a series of new nuclear power plants.
In May 2010, Bhopal survivors filed a right-to-information request with the Indian government, asking how it would deal with a nuclear accident.
According to an editorial in the Wall Street Journal, the Indian government plans to cap corporate liability at $100m with the next $400m to deal with potential nuclear disasters coming from Indian taxpayers.
Nundy said the government continues to send the wrong message - "we'll set a cap for you and we'll have the taxpayer pay for it" - to foreign companies doing business in India.
As Bhopal victims like Verma wait for the next round of litigation in the wake of this verdict, some Indian lawyers are pushing for structural changes in how the country does business with multinational corporations.
"If you have a lax regulatory system, as you do in many third world countries, then there is a race to the bottom because adherence to health and safety standards is not enforced," Nundy said.
"There is less of a deterrent effect on companies to take safety seriously, to protect Indian lives. We need the same rule of law for everybody."
The 19th century French philosopher Pierre-Joseph Proudhon once referred to laws as spider webs for the rich and chains for the poor. For many of the victims, those words prevail.
Humanitarian crises
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Residency Patterns, Abundance, and Social Composition of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bahía San Antonio, Patagonia, Argentina
Written by Els Vermeulen and Alejandro Cammareri
Abstract: Residency patterns, abundance, and social composition of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were assessed from 2006 to 2008 in Bahía San Antonio (BSA), Patagonia, Argentina. A total of 714 survey hours resulted in 132 contact hours with 224 bottlenose dolphin groups. Results indicated that dolphins can be seen year-round on average every 4 h, with sighting periods lasting an average of 45 min. A total of 57 bottlenose dolphins were positively identified in the bay, of which 56% showed a degree of residency, including almost all mother and calf pairs. Using the closed time heterogeneity model (Mth), and accounting for the proportion of unidentifiable individuals, calculations resulted in a corrected abundance estimate of 83 individuals for the study area. Further analysis revealed that individual dolphins associated at random and that the entire community exhibits rapid disassociations and two levels of casual acquaintances. Data suggest that the shallow waters of BSA support a relatively resident community of bottlenose dolphins, living in a fission-fusion society in which companionships frequently change. The relative constant presence of calves in more than 50% of the dolphin groups and the observed presence of neonates might furthermore indicate that dolphins specifically use this area, among others, to give birth and nurse their young. In addition, a reported decline in bottlenose dolphin sightings in the larger area of the Argentinean coast might indicate that BSA is one of the last remaining refuges of the species in the country. Further research seems vital for their conservation.
Key Words: bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, photo-identification, residency, abundance, social composition, Patagonia, Argentina
$12.00 each Vol. 35, Iss. 3, Vermeulen et. al.
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Kilmainham Gaol
Aran Sweaters Direct on Jul 06, 2016
This famous prison has captured a special place in the history of the Irish struggle for independence. Known for incarcerating many famous figures, the building was erected in 1789, and its long existence has given it plenty of time to witness the unfolding story of the entire country. With rebellions taking place in 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867, 1883 and 1916, there were plenty of inmates to tell their stories within its imposing walls.
Perhaps Kilmainham Gaol’s most famous occupant was Eamon de Valera, the future president of Ireland, released July 16, 1924, shortly before the gaol was closed permanently. Other figures in the battle for independence that spent time here include Robert Emmett and Charles Stewart Parnell.
Kilmainham Gaol is most famously remembered as the place where the fourteen leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916 were executed.
The prison facilities are open to the public via guided tour only. An audiovisual presentation begins each tour in the basement of the building, focusing on 200 years of Irish political history from an Irish Nationalist perspective. The presentation, lasting about half an hour, then turns to a tour of the rest of the building, including the East Wing, the Chapel, West Wing, and prison yards. Each stop along the way inspects not only a part of the structure, but tells the stories of the occupants who have given the building its historical significance.
The East Wing contains an authentically restored cell block designed in such a way that the inmates could be viewed 24 hours a day from certain points on the floor. Bright skylights illuminate the area, and there are no dark corners in which prisoners could hide from their captors.
In contrast to the spacious, well designed brightness of the West Wing, the East Wing is composed of a small, dark, and very cramped series of cells. Many cells are labeled with the names of former occupants and information about them. The graffiti over a doorway tells the gaolers that they will experience the “vengeance of the risen people”. During the famine years, over 7,000 men and women were packed into these cells.
In the centre lies the Chapel, where Joseph Plunkett and Grace Clifford were married the night before he was to be executed. They experienced an entire ten minutes together as a married couple before being separated forever. The Exercise yards were the scene of these famous 1916 executions. One of the men, James Connolly, was injured and had to be tied into a chair to remain upright while he faced the firing squad. Outrage at the executions was limited because at the time, the 1916 rising did not enjoy much popular support among the citizens.
Other interesting sites at the gaol include banners from the various struggles for freedom, the block of wood upon which Robert Emmett’s head was taken off after his 1803 hanging, and a new exhibit that brings together several items focusing on his unsuccessful rebellion.
If Kilmainham Gaol seems to look slightly familiar, it may be because of its appearance in several films, including Michael Collins and the 1966 English version of The Italian Job. It is currently the largest unused prison building in Europe.
Kilmainham Gaol. Image by Sean Munson.
DublinHistoric Buildings / Monuments
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In Character: Tom Noonan
We all know Tom Noonan. Whether he’s masked by monster make-up, shadowing Philip Seymour Hoffman, pulling a cameo in a Michael Mann flick, or terrorizing young women, Tom Noonan is a character actor whose face is impossible to forget. His career is full of such excellent choices. Large roles in tiny films, or tiny roles in large films, Noonan always delivers with his unique brand of restraint. I just love watching this guy work.
Five Essential Roles
Last Action Hero (1993)
Ripper/Tom Noonan
The ax-wielding, rain coat-wearing slimy psycho from Last Action Hero is none other than Tom Noonan. Make-up is a great facilitator for actors to get into character, and while Noonan’s prosthetic work is creepily effective in this film, it’s his performance that sells Ripper. The way he pushes kids off rooftops as if they’re a piece of spoiled food, or bounces around exuberantly, begging Arnold Schwarzenegger for a fight; that voice, that hair – so good. I’ve defended Last Action Hero a lot on this site. As a child of the ‘90s, the film was a staple of my upbringing. So Ripper will always have a special place in my heart (how’s that for a weird sentence?). And for bonus points, Noonan has a great cameo as himself late in the movie. Always good for a laugh.
What Happened Was... (1994)
In addition to being a stellar character actor, Tom Noonan is a splendid filmmaker in his own right. He’s written, directed and starred in four independent films, the best of which is his Sundance-winning debut feature, What Happened Was. The film is a narrative experiment in which two co-workers go on a first date, and that’s it. Noonan and his costar, Karen Sillas, are literally the only two people in the film, and with the exception of a few opening and closing exterior shots, the entire movie takes place in one small New York City apartment. It’s an interesting concept, but one that’s only going to work if the actors really bring it, which Noonan and Sillas certainly do. As a Tom Noonan fan, it’s so fun to watch him play a normal guy like Michael. And knowing that Noonan is solely responsible for the character makes it that much more enjoyable. What Happened Was is a very worthy ‘90s indie film that deserves more attention. And Noonan’s final scene could very well be the greatest single scene of his career. It’s a thing of such quiet power.
Sammy Barnathan
“Well I’ve been… I’ve been following you for 20 years. So I knew about this audition because I follow you. So hire me, and you’ll see who you truly are. Peak-a-boo.”
Sammy Barnathan is a supremely odd character who occupies the supremely odd Synecdoche, New York. By the time we’re officially introduced to Sammy, he informs tortured theater director, Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman), that he’s been following him for two decades. Why? We have no idea, because Caden doesn’t even bother to ask. Instead, Caden hires Sammy to play Caden in a massive theatrical production, which has been stuck in rehearsal for more than a decade. Sammy fits seamlessly into Caden’s world-within-a-world, shadowing Caden (when Caden isn’t shadowing him), studying his every word and gesture. Basically, it’s the kind of peculiar performance that only Tom Noonan could pull off. Or at least pull off as well as he does here.
The House of the Devil (2009)
Mr. Ulman
“Making ‘bad people’ seem human is the key to making them really scary.” That’s what Noonan told the AV Club a few years ago when describing his chilling performance in The House of the Devil. Mr. Ulman hires a college-aged babysitter to watch his child for the night. Simple enough, right? But the moment she arrives at his eerie home, everything about the situation feels off. And this fear can be credited, at least initially, solely to Noonan himself. Rarely has his lanky frame and shaky voice been as effective as it is in this film. Dressed in a tailored black suit and relying on a cane for balance, Mr. Ulman does indeed seem human, he’s just not the kind of human you want to spend an evening with. The House of the Devil is a slow brew horror flick that peaks late, which might have been a problem, were it not for Noonan’s consistently stirring work. Once he enters the film, you simply can’t get him out of your head.
Damages (2009-2011)
Det. Victor Huntley
Noonan’s work on Damages is a grade-A lesson in timing. That might seem like an odd thing to praise, but the moment he showed up as a mild mannered detective for the NYPD on the show, I couldn’t help but be taken by his timing choices. Like most men Noonan plays, Det. Huntley is a little… odd. He walks slowly, talks quietly, and keeps us waiting for the moment he’ll reveal himself to be a psycho. But the best part is, Huntley isn’t crazy. He’s just a normal guy doing his modest best to enact some good in the world. But the way Noonan plays him is a masterclass of subtlety. His abnormal pauses between words, his long stares, his faint smile – it’s the kind of acting choices that I so admire. And the scene where Huntley tries to lovingly persuade Glenn Close’s Patty Hewes to join social media remains a highlight of the series. It’s absolutely priceless.
Manhunter (1986)
Francis Dollarhyde
Perhaps this is lazy criticism, but the best way I can describe Noonan’s work as Francis Dollarhyde is to hail it as the exact opposite of Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of the same character in Red Dragon. And don’t get me wrong, I like what Fiennes did with Dollarhyde, but he’s really pushing the crazy fucko factor in that flick. Fiennes is saying Look at me! I’m a goddamn beast freak! while Noonan plays it as Hello, may I shake your hand and slit your throat, at the same time? Two completely different takes on the same character, but my preference will always be Noonan.
Francis Dollarhyde is one of those characters we hear a lot about before actually meeting him. And everything we hear about Dollarhyde is terrifying. He’s a famed serial killer who invades homes and kills entire families, and has yet to be caught. So by the time we meet him, the actor playing him has the difficult job of meeting our expectations. And holy shit, Noonan’s first scene in this film certainly doesn’t disappoint. Panty house cover half his face and a dangerous gleam shines in his eyes as he terrorizes a local reporter. And from there, Noonan is off and running, always remembering to inject humanity in the most depraved of men.
Other Notable Roles
Yeah, he played Frankenstein in The Monster Squad, too
Heaven’s Gate (1980)
The Monster Squad (1987)
RoboCop 2 (1990)
The Wife (1995)
Heat (1995)
The Astronaut’s Wife (1999)
Knockaround Guys (2001)
Seraphim Falls (2006)
Snow Angels (2007)
Louie (2010)
Hell on Wheels (2011-2014)
The Blacklist (2014)
The Leftovers (2014)
The Shape of Something Squashed (2014)
12 Monkeys (2015)
Luke March 25, 2015 at 2:03 AM
Fangirling right now. I just love Noonan's work. His work as Francis Dolarhyde is remarkable.
I also love that you highlighted his work in House of the Devil. Easily one of the best horror films of the past ten years. Synecdoche New York...what can I say. That cast is damn perfect and Tom Noonan is the cherry on top.
Last Action Hero is such a fun movie and was a staple of my childhood too. "That toy can't hurt him. But this one can."
I will always owe Mr. Noonan awe.
Alex Withrow March 25, 2015 at 11:33 AM
I love that line from Last Action Hero! I love that damn movie haha.
The House of the Devil is such an interesting film, because it's so damn polarizing. I think it's a pretty solid movie, but I LOVE Noonan in it.
thevoid99 March 25, 2015 at 2:36 AM
Noonan is awesome. I loved him in Last Action Hero as well as Synecdoche, New York. I only saw some of What Happened Was... where its premise is awesome.
Manhunter is still his best work... *plays "In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida"*
Awesome man, so glad you're a fan. This guy is always on point, and yeah, now I have Iron Butterfly in my head.
Henrik J. March 25, 2015 at 6:39 AM
Another great and underrated actor. I absolutely love him in Manhunter. He literally gave me nightmares after watching it. He was so damn creepy and scary in that movie. It's a shame that movie get's mostly overlooked now. People seems to forget it when talking about the Hannibal movies, but it's still my favorite after Silence of the Lambs. Damn, now i gotta go through my DVDs and find that movie again. You really made me want to watch it again now.
I hadn't seen it in long time before this post, but it really holds up well. It's so '80s, which is a lot of fun. And Noonan crushes that part.
Aditya B March 25, 2015 at 8:03 AM
Unfortunately, I haven't seen a lot of his work. He was great in Synecdoche, and Louie too. I need to watch Manhunter soon!
I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on Manhunter, it's so unlike any of the other Lecter films. But a very groovy flick.
Budai Robert March 25, 2015 at 8:08 AM
Oh, I love him in Last Action Hero and The Monster Squad.
Wendell Ottley March 25, 2015 at 9:33 AM
Noonan is awesomely weird. Some actors are just naturally creepy and he is certainly one of them. Really glad to see the love Last Action Hero. If I could just get you to replace House of the Devil wth anything else. Really, anything. Find video of a play he did in grade school. It's bound to be better than that movie.
Haha, well, the way you feel about The House of the Devil is the way I feel about The Innkeepers. That's one of the worst circle jerk movies I've ever seen. So lame. But Devil works for me, mostly because of Noonan.
Wendell Ottley March 25, 2015 at 3:15 PM
I feel that way about The Innkeepers, too. Seriously hope Ti West never makes another movie.
Alex Withrow March 26, 2015 at 12:29 PM
I will say, though, that I really enjoyed The Sacrament. By far his best film to date.
Brittani Burnham March 25, 2015 at 11:33 AM
I'm not as familiar with Noonan as I should be, btu I recently watched Synecdoche, New York and he was excellent there!
That's such a weird little flick, isn't it? I was so happy I watched it again.
The Movie Conversation March 25, 2015 at 2:26 PM
Know what , man, I've just watched my last still-to-see Mann movie before reading this article. And that one was Manhunter. Holy shit he's terrifying. And props for that last shootout... Mann is such a great director. What do you think about Blackhat? I think that is a movie perfect because of his imperfections. I really loved it.
So glad you liked Noonan in Manhunter. Dude is the ultimate creep. I really liked Blackhat, but I'm a sucker for the Mann aesthetic. Few people like his Miami Vice more than I do. I think that movie is brilliant.
Chip Lary March 25, 2015 at 3:32 PM
I knew who Noonan was when I read the title of your post, but other than Manhunter I couldn't have named a film he was in, even though I knew I had seen him in several. I had forgotten about both Last Action Hero (I like it, too; it was a very meta movie 15 years ahead of its time) and Synecdoche NY. I haven't seen the other two you mentioned.
So happy you said Last Action Hero was ahead of its time. Couldn't agree more. I always see more every time I watch that movie. Watched it just the other day and went, "Oh shit, there's Melvin Van Peebles!"
Myerla March 26, 2015 at 5:41 AM
The House of the Devil is superb film, really builds up the suspense really well. Apart from that I haven't seen him in too much. he was however chilling in Manhunter. I thought he was in Shutter Island but I was getting him mixed up with Ted Levine who also played a villain in the Hannibal Lector series of films.
Alex Withrow March 26, 2015 at 1:16 PM
Ohhh Ted Levine is great too. Definitely want to cover him soon in this column. Glad you like Noonan in The House of the Devil. He's so chilling in that flick.
Matt April 1, 2015 at 7:18 AM
+1 for a Levine writeup. Here's hoping your a fan of Monk, because he is absolutely marvelous as Stottlemeyer. And one more round of applause of Noonan. If I recall correctly, didn't he have a badass beard in Heat? Hell of a chin sweater.
Thanks for keeping this place going, Alex. Always a treat to read your thoughts.
Alex Withrow April 1, 2015 at 12:21 PM
Thank YOU for reading and commenting! I haven't seen Monk, but I think I'll go ahead and draft the Levine post anyway. Love that guy. And yeah, Noonan's beard in Heat is epic. He doesn't even look like the same guy.
maskofgojira March 30, 2015 at 6:49 PM
Always - forever Francis Dollarhyde!
I have to be honest, while that is probably the role that Noonan is known for, whenever I think of him or see his face the film that always pops into my mind is Sammy Barnathan from Synecdoche, New York. I think it really says something that in a film where Hoffman pretty much dominated the entire film (even if the film didn't entirely hold itself together imo) that Noonan is the most memorable part of that film for me.
Aside from that would you recommend his directorial work? I had heard about What Happened Was... but I've never actually seen it (or his other directed films either).
You gotta love Sammy. And the way he goes out is perfect. Whatta weird little film that is. Of the Noonan-directed films I've seen, What Happened Was is the only one I really enjoy. It's a very special flick.
