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In The Epic Poem Beowulf The Hero Volunteers
admin May 25, 2019 May 25, 2019 Comments Off on In The Epic Poem Beowulf The Hero Volunteers
A new Hollywood film opening in theatres Friday employs special-effects wizardry to tell the story of Beowulf, but a just-released illustrated edition of the epic tale from a. surrounding the story.
But it is easy to forget now that Beowulf – an epic of sixth-century Scandinavian warriors and monsters named after its hero – was once as much an upstart. strapped a patriotic rocket to the poem’s.
Earlier this week, The Independent reported that the first line of Beowulf has been incorrectly translated for. which begins the English language’s oldest epic poem (“Hwæt! We Gar-Dena in.
Sir Philip Sidney An Apology For Poetry Quotes Author Of Franklin The Turtle Books Delaney was the author of seven books, his last being a 1994 autobiography titled, "Me Voila." He specialized in the history of New York
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The epic poem "Beowulf" has all the elements for a Hollywood film: action, monsters and classic battles of good vs. evil. But it also features a "monastic" hero with little sex appeal whose story is.
The question and importance of religion must be considered in relation to the hero’s quest. Its influence can mostly be felt in the overlying structure of these stories. Beowulf is an epic poem, which.
Writing The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Dragon-Slayers was probably not what the unknown author of the Anglo-Saxon poem. t the hero of the first English epic be fair game? Check out the very.
What Is A Prose Narrative Language Arts practice for standardized testing topics for 6th grade students – author purpose, compare, contrast, verb study, story elements, antonym, synonym Apr 04, 2019 · Nonfiction is an expansive and
Beowulf,” performed by Benjamin. 9:45 p.m. POETS HOUSE. ”Epic Proportions: Documenting History and Culture With Long Poems,” 2:15 p.m.; ”A Feminist Quest: Revisioning the Epic Hero,” 4 p.m.
Hrunting was Beowulfs first magic sword in the Old English epic poem detailing the hero’s exploits. Hrunting had been crafted of the finest iron in times beyond the memory of Beowulf’s people. Its.
itself has no significance. Thomas Bulfinch was a native of Boston, Mass., where he was born in 1796. His boyhood was spent in that city, and he prepared for college in the
The development project, from Universal Cable Productions, is described as an adaptation of the classic epic poem that further examines the hero’s rise to power and his feud with the monster Grendel.
May 17, 2019 · Reviews, essays, books and the arts: the leading international weekly for literary culture
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Spain and Portugal , 718 AD-Present. Spain, unlike Britain, never fell outside of history after the collapse of the Western Empire, which gives us a continuous record of rule from Rome through the Visigoths and beyond.Also, Spain underwent her own unique transformation in the trauma of the Islâmic conquest. The Visigoths were crushed and for almost three centuries a revived Christian kingdom.
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Poem of the Masses. my smile melts with confusion artisticly enhanced she titty-danced her clients glanced at her mammarily-expansed bust, de-pantsed
The historical period drama is a film genre in which stories are based upon historical events and famous people. Some historical dramas are docudramas, which attempt an accurate portrayal of a historical event or biography, to the degree that the available historical research will allow.Other historical dramas are fictionalized tales that are based on an actual person and their deeds, such.
This is a comprehensive bibliography of all complete books scanned at, or for, the Internet Sacred Text Archive. If a file is listed here, it normally indicates that this is the first place it was posted anywhere on the Internet, as far as we can determine.
The legendary Scandinavian hero Beowulf, the main character of an epic Old English poem written around the turn of the second millennium A.D., is getting a third millennium makeover courtesy of French.
Virgil wrote the Aeneid for Augustan Rome, Ovid wrote the Metamorphoses as a spin-off of the epic gen, the epic of Beowulf appeared. just makes epic heroes better. This is why we love Batman better.
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It seems unfair to call any iteration of the epic "Beowulf" derivative, because "Beowulf" pretty much started it all. The 3,182-line tale of a Scandinavian hero keeping the world safe from monsters.
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Nevertheless, hip hop was my introduction to the wordplay and metaphor I would find later in other forms of poetry. Milton.
In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf is a hero of the Geats who dedicates his life to proving his courage and defending those weaker than him. At the end of the story, he confronts a dragon who has been.
Nevertheless, hip hop was my introduction to the wordplay and metaphor I would find later in other forms of poetry. The notion. versions of the feud between Beowulf and Unferth in the Old English.
Author Of Franklin The Turtle Books Delaney was the author of seven books, his last being a 1994 autobiography titled, "Me Voila." He specialized in the history of New York City and Connecticut, producing books about
Easy Shakespeare Sonnets To Analyze Special Report: A radar scan of William Shakespeare’s supposed tomb in a Stratford church came up empty, fueling the old debate about who really wrote the famous plays and sonnets.
Our prices include all Import Duty and VAT – International art sites do not and S.A. Customs will add a total 30% to your order from abroad. PopTart delivers to your door. – International sites ship to your post-office. If there is a problem, and they do occur, we do whatever it takes to make it right.
In three years in Oxford, I never heard of him as the creator of Bilbo and Frodo, only as the interpreter of, and authority on, the great Old English epic. Beowulf comprising a translation, an.
But Tolkien’s expertise on Beowulf and his own literary powers give us every reason to take it seriously. Beowulf is the oldest-surviving epic poem in English. who have heard of heroes and indeed.
Poetry By Parveen Shakir In Urdu Parveen Shakir was born on November 24, 1952 in Karachi. She is regarded as a pioneer who defied the tradition by expressing the “female experience” in Urdu poetry. In education,
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Former Anonymous member leaves the movement and condemns it for actions against innocent people
A former member of the Anonymous group has publicly left the movement and criticised recent action.
Only identifying himself as a man from Manchester called Matthew who was previously known as ‘SparkyBlaze', he said he had been at a crossroad over Anonymous over its release of innocent people's data.
In a statement headlined ‘Why I am quitting Anon', he said that when he started out he thought he was helping people, but over the past few months things inside Anonymous had changed.
He said: “They (Anonymous and LulzSec) both go against what I stand for (and what Anonymous says they stand for). Antisec has released gig after gig of innocent people's information. For what? What did they do? Does Anon have the right to remove the anonymity of innocent people? They are always talking about people's right to remain anonymous, so why are they removing that right?”
He also claimed that Anonymous does have a leadership but does not care about its members and the ‘Free Topiary' campaign has only been started as that member is ‘higher up' in Anonymous.
“Anonymous has prayed on people's willingness to help others and most of them are kids who don't understand what they are doing, can f*** up their lives and the IRC won't help them,” he said.
He called on governments not to arrest kids but arrest the group's leaders, as without them, everything will fall apart and the recruitment will stop. In a message to the ‘Anons', the members of Anonymous, he said: “Quit while you still can, you are not helping anyone and you need to think about the long run. Some thinking now can save you some large legal bills later and yes, I will be there when you get out of court to say: I told you so.
“There are other ways to help people, just don't go to Anon. You are not hurting the governments, you are hurting yourselves in the long run. No I am not saying I agree with what the governments are doing, but I also do not agree with Anon. You can't arrest an idea but you can throw a kid in jail and f*** up their life. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.”
He concluded by thanking ‘everyone who has been spreading the truth about Anon', including pro-US hacker the Jester (th3j35t3r).
The news follows an announcement by Anonymous that it had leaked private documents from the military contractor Vanguard Defence Industries. It had 1GB of private documents and emails belonging to senior vice president Richard T. Garcia, who has also served as an executive board member of InfraGard.
The Anonymous statement said: “It is our pleasure to make a mockery of InfraGard for the third time, once again dumping their internal meeting notes, membership rosters and other private business matters.
“We are doing this not only to cause embarrassment and disruption to Vanguard Defense Industries, but to send a strong message to the hacker community. White hat sellouts, law enforcement collaborators and military contractors beware: we're coming for your mail spools, bash history files and confidential documents.”
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Who is Clayton Lewis? Lowdown on Scunthorpe United’s reported new signing
Charlie Wilson takes a closer look at the New Zealand international
Clayton Lewis will join up with Scunthorpe United on Monday. Picture: Getty Images
Scunthorpe United have reportedly signed New Zealand international Clayton Lewis, who is according to the New Zealand Herald, flying to England on Friday to join the Iron.
The 20-year-old produced a number of eye-catching displays in the Confederations Cup this past summer.
Lewis could be set to become Scunthorpe United’s fourth ever New Zealand-born player after Jason Batty (who never made an appearance at the club), David Mulligan and Rory Fallon.
Scunthorpe United reportedly sign New Zealand international
Here’s all you need to know about the potential new signing
Lewis began his career at his local side, semi-professional club Wellington Olympic. In 2013, he came into prominence when he became a key figure of the Wellington Olympic team which finished second in the Central Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the Chatham Cup .
Following his impressive season, he signed his first professional contract with Team Wellington for the 2013-14 Premiership season.
After failing to make an appearance for Team Wellington, Lewis left the club at the end of the season and was signed on a free transfer by Wanderers SC, managed by Watford legend Darren Bazeley.
Lewis made his first appearance for Wanderers in November 2014 on the fifth match of the season away 3–0 win against WaiBop United, as he scored on debut. He would go on to make 11 appearances, scoring three goals and adding three assists for the Wanderers that season.