Josh April 3, 2015 at 7:49 PM
Admittedly, I haven't seen much of Noonan's work. Of the six you mentioned, I've only seen Synecdoche, New York. I need to check out some of these, especially Manhunter.
Manhunter is great. Polar opposite from The Silence of the Lambs, but still great in its own way. And it is SO 80s.
Top 15 Films of the 2010s (so far)
Top 10 R-Rated Films Every Kid Should See
Wild Tales
In Character: John Doman
Top 10 Janusz Kaminski Films
In Character: Laura Linney
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D23 Expo: More on Pixar’s ‘Good Dinosaur’, ‘Inside Out’
The VFX Evolution of ‘Dark Phoenix’
We learned more about Pixar’s upcoming movies at the D23 Expo on Friday convention. Director Bob Peterson’s The Good Dinosaur, which opens next summer, takes place on an Earth where the asteroid never killed the dinosaurs and the creatures thrive as excellent farmers. The lead character, a dinosaur named Arlo, will be voiced by Lucas Neff (Raising Hope), and Bill Hader, Neil Patrick Harris and Judy Greer voice his siblings. The dino parents will be voiced by John Lithgow and Frances McDormand. The film centers on the friendship between Arlo and a wild human boy, who pops up in his world one day. The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters on May 30, 2014. Here is the official synopsis:
The Good Dinosaur asks the generations-old question: What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In theaters May 30, 2014, the film is a humorous and exciting original story about Arlo, a lively 70-foot-tall teenage Apatosaurus with a big heart. After a traumatic event rattles Arlo’s tranquil community, he sets out on a quest to restore peace, gaining an unlikely companion along the way—a young human boy named Spot.
Pixar’s next film, Up director Pete Docter’s Inside Out, takes place within a young girl’s mind as she is forced to move to San Francisco. The voice cast—playing the girl’s emotions—includes Amy Poehler as the lead character, Joy, Bill Hader as Fear, Lewis Black as Anger, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, and Phyllis Smith (The Office) as Sadness. Inside Out opens in theaters on June 19, 2015. Here’s the official synopsis for Inside Out:
From director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up), Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out takes you to a place that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen: the world inside the human mind. Riley, an 11-year-old girl who recently moved with her family to San Francisco, is not the main character but the setting for the film. Moviegoers will go inside her mind to explore how memories are formed and how a mixture of five emotions—Joy, Disgust, Anger, Fear and Sadness—defines life experiences.
Related Topics:Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Bob Peterson, D23 Expo, Disney, Frances McDormand, Inside Out, John Lithgow, Jonas Rivera, Judy Greer, Lewis Black, Lucas Neff, Mindy Kaling, Monsters Inc., Neil Patrick Harris, Pete Docter, Phyllis Smith, Pixar, Raising Hope, The Good Dinosaur, Up
D23 Coverage: Animation Preview Day
Byron Howard’s ‘Zootopia’ Slated for 2016
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20 Feb 2019 // Airline & Airport Strategy Interviews // Comments OFF
One-to-one with Robert Smith, Head of Aviation Development, Manchester Airport
anna.aero’s Chief Analyst, Nick Preston, met with Robert Smith, Head of Aviation Development Manchester Airport in early February. Smith explained how the airport handled 28.2 million passengers in 2018 and that it will have the capacity to handle 45 million travellers per year once its current Manchester Airport Transformation Project (MAN-TP) is completed.
Manchester Airport is the busiest airport in the UK outside of London and the only one other than Heathrow with two full-length runways that are both capable of handling trans-continental long-haul operations. It is currently in the midst of its £1.0 billion Manchester Airport Transformation Project (MAN-TP), which is designed to upgrade its terminal and airside infrastructure to unlock the additional capacity potential of its two runways. anna.aero’s Chief Analyst, Nick Preston, met with the airport’s Head of Aviation Development, Robert Smith, to discuss the airport’s ambitions for traffic growth and its top targets for new routes. Smith has worked for Manchester Airports Group since 2011, starting in the role of Aviation Development Manager at Bournemouth Airport, and also held the position of Business Development Manager at Manchester, before taking on up his current role in May 2017.
anna.aero: Manchester broke its traffic record in 2018, handling more than 28 million passengers. What level of growth do you expect to see in 2019 and beyond?
Robert Smith: “For our current financial year, which ends 31 March, we are targeting 28.5 million passengers. For the calendar year 2018 we reached a total of 28.2 million passengers. We continue to break records, which is down to continued growth with our customer airlines, such as Ryanair, and easyJet, with the latter adding five additional based aircraft during the coming summer season. This will see an increase in the number of easyJet based aircraft at Manchester to 17. Ryanair added three additional aircraft towards the end of S18 and we’ll see the effect of this extra capacity across the whole of the coming summer. We have successfully backfilled the capacity lost when Monarch ceased operating in 2017 and we are now growing over and above that. Backfilling Monarch was obviously a significant target, so we spoke to our customer airlines who were keen to grow and utilise that opportunity. Achieving the backfill is a mark of how strong this market is, with easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, and Thomas Cook Airlines all seeing the opportunity. Next year we’ll be targeting further growth, through increases by existing partners, but we’re also welcoming a new airline in El Al. We’ll also see the benefit of the first full year of operations on the Jet Airways and Ethiopian Airlines services to Mumbai and Addis Ababa respectively.”
aa: What do you consider to be Manchester’s key catchment area and what is the composition of this catchment?
RS: “We tend to look at different catchments depending on the route in question. When we’re talking to long-haul carriers, we use a two-hour drive time catchment, which includes Yorkshire, North Wales and as far South as Birmingham. For short-haul we look at a one-hour drive time. As part of the work we’ve done over the last couple of years to understand that short-haul catchment, which is where a large proportion of our traffic is, we’ve also defined a low-cost catchment, which isn’t as simple as a one-hour drive time. It’s actually quite elongated, and when we analyse the CAA survey data it suggests that our LCC catchment goes quite far north, as well as covering large portions of Wales.
“There are 22 million people within a two-hour drive time of Manchester and we are lucky to have a really strong catchment. What’s important is that there is minimal overlap with the London catchment. We sit in a position where we can offer airlines a catchment area that complements any existing services they have in London, without cannibalising that demand. While London is ‘filling up’ Manchester can really offer an alternative for airlines around the globe looking to grow their UK services. With constraining factors in London, Manchester becomes that outlet. Our message to airlines is that they can grow their UK market share by launching a Manchester service.”
aa: Do you have a specific new route wish list for Manchester? Are there certain destinations or markets you believe the local catchment is crying out for?
RS: “Bangkok is our top, unserved long-haul market, and has been for a number of years, with more than 300,000 passengers travelling indirectly from Manchester or leaking to other airports. We’re working as hard as we possibly can with potential carriers to address that opportunity. Other targets include increased links to China with the likes of Shanghai. We have the Beijing service with Hainan Airlines, and with the Manchester-China forum, our drive to increase links to China is critical. At World Routes 2018 in Guangzhou, Hainan Airlines announced that it had secured the traffic rights to operate from that city to Manchester. We are now talking to them about starting that route in 2019 or 2020 and we’re hopeful Hainan will grow its presence here. Mumbai was towards the top of our targets and we have now secured that connection, but India remains an enormous opportunity. Delhi is unserved and a fantastic opportunity, and we’ve spent a lot of time in India talking to carriers about that. Jet Airways is now a key partner, so we would love to see it move into that market.
“In terms of short-haul, we have a lot of markets covered, but there are still some opportunities. Bucharest is one, which is unserved, and a lot of that traffic is going from alternate airports around our catchment, but we believe that’s a great opportunity.
“North America is an important market for Manchester and has been for a number of years. When you look at Manchester’s direct flights into North America, we’re right up there with some European capital cities and hub airports in terms of points served. I think there is still scope for growth, especially in frequency. We are seeing an upguage with United this year, from the 757 to the 767. We’ve seen a new Seattle service with Thomas Cook Airlines, which is fantastic for West Coast connectivity. Virgin Atlantic is launching flights to Los Angeles, joining Thomas Cook Airlines on the route. Going back several years we didn’t have any West Coast flying, so to have three routes out to the West Coast is superb. North America is well covered but there is still more we could do there. Houston started a few years ago with Singapore Airlines and that market has stimulated significantly.”
aa: Does Manchester have the potential to become a new hub airport for the UK and a genuine alternative to Heathrow for connecting flights?
RS: “We definitely want to increase our transfer passengers. We were referred to by the UK Transport Secretary as the UK’s Northern hub. It’s quite easy, to label an airport a hub, but actually if you look at what we’re doing here, with Flybe feeding the UK regions through its hub in T3, who are then connecting on to long-haul services, it’s a really important part of our business. We’re hopeful that while Flybe goes through its current sale process that there is an opportunity for it to continue to grow these services. In terms of transfer passengers, we tend not to compare ourselves too much with the biggest European hubs like Heathrow, Frankfurt and Munich. We have a really healthy mix of airlines here, but it’s hard to make sure that their separate strategies are aligning themselves with one another to provide feed. Partnerships, alliances, interlining and codeshares, they’re all really important parts of our business. As part of our transformation project we are building a transfer facility, with much more capacity, meaning it’s going to be much smoother for passengers to transfer through Manchester. Jet Airways knew its new Mumbai service would connect well on to Virgin Atlantic flights out of Manchester, so it’s about making sure that we are finding those partnerships and alliances and making sure we’ve got the facility here to really grow that, as well as we can. However, we don’t have that home carrier, and that will always be the challenge.”
The £1.0 billion Manchester Airport Transformation Project (MAN-TP) includes the building of three new piers plus an extension to Terminal 2. The first of the new piers is now complete and is scheduled to open on 1 April this year.
aa: Manchester is currently undergoing its £1.0 billion Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP). What key infrastructure developments will be delivered under this transformation?
RS: “Our first new terminal pier is built and will now undergo a whole series of testing to make sure that it’s ready for opening on 1 April. We’re currently building an extension to Terminal 2 which will grow by 150%, so there’s a huge uplift in capacity. The extension is due to open in 2020. Over the next couple of years, the existing Terminal 2 building will be refurbished, with these improvements coming live in 2022. We also have two more piers being added, one of which will be completed in line with the refurbishment in 2022, while the final one will be finished by 2024. Terminal 2 will become our groundswell of operation. Terminal 1 will ultimately be decommissioned, with one of its piers becoming part of the new Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 will remain.
“In addition to the terminal developments, we are making some radical changes to our airfield. At the moment we have, due to current infrastructure limitations, some inefficient operational procedures. We will be removing these issues through a major upgrade to the airfield taxiways. We will have dual Code E taxiways, enabling the largest aircraft to pass each other and manoeuvre around the airfield more efficiently. We’ll increase our parking stands as well. At the moment we are constrained with overnight parking. easyJet will have 17 based aircraft in summer 2019, Ryanair 12, Thomas Cook 11, Jet2.com has 19, all of which are parking here overnight, and all of which need to depart early in the morning, so we need to deliver additional stands for those carriers to continue to grow and for us to secure passenger growth at the airport. This will include increasing Code E capability, with the MAN-TP scheme delivering 21 Code E stands, capable of handling new generation aircraft such as the 777X and A350-1000, and three Code F stands capable of handling the A380.
We have two runways with the technical capacity for 55 million passengers. Our terminals and stands simply cannot deliver that, which is why we’ve implemented the £1.0 billion transformation to provide further capacity growth as we grow passenger numbers.”
aa: How important are Maintenance, Cargo, Business and General Aviation activities for Manchester’s continued growth? What is the scope for expansion of these activities?
RS: “These activities are a really important part of our business and it’s important our on-site maintenance providers can continue to service our airlines. We’ve got Jet2.com and Thomas Cook Airlines with hangars here performing their maintenance checks. Plus, we have Air Livery for repainting and Signature for handling business jet flights. We’re a global city, and we need to be able to provide that access and level of service and Signature provides an important part of our airfield operation. In terms of cargo, we’ve got a couple of dedicated freighters here with FedEx. We generally see our cargo growth coming through belly hold cargo on passenger aircraft. We have limited stand availability, so we are focused on trying to drive as much cargo through belly hold capacity as possible. We get good feedback from the carriers about Manchester’s ability to absorb some of that cargo into the UK, rather than flying it into Heathrow and trucking it up North. As an airport group we work together with our partners at East Midlands and Stansted to offer a high-level of UK cargo coverage.
“For general aviation and maintenance, I think it’s important to continue to offer our current level of service, but it probably won’t grow significantly as we don’t have a huge amount of additional space available. Last month we announced ‘PremiAir’, which is our new private terminal, due to open later this year. This will be a small private terminal to the North of runway one, which will offer a premium passenger service. The airport will manage the terminal which will be available to those airline passengers which choose to source it.”
aa). What are the main challenges Manchester faces in terms of attracting new airlines and routes in the next few years?
RS: “Air Passenger Duty (APD) is a real issue for us. A lot of the time we are competing against other European airports to attract scarce aircraft capacity. Unfortunately, here in the UK we have APD to lump on top. We believe that does hinder some of those airline decisions. I’m generally in conversation with airlines that are also looking at the likes of Vienna, Barcelona, Madrid, Stockholm Arlanda, Oslo, etc. Due to APD, all UK airports are on the back foot in this regard, which is why we continue to lobby against it.”
aa: What are the airport’s main strengths and what opportunities do these provide for future growth?
RS: “What we’re delivering here with our new infrastructure is a significant improvement, which should make sure that both long-haul and short-haul carriers are getting the service they need. This means our LCCs are getting exactly what they need, but also our premium passengers are getting the lounges and terminal experiences that they require. That’s what MAN-TP will bring for us. Our catchment is, without a shadow of a doubt, a huge benefit with 22 million people within two hours of here, who continue to choose Manchester because of the wealth and breadth of our route network, and airline choice.”
Robert Smith told Nick Preston that Manchester has ambitions to increase the number of transfer passengers passing through the airport. He also highlighted some of the airport’s key new route targets, including Bangkok, Shanghai and Bucharest. Manchester welcomed several new long-haul links in 2018, including Jet Airways to Mumbai, Thomas Cook to Seattle, and Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa via Brussels.
New Head of Aviation Business Development joins Cork Airport
30-Second Interview – Paul Winfield, Director of Aviation Development and Marketing, Liverpool Airport
One-to-one with John Cunliffe, Aviation and Commercial Director, Leeds Bradford Airport
Jet Airways makes a move for Manchester from Mumbai
MAN Manchester
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Imeachtaí
25 May 2012 Edition
Militant Irish women fight for the vote
» Mícheál Mac Donncha
At 5am, eight IWFL members set off to break the windows in three British Government buildings in Dublin – the GPO, the Customs House and Dublin Castle. Hanna Sheehy Skeffington chose the Castle because it was the centre of British rule. Hanna and Margaret Murphy were arrested by the British Army after breaking several windows in the Castle.
BY THE SUMMER of 1912 it seemed most likely that there would be a Home Rule parliament in Ireland and Irish women were determined to ensure they would win the right to vote in the first election to that parliament. Their campaign was stepped up and took on a new militancy 100 years ago.
The Irish Women’s Franchise League had been established in 1908. Its founders were married couple Hanna Sheehy Skeffington and Francis Sheehy Skeffington: she was a gifted academic from a Fenian family; he was a pacifist and feminist who adopted his wife’s name on their marriage, an unheard-of gesture at the time.
The fight for women’s suffrage, the right to vote, had been ongoing in Ireland and Britain since the end of the 19th century. Many women in Ireland supported the campaign but felt the need for a distinctly Irish organisation. The Irish Women’s Franchise League (IWFL) filled that need because it fed into the mainstream of Irish politics and clearly presented the struggle for women’s rights as an essential part of the struggle for national independence and social justice. Radicals such as James Connolly and Pádraig Pearse supported them.
The IWFL initially focused their campaign on the Irish Parliamentary Party led by John Redmond. The conservative Redmond paid little heed and in March 1912 his party at Westminster voted against a bill which would have given limited voting rights to women, a first step to the full franchise. Two days later, when a massive Home Rule demonstration was held in Dublin, the IWFL women paraded with posters and, at the Mansion House, were set upon viciously by Irish Parliamentary Party stewards.
The day after the women were attacked on the streets of Dublin, an IWFL delegation met John Redmond. He said he was “entirely and utterly” opposed to the insertion in the Home Rule Bill of a clause that would give votes to women. The attack, the Redmond meeting and the barring of the IWFL from a National Convention on Home Rule on 23 April formed a turning point in the IWFL campaign. Hanna Sheehy Skeffington now saw that polite lobbying was futile and more militant action was required.
On 25 May 1912, the first edition of The Irish Citizen, an eight-page weekly journal for the Irish suffrage movement, appeared on the streets. Its motto was: “For men and women equally the rights of citizenship. From men and women equally the duties of citizenship.” In the week following publication a convention was held at which 19 organisations — including women’s groups, trade unions and Sinn Féin — were represented. A final resolution was sent to Irish MPs, again with no response.
On 13 June, the first phase of the more militant campaign began.
The first four women went on trial on 20 June and when they refused to pay fines they were sentenced to two months’ imprisonment. They were still in Mountjoy Jail on 18 July when British Prime Minister Arthur Asquith visited Dublin and was greeted with feminist protests. Again they were attacked by Home Rule stewards and it was said that it was unsafe for any woman on the streets of Dublin that day.
Several English suffragists had followed Asquith to Ireland and were jailed for their protests. Gladys Evans and Mary Leigh got five years and began a hunger strike in Mountjoy. Hanna Sheehy Skeffington and her three Irish fellow prisoners joined the hunger strike in solidarity. The four Irishwomen were released on 19 August and the prison authorities immediately began to force-feed Evans and Leigh. After 58 days of force-feeding, they were released. This was the first instance of a hunger strike protest and force-feeding in Ireland.
Many of the women involved in the 1912 campaign went on to play leading roles in the 1913 Lock-out, the 1916 Rising and the struggle for Irish freedom. By the time of the 1918 general election, women had won the right to vote and helped to elect the First Dáil Éireann, legislature of the Irish Republic.
• The campaign of Irish women for full citizenship rights was stepped up in June 1912, 100 years ago this month.
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Edward Henry Fahey
Unknown 13 Mar 1907
Art Gallery of NSW, artist profile: Edward Henry Fahey
All Biography Featured Art Sets Works From the Gallery Shop
Born in London, Edward Henry Fahey developed an early interest in art through his father, the painter James Fahey, a founder member of the New Society of Painters in Water Colours (later the Institute of Painters in Water Colours).
While studying architecture at the National Art Training School in South Kensington, Fahey also worked as an illustrator for The Graphic and The Illustrated London News . After a three-year visit to Italy in 1866, he turned to painting full time, and enrolled at the Royal Academy Schools. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, becoming a member in 1875, and at the Society of British Artists (Suffolk Street). He was elected to the Institute of Painters in Water Colours as an associate in 1870 and a full member in 1876.
As well as painting rural landscapes, which were his main interest, Fahey also painted portraits and genre scenes. His watercolours from about 1870 onwards demonstrate his abiding affection for English vernacular architecture, in whose mellow tones and timeworn textures he found subjects of peculiar beauty. Often devoid of human presence, his seemingly neglected buildings and still, unassuming scenes evoke a mood of vague wistfulness, as The Graphic noted on 2 May 1874:
Mr Edward Fahey’s artistic studies of landscape in subdued tones again arrest attention, not so much by their technical qualities, perhaps, as owing to a certain sentiment which the painter so well understands how to infuse into his work.
Fahey was closely associated with the clique of young progressive artists who exhibited watercolours at the Dudley Gallery during the late 1860s and 1870s. Taking their lead from Walter Crane and Robert Bateman, the members of the group were loosely linked to the Aesthetic Movement, and were dubbed the ‘poetry-without-grammar school’ by The Westminster Review in 1869, ‘delightful for sentiment, but ridiculous for drawing’, as the critic lamented.
Victorian watercolours , Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney 2017
Featured Art Sets
Victorian watercolours: artist profiles
Edward Henry FaheyThe dyer’s brook, Kingswood (1888)4418
From the Gallery Shop
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In defense of the quieting of the audience (and so-called passive participation)
July 27, 2015 by Diane Ragsdale 29 Comments
Student of “Aesthetics & Business” Course in front of ChanShatz work at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
A couple weeks back I wrote a post about the latest research report from the Irvine Foundation, in response to which several people posted smart comments. My post dealt to a large extent with Irvine’s general recommendation to arts nonprofits to respond to audience demand for more active participation. Around the same time my post was published, the performing arts world (the theater world, in particular) was buzzing a bit about two audience member cell phone infractions that made the news. First, at the July 2nd performance of Hand to God in New York City, a young patron rose from his seat, ambled onto the stage, and plugged his cell phone into a fake outlet on the set just before the performance was set to begin; then, a week later, at a performance of Shows for Days at Lincoln Center Patti LuPone snatched a cell phone out of the hands of a patron who wouldn’t stop texting.* Lupone says she may walk off the boards for good she’s so unnerved and annoyed by audiences who can no longer restrain themselves. The misguided patron says he was drunk and didn’t understand he was breaking any rules.
Some have weighed in over the past few weeks to express sympathy and irritation at the constant threat of intrusion by phones at performances generally, while others have suggested that it’s time for performers and producers to loosen up and evolve their practices and expectations. Among those in the we-need-to-adapt camp is Scott Walters, who wrote a widely read post for The Clyde Fitch Report—Patti LuPone and Cellphone-gazi. Scott acknowledges that his own thinking on the issue has changed since he was an actor back-in-the-day; he now thinks, “If we really want theater to become a vibrant part of our culture again, [then] we need to get over this obsession about quiet.”
Lynne Conner and The Quieting of the Audience
Walters defends his stance in part with the argument that the quiet audience is a relatively new phenomenon and that for centuries the audience at the theater was an active participant. The same argument appeared a week after Walter’s post in a San Francisco Classical Voice article on what the arts can learn from sports marketing. The article by Mark MacNamara opened:
It’s important to keep remembering that the prim and passive persona of the performing arts audience these days is relatively new. Broadly speaking, the audience experience of old — from say, the Theatre of Dionysus to the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées — was in tone often much like right-wing talk radio: political, raucous, even violent and unhinged, but also profoundly communal, and thoroughly democratic.
We can thank, in part, theater historian (and AJ Blogger) Lynne Conner for much of our renewed awareness that being quiet in the theater is a modern phenomenon. In numerous articles and books, Conner has reminded us that it was only in the 19th century that the audience lost its authority at the live theater; after centuries of talking back to, and talking about, the theater, patrons were put in the dark (thanks to the invention of the electric lightbulb), instructed to mind their manners, and intimidated into leaving interpretation to the experts. MacNamara writes:
The gist of [Lynne Conner’s] argument is that modern audiences have lost their “sovereignty” and the meme of the day remains, “Sophisticated audiences do not interfere with great art, and unsophisticated people should confine themselves to other spaces.”
While she has a relatively new book out that explores this arena, Audience Engagement and the Role of Arts Talk in the Digital Era, I first encounted Conner’s thoughts on this topic in a chapter in the 2009 Steven Tepper/Bill Ivey compilation Engaging Art: The Next Great Transformation of America’s Cultural Life. Conner urged organizations to consider ways to democratize the arts and make them more engaging. I found her research and reflections inspiring. That same year I was giving a talk called “surviving the culture change” in which I was making arguments along the same lines.
While I have been among those nudging arts organizations to think about how to make the live arts experience more relevant, meaningful, and dynamic, over the past few years I have begun to feel we are in danger of throwing out the baby with the bath water. Yes, some arts organizations need to lighten up and stop scolding the audience; yes, some arts programming is hopelessly out of touch with changing values and demographics in many cities; and yes, as a result of overemphasizing the lines between amateurs and professionals, some arts organizations have inadervertently discouraged a relationship to the arts among most people.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the revocation of audience control in the 19th century emerged in response to concerns that certain audience members were becoming too distracted and disruptive. That they were showing up at the theater more focused on socializing (flirting, drinking, eating, and chatting) than on the action on stage. Such behaviors began to cause consternation among performers and, notably, more sophisticated (read: wealthy and educated) patrons. While we now use the term passive in a somewhat derogatory manner to describe this newly restrained audience, this was not always the case. At the time, the taming of the audience was generally perceived to be beneficial. When the ragers and revelers left the building, those that remained began to pay more attention to what was happening on stage.
So here we are again. The consumer is king and some audiences have, once again, become too distracted and disruptive. Some want to outlaw cell phones and create stricter guidelines, even if that drives certain patrons away (a move which seems to be history repeating itself). Others argue that there will be no audiences in the future if the live arts–across the board–don’t adapt to the changing times. Scott Walters suggests in his post that theater needs to step up its game rather than beef up its policing efforts:
We can’t keep the 21st century outside the theater much longer. People come through the doors (if we’re lucky) and they are carrying cell phones. That’s a fact. Sometimes they forget to turn those cell phones off, and they ring. Get used to it. It happens everywhere, and it will continue happening. Accept it, and make it irrelevant. Earn attention, don’t expect it. Overcome the distraction of the age by being so compelling that people can’t look away, and can’t be distracted by someone texting.
As much as I agree with Walters that the theater cannot command attention but must earn it, I worry about the loss of the arts experience that merits and rewards a quieting and a focus. For too many years we’ve shamed people into paying homage to art they don’t understand or like; now it seems we may be heading toward an overcorrection in which we shower people with stuff that will hook their attention in fifteen seconds and that they can immediately grasp.
Perhaps we could aim for someplace in between?
Active and passive participation are historically contingent concepts whose meanings have changed over time. Moreover, our sentiments about the virtues and vices of each have also changed. I’m not opposed to the development of more active forms of participation in the live arts; to the contrary, the rampant experimentation is exciting. I just hope we are not throwing in the towel on so-called passive arts experiences.
What I learned teaching a course in aesthetic (and human) development
Despite the need to change some practices, we still need environments that enable the focused attention that some art works (whether performing or visual) require and merit. Unlike beauty in nature, the internal logic of a piece of art cannot always be grasped instantly. Aesthetic judgments in art can’t be made on objective measures or even, quite often, from immediate sensory perceptions. While one might have an initial sensory response, an aesthetic judgment comes from within and often requires a quieting, a focus. Conner and others problematize the quieting of the audience because it reduces the audience’s sovereignty. But quieting the audience could also be interpreted as creating the optimal conditions for someone to have an aesthetic encounter.
The course on beauty and aesthetic development that I taught this past spring at the University of Wisconsin School of Business (to 22 undergraduate business majors) was, to a large extent, about doing just that. The students of the course discovered something about being present in the world in a different way when they turned off their phones, focused their attention on a sunset, stopped multitasking and really listened to a symphony from beginning to end, sat in the balcony of the Overture Center and watched Hubbard Street Dance, or stood silently in front of an artwork for 30 minutes (an activity captured in photo at the top of this post).
The class was an experiment and many of the choices I made this first time around were developed out of personal experience (thinking about how my own tastes and capacity to make meaning from arts experiences evolved over time) and from reading research on the nature of the aesthetic experience. One seminal book that guided my thinking was The Art of Seeing: An Interpretation of the Aesthetic Encounter by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Rick Emry Robinson. Csikszentmihalyi equates the aesthetic experience to that of flow. He arrived at this conclusion as a result of a qualitative and quantitative study of experts in the art world (who, unsurprisingly, have aesthetic experiences more frequently than most of us). Flow is an experience in which one is deeply absorbed, one loses a sense of time, and one feels joy and mastery while performing an activity (whether writing a section of a novel,operating on someone, having a conversation, playing a video game, or experiencing a great artwork). In other words, the meaningful aesthetic encounter is not a passive one.
Importantly, it is difficult to achieve flow if one is stretched too far beyond one’s natural capabilities; arguably, many audiences come to arts events without the requisite knowledge or previous experience to feel mastery.
In planning the course I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out the optimal order of experiences; and I made adjustments over the course of the term in response to subtle forms of feedback from the students. At each step, I wanted them to feel challenged but never incompetent. Moreover, I refrained from giving assessments for several weeks. I wanted the students to focus on the experience itself; and I wanted them to cultivate the ability to make and articulate (internal) aesthetic judgments. I also frequently encouraged them to generate a creative response to each experience (make a drawing, write a haiku, etc.) If I teach the class again I will continue to experiment with its methods. I’ve become compelled by this notion of finding better ways to help people cultivate an aesthetic sensibility. My aim is not for them to become patrons of the arts, per se (although that could be a beneficial outcome, as well); I simply believe that there is great value in this way of experiencing and approaching life.
If we want people to feel engaged (rather than bored) at orchestral concerts, museums, dance performances, and theater pieces there are many approaches we can try. We can try letting them keep their phones on and Tweet from the back row. We can try producing more spectacular works and encouraging people to jump out of their seats and shout back at the stage when they feel moved to do so. We can try taking performances and exhibitions to nontraditional settings and letting people eat, drink, and socialize as they experience the arts event. And we can try inviting the people to create the work and bring it to life with us. Many organizations are trying these very methods–and many others–with great success. Alongside these experiments in active participation strategies, however, I hope some arts organizations will also (continue to?) experiment with ways to make the so-called “passive” artistic experience more meaningful and rewarding, especially for newcomers. Something wonderful can also come from sitting quietly, doing nothing, and focusing one’s attention on the work.
* An earlier version of this post stated that LuPone stopped the performance to take the cell phone from the patron but this has been corrected to reflect that she took the phone during a stage exit during which her character was blocked to shake hands with audience members.
Filed Under: engagement
One only has to witness the incessant selfies and the amassing of iPhone images at every major art museum to conclude that the art experience isn’t about having the viewer do whatever they want at the moment.
On a recent trip to the Uffizi Gallery I watched one young man walk from one painting to the next pausing just long enough to click his phone. Some could argue whether he was experiencing the paintings in his own way but that just seems like neoliberal babble from Apple or Samsung. The man might have been playing with his phone in a world class museum but one thing he wasn’t doing was experiencing the paintings right in front of him.
Walters and Conner might long for the day where people can heckle, text, tweet, and phone their friends but I suggest people might be better off if we teach them to stop and listen to what the artists have to say.
Linda Essig says
Diane: Clay Lord wrote a provocative piece in the inaugural issue of “Artivate: A Journal of Entrepreneurship in the Arts” that likewise warns – at least implictly – against “throwing out the baby with the bathwater.” It can be accessed here: http://artivate.hida.asu.edu/index.php/artivate/article/view/52
Diane Ragsdale says
Linda, thanks for the reminder about Clay’s article on this topic and for sending the link!
Penny Brill says
Another idea: borrow the format for a meditation or raga and start with an induction or transition from street (where you are now) to a calmer, more grounded place, then begin to energize and expand, (where or what do you want your audience to explore?) transition to the present moment and exit…..
yes! i’ve been saying this too!
MWnyc says
One thing to remember about 18th- and 19th-century audiences in Europe socializing, eating, and so on during performances: many of them were watching the opera or play from boxes, where it’s easier to do such things without disturbing the rest of the house (one could even close the curtain) than in the rows of seats we have today.
Oh, and to be fair to Patti, she did not, in fact, stop the performance of Shows for Days to confiscate that woman’s cell phone. She was making an exit during which she was blocked to shake hands with an audience member; instead of shaking the woman’s hand, she took her phone and went off into the wings.
Patti claims she has never stopped a play or musical (as opposed to a concert performance) because of a cell phone; indeed, she says the only time she ever stopped a play at all was that time – the next-to-last performance of Gypsy on Broadway – someone was taking photos near the stage just as she was about to launch into “Rose’s Turn.” (She said that taking pictures where the actress can see you at that point in that show “was like poking a bear.”)
Thanks for clarifying this!
Gordy Ohliger says
I feel this piece would have been more effective,..and reached a wider audience, if you had edited it shorter..
As to the subject at hand, if you are not playing a bar, then there is no point in dumbing down your performance for those that lack good manners. Let’s consider attending a live performance as part of their education. Here is another lesson on how to be an adult. If one calms down, has focus, and purposely enters a performance space, amazing things may be revealed. “May” if one meets it halfway, with attention…Respect.
Laurie Dean Torrell says
This is such an interesting issue … As a literary arts presenter, we struggle with it too. Just Buffalo brings the world’s great writers to Buffalo and then – we want people to put their phones away and take in the actual presentation (which can be abruptly halted by a cell phone going off; or can involve director intervention later if someone had to endure their neighbor texting during the entire evening)… We’ve done poetry with a food smorgasbord and later struggled with people coming only for the food …My wish … I want to work towards helping people, our audience, fully VALUE the experience of being fully present for the short amount of time we’re together for these readings … Build in a margin around it for the photo opps, the facebook photos and tweeting … But then, lay the phone down … treat it as you’d treat a meal with your beloved – as something to be savored and not compromised by incessant multi-tasking. You will have most of the hours of your life free to be on your phone, tweeting, texting, making your contribution. You may have 1-2 hours with people who have devoted their lives to making art. Is it wrong to suggest that this should be respected and savored?
i’m all for experimentation and innovation.
i also want to enter a theatre and experience Songs of the Wanderers by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan and be transported and transformed without distraction.
can we have it all?
Joseph J Gonzales says
I personally believe the two can peacefully co-exist, but that it takes smart, caring artists and staff to make it happen. For example, venues need to inform their prospective ticket buyers and attending audiences about their expectations for their behavior. If you have “no cell phone” performances or “cell phones welcome” performances, be clear about how you expect your audience to comply and what is acceptable. Museums can do the same if they choose to have “no cell phone” and “cell phone friendly” galleries. Ambiguous visitor policies do neither your staff nor your audiences very good. Communicate with your audiences, they’re usually pretty good when you explain to them why your rules are in place. In this day and age, I think arts venues should thoughtfully incorporate digital participation into their practice — the positive benefits, especially for promoting the arts and encouraging arts participation among wider publics are to important to shut down over dated class, taste, and decorum arguments. Social technologies also offer exciting creative and co-creative possibilities for artists, directors, curators, and other art venue creatives who are open to exploration and experimentation. It is a challenge that should be embraced, with the help of audiences, of course.