After impressing in his brief spell at Wanderers, Lewis would sign for his former club, Team Wellington’s rivals, Auckland City, on a one-year deal.
Lewis had an eye-catching season at Auckland City last campaign, as he scored 11 goals and adding 13 assists helping guide his side to win the regular season, as they finished second in the playoffs, losing 2-1 to his former club Team Wellington in the Grand final.
Lewis made his international debut for New Zealand in March 2015 against South Korea , as he played 54 minutes in a 1-0 defeat.
He also made 12 appearances and scored four goals New Zealand under-20 team starting in April 2015. He is part of the under-20 side for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. He scored his first FIFA U-20 World Cup goal against Myanmar in a 5–1 group stage win at Westpac Stadium in Wellington .
In the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup , Lewis assisted Chris Wood 's goal against Mexico to put New Zealand up 1-0 in Sochi ; this was New Zealand's only goal in the competition.
He has since made 10 appearances for the All Whites first-team.
Scunthorpe United out to tame Shrewsbury
Lewis is a left-footed attacking midfielder who is capable of playing on either flank or through the middle in a #10 role.
He would be best utilised at the front of a three-man midfield playing behind the striker in attacking formations.
After speaking to an Auckland City supporter and watching clips on YouTube, Lewis’ best comparisons would be Wes Hoolahan from Norwich City and Matt Ritchie from Newcastle United.
He glides across the midfield and likes to find gaps between the midfield and defence and likes to arrive late into the box to get on the end of crosses, similar to Wes Hoolahan. As previously mentioned, he likes to drift over to either wing, as he tries to find the best positions to exploit the weaknesses in oppositions’ defences, similarly to Matt Ritchie.
The nearest comparison to a former Scunthorpe Player would be Tommy Rowe.
What Lewis said about joining Scunthorpe
"It's massive and I can't wait to get over there," Lewis told the New Zealand Herald.
“I always wanted to get this opportunity; you dream of being a professional at something you love."
"I thought the UK would be the best option for me. I like the way Scunthorpe play and have a lot of respect for Graham Alexander. I'm looking forward to contributing to the team."
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RS Berkeley Introduces Jascha Heifetz Violins From Meisel
RS Berkeley is honored to introduce our newest brand and product line, Jascha Heifetz Violins From Meisel.
More than a century after his public debut, the name Jascha Heifetz continues to evoke awe and excitement among fellow musicians. In a performing career that spanned 65 years, he established an unparalleled standard of violin playing to which violinists around the world still aspire. “From the Jascha Heifetz Biography at www.JaschaHeifetz.com, © 2010 John and John Anthony Maltese”
“We are delighted to partner with RS Berkeley in creating a line of violins honoring the artistry and acclaimed career of Jascha Heifetz. During the evaluation process, we worked with a number of outstanding violinists who played and reviewed these instruments and were very pleased with their findings. They reported to us that The Jascha Heifetz Violins from Meisel are attractive instruments with lovely varnish and were the best they’d ever heard and seen in their price range. They found that the violins projected extremely well in the concert halls in which they were tested and that their pitch was remarkable. We are very pleased with these results, as it’s our expectation to offer violinists affordable instruments of consistently high quality that represent the best value for their price,” mentioned The Jascha Heifetz Estate.
Jascha Heifetz Violins From Meisel are authorized bench copies of the original violin of 1740 by Giuseppe Guarneri (del Gesu), which was obtained by Jascha Heifetz in 1922 and played by him for 65 years in concert and recording sessions.
Jascha Heifetz Violins From Meisel feature beautifully figured European wood for the backs, sides and necks, while the top wood is straight grained European spruce. The warm shaded varnish is highlighted by the glowing reflective ground beneath it. These models produce great tonal character and response. Each instrument has been hand crafted by an accomplished luthier with more than 10 years of expertise.
Learn more about Jascha Heifetz Violins From Meisel by visiting https://www.rsberkeley.com/jascha-heifetz-violins-from-meisel.
Tagged: RS Berkeley, Meisel, Jascha Heifetz, Violins, Violinist, Musician, Jascha Heifetz Violins From Meisel, Meisel Violins, Stringed Instruments, Orchestra, Jascha Heifetz Violin
Eddie Daniels Talks With Richard Boulger About Creating A Sound On The Horn, Meditation, Equipment and More
Eddie Daniels is that rarest of rare musicians who is not only equally at home in both jazz and classical music but excels at both with breathtaking virtuosity. Richard Boulger spoke with Eddie about creating a sound on the horn, meditation, equipment and current projects.
RB: The first time I ever heard you was on one of Freddie Hubbard’s recordings years ago.
ED: The Hub of Hubbard, right?
RB: Exactly, exactly, yeah, yeah, yeah, man.
ED: Freddie was very nice to me. Who could ever feel like they could keep up with Freddie? Especially on a tune like that, you know, “Just One Of Those Things.” On a gig, we’re talking 35-40 years ago, it was spontaneous and it was not supposed to be a record. We were in the Black Forest in Germany and touring with Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Freddie and his trio. Joe Henderson didn’t want to do this recording because there wasn’t enough money. I was the second choice and I said “of course, I’ll do it!” I was the youngest guy in the band and of course I was glad to be the second choice after Joe, who’s so great. Playing on “Just One Of Those Things," I felt like I was scrambling, but every time I talked to Freddie, he said, “no, you were playing your buns off.”
RB: What is your approach or concept of creating a sound on the horn?
ED: You don’t create a sound on the horn. You kind of have to let the horn be the sound it is and funny you would ask that, because this morning was the first time I’ve played the clarinet in three weeks. I recently had dental work, so I’ve been playing the flute for the past three weeks and I just picked up the clarinet and somehow it was me. My wife came in and said, “sounds like you.” It’s so many things. Let’s say somebody wants to sound like me, or I want to sound like someone else. A lot of people who want to sound like me get the same kind of clarinet that I’m playing, the mouthpiece, the ‘Eddie Daniels Ligature from RS Berkeley’, which we will talk about later and they put all the pieces together. They play and realize, “this doesn’t sound like Eddie Daniels, what is this?” Everybody thinks, “what are you using so I can sound like you?” It has been a long evolution of how much effort I want to put into the sound. What makes a sound, what makes who you are at that moment. I’m a lot of pieces of things. Part of the sound is your temperament. So when I play the tenor, I’m sometimes more like a roaring lion, or a sweet kinda Stan Getz thing, which is part of my temperament.
I put in hundreds of thousands of hours with the intent of a sound that is connected with my heart. I also studied with Joe Allard and all these people to learn how to do things efficiently, and yet all the people (who studied with Joe Allard, who’s one of the greatest teachers) don’t sound like me. So how does that work out? Michael Brecker studied with Joe, you know? A lot of people studied with Joe and they don’t sound like me. Some of them, but that was the efficiency of a great teacher letting you sound like yourself.
RB: You totally nailed it, man. Ultimately it’s coming from within your own being and coming out through the horn. So you can buy the exact same equipment that you have and have everything, but they’re not necessarily going to get your sound. They’d have to have lived your experiences, perceptions of reality and then that will come out through the bell of the horn.
ED: And the struggles and the struggles, it’s not just the emotion. If I could bring this being that I am now back to 40 years ago when I was 30-something and struggling with the clarinet, it wouldn’t make any difference because there were all those steps in between about “how do I get that sound?,” and “what do I do with my chops?” You know, all those little things. It’s the emotion, it’s your being, it’s your heart, it’s all of those things and it’s a lot of other stuff too.
RB: Before we go into the next question, I have a little side question that came out while you were speaking. I’m just curious. I myself am a trumpet player, but I’m just wondering, do you do anything away from the horn, do you work out, any type of breathing exercises, anything that when you come back to the horn, makes it that much more positive for you?
ED: Well, I play tennis. I run around on the tennis court. I meditate. I try to sit still every day for a couple of hours. I think the horn for everybody, aside from learning to meditate to play better on your horn, I think playing a horn (an instrument of any kind) is a meditation. I find that if the person who’s playing any instrument, no matter what level, asks themselves, “who’s playing this instrument at this time?” You’ll come to a place where you’ll go, “whoa, there’s something going on here.” Just say while you’re playing the trumpet, you ask yourself, “who’s watching this… who’s here now?” It was like an “A-Ha!” moment that I had a couple weeks ago, even though all through the years you know there’s not a lot of thinking when you play an instrument, no. You notice a mistake and you try to correct it, but as you’re blowing, you’re basically watching it and listening to it, until something happens that you want to change. Meditating is great, doing other things is great, but being aware while you’re playing is great. Like asking yourself, “who’s here watching this?” I think that’s one of the deepest things I learned in the last month.
RB: You mention about consciousness, in terms of just the spirit and the presence of being ‘the observer’… Do you find there’s a difference between how you practice and approach when you’re sitting in a room, where your focal point is as opposed to when you walk onto the bandstand, and you’re more interacting with other players and you’re just kind of being in the moment, reacting.
ED: I think every single situation is different and yet, the presence of who’s watching is the same all the time. I think you want to bring that presence when you’re practicing on the stage with you, the awareness. You’re not going to stop and re-do a note that you didn’t like, which you might do in your practice room all day long. I think it’s the same. It’s an evolution. You get on the stage. I used to be more nervous. I used to be in sessions with Hubert Laws sitting next to me or David Baker. I’m playing flute and I was playing flute a lot back then, which now I’m gonna do again because I love it. I used to be nervous until I wasn’t nervous any more. I always wondered, “How did that happen?” Now being in a studio is one of the most comfortable things to me. Oddly enough. You know, being on jingles back in the old days and I was the kid, I felt like the kid even though Hubert wasn’t that much older than me and some of the other great players, Sanborn and Brecker, I was the older guy at that point, but early on I was nervous. Then you know, you do it, you do it — it’s like you keep doing it until it’s easier.
RB: How do you approach practicing improvisation?
ED: I don’t practice improvisation.
RB: So if someone came to you for a lesson on how to improvise. How would you approach teaching them?
ED: Practicing improvisation is a contradiction. You figure out all your licks and then you go do it. Part of it is improvised because you have to grab it from your memory, but it’s very interesting because we were just visiting our grandchild, and Sam asked, “What is spontaneity?” - just that question and having to answer what that is. You can’t be totally spontaneous because you have to draw on stuff you know. If you didn’t draw on your vocabulary, nothing would come out other than sounds and you could be avante garde and make a bunch of sounds.
You don’t need a horn to do that, but if you can put a horn in your mouth you might as well learn how to make a sound. Or you don’t have to, you can be spontaneously putting an instrument in your mouth that you never played before, and have “Giant Steps” go by, and “Go Ahead.” You never played the sax or the trumpet or any instrument — be spontaneous. That has gradations up to okay, well I have to practice the trumpet at least 20 years in order to be able to play that tune and how do I then become spontaneous on “Giant Steps?" I better know all my chords and I better know the changes and get a little bit loose with it and maybe even practice some licks, but when it really comes along, it’s so fast that you can’t be spontaneous. You have to kind of let it go.
RB: Would you suggest to students that they work with a metronome?
ED: Absolutely. Yeah, definitely. I used to work with a metronome. I have to get back to it, because my hearing is not as good. As you get older, you lose your hearing. You lose some of the highs and so your time has to be strong enough to cut through even if you can’t hear what’s right. To a young person, that may not make much sense, but you know you’re on a bandstand with the drums crashing and the band roaring and somehow you miss a beat because you didn’t hear it right, so you have to really stay focused and keep your time and a metronome is really important. I have to get back to it myself.
RB: Eddie, how would you say your equipment has had or does currently have on your playing?
ED: Well, I’m constantly looking for the right equipment. Still, this morning, trying a few different mouthpieces, wanting the resistance and the sound to be right. I mean, that’s the eternal quest. Here I am, in my 70s, and a pretty good player and I’m still looking for the sound and the ease, and trying to find what works right, trying to find a little bit more something — whatever it is. The equipment can make a difference. It depends on the stage of where you are in your playing. For a person on my level, most people would say, “you sound the same on everything,” and I kind of do on every good piece of equipment.
The equipment is important depending on how well you play — if you’re just in the middle of your playing and you’re pretty good, you find some equipment that makes it easier and your teacher says you’ll get the high notes for this and you won’t have to work as hard and blah-blah-blah, and there begins the quest for the rest of your life as you step to the sound that is your sound of your heart. By the time you’re 77, you’re still looking. Like I just had these two flute head joints and another flute that just came in the door, why?
RB: This is a nice segue, now, in terms of equipment. Can you tell us about your new Eddie Daniels ligature?
ED: It’s funny, the ligature is the last thing in the chain of your blowing. You have your horn, the bell, the two middle joints, barrel, then the mouthpiece, that’s five pieces, then the reed, that’s six. But you can’t play unless you have something holding it on the mouthpiece. Which you think — okay, it could be anything — but you’ll find that the differences in material, and this is also for the gearheads who play pretty darned good and for those who don’t play that well, it will make it easier to make it facilitate easier, so the ligature is the last thing in the chain. I think it’s one of the most important things. The ligature is holding the reed on there, but it’s more than that, it’s the reed, the vibrating object, which can cut out vibrations or add vibrations, and it’s interesting after the clarinet being an instrument that’s a hundred years old, there has always been ligatures.
I love this final iteration of what we came up with for the ligatures, the carbon fiber and the gold. They both facilitate the sound and hold the sound. For me, the most important thing is holding the sound, so that you don’t have to. Holding the sound means keeping the pitch even so you don’t have to bite to do that.
RB: Eddie, would you say that the ligature would be beneficial for all levels of players and age groups?
ED: Yeah, it’s inexpensive enough, but we’re also working on a student model. But you know, if you’re not playing that well and you’re a beginner, you could have anything for a ligature. You’re better off having a better mouthpiece, a better reed, or a better clarinet. But if you have that, and you’re starting to play pretty well, why not have a good ligature? I think it’s good for everyone, even a beginner, I think it’s good for anyone, but it’s especially good for the better players who would notice the difference. I love the ligature, I love what we have. I think it’s the best thing ever.
RB: Can you tell us a bit about what projects are you working on right now?
ED: Well, I’m starting a new album in two weeks. The music of Brazilian composer, Ivan Lins, one of the great composers… one of the super greats. He was on one of Dave Grusen’s first albums, “Harlequin,” and he did a tune and we’re gonna do it on the new album. Actually Dave Grusen and Bob James will join me on this new album, the music of Ivan Lins. So Dave is one of my heroes and so is Bob James. I’ve appeared on a lot of their albums. They’re being very generous to come to L.A. and play with me on this new album, which will have the Harlem Quartet again, as well as on “Heart of Brazil”. That’s the music of Edberto Chesmonte with the Harlem String Quartet and a phenomenal rhythm section. That album was nominated for a Grammy this past February.
RB: Do you have any advice for young, aspiring players who are coming along and just starting out, and trying to get it together?
ED: Well, you’re going to be what you are, no matter what. Enjoy the passion of it. If you don’t have any passion for it, forget it. Go do something else. You may like all this music and you may love the music but when you play, you find like you’re not that into it, you can’t find your passion, and by passion I mean, here I am in my 70s, and I still play a couple hours a day, and that’s from age 13 to now. I still love practicing. So that’s passion. If you don’t have it, find a way to get it… If you have that passion, you’re gonna find your way. No matter what. You will find it.
Richard Boulger is a trumpeter, composer, producer, recording artist and former student and protégé of Freddie Hubbard and Donald Byrd. Richard has recorded with Randy Brecker, Eddie Henderson, Alex Foster, Jimmy Greene, The Allman Brothers Band and many others.
Tagged: Eddie Daniels, Richard Boulger, Sound, Musician, Music, Ligature, Saxophone, Clarinet, Freddie Hubbard
RS Berkeley Welcomes Mike Richmond As Endorsing Artist
Mike Richmond has been featured on over 350 recordings (15 solo) and has recorded/performed internationally with the Charles Mingus Dynasty/Big Band/Orchestra, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Ravi Shankar, Elvin Jones, Gil Evans, Woody Herman, Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, Horace Silver, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Henderson, Phil Woods, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, BB King, Chet Baker, Hubert Laws, Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Don Cherry, Lee Konitz, Bob Brookmeyer, Milt Jackson, Kenny Wheeler, Henry Mancini, Joào Gilberto, Astrid Gilberto, Michel Legrand, Chico Hamilton, Richie Havens, and Pat Metheny. He has won Grammy Awards with Miles Davis, Quincy Jones and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
His book Modern Walking Bass Technique (Ped Xing Music) is used worldwide as one of the leading texts on jazz bass technique. Mike's workshops have been well received throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, China, South America, and the Middle East. Mike is a professor of Double Bass at New York University (Teacher of the Year 1991 & 1994). He represented the United States in France as a guest lecturer at the “International Symposium On Jazz Pedagogy” sponsored by the French Cultural Ministry
Mike has been a guest soloist with the Bratislava Philharmonic Orchestra, United Arab Emirates Philharmonic Orchestra, Prince George's Philharmonic, Lima Peru Symphony, Costa Rica National Symphony, Cologne Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Cologne Radio Big Band, the Hamburg State Opera, and the Hacettepe Conservatory Symphony (Turkey).
Find additional information about Mike Richmond by visiting rsberkeley.com/mike-richmond.
Tagged: Mike Richmond, RS Berkeley, Tuba, Jazz, Musician
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EU lawmakers vote to scrap visa-free travel for Americans to Europe
Published time: 3 Mar, 2017 04:54 Edited time: 3 Mar, 2017 18:34
© Fabrizio Bensch © Reuters
The European Parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling on Brussels to force Americans to apply for visas before visiting Europe unless Washington adheres to a visa reciprocity policy and stops discriminating against eastern EU citizens.
The resolution, passed by a show of hands, demands equal treatment and reciprocity for all EU citizens from Washington as the US continues to refuse visa-free access to people from Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania, along with Cyprus. Other 23 EU member states can enter the US using the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).
The European lawmakers urged the EU Commission to adopt the necessary legal measures “within two months” to limit American visa-free travel to Europe.