This brings to mind the “engagement” you see among African-American audiences, who respond quite audibly throughout performances of “Chitlin Circuit” plays. Of course, I’ve never witnessed it at an August Wilson play–probably because the audiences and the venues are White.
Hi Diane! Thank you for the thoughtful response to this issue and my article.
What is often missed by those who criticize my article is that I am not defending the texter, nor suggesting that having phone conversations during “The Cherry Orchard” is just something we should expect. What I am arguing is that the rules concerning what is “appropriate” may not be serving the art form.
It would be hard to argue that a silent, focused spectator will likely “get more” from a performance of “Hamlet.” But the reality is that Shakespeare, who was nothing if not a savvy theatrical showman, wrote his play for a much different theatrical contract. And unlike today;s playwrights, Shakespeare had a vested interest in pleasing that audience, since he was part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and his income came as a percentage of the ticket sales.
I’d like to draw attention to a specific sentence in your article: “Despite the need to change some practices, we still need environments that enable the focused attention that some art works (whether performing or visual) require and merit.” For me, the operative word is “some,” but in today’s theater world, especially in the US, it is the default and people get all huffy if anyone violates the rules. I am encouraging playwrights to stop writing for the silent, invisible audience and instead try to figure out how to take advantage the thing that mmakes theater more than very expensive TV: the fact that the actors and audience share the same place and time.
One side note: I recommend Lawrence Levine’s excellent book “Highbrow/Lowbrow” as another examination of the creation of a cultural hierarchy in the US.
Lynne Conner says
Hello Diane and happy summer! Thanks for this smart essay and for considering my scholarship as part of your thinking process.
You end the essay by calling for arts organizations to “experiment with ways to make the so-called ‘passive’ artistic experience more meaningful and rewarding.” I want to take this opportunity to let you (and your readers) know that my new-ish book (Audience Engagement and the Role of Arts Talk in the Digital Era, 2013) does just that. In it, I offer a plan for creating a culture of “Arts Talk,” a new modality that reframes the critical role that authentic and productive conversation can play in the organization of a healthy arts ecology. Arts Talk connotes not just literal talk, but also a spirit of active inquiry among people who share an interest in the arts. The model is predicated on the idea that significant opportunities for engagement come before and after the arts event when audiences are invited to formulate and express an opinion in a social (often public) context: what I refer to as “social interpretation.”
As you point out, I have written extensively about the physically active nature of the historic audience (from ancient Greece to the early 20th century). But I think it is important to stress here that from my very first publication on this topic (2004), I have attempted to make the argument that what contemporary audiences most need (and most lack) is NOT the chance to make noise in the auditorium but rather the chance to make meaning in a publicly recognized way.
These are not necessarily the same thing. As I illustrate in Chapter 2 of my book, prior to the 20th century audience-generated social interpretation talking place outside the arts venue included everything from animated debates in coffee houses to street-level gossip to arguments waged in pamphlet wars to discussions hosted by audience leagues and arts appreciation societies. Audience members were comfortable discussing their taste and in openly formulating their opinions about a particular arts event. And while cultural gatekeepers certainly existed, they did not have the authority to regulate (or dampen) community discourse.
Why? The evidence from period accounts indicates that before the end of the 19th century talking about the arts was a normal part of daily life in Europe and the United States. Like contemporary sports talk, arts talk was democratic and prolific. In Parisian coffee houses, theater patrons sat side-by-side with actors and playwrights to argue the value of the repertoire. In Milan, new operas were, according to period accounts, the “sole topic in the streets, in cafes, in homes.” In London and New York, amateur musicians and music enthusiasts created musical societies in order to perform together and to exchange opinions about new composers, the changing repertoire and the quality of emerging professional artists.
The problem with the engineered quieting of the audience that began in the late 19th century is not that the audience was forced to be literally quiet while experiencing the arts. The problem is that because of the sacralization of culture that accompanied the quieting process, the audience’s interpretive agency was quieted. In other words, when audiences became physically quiet they also were edged out of the meaning making operation. Audience sovereignty over meaning and value was actively discouraged, turning what had long been a three-dimensional arts experience—witnessing an arts event/object and having the opportunity to participate in the articulation of its meaning and value—into a two-dimensional encounter often lacking the depth and pleasure of social interpretation. And so they became passive, but not in the way you are arguing for (as focused, concentrated receptors). They became disengaged. By and large, they have stayed that way. That’s why we can’t fill our concert halls anymore.
As I argue in my book and AJ blog (“We the Audience”), increasing opportunities for public meaning making is one cure for what ails us. A culture of Arts Talk promotes authentic conversation about the arts experience by creating venues for public meaning making about and around the arts. What could be more satisfying to me as an audience member than experiencing a work of art not as a product with a fixed meaning but rather as a process of meaning making dependent on my input? And what can be more satisfying than sharing that process with other audience members and the artists themselves?
This does not mean that meaning making on an individual, personal level is not important or valued. The private/internal contemplation of an arts experience is of course a part of every audience member’s experience: the brain is busy making meaning of everything it encounters. (And, for some people, as you rightly point out, a quiet environment is the optimal condition for an aesthetic encounter.) By stressing the importance of social interpretation I am not creating a hierarchy of value about how meaning should be made. And I’m not saying that every audience member wants or needs to express his opinion publicly.
Instead, I am attempting to acknowledge a fact about human psychology that the contemporary arts industry seems to willfully ignore: people like to interpret the meaning and value of the things that matter to them and many like to do that in a social context. There is a clear relationship, for example, between our culture’s steady interest in attending a sporting event, watching a television show, or joining a social reading on-line site, and the opportunity to participate in constructing its meaning.
I think we need those opportunities in the arts as well.
Leonard Jacobs says
I think it’s worth noting that people also had sex at the theatre. I had to, pardon the pun, poke around a bit, but there’s a book, City of Eros, that describes prostitution in the balconies of theatres in New York. I lifted this pull-quote from another website, but I checked the text to confirm it:
“Leading establishments like the Bowery, Chatham, Olympic, and Park theatres permitted prostitution in the uppermost tier of seats. ‘Public prostitution [in the theater] is not noticed by law,’ admitted one observer. First-time middle-class visitors incredulously conceded that they ‘had not even dreamed of the improprieties then publicly tolerated in the third tier and galleries.’ ”
What does this have to do with anything? Technically nothing, really. But suggesting that in centuries past people only ate or gossiped presents a sanitized picture of something that I think, frankly, was even more raucous that we can likely imagine..
Which really only strengthens Scott’s point that what we now have is a Theatre-as-Church system. Yes, yes: you can toss out the moral battle-cry of “public courtesy,” you can hurl the ethical battle-cry of “interpersonal consideration in a public space,” you can sign on to bullying and blustering people into never disrespecting the actors or the creative team involved in the performance, and you can trot out the financial argument all you want (“I paid $5,000 to see “Phantom” and I want what I want, including a standing ovation so I feel great about the money I spent!”), You can make the legal argument, since using a cell phone in a place of public assembly is — in New York City, that is — illegal, if unenforceable. Have at it.
But at the end of the day, all that argumentation, all that humanitarian mewing, bawling and bleating still fails to address the fact that if someone is more interested in their cell phone than in the play, for whatever the reason, we are being confronted with a question. Why? In answering that question there is another one: Does theatre itself, as a form, bear absolutely no responsibility whatsoever — zero, nil, zilch — for this state of affairs? And if that IS what we’re saying, then I say WOW. For we really do think highly of ourselves, don’t we? We really are arrogant assholes.
It amazes me how those people who express the highest dudgeon over Scott’s post can’t actually refute him unless they ascribe viewpoints to him that he has, in fact, not adopted. Scott pointed this out in his own comment up above. Rather than defend the texter at the Patti LuPone play, he asked theatre — its makers and shapers, its proponents and detractors, its critics and philosophers — the question as I have framed it: Does the theatre, as a form, bear zero responsibility for this state of affairs.? And what we have learned is that many people have answered, and will continue to answer, “Yes.” It’s the fault of the audience. Screw them.
Well, Scott isn’t satisfied with “Screw them” and neither am I. And, respectfully, this utopian notion that we might find a third way and hold hands and look for compromises so everybody can get along really just defeats the purpose of this exercise. There’s nothing wrong with asking the theatre to examine itself. Indeed, when the theatre refuses to question itself, it says more about us than about some dude in the dark who can’t stop touching his cell phone. The moment that we, in our defensive and uncompromising intellectual crouch, refuse to examine what makes theatre compelling is the moment in which we alienate the cell phone dude from the experience in the first place. If we demand that theatre is all about us and not about them, then I guess we’re all masturbating on stage. Which is ironic, given that I began this response by talking about sex in the balcony.
Treating the audience like an inconvenience, not a necessity, is the definition of hubris and the antithesis of self-reflection. Put another way, it’s hard for a person to give a damn when the subtle (or not-so-subtle) message is that you’re taken for granted. It sure might encourage somebody to seek solace, and entertainment, from their cell phone. And so, unfortunately, they do.
This all has to be about something else than audience involvement or a return to the olden days? I haven’t quite figure it all out yet but there is more to this store.
I’m not sure some klutz thinking any power outlet is his to use is a very good poster child for the idea that audiences have a pent up desire to “make meaning”, whatever that is suppose to curtail.
We have had years where audiences came dress for a soaking at Gallagher comedy shows or played the roles in Rocky Horror showings but even that is hardly reason to suggest anything less is just actors “masturbating” on stage.
No this is something more. It’s also darn confusing. Why do so many who blog and post on this artsJournal site talk about theater but categorize the subject of conversation around “arts organizations”. Not every arts organization is about theater. And the concerns of a theater company is quite different than a art museum. Or are this engagement proponents suggesting that there is also a pent up demand for viewers to start participating in the paintings on museum walls? What about all of this makes me think of Donald Trump?
The problem with the discussion is that people become fixated on the specific event rather than the larger issue of which it is emblematic: the churchification of theater.
Bella says
I recently raised this issue with the president of our city’s performing arts center, and he said that “many in today’s audiences act as if they were raised by wolves.”. When I have paid $100 or more for a theater ticket, I am entitled to a performance time that is NOT ABOUT YOU. So stop the late arrivals, the constant chatter, surreptitious photo-taking and videoing of the performance, and the reading of your email. We can all see what you are doing from our vantage points behind and above you and the lights on your cellphone are annoying. May I facetiously recommend that you save your texting while you are driving home which likely you also do. These ego-centric behaviors have no place in the theater.
I continue to be astonished at people who think buying an “expensive ” ticket entitles one to control the behavior of everyone else. Do you think you can do the same at a restaurant?
The “raised by wolves” line is classic patrician speak. Pure snobbery.
Celina says
I am all for active participation in an arts setting, but a museum is vastly different from a theater. A museum patron’s selfie won’t detract from the ability of a painting to be a painting. However, photography and texting in a theater will arguably affect a performer’s ability to work his/her craft. How do you reconcile the desire for active audience participation with the artist’s desire to successfully do the work?
Celine — I would emphasize the “arguably” in your sentence. As I have pointed out before, actors were acting in much more “distracting” conditions than the occasional texter or phone ring for most of the 2500 years of theatre history. This idea that these distractions somehow threaten a performer’s ability to perform illustrates the absurdities to which the theater has fallen victim. If an actor needs to be in a trance to perform, then theater is dead.
Those participating in this conversation may be find the following post by Kevin Doyle (sponsored by nobody) worthwhile. It’s a beautiful and meaty reflection on Robert Hughes’ The New Shock of the New and his notion of “slow” art applied to the dance world. It’s a long read, but I found it quite worthwhile.
Here’s the link: http://thewavemakerfaltered.tumblr.com/post/125252722251/not-another-a%D1%8Fts-blog-post-version-12 …
… And here is a taste of the piece:
In his descriptions of contemporary painting – Hughes repeats a comparison between the immediate and the gradual; between quick art that is easily digestible – and art that reveals itself through a “slow disclosure.” Hughes takes issue with contemporary art that aspires to be an “instant hit” in the sole pursuit of “making sellable images.” Hughes connects these sensational, trivial trends in contemporary art with the constant “barrage of information that assails us” in our daily lives. Rather than interrogate this barrage – segments of the contemporary art world seek only a fusion with it; content to merge with this “buzz and rumble of endless imagery” in order to make a profit. We do not need more “fast food” from the art world. Rather, we need “slow art” – work that operates as a counterpoint to the sensational; demanding “active engagement” as opposed to a quick, 10-second gaze.
This vocabulary Hughes establishes is applicable to the works of Miranda and Vandevelde; neither of which are easily digestible. This does not mean they are intentionally seeking to disturb or shock us with gratuitous violence, baseless nudity or overt vulgarity. We are not in the realm of a Karen Finley (god bless her, respect). Rather, it is the inherent structure each choreographer employs that commands our attention. It is the structure that allows a “slowness” to unfold during performance; resisting the quick and easy. The structure functions not only to serve each choreographer’s dramaturgy, but interrupts the steady stream of media noise and technical images. We are not watching an episode of Dancing With The Stars, nor have we sat down for the next installment of The Avengers.
David Dower says
Hello, folks– sorry to be so slow to arrive at this conversation. It’s an area that I spend a lot of time and energy on, along with my staff colleagues, at ArtsEmerson. Not so much because the audience needs to be quieted here, but because we are trying to actually put our venues, programming, and resources in service of a city-wide effort to transform the identity of Boston from one of segregated, siloed, parallel play to one more rooted our its diversity. Though you’d never know it from our image, there is no longer a cultural majority in Boston– we are all minorities here now.
This may sound like I’m coming into this from left field, but it is at the root of these questions of how the audience “behaves” and what rules apply in these venues.
I find myself very uncomfortable with the kind of uni-directional nature of the invitation to “others” in these conversations, generally. We tend to talk in terms of “us’ and ‘them’. “We” are the people who know the rules and what the experience “should” be. We may not have made them, but we’ve inherited and upheld them. “We” have created the programming, the pricing, the schedule, and even the means of making meaning– and in line with our own biases. And “we” are mostly white, mostly well educated, mostly upper middle class, and these rules emanate from those that apply in “our” social sphere. So, as it is implied in one of the comments above, the call and response behavior so common in many cultures in the presence of live arts is frowned on in “our” house. So, too, is arriving in the middle of a thing. Some behaviors are cultural. Some are not. Some are about not understanding the tacit agreements that were made amongst those in the know about how this experience will be properly received. Some are about a lack of engagement or interest. Some are about intentional disruption. In short, these are public venues, and when we are doing our jobs properly the whole range of public responses will be present in them.
As I try, every day, to create a public square of our venues where we can practice our minority reality, and build an audience for the programming that mirrors the make-up of the city of Boston, I discover just how many ways we are unprepared for being together as a city. Is it any wonder that we don’t know how to be together in a theater when we live entirely segregated lives around class, race, and neighborhood? It goes well beyond the etiquette of cell phones. It’s about a thin veneer of commitment to “diversity” among essentially good people pasted over a deep desire in those same people for control of the rules. We want to have our experiences of art exclusively in the presence of others who experience art exactly as we do. We want inclusivity as long as everyone behaves the way we do. We want the appearance of diversity so we can feel good about being there– people of color or young people being prized because they are the easiest to spot in the crowd– but only if those diverse types follow our rules and receive the experience exactly the way we do. We want to see them in our midst and still have had the exact same experience we would have had if they’d not been there.
At ArtsEmerson we spend a lot of our creative energy thinking up ways to build bridges between the people who know and the people who don’t. We have created things like Play Reading Book Clubs to foster theater literacy among people who don’t regularly attend. We’ve run extensive research programs for understanding different barriers to entry for non-participating segments of our population and then worked to remove those barriers. We’ve turned over the venues for parts of the year to community-based programmers not on our staff who have their own networks of audience so that people we’ve never met have the experience of crossing these thresholds. And, though we’ve been at this in earnest now for the better part of three years, it’s still too early to tell if we’re moving the dial in any significant way on the composition of our core audience, let alone on the larger goal of fostering this city-wide transformation of identity. But it is important work. So we keep at it.
And as we do, we have very uncomfortable moments that would be in the category of “teachable moments”. One such moment early on: at a low-priced “community night’ which attracted a lot of “new to the theater” attendees for one of our performances a young woman of color was texting in the middle of Act One. A middle-aged white man seated behind her put his hand on her shoulder and told her to turn off her phone. The middle-aged man of color accompanying the woman confronted the white man and told her to remove his hands from his guest. The white patron called for an usher, who called for her boss, who came with the security detail and asked the man of color to step out. So many things happened in this short exchange. One patron felt she had the right to text. One patron felt he had the right to stop her. One patron felt that man had no right to put his hands on his guest. And, the officials in this case immediately decided that the one who knew the cell phone etiquette was the one in the right. The young woman and her companion were removed and reseated after being told the rules. This was not the appropriate response, in my view, and it became part of the debrief that night. I use race indicators because they, unfortunately, factor in here. No sense trying to do this work at all if you’re not going to be able to tell the truth. We go, we grow, we live, we learn. We are a much better host now than we were when this occurred and, in many ways, because we all went through it– including all the patrons in this story. They are all still part of our audience.
All this to say, this is delicate, slow-moving work with many setbacks and pitfalls along the way. I love what I’m reading from Lynne about opportunities for meaning-making that exist outside the curated space. We’ve spent a lot of time creating spaces for these discussions that we staff. But I think it may be a next step to create spaces that some of our community partners host, so that the conversation isn’t moving between ArtsEmerson and the audience, but among the community of people who came. That’s striking me as a productive avenue of investigation.
I hear Scott on the question of the churchification of theater– though churches have been going through the same changes in terms of the norms as performance venues. It’s the preciousness I think he’s talking about, and I enter this question of preciousness from the perspective of “precious for whom”? At a recent performance of some very adult material at ArtsEmerson two high school groups attended. They were the dominant audience in a small theater. And their experience of it was visceral. They hollered their approval. They talked back to the characters like it was a gym class. They laughed behind their hands at things their teacher wouldn’t ever say in front of them. I watched the teachers through the whole thing, afraid they were going to clench and make an issue of it. Shame the students for the way they received the work. I watched the actors but it only took them a moment to feel the room and know they were on a different ride today. And they strapped in and stepped on the gas. The teachers didn’t flinch, the actors didn’t flinch, and the students made meaning in the moment in the way they do. It was an electric ride through that show. What was most promising for me was that the regular theatergoers in the room also took that same ride. We’ve done the work. Our audiences are learning to have their expectations upended and to go with what comes when they enter our place. Granted, this particular show was strong stuff, so it was not everyone in our regular audience who wanted this ride– under any conditions. But having signed up for it, and sensing that today’s rules of engagement were going to be set by someone other than them. they went with it.
So, I don’t really have a strong opinion about whether the audience will experience work more deeply if they find a more passive way of receiving it. Nor do I know that it protects the artists to set the rules firmly and enforce them aggressively during the performance. (In fact, I’ve got anecdotal evidence from the work we’ve done so far that an audience that’s overly concerned about the rules is less available to the performance and performers than one that hasn’t been “oriented” to them.) But I do know that we have to be very careful to make certain that as we explore this we are aware of the deep bias that stalks this conversation everywhere it breaks out. Leonard is correct that the artists and the administrators have as much to learn here as the audience. If we approach question as one that requires each to lean in, we just might make some progress on all three fronts.
One final story about what happens when you have a diverse audience that’s comfortable with different ways of receiving the experience. Cicely Tyson was on our stage last year in The Trip To Bountiful. There’s a moment in the show when she starts to sing a well-known hymn to herself and her young traveling companion. On the nights when the audience was primarily following the rules of the white cultural event, she sang it low and directly into the face of her scene partner,Journee Smollett Bell and said, softly to her, the line which followed: “I’m a very happy woman, young lady.” But on the nights where the audience was following the rules of the black church and sang along with her to that spiritual, she would turn to the audience, sing it full out, throw her arms wide open and pronounce to the whole crowd “I’m a very happy woman, young lady!” Not one person who saw that show on a night that happened would have wanted it to have gone any other way.
John Sobol says
This is a fascinating topic, but I would argue that our discussion of it here is limited by our focus on the changing ways that audiences are making meaning in the arts, for those changes are really just reflections of broader changes to ways that individuals and organizations are creating meaning across all our social systems. Audiences are making meaning in new ways in the arts just as we are making meaning in new ways in the realms of education, business, government, medicine and elsewhere, and in each case the cause is the same: a radical restructuring of social value systems based on the disruptive introduction of a hyper-efficient communications technology.
The emergent digital values that are reflected in all of these areas of human activity reflect the technological ascendance of networked dialogue, and thus celebrate interactivity, iteration, improvisation and an overall prioritizing of collective experience over individual artifact. Needless to say, such digital values run directly counter to those they are displacing – literate values such as fixity, hierarchy, linearity and individualistic communion with a revered artifact (books above all, and secondarily all art that strives to be treated like a book, experienced in silence, stillness and solitude. And yes that includes theatre, but also visual arts, poetry, etc.) Art has been increasingly treated as an artifact since the dawn of literacy, as opposed to the immersive, subjective, ritualized, transient and utilitarian nature of pre-literate (oral) creativity. And so from that perspective, the transition to the passive and silent audience in the 19th century is nothing more than the entirely predictable extension of literate values into theatrical spaces, just as those monological dynamics were imposed on formerly dialogical commercial, educational, religious and other social spaces. (It’s important to recognize how culturally specific most of this discussion has been, and how many profoundly different and far more participatory art forms have – and in some cased still do – thrived in marginalized niches far from the epicentres of literate culture.)
Today, as a result of the hyper-efficiency of our new networked tools, literate values are being displaced in turn, with predictably outraged responses from those of us whose value system is rooted in literacy. And frustrating as this can be for those of us raised within the great literate artistic traditions (as I know I was) I believe the only way to successfully port those great traditions into the networked future is by recognizing that significant change is inevitable, and that very substantial accommodations must be made, and made now, in order to prevent being swept out by the generational tide. But by the same token I deeply believe that the younger generation needs what the past has to offer, and that building meaningful bridges from both sides is the best way forward. But the onus is on the elders to make the initial efforts, because kids don’t know what they don’t know, and there is too much at stake for anything but our best and humblest efforts. Incremental changes to programming or behavioral standards are not good enough in my opinion. Far more ambitious transformations are required to gain the trust and loyalty of networked generations.
If you happen to find this analysis relevant, please feel free to read more in my book You Are Your Media – Making Sense of the 21st Century, (available from lulu.com) or on my blog. Thanks for the excellent discussion!
John — I think this is a brilliant addition to the conversation, and I will keep an eye out for your book!
I agree with Mr. Sobel that there is “a radical restructuring of social value systems” happening but I contend that the restructuring is being driven from the top down and not as some pent up populist demand to create a new meaning meaning.
Robert McChesney wrote in his book “The Problem of the Media” that the ” Policies,structures, subsidies, and institutions that are created to control, direct, and regulate the media will be responsible for the logic and nature of the media system.” Young people are not creating a new social media and a new meaning to go along with it . They are being told how they will participate in the social media platforms that new media corporations are creating.
Zane Trow says
I’m a bit late in to. I haven’t posted here for a while so nice to be back and as usual, a stimulating read.
Since 2004 I have, in every one of my own live art and performance undertakings, asked (formally announced) that both performers and audiences leave their mobile phones on, and that they should feel free to answer if they so wish.
When one rings we wait, it is only polite, until the call is completed.
This policy simply does two things:
1) Allows the (outside) world to exist…..
2) Stops everyone worrying about what to do if one rings….
It has produced remarkable outcomes, one of many might be the time that a performers boyfriend rang to let her know his football team was winning at the game he was attending. We then decided to pump the phone thru a microphone and listened to the sound of the game for a bit. Then we got on with the show.
Nobody has ever complained about this policy, many have thanked us for it.
More recently we have done a number of shows with a small live screen to one side of the space or a large screen behind the stage. We have published a live texting number so that audiences can directly share texts and images about and of the show, as it happens, in real time. This process is moderated of course, but it’s not difficult and again, everyone who has engaged with it has enjoyed it.
I believe as audiences change the actual form of the work needs to change.
It’s only one way to deal of course, it may not be appropriate for everything or everyone, but it has helped tremendously.
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Showing posts with label Cook Burton W. Show all posts
Playing Favorites: Burton W. Cook
I never felt that I had a favorite child among our four children. Each contributed to our family in their own unique way, had his/her own talents, abilities, and challenges and so each has a special place in my heart.
Our four "kids" on a recent visit
I tend to say I don't have favorite ancestors, although I have to confess, there are some I feel a little more drawn to. Not surprisingly, they are often the ones I know the most about. Do I dare say, maybe I do actually have a few favorites?
Burton W. Cook, b. 1831 in Georgia is one of those. However, he is not truly my ancestor but married Mary Ganus, sister to my 2nd great grandfather. I've written about him quite a bit, including the following:
To Sign or Not to Sign
Clouds that Forbode the Greatest Evil
I can Do Hard Things
It Was Over --Or Was It?
Having his marriage record, a multitude of deeds, tax digests, Civil War records and even his will, which is a rare find for my family, I really have done a lot of research on Burton and felt satisfied that I knew a lot about him. But recently while using the site, "Georgia Historic Newspapers," a free website found HERE, I was excited to find yet a few more things about Burton.
Although I was actually researching someone else at the time, I can never resist the temptation to enter in a few other names into the search box while I am there. You never know what has been recently added. First of all, I found in the Carroll Free Press, Feb. 2, 1894, page 2, the following:
"Mr. Burton Cook was struck with paralysis last Friday and hasn't been able to set up to (sic) since. He is not expected to live."
Interestingly enough, in the same edition, just one page later, on page 3, was the following:
MR. BURTON COOK DEAD
"Mr. Burton Cook of Kansas district, died Tuesday evening from a stroke of paralysis. He was stricken on Friday.
"Mr. Cook was in the 70th year of his age at the time of his death.
He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and in his death the county has lost a good citizen."
So now I knew the circumstances of his death, although none of my research supported the statement that he was in his 70th year. A final find was constant with what I had for his age and birth year but added additional rich details about his life. Published in the Carroll Free Press, February 9, 1894, page 3, this was written about Burton:
IN MEMORY OF BURTON W. COOK
"The subject of this notice was born in Coweta county in April 1829 and departed this life at his home in Carroll county on the 30th day of January 1894, aged 64 years, 9 months and 14 days.
"He was married to Mary Ganus in 1850, united with the Baptist church while in the army in 1862, and cast his lot with the church at Shadner afterwards, moved his membership to Sardus church Coweta county, moved to Carroll county and united with the church at Abilene on the 5th day of June 1880, where he remained a consistent member until called away.
"Bro. Cook was a good man and was loved by all who knew him. Always ready to give counsel to those who he thought needed it, always ready to assist those who were in distress, always tried to visit the sick and administer to their wants and do all that he could to console them. His seat was seldom vacant at church when he was able to go. He has said for many years that he was ready to quit the walks of men when it was the will of the Lord to call him away.
"Therefore be it resolved; That in the death of Bro Cook the county has lost one of her best citizens, the church one of its brightest jewels, his companion and children a loving and affectionate husband and father."
So with the aid of one of my favorite resources, newspapers, I was able to learn more about one of my favorite men, someone I thought I already knew so much about. I learned that at the age of 64, Burton died as a result of a stroke. I learned that he was a religious man, a man eager to serve others, and who was respected in the community. I have never been able to determine exactly who his parents were in the large sea of southern Cooks but hopefully the clue, "he was born in Coweta," was shared by someone who actually knew and I'm excited to pursue that possibility. This new information just further fueled my love for Burton and yes, I think his place as one of my favorites is pretty secure.
Posted by Michelle Ganus Taggart at 3:30 AM 12 comments:
Labels: Cook Burton W, Ganus Mary
It Was Over--Or Was It?
It was 1871 and, although the Civil War had been over for many years, for many Southerners it was far from over. Many struggled with substantial losses on a variety of levels. Land stripped and void of vegetation, loss of farm animals and in many cases the complete loss of their homes and personal belongings all contributed to a sense of desperation. It would take many years to establish a sense of normalcy in their lives and some would never fully recover. Living just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, the Ganus families were among the many that struggled.
North Side of Atlanta
following the war
Beginning in March of 1871, the federal government allowed citizens in some Southern states to file for compensation for the losses sustained during the Civil War. Applicants were required to prove that property was taken or destroyed by the Union Army. In addition, applicants were required to prove that they remained loyal to the federal government during the war. Thousands of Southern citizens sought relief from their impoverished condition by applying. Burton W. Cook and wife Mary (Ganus) were among those who applied.
In Clayton County, Georgia on the 26th of June, 1871, Burton filled out an application for losses he suffered at the hand of the Union Army. His claim was rejected without justification.
The paperwork however still contributes information to what is known about Burton. Filed among the Southern Claims Commission papers, Barred and Disallowed, Burton claimed the loss of a mare valued at $100.00 and 35 bushels of corn valued at $35.00. He indicated the property was taken in Fayette County, Georgia by General Sherman's army on its way to Jonesboro on 31st of August, 1864.
Anxious for any opportunity to receive their "just dues" from the federal government, many Southerners filed erroneous claims. The question is not whether Burton's family suffered losses, but whether Burton was always loyal to the US Government? I suspect I know the answer. While Burton's damages pale in comparison to many other claims, unfortunately, his claim also lacks the testimony that accompanies many claims. As luck would have it, his file consists of four pages of the basic form, with no additional testimony.
The files can provide interesting reading. Some include testimony in which the claimant describes in great detail the harsh circumstances personally endured. Some include dramatic statements of their professed allegiance to the government. Often such richly woven stories include the names of family, neighbors and friends. I found myself smiling at one such lengthy claim that comprised many pages of testimony describing the claimant's love for the federal government in addition to his secret disdain for the rebel cause. The claimant added that he had always supported the federal government. Unfortunately his case was rejected with the conclusion that not only had the man supported numerous sons while they served as Confederate soldiers, but he himself had served for a time and had contributed substantial funds and supplies to the Confederate Army.
Burton too had served in the Confederate Army from the beginning of the war until the end when he was released as a prisoner of war, and yet he filed a claim. Was his application simply an effort to receive compensation for losses?
The basic form that Burton filled out required that the applicant provide the names of individuals who could verify the truth of the claim. I was interested to know who he listed and was pleased to see his witnesses were James Ganus of East Point, Fulton County, Georgia and Mary Cook, also of East Point. Mary was Burton's wife and James was his father-in-law. While the document does not contain James' actual signature, it does give me reason to believe that James lived at least until June of 1871 when the application was filled out. James was shown living with Burton and daughter Mary on the 1870 US Federal Census. This is the latest document currently known on which James' name appears. James would have been approximately 72 years old, a ripe old age for that time.
While Burton's file is relatively small, I am grateful for the few details it provides. Once again I am reminded of the benefits of finding all documents relating to our ancestors.
I am sure Burton felt at least some disappointment when his claim was rejected, although his situation was not uncommon. The number of people claiming property loss greatly exceeded the number who received compensation. Undoubtedly, for those who had been so vested in the Southern cause, proving their loyalty to the US Government was a difficult sell.
The war was over, issues continued and yet slowly the South did rebuild. While much had been destroyed, the unconquerable spirit for which Southerners were known survived. And so, Burton and his family, along with countless others, began the tedious process of rebuilding.
Labels: Cook Burton W, Fayette County, Ganus James, Ganus Mary, Georgia, Southern Claim Commission
To Sign or Not to Sign?
It was over. General Robert E. Lee had signed the surrender and Confederate soldiers began returning home. While technically the war was over, for many southerners the emotional scars were deep and would be slow to heal. There would be many issues to resolve in the turbulent years that followed. Many resented the government they felt had betrayed them and the resulting friction was more than evident .
Surrender of General Lee
Upon their release, each rebel prisoner of war faced the decision of whether or not he would sign a document declaring his allegiance to the United States Government. Would he maintain his allegiance to a Southern government that had failed, or align himself with the government he had fought against?
Initially, I was surprised to find an Oath of Allegiance in Burton W. Cook's Civil War file. While it would be easy to assume a change of heart, as I have read about the Oath of Allegiance, I have learned that many, if not most Southern Confederates signed simply because they wanted to return home.
Included among Burton W. Cook's Civil War file is a paper which reads:
"Name appears as signature to an Oath of Allegiance to the United States, subscribed and sworn to at Elmira, N.Y., June 19, 1965."
It further indicates that he had enlisted in Georgia 53rd, Company C, that he resided in Atlanta, Georgia and includes a physical description and was signed upon his release from the prison, Elmira in New York. From this paper, I learned that Burton had a florid complexion, dark hair, gray eyes and stood 6 foot tall. Because Burton appeared successful in his acquisition of land and goods, I had previously assumed that he had at least some education, but this paper seems to suggest otherwise. Burton signed "by mark," implying that he could not write his name. Had it been difficult for him to sign a paper he could not read, presented to him by people he did not trust?
Although there is relatively little information on the form, for me it is a gem because it provides information found no where else about Burton W. Cook, married to Mary Ganus, my second great grandfather's sister. It underscores the value of finding every source pertaining to each ancestor. From this document, I learned what Burton W. Cook looked like, where he lived, that he was among the many that were not educated, and that after years of war and imprisonment, he signed his allegiance to the United States Government. For the details it provides for me and for Burton's descendants, I am so glad that he signed.
Copyright © Michelle G. Taggart 2014
Labels: Civil War, Cook Burton W, Ganus Mary, Georgia 53rd. Company C
The Enemy Was Coming
The enemy was coming. Confederate soldiers worked feverishly, digging with whatever tools they had and throwing the heavy soil up, creating mounds along the ever deepening trenches. Would the trenches be enough? Would they have time to complete them before the arrival and attack by the massive Union Army? It was the end of May in 1864 and James Blackmon and Burton Cook were at Gaines Mill, preparing for what would be known as The Battle of Cold Harbor. Weary from 3 years of war, the soldiers pushed to build earthworks, gun pits and trenches. Although they were often outnumbered in their battles, experience had taught them that the primitive barricades made a difference, often providing the edge they needed in their battle against their Yankee aggressors.