Parliament asks European Commission to press for full US-EU visa reciprocity. Find out the details here → https://t.co/843hN7D5Mfpic.twitter.com/qg1VKo1EQH
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) March 2, 2017
“The EU Commission is legally obliged to take measures temporarily reintroducing visa requirements for US citizens, given that Washington still does not grant visa-free access to nationals of five EU countries,” the EU parliament said in a press release.
The violation of VWP was first reported in April 2014, when the European Commission was notified that five countries, including the US, were not meeting their obligations to allow all EU nationals visa-free entry. American nationals, however, are still allowed to enter the EU without obtaining a visa.
EU warns of visas for US citizens if Washington implements visa waiver reforms
Brussels notified Washington of the violation on April 12, 2014, and gave the US a choice to amend the practice within 24 months. As of now, the restrictions by the Americans are still in place.
If the US does not lift visa barriers by April, the Commission is required to act and suspend the visa waiver for US nationals for 12 months, unless either parliament or the EU Council object.
Prior to Thursday’s vote, the European Travel Commission (ETC) warned that placing visa restrictions on America will have a negative impact on the EU’s economy.
“We are very concerned about the economic and political impact of a suspension of visa waiver for US nationals,” Eduardo Santander, executive director of the ETC, said in a letter to MEPs.
“Making it more difficult for US citizens to travel to Europe would certainly deprive the European travel and tourism sector of essential revenue, and put thousands of European jobs at stake in one of the few sectors which experienced a strong growth in employment,” he added, according to the Guardian.
OP-ED: US restrictions on visa-free travel ‘scapegoats countries, not stops terrorism’
To avoid placing restrictions on Americans, the commission, according to Reuters, has already contacted Donald Trump’s administration “to push for full visa reciprocity.” The issue could be resolved at the next EU-US ministerial meeting penciled in for June 15.
“We will report on further progress made before the end of June and continue to work closely with both the European Parliament and the Council,” a European Commission spokeswoman said.
Australia, Brunei, Japan, and Canada were also previously failing in providing reciprocity for all EU citizens, but all four countries have since lifted, or will soon lift, their restrictions.
The chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, used the example of Canada while commenting on Friday’s vote.
"Our approach of continued engagement and patient diplomatic contacts brought tangible results on this issue with Canada," he said during a news conference.
He went on to state that the Commission will "continue to work closely with both the European Parliament and the council, and will report on further progress before the end of June."
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3 dead as car explodes near police building in Russia's south
Published time: 27 Dec, 2013 16:13 Edited time: 28 Dec, 2013 12:31
RIA Novosti/Anna Volkova © RIA Novosti
Three people died after a car exploded in the city of Pyatigorsk in Russia’s Stavropol region, Itar-Tass reported, citing the Interior Ministry.
Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) says that a homemade explosive device caused the blast.
The power of the explosion was equivalent to 50 kg of TNT, according to estimates.
NAC’s spokesman has denied earlier media reports that a state of emergency has been declared in the city.
The victims of the blast were passersby, the ministry said, citing preliminary findings.
Speaking to Rossiya 24 TV, the mayor added that no additional casualties have been reported.
Funerals are scheduled for December 30.
The blast in the city of Pyatigorsk took place next to the Road Traffic Safety Department, a road police source told RIA Novosti.
The powerful explosion reportedly shattered the windows of nearby houses. The local Interior Ministry department said that the car was parked near a police station.
The site has been cordoned off by police, and a canine team has been checking the area for more explosives, according to the local Interior Ministry department.
Meanwhile, Interfax-South quoted a law enforcement source as saying that the blast was so powerful that it “tore the car apart,” and was heard from four or five kilometers away.
Following the blast, police have beefed up security in the entire region, according to a law enforcement source quoted by Interfax-South. In Pyatigorsk, police tightened security measures around administrative buildings and dangerous installations, a police source told RIA Novosti.
Also on that day a strong fire enveloped the city’s market. Fire brigades extinguished the fire during the night. No casualties have been reported.
Pyatigorsk lies in the southern Stavropol region, which borders Russia’s North Caucasus republics. It has been the administrative center of the North Caucasian Federal District since 2010. The city has been the target of several terror attacks which left dozens of people dead.
Law enforcement agencies have been working to tighten security in the region after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the measures ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
In October, the Russian city of Volgograd was targeted by a suicide bomber who blew herself up in a bus, killing six people and injuring more than 30 others.
3 dead, 16 injured incl civilians in car bomb attack on police station in Russia
Russia thwarts plot to bomb chemical weapons facility
Southern Russian mosque blast: Terrorists blown up while preparing major attack
Terrorist blast kills 6, injures over 30 in Volgograd, central Russia
Trick-or-treat: Children in Russia’s North Caucasus record militant-style threatening videos
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Comic Heroes Themed Online Games
Comic heroes themed online games have always been popular when people have been able to find them. Many people would certainly love to see more of them. Introducing games like this can sometimes be complicated, of course, because they are going to be subject to certain copyright laws and rules. People who use Marvel and DC heroes of all kinds are going to have to deal with the different copyright laws and restrictions, and they are certainly going to have to deal with the perceptions of the parties that hold the rights.
Some gaming developers would actually be better off creating their own superheroes to go with their slot games. This is the kind of thing that is going to give developers more control over the property. People often like comic book heroes of all kinds and all stripes, and a comic book hero that was completely invented for a particular slot game could still certainly be popular. Of course, a character like this would not have the built-in audience that people will be able to get with the comic book heroes that have been introduced already.
Many of the superheroes that people love today were actually created a half a century ago at least. These characters get introduced time and time again and their stories get refreshed, but they are still the same characters at the core. Many of the comic book heroes who were created well after the 1960’s or 1970’s did not manage to achieve a great deal of lasting popularity for whatever reason.
Some new superhero characters created after those eras have managed to achieve some popularity, but many of these characters were created in order to parody the superhero genre. This is starting to change these days with superhero television. Superhero television is starting to revive superheroes that were fairly obscure, and it is helping people who were not originally familiar with comic books learn more about the characters that have not gotten as much exposure. This might turn out to be something of a major improvement for the online casino gaming developers who want to be able to use superheroes more often in their work.
Players can join Royal Vegas and play free video slot machines with a lot of other different themes at Royal Vegas online casino. Royal Vegas Online Casino games are going to be available in large numbers, and the gaming catalogs have been expanding all the time in recent years. However, given the popularity of superhero movies and superhero television shows in addition to superhero comics, people might be surprised by the fact that finding games that have superhero themes is actually relatively rare in these instances.
The fact that Marvel has discontinued so many of its popular slot games that have superhero themes is certainly an upsetting precedent for the people who love to see slot games and superheroes combined. However, it is possible that this situation is going to change. The superhero trend isn’t going away any time soon, and it should influence even more media today.
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Home | Previous Page
SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies
Member Professional Biographies
Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee
Stephen M. Graham is co-chair of Fenwick & West’s Life Sciences Practice, is a partner in the corporate group and is a member of the firm’s executive committee. He is resident in the firm’s Seattle office, where he is the Managing Partner. Mr. Graham focuses his practice in the areas of private and public mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, private placements, and corporate governance matters, including advising boards of directors and audit, compensation and nominating/corporate governance committees, preparation and filing of periodic SEC reports, and other securities law compliance, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act matters and disclosure issues with respect to Rule 10b-5 and Regulation FD. His diverse practice is focused on the representation of emerging and established high growth companies. Mr. Graham has represented companies and investment banks in numerous initial public offerings, a wide variety of merger and acquisition transactions, and private offerings of debt and equity. Mr. Graham has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of the top corporate and mergers and acquisitions lawyers in Washington. He is also a “Super Lawyer” award recipient, 2000 - 2011, was ranked as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in 2005 by Washington Law & Politics, received the Top Lawyers award from Seattle Magazine in 2003, is listed in Who’s Who in America by Marquis Biographical Reference, and is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha. He is active in community affairs, currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Institute for Systems Biology and the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association. Mr. Graham also serves as a member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Advisory Council of Iowa State University. Prior to joining Fenwick & West, Mr. Graham was a corporate partner with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, where he was the chair of the global Corporate Practice Group. Mr. Graham received his J.D. from Yale Law School and his B.S. from Iowa State University.