Battle of Cold Harbor, throwing up breastworks
Forbes, Edwin, 1839-189
It had been a little over two years since David Ganus had died in Winder Hospital in Richmond, Virginia (see his story here). Brothers-in-law James Blackmon and Burton Cook had managed to survive while fighting with the Georgia 53rd Regiment, Company C, known as "The Fayette Planters." James, however, had been wounded in the left arm and shoulder at Spotsylvania in 1862, and would suffer the rest of his life as a result, so his continued participation in the war could not have been easy. Over the course of the war, the regiments, the supplies and the rations had become increasingly smaller, and yet the battle raged on, each side determined to win and return home.
The remains of trenches dug by CW soldiers
James and Burton had seen and experienced much in the two years since David had died, things that they would never forget. Many of their friends and neighbors had lost limbs, their sight, or their lives in that time. Were they aware that a younger brother-in-law, James Ganus, who fought with the Georgia 44th, Company G, had been discharged in July of 1863? James Ganus was shot at Sharpsburg and additionally had contracted an illness which left him partially blind and consequently he was found unfit for service and sent home.
Did they know of the depredations and hardships faced by their families back home? James Blackmon and Burton Cook had married Ganus sisters, Mary and Margaret. The women lived in close proximity to one another just outside of Atlanta during the long absence of their husbands.
The stories and details of my ancestors and their families raced through my mind as we visited the various Civil War sites on our recent trip to Virginia. Understandably, the day we visited the Cold Harbor Battlefield Park in the area of Gaines Mill, my thoughts focused on James Blackmon and Burton Cook who had fought there.
Road driving into
Cold Harbor Battlefield Pa
We left the interstate and turned onto a winding rural road as we made our way to the park, and I wondered where the Fayette Planters had camped. It was hard to comprehend that well over 100,000 Union soldiers and more than 60,000 Confederate soldiers had converged on this area for the battle. Do you ever find yourself wishing you could travel back in time and take a peek into your ancestor's life for just a moment? While I really didn't want to see all of the horrors associated with this battle, I did find myself wishing that I knew more about what James and Burton had actually experienced here.
We turned off the paved two lane road onto a dirt road leading to the main portion of the park. The road was lined with dense trees and I was once again in awe of the beauty of Virginia. It was hard to believe that this had been the scene of the long and brutal Battle of Cold Harbor.
After following the dirt road for a few miles, we pulled into the parking lot. It was a beautiful area with lush green fields surrounded by dense trees. Historical markers provided basic details about the battle and reminded us that despite it's current beauty, many men had lost their lives here.
We decided to follow one of the marked trails that led into a wooded area. Little streams of water trickled here and there and the trees filtered the sunlight, creating dense shade. Having read about copperheads and rattlesnakes in Virginia, I felt a little wary and wondered if they had posed a problem for the soldiers.
Walking the trail at
Cold Harbor Battlefield
As we continued along the path, I was taken by how still and peaceful it was there. I stopped and looked around and tried to imagine what it must have been like in May and June of 1864 for both Confederate and Union soldiers. I could easily imagine the scenes portrayed in movies about this battle with men running through the trees, gunfire coming at them from every side, the smoke from the rifles and muskets thick in the air. Did James and Burton crouch behind the mounds with hearts pounding as they fired upon oncoming troops in one of the bloodiest fights of the Civil War?
They had been there. Along with thousands of other soldiers, James Blackmon and Burton Cook had been there on June 1, 1864, and it was there during the Battle of Cold Harbor that both men were captured by Union Troops. They were initially taken to Point Lookout in Maryland and then in July they were transferred to the prison camp called Elmira in New York. (You can read Burton's Story here and James' story here)
The enemy had come and while the trenches and earthworks had provided a measure of safety for many of the men, for others, such as James and Burton, they simply hadn't been enough.
Battle of Cold Harbor
Kurz & Allison
Labels: Battle of Cold Harbor, Blackmon James, Cook Burton W, Ganus James, Ganus Margaret, Ganus Mary
No Place for the Sick
It was no place for the sick or injured. Damp, cold, lacking in blankets and tents, the Georgia 53rd Company C, "Fayette Planters," camped in a wooded area just outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was December of 1862 and it had already proven to be a bitterly cold winter.
Surgeon at work during Civil War
It had only been eight months since David Ganus had enlisted in the same regiment of the Confederate Army as his two brothers-in-law, James Blackmon and Burton Cook. He left behind his young wife, Malinda, and three small children, in order to fight for the southern cause. Many had thought the war would be short and expected to return home to their families soon.
David's regiment fought in many of the historic battles and he managed to come through each without injury, but in the month of December, while his regiment was in Fredericksburg, David became extremely ill.
David's service records indicate that early in December he became ill with the all too common typhoid, while other records show that he suffered exposure and pneumonia. Whether he suffered from all three or there was confusion due to the extent of his illness or possibly lack of knowledgeable medical personnel to properly diagnose his illness, we get the picture of a man that was extremely ill. David's best chance for survival was to be transferred out of camp to the nearest hospital, which presented yet more challenges.
Bringing wounded soldiers to the cars
Initially there was no organized way to transfer the sick and the injured to hospitals. Recently when we visited the Chimborazo Medical Museum in Richmond, Virginia, we learned about some of the heart wrenching conditions endured by the soldiers. There we saw some of the crude and primitive medical instruments used in the treatment of the soldiers and watched a short video about the civil war hospitals of the area.
Eventually the military came up with a system where soldiers were transported from their camps to the hospitals, but the trip was often very difficult for someone whose health was already compromised.
The sick or wounded soldier was first taken in the back of a wagon over rough and bumpy dirt roads to a location where he could be loaded onto a train and he would then travel the rest of the way by rail. Miserably hot in the summer and bitterly cold in the winter, void of even the simple comforts, the rough trip was often excruciating for a soldier already in pain and misery. David had to make the nearly sixty mile trip to Winder Hospital in cold, frigid December temperatures while suffering symptoms common to his illness that could have included fever, nausea, diarrhea, coughing, aching and fatigue. However long the trip took, I am sure that for those in such desperate circumstances, it felt like eternity.
Hospital Ward Alexandria
Had David's brothers-in-law, James and Burton helped to load him onto the wagon? Had they worried and tried to help as they watched their wife's younger brother grow increasingly more ill? Did they write home to tell of his condition?
After about a week at Winder Hospital and just two days before Christmas, on December 23, 1862, twenty-six year old David Ganus passed from this life. He died as most soldiers died, without any family at his side and far from home. His body was taken to nearby Hollywood Cemetery where he was buried alongside many other Southern soldiers.
While sadly Winder Hospital no longer stands, I knew that our Virginia trip would not be complete without a visit to Hollywood Cemetery to see David's final resting spot.
For more of David's story, see this earlier blog post .
Posted by Michelle Ganus Taggart at 7:11 AM 2 comments:
Labels: Blackmon James, Cook Burton W, Ganus David, Hollywood Cemetery, Winder Hospital
Walking the Sunken Road
As we walked the "Sunken Road" beside the stone wall at Fredericksburg, I surveyed the field below. I could envision in my mind's eye the brutal battle scene often portrayed in Civil War documentaries and movies. But the field, once war torn, showed few scars and instead stood peaceful and serene. It felt surreal to actually be there and to stand on the very site where so many men had lost their lives.
Present day "sunken road" and the rock wall
My husband and I had traveled to Richmond, Virginia to attend the National Genealogy Society's 2014 Conference. Afterwards, we visited a few of the many historical sites in the area, including the battlefield at Fredericksburg, Virginia. While I loved knowing that at one time, my ancestors had been there, I hated knowing why.
Our visit was in May and as is typical for the season, the air was warm and humid. A few songbirds sang in the trees surrounding the fields, but otherwise the air was still and quiet, a sharp contrast to December of 1862. That December, as troops converged on the battlefield, the bitter cold, snow and mud added to the misery of the war. While cannon balls took out lines of men, bullets riddled the smoke filled air, killing many who courageously fought, and yet they were not the only enemy. Lack of good food, few tents and a shortage of blankets, along with rampant disease and inadequate medical care,
took the lives of many.
Gallant Charge of Humphrey's Division
at the Battle of Fredericksburg
David Ganus, Burton Cook and James Blackmon were all at Fredericksburg. David Ganus was born in 1836 in Fayette County, Georgia to James (Gur)Ganus and Elizabeth McCluskey. David was a younger brother to my 3rd great grandfather, John Monroe Ganus. Burton Cook was married to David and John's oldest sister, Mary, and James Blackmon was married to their sister, Margaret. David, Burton and James were among the thousands of Confederate soldiers present for the historic battle at Fredericksburg.
Cobb's and Kershaw's Troops
behind the stone wall
As I paused to read the historical markers, I felt a flood of emotion as I imagined David, Burton and James, standing shoulder to shoulder with each other, their neighbors and friends. Given the number of soldiers there, it is doubtful that David was even aware of the presence of other more distant relatives, such as Florida cousins, Willis and Moses Gurganus. As regiments from multiple counties and states joined together at the various battles, brothers, uncles, cousins, sons and fathers all fought, sometimes side by side and sometimes on opposing sides
Part of the original rock wall today, built by Confederate Soldiers
I was grateful that we practically had the park to ourselves that day because I wanted to feel and to think, without the distractions of a noisy crowd. I wanted to reflect on what I knew about the men that I have researched and grown to love and to pay honor to them as I walked along the road where they had once been. As we walked along the Sunken Road behind the rock wall and at the base of Marye's Heights, I felt a solemn reverence for the significance of that site, as it had offered significant protection from the oncoming Union troops. According to "The Dorman-Marshbourne Letters" by John W. Lynch, the Georgia 53rd was posted on the road below Marye's Heights on December 14th and 15th of 1862.
Luckily David, Burton and James all survived the battle at Fredericksburg, but David developed pneumonia and a few weeks later he was sent to Winder Hospital in Richmond. With that, I knew where our next stop would be.
Posted by Michelle Ganus Taggart at 8:47 PM 10 comments:
Labels: Blackmon James, Cook Burton W, Ganus David, Ganus John Monroe, Ganus Margaret, McCluskey Elizabeth, Richmond Virginia, Winder Hospital
Piecing Together Their Lives ---Part 3
It’s been eleven years since that first email that marked the beginning of Karen's and my genealogical journey together. Since that time, we have continued to share our research and so much more. And while there still remains unanswered questions about Margaret, we have learned a lot about her and together we have pieced together the following story.
Margaret Ganus Blackmon
(Only known photo) Contributed by Karen
as shared with her by Darlene Emmert
Margaret Ganus was born about 1832 and married James Blackmon on the 16 December 1857 in Fayette County, Georgia. For some time, James and Margaret remained in Fayette County where Margaret had grown up and where her parents and several siblings continued to live. There, James farmed and Margaret undoubtedly was busy caring for their house and their children . They had been married for about five years when the events leading to the Civil War began to unfold. Loyal to the Confederacy, James joined countless others in enlisting to fight for the southern cause.
On a spring day in 1862, Margaret watched as her husband, James Blackmon, her brother David Ganus, and her brother- in- law, Burton W. Cook, all boarded the train bound for Richmond, VA. Alongside their neighbors and friends, the men had enlisted on May 1, 1862 with the Fayette Planters, Company C, 53rd Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. I can imagine the two sisters and their sister-in-law standing with their arms around each other and their children gathered close as the train carrying their husbands, fathers and brothers chugged out of the station. I am sure that they felt some anxiety as they said their goodbyes, but many southern families believed that it would be a short battle and that soon their loved ones would return home and life would resume.
The Civil War deeply impacted Margaret’s family in many ways, as it did most families on both sides of the conflict. Margaret had both brothers and brothers-in-law enlist. Her brother David, never returned home, but died of pneumonia while at Camp Fredericksburg, a story I shared in an earlier post. Her brother, William, had many health problems incident to the war and died at the age of 33, leaving behind a widow and four young children. Her brother James, also developed health problems as a result of his service and suffered for the remainder of his life. In addition, James Blackmon's brother, Edmond, suffered with bilious fever and other ailments during his service, and his brother-in-law, William Speight, died of disease at Knoxville, leaving behind a young wife who delivered their baby girl a month after his death. According to James Blackmon’s pension application, he was wounded in the left arm and shoulder in 1862 at Spotsylvania, injuries which continued to plaque him until the end of his life. Additionally, his service records indicate that he was frequently ill while enlisted. I can't imagine the grief and worry that Margaret felt each time she received word of a loved ones' death, injury or illness, while she herself continued alone to bear the heavy weight of feeding and caring for herself and their children.
James Blackmon was among those captured at “Gaines Farm,” which was at the center of the battle of Gaines Mill, or First Battle of Cold Harbor. He and brother-in-law, Burton Cook, were then taken as prisoners to Point Lookout, Maryland. A month later Burton and James were transferred to Elmira, New York, which was nicknamed “Helmira” by the prisoners, due to the deplorable conditions there. As I shared in a previous post, Elmira had the highest death rate per capita of northern prisons. I know that mental attitude can make a difference for those that are imprisoned and forced to endure such horrible conditions and so I wonder whether Burton and James pulled together and helped each other to have the will and determination necessary to survive the months of deprivation.
At the same time, I wonder if their wives, Mary and Margaret (who were sisters), were truly aware of the extent of their husbands suffering during their imprisonment. I wonder if the sisters wept together, consoled each other, and prayed together for better days to come. Did they help each other care for their children? Did they work together to find ways to feed their families? Both Margaret and Mary lived outside of Atlanta and undoubtedly endured a multitude of hardships in the years that followed.
James was released on 7 July, 1865, nearly a month after brother-in-law Burton Cook. It was likely difficult for Margaret when Burton returned home to her sister, while her own husband remained at the prison camp. Did Burton share what they had endured or did he spare Margaret of any additional worry? When James Blackmon was finally released, he signed the required “Oath of Allegiance,” and thankfully from it we have an idea of what he looked like as his physical description indicates that he had a dark complexion, dark hair, grey eyes and was 5 feet 9 inches tall.
While I know that life following the Civil War was never the same for the southern people, I am amazed at the resiliency these families showed as they picked up and moved on with life. James and Margaret remained in Georgia for at least twenty more years, had five known children and James somehow managed to provide for their family by farming, which was no small feat in post Civil War Georgia.
For some unknown reason, by 1888, James and Margaret had moved to Blount County, Alabama. They were living there on a 200 acre farm near “Joy” when James died 11 September 1903. Karen shared his very short death notice that appeared in the September 17, 1903 edition of The Southern Democrat. It simply stated “James Blackmon, 66, died last Friday, near Joy.”
On 11 July 1905, Margaret’s Civil War Widow's Pension Application indicated that she had absolutely nothing and had never remarried. Several of Margaret's children were living in the area and hopefully they were a source of help and support for her in the winding down scene of her life. While we are unsure of exactly when Margaret died, we believe that it was sometime after her filing in 1905 and before 1910.
Margaret saw and endured a great deal of hardship during her lifetime. She sent a husband to war, buried at least one child and managed to care for their other children while James was in a Civil War prison camp. Living in an area frequented by tornadoes and hail storms, she and James faced the elements, even though weather frequently threatened their farms, their homes and their very existence. While her life was full of many trials and hardships, I am sure that it included many joys as well. James and Margaret remained by each other's side for 46 years and brought five children into the world. They lived to see and enjoy grandchildren, lived much of their life surrounded by extended family, and were able to somehow always provide for themselves.
Although families today don’t always remain in close proximity to each other as they did so many years ago, thanks to the internet the world has become a little smaller and we are able to feel a closeness to distant "kin" regardless of our distance. Over the years, Karen and I have shared family history and so much more. We have shared good times and hard times, prayed, laughed and cried together. We've emailed, Facebooked, texted and talked on the phone. Despite the odds and the distance, we found each other and have become an important part of each other's lives.
Karen wrote in a recent email:
I think Margaret, my ancestor, and her brother John, your ancestor, would be very pleased to see that their "children" love each other so much and have found each other across the years and miles. So many times since then, you and I, and our families, have leaned on each other through heartbreak and celebrated our joys together.
She went on to say:
Thank you, Michelle, for "keeping it real" for me--- because that is what genealogy is all about-- understanding that our ancestors were more than just dates on a census record, but real people who held on to each other for support and invested their hearts in each other--- just as I have with you.
I could not have said it better. Genealogy connects us to our dead whom we never knew and in the process, it can connect us to the living as well. It helps to provide us with a sense of belonging and family in a world that is increasingly disjointed. As we piece together dates and places, I know that we also piece together lives of both the living and the dead.
PHOTO: Wikipedia Commons. Gaines Mill by John L. Parker, 1887
Posted by Michelle Taggart at 8:48 AM 14 comments:
Labels: Alabama, Blackmon Edmond, Blackmon James, Cook Burton W, Elmira, Ganus David, Ganus Margaret, Ganus Mary, Ganus William Jackson, Joy, Maryland, New York, Point Lookout, Speight William
Clouds That Forebode the Greatest Evil
As a child, I loved the movie The Wizard of Oz. While the movie fueled our young, active imaginations, it also generated a whole new set of fears.
My brother and I
In parts of California, springtime often brings large fields of beautiful orange poppies. I remember being horrified when my mom wanted to take pictures of us out in the poppy fields. Did she remember what happened to Dorothy while in a field of poppies?
Additionally, the movie also taught me to fear tornadoes, witches, and of course the thing that all children of that era feared…..flying monkeys!!
While my Georgia kin had little to fear from poppies, witches or flying monkeys, they did, however, live with the very real fear of tornadoes, or cyclones as they were sometimes called.
The University of Oklahoma maintains a great online digital book collection that includes the book, “Tornado” written by John Park Finley. Finley was an American meteorologist who was among the first to study tornadoes in depth. Finley's book, published in 1887, educated people about the dangers of tornadoes as well as how people could anticipate and protect themselves during a tornado.1
Illustration from Finley’s Tornadoes2
Describing the eerie cloud formations that often precede tornadoes, Finley stated that “the dark clouds at times present a deep, greenish hue, which forebodes the greatest evil and leaves one to imagine quite freely of dire possibilities.” 3
Finley also indicated, “Another and invariable sign of the tornado’s approach is a heavy, roaring noise, which augments in intensity as the tornado-cloud advances. This roaring is compared to the passage of a heavily loaded freight train moving over a bridge or through a deep pass or tunnel.” 4 I enjoyed reading through this book to see what was believed and known about tornadoes at that time, as I had ancestors that lived in many of the states considered part of “tornado alley.”
The Friday, June 10, 1887 edition of the Carroll Free Press, which was published the same year as Finley's book, carried an article about which citizens of the Carroll County community had received the most damage during a tornado and hail storm that hit there. 6 The article also mentioned a “Citizens’ Meeting” held to discuss measures to provide aid to the victims. A resolution was adopted to collect funds and distribute them to those who had received the most damage. Included in the list of citizens needing relief were P.H. Chandler, B.W. Cook and G. P. Chandler, all people in my family tree.
Picture of home following a tornado that
hit the Atlanta area
Late 1800’s or early 1900’s. 7
B.W. Cook was Burton W. Cook, who married Mary Ganus, daughter of my third great grandparents, James and Elizabeth Ganus and sister to John Monroe Ganus. G.P. Chandler was George P. Chandler, son of Philo H. Chandler and Nicie Jane Reid (the same P.H. Chandler named in the article). George P. Chandler married Mary Cook, daughter of Burton W. Cook and Mary Ganus, thereby making her a grand-daughter to James and Elizabeth Ganus.
The article also indicated who had donated money, how much they donated and who received the financial aid and how much they received. A committee had distributed the donated funds to those that were in the most need and had not already received help from others of the community.
As I scanned the list of citizens who had received financial help, I found that B.W. Cook, G.P. Chandler and P. H. Chandler were not included. Did that indicate then that they were among those who had received help from others? Living in Carroll county at that time were Mary’s siblings, Martha Ganus Brock, Rebecca Ganus Lee and Addison Ganus and their spouses and children. Living in neighboring Haralson County were Mary’s other siblings, John M. Ganus, as well as Margaret Ganus Blackmon and James W. Ganus and their spouses and children. True to typical southern culture, the siblings had remained in close proximity to each other.
Did the Ganus siblings help repair damage sustained to Mary and Burton’s home? Did they help fix barns and outbuildings, locate scattered livestock, and replant crops if needed? Did they bring in meals and share of what they had? I would like to think that Burton and Mary did not need aid from the community because they received help from their family. I would like to think they were living close to one another not only for the social advantage but also so that they could provide help and support through good times and bad.
Given the history of tornadoes in the south, I am sure that this was not the only time that the Ganus family was impacted by the wrath of a storm. I am confident that each member of that family faced many storms during their lifetime, both physical and emotional in nature and hopefully each time they found their greatest source of support and strength in their family.
1. Finley, John P., Tornadoes. New York: The Insurance Monitor, 1887. Digital Images. History of Science Collections, The University of Oklahoma Libraries. http://ouhos.org/2010/06/19/digitized-books/
2. Ibid. at p. 40
3. Ibid at p. 29
6. USGenWeb Archives, Carroll County Georgia, Newspapers, Carroll Free Press, Issue of Friday, June 10, 1887. File was contributed by Judy Campbell.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/carroll/newspapers/ju87.txt
7. Photograph of home of Oct(via) Kite blown away by tornado, Fulton County, Georgia, ca. 1897-1903, Georgia Division of Archives and History, Vanishing Georgia. http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/vanga/query:gk%3A+%28octa+kite+tornado%29
Posted by Michelle Taggart at 7:35 PM 11 comments:
Labels: Chandler George P, Chandler Philo H, Cook Burton W, Finley tornado book, Ganus James, Ganus Mary, McCluskey Elizabeth, Reid Nicie Jane
Each and every individual in my family tree holds a special place in my heart. The tragic, the strong, the loving, the determined and the stubborn--each person belongs and as I learn about their lives and what they encountered and endured, I feel greater determination to similarly face my trials with courage and the same spirit of perseverance.
Burton W. Cook has always been a favorite of mine. Although I am actually related to his wife and children and not Burton himself, I nonetheless feel a strong draw to Burton and it's in researching him that I have learned something about his wife and children. Unlike some of the characters in stories previously shared in this blog, Burton didn't dip in and out of the newspapers and court rooms, but he just seemed to be in the right place at the right time, places where ancestors are supposed to be, but mine so seldom are. I find him in deeds, tax records, Agricultural Censuses, Federal Censuses, Civil War records including enlistment and Southern Claims Commission and he even had a will AND there is record of his burial! Who knew such a person existed? So many of my ancestors are so elusive.
Burton W. Cook was born about 1831, and while the records show conflicting data, I believe he was likely born in North Carolina. I would love to know who his parents were, but my research, in addition to the information that I've received from some of his descendants has failed to produce any parents. Interestingly enough, the first document that I have for him is his marriage license to Mary Ganus on 7 April 1850 in DeKalb County, Georgia. Mary was my second great-grandaunt and the oldest child of James (Gur)Ganus and Elizabeth McCluskey, my second great grandparents. I am unsure exactly where Burton was and what he did prior to his marriage.
On the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, just a short six months after their marriage, Burton and wife, Mary, are shown residing in the household of Shadrack Ellis, 89 years old, and Mary Ellis who was 35 years old, living in the Stones District of DeKalb County, Georgia . I have wondered why they were living with Shadrack and what the connection was? While I can think of a variety of possibilities for the relationship and have explored options, I have not yet been able to prove any of them.
The first twelve years of Burton and Mary's life together appeared to be fairly typical of the time. Burton farmed and Mary cared for the house and children. I did note that their first known child was born five years after their marriage, which is a little unusual for their time period..
Soon came the event that brought drastic change to life in the United States: the Civil War. Joining the ranks with neighbors and friends, Burton volunteered in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 1, 1862 and was mustered into Captain Samuel W. Marshborn's Company, Co C 53rd Regiment, the Georgia Fayette Planters. Burton indicated that his place of residence was Atlanta. I was thrilled to find that Burton's record included a physical description. Burton had a florid complexion, dark hair, grey eyes and was six foot tall.
At the time of his enlistment, Burton and Mary had three children. Isaiah M. was 7 years old, Elizabeth was 4 years old and Burton Calloway, their youngest at the time, was about three months old. I can only imagine Mary's mixed feelings as Burton went off to fight. While she likely felt a loyalty and commitment to "the cause," I am sure the uncertainty that always accompanies war made it difficult for her to see her husband leave, not knowing if he would ever return and knowing that she alone would have to care for their family for a time.
I wonder if Mary was notified two years later, in June of 1864, when Burton was captured at Gaines Mill, which was sometimes called the Battle of Cold Harbor and took place in Hanover County, Virginia .
PD-Art Battle of Gaines's Mill
Elmira Prison Camp
Courtesy of Library of Congress
A month later, Burton was transferred by rail as a prisoner of war from Point Lookout, Maryland to the camp at Elmira, New York. Elmira had the highest death rate per capita of northern prisons with 24 percent mortality. The first group of prisoners entered Elmira on July 6th, and Burton arrived soon after on July 12th. The camp quickly became overcrowded, and nearby Foster's Pond filled with sewage creating a very unhealthy environment as the stench filled the air, bacteria spread and rats were drawn to the location in droves. Disease was rampant throughout the camp. The winter of 1864/65 proved to be one of the harshest that Elmira had seen with temperatures dipping well below zero and an extremely heavy snowfall. Blankets and clothing were very inadequate and many died from disease, malnutrition and exposure. In the spring, the thaw brought flooding to the nearby Chemung River which flooded the camp. Conditions were so bad, prisoners referred to it as "Helmira." .
I wonder if Mary was aware at the time of the deplorable conditions that her husband endured there. Or, with the Civil War in its final months and Mary living just outside of Atlanta, was she totally consumed with the challenge of trying to keep herself and her three small children safe and alive? I wish I knew what she did, where she went and how she managed to care for her small family. She could not have known how history would eventually play out, nor how soon the war would grind to a stop. Living in a time when "breaking news" is the norm, when a text or an email can be sent across the United States or across the world, it's hard for me to imagine a time when people were relatively unaware of the condition of love ones only a few states away.
The scene as citizens of Atlanta scramble to leave in
accordance to the mandatory evacuation order in 1864.
Both Burton and Mary endured incredible deprivation and hardship. Burton survived his experience in a prison camp known for it's inhumane conditions while Mary, living just outside of Atlanta, faced fear and uncertainty as she worked hard to keep her young family alive. I can only imagine the joyful reunion as Mary and Burton, along with their three children, were reunited upon Burton's released from Elmira on June 19, 1865.
In the years that followed, Burton was able to return to farming and he and Mary added one more child to their family. Mary C. Cook was born in 1868.
Burton died 3 January 1894 at the age of 63. He was buried in the Abilene Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Carroll County, Georgia. The final record that I have for Mary is that of the June 1900 U.S. Federal Census which shows Mary, 76 years old and living alone in Carroll County, Georgia. Living just one door away is her son Burton and his family. Mary's final resting place is unknown at this time.
I wonder about Mary. Did she too possess that Ganus "spunk"? Perhaps it was that spunk that in part kept her going on those incredibly difficult days when she had to wonder if she and Burton would ever see each other again and if they would ever have a "normal" life again. In any case, I feel an awe and gratitude for those such as Burton and Mary, that lived before, accepted life's challenges and kept going. I have learned about being strong and the capacity of the human spirit. They faced adversity and kept going and showed me that I can too. It's a good reminder that I also "can do hard things."
Posted by Michelle Taggart at 10:21 PM 4 comments:
Labels: Cook Burton Calloway, Cook Burton W, Cook Elizabeth Jane, Cook Isaiah, Cook Mary C, Ellis Shadrach, Ganus James, Ganus Mary, McCluskey Elizabeth
Those Calloways-What's in a Name?
Do you remember the 1965 Disney movie called "Those Calloways," starring Brian Keith? I remember it and I think of it often because the name Calloway was favored in my Ganus family.
Burton Calloway Cook
Son of Burton Cook and Mary Ganus
b. Feb 1863 d. 28 March 1938
Often there was significance in the names that our ancestors gave their children and I talked about that in an earlier post. People often named their children after those that they were close to or relatives, but sometimes, even though we can see that a name had value for our ancestors, their reasoning has been lost over time. Such is the case with the name Calloway in our family. I can see that it was used with some frequency, but I have not been able to determine why that name was significant to James and Betsy as well as to several of their children.
Is Calloway possibly Elizabeth Ganus' maternal grandparent's name or the married name of a sister or possibly just a close friend for James and Elizabeth? I hope to someday know the answer to that question, but in the meantime I continue to look at Georgia Calloway families and wonder.
Below are some of the Calloways found in our family:
Calloway Ganus b. 1842 (Son of James and Elizabeth (Gur)Ganus)
Three of James and Betsy's children named their children Calloway:
Edgar Calaway Brock (son of Martha Ganus and William Cohen Brock)
Burton Calloway Cook b. 1863 (son of Mary Ganus and Burton Cook)
James Calloway Ganus (son of James W. Ganus and Frances Foster)
There was also a grandson and a great grandson of James and Betsy's with the Calloway name:
Calaway Brock b. 1911 (Grandson of Martha Ganus and William Cohen )
Joe Caloway Cook (son of Isaiah M. Cook and Sarah Adams---Grandson to Burton Cook and Mary Ganus)
In addition, there is a long list of James and Elizabeth's descendants with the letter "C" for their middle initial and while I realize that it could stand for any number of names beginning with C, it does make me wonder if a certain percentage are Calloways.
What's in a name? When it comes to genealogy, I think there is plenty.
Posted by Michelle Taggart at 3:12 PM 6 comments:
Labels: Brock Calaway, Brock Edgar Calaway, Brock William Cohen, Calloway, Cook Burton W, Cook Joe Caloway Ganus, Ganus James, Ganus Mary, Martha Ganus, McCluskey Elizabeth
A True Love Story?
Some of my ancestor's stories seem to reach out and draw me in as if inviting me to learn more. I've never quite figured out why some ancestor's stories are so much more compelling than others, but some are. Such is the case with David Ganus.
It was the 14th day of March 1857 when young David Ganus and Malinda M. Davis married in Fayette, Georgia. He was 21 and she was about 15, although it's difficult to know her exact age as it is different on every census and document on which she appears. Son of James Ganus and Elizabeth McCluskey, David was born in 1836, probably in Fayette County, and was the fourth of ten children. His oldest brother was John Monroe Ganus, my third great grandfather.
David provided for his family by farming, just as his father and brothers did. Soon David and Melinda had two little girls, Mary Jane born March of 1858 and Nancy born about 1860.
Life in Fayetteville during those first few years of their marriage appears to be typical for a small farming community in Georgia, but that would soon change. A regiment made of men from several neighboring counties, including the county of Fayette, was formed in the spring of 1862. May 1, 1862 David enlisted in the confederate army, along with two brothers and 3 brothers-in-law. David became a Private with the Fayette Planters, Co C 53rd Regiment.
David Ganus
Co C 53rd Infantry
Among other battles, David participated in the Battle Of Sharpsburg, but by October of 1862 David was shown as "absent" due to sickness. In December, his service records show that he had febris typhoid, which is a bacteria caused by salmonella. By the 15th of December, records indicate that he had pneumonia and then on December 24, 1962, David Ganus, lying in a hospital near Fredrickburg, Virginia, died. He is listed among those buried in a mass grave at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.
As I slowly cranked the wheel of the microfilm reader, looking for David’s civil war service records, I wept when I came to the card that indicated that he had died. Really, the war had just begun, and he was so young, I had been excited to learn more about him and had not expected for his life to end quite so soon. Next my thoughts turned to his young wife. I cannot fathom the obstacles that Malinda faced at that point in history. It was 1862 and suddenly Malinda was a 20 year old widow with two children and a third baby on its way. Living just outside of Atlanta, she would soon have three children to feed, clothe and protect and she had no idea what the war would yet bring to citizens of that community.
Malinda Ganus's
Claim Commission
During the Civil War, many of those living in the Fayetteville area were victim to losses and much violence. On the 27th of September 1871, along with many of her neighbors, Malinda filed a claim for damages claiming 475 lbs beef, 25 bushels of corn and house furniture had been taken by General Wm. T. Sherman’s Army on August 30, 1864 .
Malinda consistently filed for her Widow’s Pension until the end of her life. Most of her later years , she lived in Whitfield, Georgia, close to her children. She appears on the 1900 census living with their son, Burton, and his family. Living a couple of doors away is daughter, Mary Jane (Ganus) Alexander. Burton was the child born after his father's death.
Burton's application
for mother's burial
The final record that I have for Malinda is a document in David's Civil War service file, filed by Burton. He indicated that his mother died on the 7th of December 1908 and that her burial expenses amounted to $20.00. Malinda was approximately 65 at the time and there is no evidence that she ever remarried. She always appeared on census records and other documents as Malinda Ganus.
There are several possible reasons why Malinda never remarried, although many other Civil War widows that I have traced did. I recognize the possibility that she may have remarried but concealed it in order to obtain her pension, but I just have not found anything to substantiate that. I choose instead to believe that this is one of those true love stories and that no one could ever replace her David. It really makes me wish I knew more about them both.
Labels: Alexander Mary Jane, Cook Burton W, Davis Malinda M, Ganus David
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Asiatische Geschichte
Alam / Subrahmanyam
Writing the Mughal World
Studies on Culture and Politics
Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-15811-4
Format (B x L): 14 x 21 cm
Between the mid-sixteenth and early nineteenth century, the Mughal Empire was an Indo-Islamic dynasty that ruled as far as Bengal in the east and Kabul in the west, as high as Kashmir in the north and the Kaveri basin in the south. The Mughals constructed a sophisticated, complex system of government that facilitated an era of profound artistic and architectural achievement. They promoted the place of Persian culture in Indian society and set the groundwork for South Asia's future development.