M. Christine Jacobs is Chairman, CEO and President of Theragenics Corporation, an NYSE medical device company. Ms. Jacobs is a member of the Board of Directors of McKesson Corporation, a healthcare products and services provider also listed on the NYSE. She serves on McKesson’s Compensation and Governance Committees. Ms. Jacobs sits on the Boards of the Georgia State University Foundation, the Board of Councilors of the Carter Center in Atlanta, the American Council for Capital Formation and Friends of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ms. Jacobs previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Landauer, Inc., an NYSE-listed company, until 2006 where she served on the Audit and Compensation Committees. In addition to bringing vast knowledge of publically listed company business, structure and history, Ms. Jacobs has deep healthcare industry knowledge from her experience at Theragenics, her role at McKesson, and her formal training, education and prior experience in the field of medical technology. Ms. Jacobs provides unique insight into legislative and reimbursement issues critical to any company engaged in healthcare related industries. She is a member of the American Brachytherapy Society, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Other Members of Advisory Committee
A. Heath Abshure is the Arkansas Securities Commissioner. He was appointed Commissioner in December 2007 by Governor Mike Beebe. In this role, Mr. Abshure oversees the Arkansas Securities Department, the state agency charged with oversight of all aspects of the securities industry, as well as certain aspects of the mortgage lending and money services industries. Mr. Abshure serves as Chairman of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) Corporation Finance Section Committee. He is a board member of Economics Arkansas, a private, non-profit, educational organization founded in 1962 to promote economic literacy in Arkansas, and serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School, William H. Bowen School of Law, teaching Securities Regulation. Mr. Abshure began his legal career with the Little Rock firm of Giroir Gregory Holmes & Hoover. In 2000, Mr. Abshure joined the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he served as Senior Attorney-Adviser in the Office of the Administrative Law Judges. In July 2002, he returned to Little Rock and joined the firm of Williams & Anderson, specializing in corporate securities and municipal bond issues. Mr. Abshure graduated cum laude from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He obtained his law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, with high honors. While working at the SEC, Mr. Abshure attended the Georgetown University Law Center and obtained a Master of Laws with distinction in Securities and Financial Regulation.
David A. Bochnowski is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Indiana Bancorp, a public company and serves in the same capacity at Peoples Bank, the Bancorp’s operating subsidiary. He has held his present position since 1981. Dave is a native of Northwest Indiana and received his undergraduate and Law degrees from Georgetown University as well as a Master’s Degree from Howard University. He is an Army veteran of Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in that conflict. His career includes having served as a Special Assistant to Senator Birch Bayh and as a law clerk to United States District Court Judge James Noland. He has been active in state and national banking associations and has testified before Congress, the Federal Reserve, and the Securities and Exchange Commission on issues related to banking and small business. In 2001 he was appointed Chairman of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions by the Governor Frank O’Bannon. Dave has been active in numerous community activities including current service as a Trustee of the Legacy Foundation, the Quality of Life Council, the Purdue University Technology Center, Calumet College, the Gary YWCA and the Community Hospital System. He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana’s highest citizen award, by Indiana’s Governor for his achievements and his community leadership. He is also a member of the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame. Dave and his wife Ann have been married for thirty four years and have four adult children.
John J. Borer III is Senior Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at The Benchmark Company, LLC. Until June 2012, Mr. Borer was a Senior Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking of Rodman & Renshaw, LLC. Mr. Borer joined Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, in 1998 as a Senior Managing Director and president of Rodman & Renshaw, LLC. From 1991 through 1998, Mr. Borer was a managing director and head of investment banking at the broker-dealer affiliate of the original Rodman & Renshaw firm. From 1984 through 1991, Mr. Borer was senior vice president and investment manager in the new business development office of Security Pacific Business Credit Inc. From 1979 through 1984, he served as a vice president and business development officer with Barclays American Business Credit in its Los Angeles office. Mr. Borer received his B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of California at Davis in 1978 and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 1984.
Dan Chace is Portfolio Manager for the Wasatch Micro Cap Fund and joined Wasatch Advisors in 2002. The Wasatch Micro Cap Fund is a mutual fund focused on investments in growth companies in the smallest market capitalization range of the public equity markets. Dan has been in the finance industry since 1996, and began his career in New York working for J.P. Morgan Securities, SG Cowen Securities, Merrill Lynch, and Oppenheimer & Co. as an equities analyst following Latin American financial institutions. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and completed his undergraduate studies at Pomona College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology. Dan spent two years in Paraguay as a volunteer with the United States Peace Corps.
Milton Chang is an entrepreneur and investor. He was President/CEO of Newport Corporation and New Focus, Inc, which he subsequently took public. As an angel investor, he served on the boards of Uniphase (now JDSU) and 11 other startups that either went public or were acquired. Today he writes a monthly business/ management column for the trade publication Laser Focus World, sits on the boards of several startup companies, and advices entrepreneurs. Dr. Chang earned his BS engineering degree with highest honors from the University of Illinois and PhD from the California Institute of Technology. He was awarded Distinguished Alumni from both U of I and Caltech and is currently a trustee of Caltech. He also attended the Harvard Owner/President Management Program (OPM) and was a member of the Young President Organization (YPO). He is also a member of Committee of 100.
Leroy Dennis began his career in public accounting with McGladrey in 1978 and has actively served the needs of midsized companies as an audit partner and as the Firm's Executive Partner – Assurance Services. He also has served the profession as a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Standing Advisory Group, Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) Coordinating Executive Committee, CAQ Professional Practice Executive Committee, and SEC Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies. In addition to serving on the newly formed SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies, Leroy also currently serves on the Governing Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Federal Legislative Task Force, and the AICPA Major Firms Group.
Shannon L. Greene has served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of The Tandy Leather Company since May 2000 and as a director since January 2001. From September 1997 to May 2000, Ms. Greene served as the company’s controller and assistant controller. Ms. Greene, a certified public accountant, chairs the company’s 401(k) Plan Committee. Her professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Financial Executives International. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is Chairman of the U.S. Chamber’s Corporate Leadership Advisory Council.
Kara B. Jenny is Chief Financial Officer of Bluefly, Inc., the online destination offering exclusive designer merchandise at considerable values starting at 40% off retail prices. Kara joined Bluefly in 1999 as Vice President of Finance and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in March 2008. As CFO, Kara works closely with Bluefly’s CEO, COO, and Chairman of the Board regarding the overall corporate strategy. She has also been instrumental in the development of the company’s financial strategy and manages the day-to-day financial and accounting operations. Kara also oversees the operations of the business, specifically managing the relationship with the third party distribution center, the customer service and legal function. In her tenure at Bluefly, Kara has been a key contributor in helping to scale the company’s business through streamlining the finance and accounting operations, managing vendor relationships, and raising capital. Kara oversees the SOX and SEC compliance efforts throughout the company and has created and managed the strategic and annual planning processes. She has also been a key contributor in facilitating several rounds of equity financing, including Preferred Stock Offerings, PIPE’s, Rights Offerings, and Common Stock Offerings. Prior to joining Bluefly, Kara was an Experienced Audit Manager at Andersen LLP. She spent 8 years in their New York Office’s Enterprise Group which serviced the needs of small businesses. In addition to providing audit and advisory services, she was involved in various transactions including acquisitions, public offerings, private equity and debt offerings, primarily in the retail and technology arena. Kara is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband and two children.
Richard L. Leza joined Exar Corporation as a Director in October 2005 and was elected Chairman in September 2006. He was appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer and President (Interim) of the Company in February 2007, and he served in that position until August 2007. Mr. Leza has been retired since August 2007. Previously, Mr. Leza was the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AI Research Corporation, an early stage venture capital firm specializing in the areas of business-to-business software, information technology, medical devices and medical analytical software applications. Mr. Leza served in such position, which was his principal occupation and employment, from 1988 to 2007. Mr. Leza also served as a director of AI Research Corporation from 1988 to 2007. He was also the co-founder, past Chairman and past President of Hispanic-Net, a non-profit organization. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Leza was the co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CastaLink, Inc., a provider of a web-based supply chain collaboration solution. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Leza served as co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NucleoTech Corporation, an application software company focused on digital image-driven analytical DNA software solutions. From 1982 to 1988, he was co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RMC Group, Inc., which provided management and research services for public and private technology companies. Mr. Leza was a board member of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Advisory Council from 2001 to 2007 and is Emeriti Director of the New Mexico State University Foundation Board. He is a three time member of Hispanic Business Magazine’s top 100 influential Hispanics in the United States. He is the author of various publications, writing on topics such as exporting, venture capital and developing business plans. Mr. Leza earned an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a BS in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University.
Paul Maeder is a General Partner and Founder of Highland Capital Partners and has over 27 years of experience in venture capital. He is the current Chair of the National Venture Capital Association. He serves on the boards of 2tor, Avidyne, BlueTarp, Heartland Robotics, Imprivata, PerkStreet Financial, Predictive Biosciences, and Village Ventures. Paul is a former director of Amp Resources, Avid Technology, Bit9, CheckFree, Chipcom, HighGround, Mainspring, Relicore, Software Clearing House, SQA, Sybase, Vertica, VistaPrint, and WebLine Communications. He has been recognized by the Forbes Midas List as one of the country’s top venture capitalists and is the 2008 recipient of the Mass Technology Leadership Council Commonwealth Award. Paul is a past President of the Business Associates Club, a former Chair of the Board of the Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School and Harvard Business School Business Plan Contest. He serves on several advisory committees at the engineering schools of Princeton University and Harvard University. Mr. Maeder holds a B.S.E. from Princeton University in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences, an M.S. from Stanford University in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School.
Kathleen A. McGowan joined VaxInnate as Chief Financial Officer in January 2013. Kathleen brings 30 years of diversified financial experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. From 2008-2012 she served as the Vice President, Finance, at Tobira, a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for treatment of HIV infection. Prior to Tobira, she was Director, Finance & Controller (Chief Accounting Officer) for Discovery Laboratories, Inc., a publicly-held biotech company focused on advancing respiratory critical care. From 2000-2004, she served as Director of Financial Analysis at Claneil Enterprises, Inc., a private equity investment firm. Previously, Kathleen served as Financial Controller at The Liposome Company, Inc., a publicly-held biotech company acquired by Elan Corporation, plc., and was Controller at Nelson Communications. From 1983 to 1995, Kathleen held various financial management positions with Johnson & Johnson, primarily at Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Johnson & Johnson Corporate. Kathleen received her B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Drexel University and holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Catherine V. Mott is a founder and CEO of BlueTree Capital Group and BlueTree Allied Angels located in Wexford, PA (suburb of Pittsburgh, PA.). BlueTree Allied Angels is one of 300 professionally managed angel investor networks in US and Canada. As of January 2011, BlueTree Allied Angels has invested ~ $16 million in 25 regional companies. Ms. Mott is the past Chairman of the Angel Capital Education Foundation, an organization that researches angel capital, tracks angel capital, and provides education to bring professionalism and ethics to the industry. In July 2010, she was named Chairman of the Board of the Angel Capital Association, the professional trade association for Angel Networks and Angel Funds in the U.S. Ms. Mott has been a speaker/panelist at national and regional conferences: the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (NASVF) annual conference, the Angel Capital Association annual summit, the State Science and Technology Initiative (SSTI) Annual Conference, as well as the Michigan Growth Capital Conference and North Carolina’s Angel Investor Summit. In 2009, she served as a Corporate Ambassador for the US Dept of State representing professional managers of Angel Networks in the US. Catherine has been quoted or featured in many professional industry publications as one of the few women who represent the industry of angel capital/venture capital – Red Herring, The Scientist, The New York Times, PA KeyNotes, Wall St Journal, The Angel Journal, TEQ, Pop City, FanFare, and the Pittsburgh Business Times. BlueTree Allied Angels was listed in INC magazine in 2009 as one of the Top 50 angel investors networks in the US. Previously, Catherine had founded Synergetics Sales Performance Group, (formerly Strategic Sales Solutions), and Indigo Capital Development, LLC. In 2002, she was recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s 50 Best Women in Business. Prior to forming her own businesses, Catherine worked 17 years in corporate banking management where she served in senior management roles for investment sales/wealth management, commercial lending, business development, and retail expansion. Today, Ms. Mott uses these experiences and her education to bring together capital and prime investment opportunities. Catherine holds an MBA in Finance, a BS in Education and a Masters Degree in Education. Some of Ms. Mott’s former and current board directorships include: Mass Mutual’s Women Advisory Board; RedPath Integrated Pathology, Inc.; Angel Capital Association (ACA); Angel Capital Education Foundation; Grove City College Entrepreneurship Program; Thiel College Board of Directors; Chatham College Women’s Entrepreneurship Program; Duquesne University’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Council; Carnegie Mellon University’s Olympus Advisory Council. Ms. Mott’s professional affiliations include Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association, Association for Corporate Growth, Angel Capital Association, Pennsylvania Angel Network.
Pravina Raghavan is currently the Acting Associate Administrator of the Small Business Administration Office of Investment and Innovation. Ms. Raghavan has over 15 years of experience in providing advisory services to businesses in the start-up, growth, expansion and maturity phases of development. In that time, she completed over 100 Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) transactions and has advised companies on strategy, marketing, sales development, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, divestures, outsourcing, joint ventures and partnerships, and international development. Ms. Raghavan was previously the Director, Technology & Innovation for the Small Business Administration (SBA) which was responsible for the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and High Growth Entrepreneur initiatives and she was also the District Director for SBA New York District Office which supported over $800 M in small business lending and assisted over 3M small businesses in NYC. Prior to joining the SBA, Ms. Raghavan was a Vice President with MTV and BET Networks in Content Distribution and Marketing where she was responsible for contract negotiations and marketing for 23 channels. Previously, she was a small business owner of a strategic advisory firm that assisted companies in their quest for growth. Prior to owning her own business, Ms. Raghavan was the Business Development Director for Misys PLC, one of the largest banking software companies in the world. She was also an associate at an investment bank, Broadview International, in London. Prior to Broadview, Ms. Raghavan worked for seven years at AT&T in several finance and management roles, including her last five years as M&A Director for Europe. Ms. Raghavan has an MBA in Finance from Seton Hall University and a BS in Finance from The Pennsylvania State University. She has worked in over 15 countries around the world and is familiar with five languages. Ms. Raghavan is advisory board member of Seton Hall University - Center of Entrepreneurship and also a member of the International Executive Resource Group (IERG), the Women's Bond Club of New York (WBC), The Penn State Alumni Association, Venture Association of New Jersey (VANJ), Women in Telecommunications and Cable (WICT), and National Association of Minorities in Communications (NAMIC).
Karyn Smith is General Counsel at Meltwater Group, where she is responsible for all legal matters for the company. Prior to Meltwater, Karyn served as Deputy General Counsel at Zynga Inc. from 2009 to 2012, where she oversaw all corporate, securities and transactional matters. Prior to joining Zynga, Karyn spent 10 years at Cooley Godward as a partner in the corporate group, where she focused on public offerings, M&A transactions, venture financings, public company reporting, and corporate governance and Board issues. Karyn also served as General Counsel of a venture-backed software company for three years, and was founder and principal of a corporate boutique firm for three years immediately prior to joining Zynga. The Daily Journal named Karyn as one of the Ten Leading Deputy General Counsel in California in 2012 and one of the Top 10 Most Innovative In-House Lawyers in California in 2010. Karyn was named by San Francisco Business Times as one of the Most Influential Women in Business in the Bay Area in 2011 and 2012. Karyn is on the Advisory Committee for the Securities Regulation Institute and has spoken at the Securities Regulation Institute in San Diego regarding public offerings and issues facing pre-public companies. She also currently serves on the editorial board of the ABA's quarterly publication The Business Lawyer, and on the advisory board of the Northern California Innocence Project. Karyn received her law degree cum laude from the Santa Clara University School of Law in 1991 and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri in 1986. She is a Bay Area native and lives in San Francisco with her two daughters.
Charlie Sundling serves as the CEO of Pipeline Software, Inc. which he co-founded in 1997. Pipeline is the world’s leading provider of advanced EAM integration technology for the energy, utilities and defense sectors with a global customer base that includes many Fortune 500 companies. Since the mid 1980s, Charlie has founded numerous software product and technology service companies. Early in his career he focused on CRM automation solutions spending the 1980s through the mid-1990s consulting to clients in several European countries, Japan, Singapore, Middle East and Canada. During the 1990s, he founded InstantCRM.com, an on-demand customer relationship management software company, where he raised the company’s seed capital and served as Chairman and interim CTO. An accomplished software engineer, Charlie has in-depth knowledge of enterprise applications software design and development as well as internet architectures and business models and has authored several patent applications in this category. Charlie is also a co-author of “CRM At The Speed Of Light: Capturing and Keeping Customers in Internet Real-Time” (McGraw-Hill, 2002), published in 7 languages in 27 countries and became considered one of the world’s leading books on CRM. In the 2000’s Charlie provided seed capital and co-founded Integrisys Corporation, a Sarbanes-Oxley software solution vendor, and in 2003 he co-founded The Alliance for SOX 404 Compliance, a nation-wide network of CPA firms that provides Sarbanes-Oxley compliance related tools and professional services. Charlie co-founded Suntel Group LLC, an intellectual property management company focused on the VOIP telecommunications market, where he currently serves as Managing Director. Charlie is an ardent believer in American entrepreneurship and a vocal active advocate for the technology industry. He has lobbied extensively to US state and federal legislators on the benefits of the technology industry to US economies and has provided testimony to Congress. He has served as Chairman of TechAmerica’s OC California executive board, the TechAmerica Executive Committee in Washington DC and the TechAmerica national board. Charlie is the co-founder of the Technology Leadership PAC, advocacy group focused on the advancement of America small tech businesses.
Tim Walsh was appointed the Director (CIO) for the State of New Jersey Pension fund in August 2010. Mr. Walsh has a deep and diverse background in the capital markets and portfolio management area. Tim is the chief fiduciary for the $73 billion New Jersey Pension Fund as well as approximately $15 billion in money markets funds, deferred compensation plan, college savings plan, etc. In his 25 year career in the investment industry, Tim has spent much of his career working in Boston and Chicago for various commercial banks, hedge funds, and investment advisory firms. He has managed money through a variety of challenging and volatile economic conditions and considers his success through these times as one of his strengths. Prior to joining the State of New Jersey, he was the Chief Investment Officer for the Indiana Teachers Retirement fund, where he managed this $8 billion pension fund. Before joining the Indiana teachers’ fund, Walsh was the Vice President and senior trader in fixed income securities and foreign currencies for several large money center banks. He ran his own investment advisory firm, Walsh Financial Services that provided wealth management services for individuals, private trusts and corporate clients. Walsh also has gained experience in the hedge fund arena when he served as an investor relations executive with Vara Capital Management in Chicago, a hedge fund with a global investment focus. Tim has been an active public servant throughout his career with positions as trustee of the Indiana Teachers Retirement fund, a commissioner of the Indiana Gaming commission, and a member of various non-profit and business boards. Tim has a Bachelor of Science degree from Merrimack College in N. Andover, MA and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Tim has been married for 17 years and has two teenage children.