In this volume, two leading historians of early modern South Asia present nine major joint essays on the Mughal Empire, framed by an essential introductory reflection. Making creative use of materials written in Persian, Indian vernacular languages, and a variety of European languages, their chapters accomplish the most significant innovations in Mughal historiography in decades, intertwining political, cultural, and commercial themes while exploring diplomacy, state-formation, history-writing, religious debate, and political thought.
Muzaffar Alam and Sanjay Subrahmanyam center on confrontations between different source materials that they then reconcile, enabling readers to participate in both the debate and resolution of competing claims. Their introduction discusses the comparative and historiographical approach of their work and its place within the literature on Mughal rule. Interdisciplinary and cutting-edge, this volume richly expands research on the Mughal state, early modern South Asia, and the comparative history of the Mughal, Ottoman, Safavid, and other early modern empires.
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Death Away From Home
Willis R. Shifflett
Willis (“Willie,” “Bill”) R. Shifflett, 87, of Bear, DE formerly of Milford, DE, passed away on June 9, 2019 at Christiana Hospital. He we preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Cynthia, his son Michael and his granddaughter Ashley.
He was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army and worked his entire career for the telephone company.
Willis is survived by his daughter Barbara Cahill and her husband Jeff, his son W. Scott Shifflett and his wife Laurie, and “daughter” Dolores Smith. He leaves two granddaughters, Danielle Shifflett and Jessica Shifflett, Jessica’s husband Rob Richardson, and four great-grandchildren. In his home state of Virginia, he leaves two sisters, Odessa Sandridge and Arlene Pitts, and Arlene’s husband Jim.
Services will be private and held on a future date in Harrisonburg, VA.
| 2053 Pulaski Highway
| Newark, DE 19702
| jyasik@chandlerfuneralhome.com, dwesselman@beesonfuneralhome.com
© 2019 Beeson Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS
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Home Tags Posts tagged with "Sanaa"
Yemen: Former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi flees Sanaa
Former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi has fled the capital, Sanaa, weeks after he was put under house arrest by Houthi rebels who forced him to resign.
Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi is thought to have reached the main southern city of Aden.
It comes a day after rival parties agreed on the formation of a transitional council to govern the country.
Yemen has been in crisis since the takeover by the Houthis, a Shia group.
UN mediator Jamal Benomar announced the preliminary accord between feuding factions on Thursday and hailed it as “an important step”.
Abd,Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s supporters in Aden have so far refused to recognize what they denounce as a political coup.
Last week, the governors of the provinces of Aden, Lahij and Mahra demanded the reinstatement of Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and reaffirmed their support for Yemen becoming a federation of six regions.
Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa in September, before capturing the presidential palace and placing Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi under house arrest. He then quit his presidential post, saying he could not continue under such pressure.
The Houthis dissolved parliament and installed a five-member “presidential council” on February 6.
This sparked security concerns that saw several Arab and Western states close their embassies and remove diplomats.
Since overrunning Sanaa, the Houthis have expanded their control to coastal areas and regions south of the capital.
Their takeover was denounced as a coup by rival political factions and prompted mass protests, mainly from the country’s Sunni majority.
The Houthis have also faced fierce resistance from Sunni tribes and al-Qaeda militants.
Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak: Yemen president’s chief of staff kidnapped in Sanaa
Yemen president’s chief of staff Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak has been abducted by gunmen, officials have said.
Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak and two of his guards were kidnapped early on Saturday in the centre of the capital Sanaa.
Yemeni officials suspect Shia Houthi rebels, who control much of the capital, of being behind the abduction.
Yemen has been plagued by instability since mass protests forced former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to step down in 2011.
Scores of people have been killed in clashes between the Houthis and Sunni militants.
One source told Reuters Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak was kidnapped by the Houthis to stop him presenting a draft of the new constitution to a presidential meeting.
The rebels blocked Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak’s appointment as prime minister last year.
Yemen: At least 29 killed in Defense Ministry attack
A double attack on Yemen’s defense ministry in Sanaa left at least 29 dead and more than 70 hurt, officials say.
A suicide car bomb blew up at the gates of the complex in Sanaa’s Bab al-Yaman district, at the entrance to the old city, and a gunbattle followed at a hospital inside.
At least two foreign medical staff are among the dead, medical sources say.
Yemeni security forces are fighting regional rebels and al-Qaeda, while combating lawlessness and army splits.
Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser is currently on a visit to Washington.
No group has said it carried out Thursday’s attack.
Correspondents say it bears the hallmarks of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
However, one government minister has blamed people linked to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Officials said the situation was under control and most of the gunmen had been killed.
Deadly attacks hit Yemen defense ministry in Sanaa
“The attack took place shortly after working hours started at the ministry when a suicide bomber drove a car into the gate,” a ministry source said, quoted by Reuters.
The blast was heard hundreds of metres away.
“The explosion was very violent, the whole place shook because of it and plumes of smoke rose from the building,” an eyewitness told the agency.
Officials said a second car followed whose occupants opened fire at the complex, and a battle ensued involving gunmen in military uniforms.
The gunmen occupied a hospital at the complex, they added, but security forces later regained control of the building, which was badly damaged.
“The assailants took advantage of some construction work that is taking place to carry out this criminal act,” the defense ministry said.
They were said to be armed with assault rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades.
“Most” of the gunmen were killed, officials said, but it was not clear how many were involved.
The incident comes to aid tight security in the last few weeks following a series of hit-and-run attacks on officials by militants on motorbikes, blamed on AQAP.
[youtube VJ-GfjFrGP0 650]
Innocence of Muslims protests: US embassies across globe under siege
Protests against anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims made in the US are spreading across the Middle East and North Africa.
In Yemen, demonstrators briefly stormed the grounds of the US embassy in Sanaa and burnt the US flag, but were driven back by security forces.
In Egypt, 224 people were injured in protests, the health ministry said. Protests were also reported in Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia.
On Tuesday, US Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, was killed in Benghazi.
US officials say they are investigating whether the attack in Libya was planned, citing suspicions that a militant jihadist group may have co-ordinated the violence.
In Yemen, demonstrators briefly stormed the grounds of the US embassy in Sanaa and burnt the US flag
Libya’s new Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagur told the AFP news agency there had been a “big advance” in the investigation in Benghazi.
“Arrests have been made and more are under way as we speak,” he said but gave no details.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the film which gave rise to the protests as “disgusting” and “reprehensible”.
The US utterly rejected its contents and its message, she said, but the film was no excuse for violence.
Police in Sanaa shot in the air, but failed to prevent crowds from gaining access to the embassy compound and setting fire to vehicles.
Security force reinforcements used tear gas, water cannon and live fire to drive protesters back.
There were reports of injuries on both sides, although the Reuters news agency carried a statement from the embassy saying there were none.
Windows were smashed. A US flag was torn down and replaced with a black flag bearing the Muslim statement of faith, “There is no God but Allah”.
It was not immediately clear whether the embassy was occupied. There are reports that embassy staff has been moved to a safer location.
In Egypt, protests erupted for a third day outside the US embassy in Cairo, with some demonstrators demanding the expulsion of the ambassador.
Police fired tear gas at crowds throwing stones.
Islamist groups and others have called for a “million-man march” in Cairo on Friday.
The Muslim Brotherhood, the Salafist al-Nour party and non-religious groups including the “Ultra” fans of Zamalek football club have invited Muslims, Coptic Christians and all Egyptian citizens to join them.
Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi appealed for calm, saying Egyptians “reject any kind of assault or insult” against the Prophet Muhammad.
“I condemn and oppose all who… insult our prophet. [But] it is our duty to protect our guests and visitors from abroad,” he said in a statement broadcast by state media.
“I call on everyone to take that into consideration, to not violate Egyptian law… to not assault embassies.”
US officials have described the Benghazi attack as complex and professional, and suggested the attackers may have used the film protest as a pretext for the attack.
Reuters quoted officials as saying there were suspicions that a militia known as the Ansar al-Sharia brigade was responsible, although the group has denied the claim.
The officials said there were also reports that al-Qaeda’s North Africa-based affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, may have been involved, the news agency reports.
The obscure film which has sparked anger was shot in the US and posted online earlier this year. Clips have since been shown on Arab TV stations.
It depicts the Prophet Muhammad as a womanizer and the bloodthirsty leader of a ragtag group of men who enjoy killing.
The exact origin of the movie and the internet clip, and the motivation behind its production, remains a mystery.
The most offensive comments regarding Muhammad appear to have been dubbed on later, says our correspondent.
Some of the actors involved have since condemned the film, and said they had no idea it was to be used as anti-Islam propaganda.
In other developments:
• Libya’s PM Mustafa Abu Shagur says there is “no justification” for the Benghazi attack and investigations are under way to find the “criminals” responsible
• Russia says it fears “chaos” in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia condemns both the film and the violence
• Iranians chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans stage a protest outside the Swiss embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, which represents US interests
• Afghan President Hamid Karzai has postponed a planned visit to Norway, fearing violence could erupt in his country
• There were small protests in Bangladesh and Iraq, in addition to Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia
• Security has been increased at US embassies and consulates around the world; US officials say a marine anti-terrorism team is being deployed to Libya and two destroyers to the Libyan coast as a precautionary measure
[youtube ntgzoE7rU9A]
[youtube nSyL90Faazg]
[youtube QZYyBZE1GKs]
Yemen: Protesters storm US embassy in Sanaa
Yemeni protesters angered by an anti-Islam film made in the US have stormed the grounds of the US embassy in the country’s capital Sanaa.
Police shot in the air in an attempt to hold back the crowds, but failed to prevent them gaining access to the compound and setting fire to vehicles.
A number of people were reported to have been injured.
On Tuesday, the US ambassador to Libya was killed in a fire started after the US consulate in Benghazi was stormed.
Security force reinforcements in Sanaa used tear gas, water cannon and live fire to drive back protesters.
They have now regained control of the Sanaa compound, but protests are continuing outside.
US embassy in Yemen’s capital Sanaa has been stormed by protesters angered by anti-Islam film
Earlier on Thursday, US officials said they were investigating whether the attack in Libya was planned, citing suspicions that a militant jihadist group may have co-ordinated the violence.
Three other US consul staff and several Libyans died in that attack, along with Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who is believed to have died from smoke inhalation.
There have also been clashes in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
On Wednesday, demonstrators in Cairo angry at the film – Innocence of Muslims – breached the walls of the US embassy and tore down the flag. Clashes continued in the early hours of Thursday morning.
President Mohammed Mursi has appealed for calm, saying Egyptians “reject any kind of assault or insult” against the Prophet Muhammad.
Security has been increased at US embassies and consulates around the world in response to the rising tensions.
US President Barack Obama has vowed to work with the Libyan authorities to bring those behind the Benghazi attack to justice.
[youtube S8awL6mCrUc]
[youtube -ab9jKe8ShM]
Yemen: at least 5 people shot dead during protests in Sanaa, as President Saleh transferred the power
At least five demonstrators have been shot dead by loyalists of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh during protests in the capital, Sanaa, reports say.
People were protesting against a power transfer deal that promises Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity from prosecution.
On Wednesday, Ali Abdullah Saleh signed the deal in Saudi Arabia under which he is to step down after more than 30 years in power.
At least five demonstrators have been shot dead by loyalists of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh during protests in the capital, Sanaa
President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to hand power to his deputy after months of protests.
Many other protesters were wounded in the clashes, reports say.
According to an AFP correspondent, the protesters were shot at by armed civilians whom they describe as Ali Abdullah Saleh’s “thugs”, as they marched towards the city centre.
At least four bodies taken from the scene of the shooting were visible at a nearby hospital, correspondents say.
Thousands of people in Sanaa cheered the news of Ali Abdullah Saleh’s impending departure, but others rejected the agreement.
[youtube ofH6DFQiq7I]
DNA test used to investigate the origins of remains claimed to be from Yeti and Bigfoot
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Vladimir Putin singing on The Voice Russia
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Adapting Spaces. Changing Lives. Because there's no place like home.
Directions 408.395.5100
Miracle Makers
Bay Area Housing Corporation primarily serves people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.
A “developmental disability” is a condition that originates before an individual reaches age 18; continues, or can be expected to continue indefinitely; and constitutes a substantial impairment in three or more areas of major life activity. Areas of major life activity include self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. Substantial impairment reflects the person’s need for a combination of special, interdisciplinary, or generic support services.
Father of two teenaged children and co-founder of United Mechanical (UMI), Jon is a Silicon Valley success story who had a big vision for a top-notch heating and air company. He grew UMI from seed to a $60M company.
Clare McDermott (Chair of BAHC’s Board)
Mother of two young women with developmental disabilities, saw a need for housing options in the community for this population seventeen years ago. She drew together a coalition of local agencies to address this problem and Housing Choices Coalition was born. After chairing HCC for 7 years, she then went on to chair BAHC.
Ted Moorhead
Father of a daughter that has a developmental disability. He is the First Vice-President of Merrill Lynch in Cupertino and has a very strong interest in housing and finances. His expertise has been very valuable to BAHC.
Kathy Robinson
Director of Development for Charities Housing, a non-profit housing development corporation located in Silicon Valley. Kathy has over 30 years of experience in developing affordable housing for low income families, seniors and individual with special needs. Serving on the Board of the Bay Area Housing Corporation is an honor and a privilege.
Uday Kapoor
Works for Sun/Oracle as the Director of Engineering, and he is the father of an adult son with a developmental disability and mental illness. Uday has been a caregiver, helper, and advocate for the cause of understanding and providing support to the community with mental health issues. He wants a safe, clean, and loving environment for his son to live in. Uday joined BAHC to help create more homes to transform more lives, and he represents NAMI in the Community Living Coalition (CLC) that addresses the issue of supportive housing for the mentally ill.
Irma Velasquez
Educator, artist, life coach and social entrepreneur. Her love for her son, Aaron, who is diagnosed with autism, and her understanding of the needs of the individuals and families affected by autism, inspired her to start Wings Learning Center in 2001. In 2005 she was honored with the prestigious Jefferson Award for her work in community and public service. This is a calling that continues to drive her commitment to non-profit Boards that educate, support, and advocate for individuals with disabilities. In 2014 she co-founded Rident Park, a non-profit organization whose mission is to address the housing shortage for individuals with disabilities. Irma lives in San Mateo, with her husband, Sherman and son Aaron.
Father of an adult daughter with Down Syndrome and has been active in many organizations advocating for the developmentally disabled for over 40 years. He has served two terms on the San Andreas Regional Center board, including one as the Chair of the Board of Directors. He also was a founding board member of Housing Choices Coalition and has also been a founding member of Bay Area Housing Corporation. John is retired from the County of Santa Clara and is a native of Santa Clara County.
Kris McCann
Serves as the Executive Director of BAHC, has worked in creating homes for people with developmental disabilities since 2000. She is recognized throughout the State as a leader in the housing field and has a background in organizational development, nonprofit management and real estate. Kris has a daughter with a developmental disability, is sensitive to the needs of this population and wants to make a difference. She is the founding Executive Director of BAHC and Housing Choices Coalition. Her Master’s Degree is in Organizational Development from USF and she is a licensed real estate agent in the State of California and in New Mexico.
Carol Turner
Serves as the Assistant Executive Director and Financial Administrator for BAHC. Carol brings a tremendous background in financial management to the BAHC Team. After attending the University of Alberta she spent several years in public accounting in Canada before moving to California. Her career has been focused on Financial and Operational Management in Professional Services. Carol has a passion for providing opportunities to those who need a helping hand. As a business owner, she strategically recruited from NPO organizations. She has been recognized for her leadership by the Business Journal in 2002 and 2003, when they included her company on the list of the Top 25 Woman Owned Businesses in Silicon Valley. She brings a professionalism that is an asset to our organization.
Regina Reilly
Chief Storyteller for BAHC. She has worked with several nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area since 1993. Regina has significant experience in program launches, expansion, service delivery and nonprofit administration, as both a board member and staff member. She has a deep interest in creating a new model for housing for people with developmental disabilities where they can live safely and age in place.
Octavio Farfan
Project Manager and IT Manager for BAHC. He oversees the development, construction and maintenance of all of our properties. He has a significant background in construction and ensures that all contractors we hire perform exemplary work. He supervises repair personnel and technicians working on the homes, and at times does basic maintenance. Octavio has a Master’s Degree in Computer Information Systems and provides technical expertise to the BAHC team.
Reggie Vega
Property Manager and AP Coordinator. He researches products and materials, handles the monthly reports for billing and vendor payments for completed work orders. He schedules repair technicians and facilitates access to the properties. Reggie provides the organizational structure that keeps our records and communications clean and tight.
Agustin Romero
Maintenance Repair Technician and he is a highly skilled handyman with expertise in carpentry, irrigation and light plumbing and some electrical work. He is responsible for most of the repairs at the properties and completes bi-annual maintenance in each home.
Partners/Resources
The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and support available to individuals with I/DD and their families. There are 21 regional centers that work with the Department of Development Services.
The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. These disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers.
Lanterman Act and Related Laws
California Early Intervention Services Act
San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) serves Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties.
Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) serves Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties and exists as a result of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act and the California Early Intervention Services Act.
"Because There's No Place Like Home"
Bay Area Housing Corp |
101 Church Street, Suite 4, Los Gatos, CA 95030
| 408.395.5100 | |
Bay Area Housing Corp © 2019
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