Gregory C. Yadley is a Partner and chair of the Corporate Practice Group in the Tampa, Florida, office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. His principal areas of practice are securities, mergers and acquisitions, banking, corporate and general business law. Mr. Yadley has represented business entities of all sizes, including closely-held and family businesses and large and small public companies. He regularly represents these clients in financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations and disputes, strategic planning, legal compliance and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience in securities matters, including advising clients with regard to their private and public offerings of securities (including initial public offerings) and their ongoing disclosure obligations. Mr. Yadley is an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, a frequent lecturer and contributor to legal periodicals, Chair of the American Bar Association Business Law Section Middle Market and Small Business Committee and past Chair of the Florida Bar Business Law Section, Co-Editor of The Florida Bar Florida Corporate Practice Manual and Co-Director of the annual Federal Securities Institute. Mr. Yadley obtained his B.A. degree cum laude with Highest Honors in English from Dartmouth College and received his J.D. degree cum laude from George Washington University.
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Sexual Freedom Awards
Awards Procedure
The History of the Awards
About The Outsider's Trust
2018 Finalists & Winners
2018 Press Release
2018 Ceremony
Honouring pioneers in sexuality, striptease artists, sexual service providers and their allies
Our team of judges (or Grand Jury of Conspicuous Sexuality as they have been called) are selected for their knowledge, skills and influence in the field of sexuality and for their belief in the value of erotic performance and sexual services. After realising how difficult it is to have judges in different parts of the world, we now only invite experts who live in or around London, or those who are willing to travel to London for meetings. Generally, each judge takes on a specific operational role as well as acting as a judge. All judges donate their time for free in order to maximise the amount of money raised for the Outsider's Trust. Judges themselves may not be nominated for an award.
Here is our wonderful panel of judges for 2018!
Anita Kataraumbe
Model & Fashion Designer
Anita volunteers for Outsiders, having been a member for more than fourteen years.
She loves to socialise and always looks forward to the Outsides lunches held every second Saturday of the month, currently at All Bar One, Finsbury Squire, London.
She intends to “continue to work and be part of such an amazing club that has changed so many lives. I am testimony to that effect”.
Anita won the Outsiders Award in 2013.
Professor Claire de Than
Legal academic, Law Commissioner & Chair of the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (SHADA)
Professor Claire de Than is a legal academic, Law Commissioner, Chair of the Sexual Health a Disability Alliance (SHADA) and a Trustee of The Outsiders Trust. One of her main fields of research is publishing articles and books about the right to sexual expression as a fundamental human right, and convincing governments and professions that laws and practices need to change in order to ensure that everyone has access to that right.
photo Lazslo Kovacs
Kian de la Cour (Chair of Judges)
Erotic Pioneer and Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994, having been a volunteer for the Sex Maniac's Ball and Sexual Freedom Coalition. He is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, Cuddle Party facilitator, surrogate, and as co-founder with Katie Sarra of the Sea School of Embodiment, teacher of Consensual Touch™ and Sexological Bodywork™ trainings. He is Chair of the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists. You can find out more about his work here.
Kim Loliya
Somatic Sex Educator and Editor
Kim Loliya is a coach, bodyworker and consultant specialising in women's sexuality and empowerment. Kim's practitioner work at The Pleasure Institute includes working with trauma, pelvic pain, orgasm difficulties, scar tissue, relationship difficulties and much more. Through body-based, practical tools, Kim creates a gentle healing space for women and couples and offers new avenues for intimacy, joy and healing. Outside of her clinic, Kim works as a facilitator and curator in the U.K and internationally and is the co-creator of sex+, a sex positive magazine that shares real stories and rewrites narratives about sex.
Seani Love
Sex worker, workshop teacher, sex positive activist
This is Seani Love's second year as a judge at the Sexual Freedom Awards after being a joint winner of Sex Worker Of The Year in 2015. Seani is committed to making powerful, consensual sexual activity available to more people and as such he teaches workshops on consent, boundaries, kink and erotic ritual and also runs professional training workshops for others drawn to this way of working. His main passion remains his one-on-one sessions which are deeply nourishing, empowering and rewarding for both Seani and his wonderful clients. Find out more about Seani Love's work at www.seanilove.com.
Stacey Clare
Co-founder of the East London Strippers Collective
Stacey is a stripper, writer, performance artist, Buddhist, activist and co-founder of the East London Strippers Collective. She is the author of the upcoming book "The Ethical Stripper". She lives in London and shares her time between running a life drawing class (with strippers as models), theatre projects, working part-time in care, activism and writing.
This was our panel in 2017:
Emy Fem
Sex worker, activist, performer & workshop facilitator
A sex worker activist, sex-positive workshop facilitator and sex worker, Emy performs in various shows around the topic of sex work and sex positivity as the Sex Workers Opera and Black Circus and create an own show named Sex Work Works. She created a peer network for trans*sex workers, is based in Berlin and is active "wherever it makes sense". She also offers art workshops for sex workers. You can view some of her projects at: https://emyfem.net/ https://sexworkworks.tumblr.com https://sexworkstoriesworkshop.tumblr.com/ http://transsexworks.com/?lang=en_GB
Fiona Gilbertson
Sex worker rights activist with SCOT-PEP & founder of Recovering Justice
Fiona is a human rights activist, lobbyist and and campaigner on the board of SCOT-PEP, a charity dedicated to the promotion of sex workers’ rights, safety, and health, SCOT-PEP are a proud and active member of the global movement for sex worker rights who won the Activist of the Year category on 2016.
Fiona founded a charity called Recovering Justice that campaigns for changes to the current drug policy, lobbying for reform and an end to prohibition. She has been involved in human rights projects mainly around HIV /sex work and drug laws for over 25 years.
Fiona says "I am a former sex worker, in various areas and stripping was a passion for 20 years. I love these awards they inspire and nourish me diverse communities coming together to celebrate connection, express love and defy stereotypes." Read more about SCOT-PEP at http://www.scot-pep.org.uk/
Joy Isdancing
Stripper of the Year 2008
Joy Is Dancing is a former winner of the Best Stripper Award in 2008. For a decade, she entertained folks in with strip-tease and pole dancing in London, working in the infamous White Horse of Shoreditch, lesbian club Candy Bar, Torture Garden and other club nights. Together with her dance partner Solitaire she hosted a couples rooms in Erotica over several years and performed to audience ranging from severely disabled to corporate, gangsters to builders. Together they raised money for several successive years for the Outsider’s Trust by entertaining folks at the Erotic Awards. While not actively performing anymore, she has a taste for sensual, subversive, inspirational fun.
Kian de la Cour (Chair)
Kim is a Somatic Sex Educator who specialises in treating pelvic pain with holistic coaching and bodywork. Kim also facilitates workshops and panel debates on a variety of topics and is the Editor of sexpluszine.com, a sex positive magazine that shares real stories and rewrites narratives around sex and sexuality. With a passion for inclusivity and making the industry more accessible, Kim leads Diversity For Sexuality Professionals - a practitioner group that provides support and best practice to widen access to sexuality-based services and training.
Myles Jackman
Lawyer specialising in Obscenity Law
Myles is the Law Society’s Junior Lawyer of the Year 2012 Excellence Award winner and is the only solicitor professing to specialise in sexual liberties and obscenity law. Myles has been instrumental in challenging the legal framework in which sexual morality is constrained through campaigning, activism, litigation and advocacy.
Myles is currently advising a number of UK and US adult industry businesses regarding compliance with the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD) and the legality of ATVOD’s actions in interpreting the Audiovisual Media Service Regulations 2014.
Myles is also currently engaged in Judicially Reviewing the Crown Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Justice on behalf of Andrew Holland, the #TigerPorn defendant, regarding their refusal to clarify the extreme pornography guidelines.
This is Seani Love's first year as a judge at the Sexual Freedom Awards after being a joint winner of Sex Worker Of The Year in 2015. Seani is committed to making powerful, consensual sexual activity available to more people and as such he teaches workshops on consent, boundaries, kink and erotic ritual and also runs professional training workshops for others drawn to this way of working. Find out more about Seani Love's work at www.seanilove.com.
And this was our 2016 team:
Alex Feis-Bryce
CEO of National Ugly Mugs (NUM)
Alex was initially appointed in 2012 to set-up, develop and run the NUM pilot based on the consultation that had preceded his appointment and he has been running the scheme ever since, orchestrating it’s growth into a high-profile multi-award winning organisation that benefits around 10,000 sex workers in the UK. He is a published and award-winning writer having contributed to national publications including the Independent, the Huffington Post, Total Politics and the House Magazine.
He is also a member of the National Police Working Group on Prostitution, a consultant trainer on the accredited Lime Culture Advanced Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) training and was a guest expert judge at the 2015 Third Sector Awards. He regularly speaks at national and international conferences and is frequently quoted in the media as an expert in his field. In 2015, he featured on the prestigious Independent Rainbow List of the 100 most influential LGBT+ people in the UK.
Sex Worker
Having worked in many parts of the UK, for the last 7 years Jewel has been based in Edinburgh, working with disabled people all over Scotland. This is Jewel's first attempt at being a judge in her capacity as a sex worker and she is excited to do her best. You can read more about her at www.edinburghjewel.co.uk
Katie Sarra
Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Sex Educator and artist
Katie Sarra won Erotic Artist of the Year in 2009. She is a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Sex Educator, artist, Art Psychotherapist, Playback Theatre performer and Cuddle Party Facilitator in training who specializes in working with people overcoming the effects of trauma. She trained and worked in the mental health system for many years before becoming involved in somatic sex education. She has trained in Tantra, Quodoushka, NLP, and many other modalities. She sponsors and assists the UK Sexological Bodywork professional training. Katie works with individuals of all genders, sexual orientations and abilities to help them find liberation from any barriers to intimacy, naturalness and sexual fulfilment and expression. Katie specialises in supporting people to reframe how they feel about themselves and their bodies to enable them to find deeper generosity and spontaneity within themselves. For the last eight years, Katie has been supporting the Outsiders organisation by working with people who are living with disabilities. Katie is passionate about the Sexual Freedom Awards and their role in celebrating pioneers and performers in the field of sexuality. You can find out more about Katie here.
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994 and is now back heading up the Judging Panel for the 2016 Sexual Freedom Awards. Kian is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, deep tissue bodyworker and teacher of erotic massage and sensual touch workshops. In his work, he draws on extensive experience in tantra, bodywork and shamanic sexuality, having trained with some of the world's leading-edge teachers in conscious sexuality and sex coaching since he started working professionally in 1994. You can find out more about Kian here.
Mouse is one of the world's top erotic performers, famous both in the art world and in clubland. She currently works at The Box in London and in New York. Mouse has been a very vocal judge of the Awards for over 10 years and has previously won several awards including Cabaret Artist of the Year 2002.
Pye Jakobsson
Sex worker & activist
Pye Jakobsson is a sex worker and activist from Sweden. She is the co-founder of the Swedish sex workers' rights organisation Rose Alliance and president of NSWP - the Global Network of Sex Work Projects. She has been a campaigner against the so-called Swedish Model for over a decade and have presented on the topic more than 100 times. In October 2016 her second report on Sweden "Then Again They are not Totally Stupid Either" will be published, co-written with fellow activist Carina Edlund. Pye has been a vocal advocate for sex workers with multiple stigmas, especially sex workers who use drugs like herself. As a way of introduction she often presents herself as a sex working, Jewish, bisexual, drug user living with a disability to illustrate that reality is more complicated than any stereotype..
She won Sex Worker of the Year in 2009.
Honouring pioneers in sexuality, striptease artists,
sexual service providers and their allies
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Stories Login Menu
Mary Ann Sainsbury and shopkeepers’ wives
During the 19th century, shop keeping was generally regarded as an unsuitable job for women, not least because of the long working hours and heavy lifting it entailed. However, it was both common and acceptable for female family members to work in smaller shops. The ability to employ male staff was a measure of a retailer’s success. The first woman to work in a Sainsbury shop was Mary Ann Sainsbury, wife of John James and joint founder of the first shop in Drury Lane. Food retail was Mary Ann’s family business: she had previously worked in her father’s dairy and in another dairy shop owned by Thomas Haile. Mary Ann ran the first shop while her husband worked out his notice with the grocer George Gillett and continued to work behind the counter until the company’s success allowed her to devote herself entirely to family life.
Favourite Comments
SA/FAM/1/IMA/1/8 Photograph of Mary Ann Sainsbury
Sarah Pullen, one of the couple’s early employees said: 'the principle trade in those early days was in butter and eggs, and it was Mrs. Sainsbury who made the shop famous for the quality of its butter. She was always up very early in the morning and took great pride in the cleanliness of the shop. She was very keen on serving behind the butter counter.’ (Evening Standard 3 Jan 1928). Mary Ann’s insistence on scrupulous hygiene was one of the things that made Sainsbury’s successful, at a time when tainted and adulterated food was becoming a national concern. When John and Mary Ann moved to the second store in Kentish Town, Sarah Pullen and her husband together managed the Drury Lane branch. It was likely that other manager’s wives would have shared in the running of the shops, although they tend to appear in census records as “cheesemonger’s wife” or in Sainsbury staff records as “Manager’s wife – Housekeeper”.
Early jobs for women
As the business grew and more male staff were employed behind the counter, women were increasingly recruited to work as housekeepers, cooks and maids in the staff accommodation which was provided above the shop. Housekeepers were often older women or widows. Their duties included:
▪ Catering for the staff, ensuring that they were provided with breakfast, dinner and supper.
▪ Ensuring that the bed linen and uniforms for the staff were clean and in good repair.
▪ Ensuring that all the rooms were kept clean and tidy.
▪ Ensuring the security of the hostel.
The housekeepers also looked after the health of the boys who lived in. This might mean a daily dose of cod liver oil in the winter, or sending them back to bed when they were not fit for work. Sometimes the housekeeper would have to stand up to the manager, who wanted a boy back at work. By 1900, women were starting to be employed by Sainsbury’s for clerical work, often in an office at the back of the shop which was separated from the shop floor by a polished wood and mirrored partition. This development allowed the shop’s managers to concentrate on running the shop floor. Female clerks continued to be employed throughout the existence of counter-service shops.
SA/WAR/1/4/4 Butter patting still from Pathe news reel
First World War staffing
The majority of Sainsbury’s shop staff were young men aged between 18 and 25. When the First World War broke out, these men enlisted to join the army. Faced with the depleted workforce, Sainsbury’s began to recruit saleswomen. The female recruits were initially given simple tasks such as packaging groceries and ‘making oneself generally useful’. Rings, jewellery and loose hair were forbidden but unlike their male counterparts saleswomen were provided with chairs. A new training school for female staff was established at Sainsbury’s headquarters in Blackfriars, London. The fortnight’s ‘off-the-job’ training that new saleswomen received became very important, as by 1915, some stores were entirely composed of female staff and boys who were too young to fight. By the end of the war there were 39 female branch many of whom were the wives or sisters of former managers. A few of these women retained senior positions after the war, but most were either paid off or demoted. Sainsbury’s expanded rapidly during the 1920s and 30s and in 1920 new grocery departments were opened in many shops. These changes offered new jobs for unmarried women. Apart from domestic staff, women had to leave their jobs when they got married and were paid a lump sum ’dowry’. Wages for women were much lower than for men: in 1920 Junior Male Assistants aged 20 received 40 shillings a week, while their female equivalents were paid 23 shillings.
Second World War staffing
The day after the war was declared in 1939, a bulletin was issued to managers requesting an urgent recruitment drive:
‘Unless we enrol an enormous number of women within the next few weeks, there is a strong possibility that in a few months as our male staff begin to go we shall find it very difficult to carry on.’
Women who had worked for Sainsbury’s prior to marriage created a reserve of experienced potential staff; preference for employment was also given to the wives of existing employees. However, Sainsbury’s had over-estimated the number of staff needed. There was a slower rate of call-up and a more gradual introduction of rationing then had been first expected. Trade also slumped due to the evacuation of women and children to safe areas. The result was that the company’s wage bill rose by £100,000 per week, at a time when sales were falling. Many women were therefore laid off within only a few months of starting work, although the company was quick o assure them that they would be the first to be called upon again if needed. Nevertheless, the general managers considered that the recruitment drive had been a success:
‘In the long run we shall reap the very considerable advantage of a trained body of women, not a make-shift staff’.
SA/WAR/2/IMA/1/1 Photograph of female butcher, Second World War
As more men left for war, staff shortages began to be felt. In February 1942 the situation became even more serious when the call-up was extended to all single women in the twenty-one age group. It was expected that women working in the food industry would be exempt from both conscription and war work, but this was not the case. Another drive to recruit part-time married women was set up. As the government took control of the supply of foodstuffs, Sainsbury’s competitive edge came to depend more on the skills of its staff.
Female recruits received on-the-spot instruction from the men they were to replace. This ensured that they were already known to customers and familiar with their new work when their instructors left. Some allowances were made – whereas male employees were expected to be able to add up in their heads, notepads were provided for women whose mental arithmetic was rusty. It was recognised that working women were frequently juggling multiple demands.
In a letter to staff on National Service in 1940, Alan Sainsbury wrote:
‘Many of these women have children and homes to care for and taking this in to consideration, they are doing a grand job of work’.
Staff were given ‘mentors’ to help them settle into the job and were paid personally by the manager so that problems could be discussed in private. A ‘shopping time’ allowance of one hour a fortnight was granted in 1943. During the flying bomb raids, when many schools were closed, women were even permitted to bring their children to work. Sainsbury’s appreciated the hardships caused by wartime conditions: managers were instructed to be understanding about the effects of lost sleep during bombing raids, damage to employees’ homes and particularly to bereavement. From 1942 married women were included in the Staff Welfare Scheme.
SA/WAR/2/IMA/1/8 Photograph of customer with ration book being served with eggs
Post-war years
The pre-war ‘marriage bar’ was never re-instated after peace was declared and married women continued to work at Sainsbury’s from 1945. National service for men helped keep women in employment and the introduction of self-service stores in the 1950s created many new part time jobs for women, both married and single. Women were employed as checkout operators, shelf fillers (the early freestanding shelf units were called ‘gondolas’ and so these women became known as ‘gondola girls’), and weighing, wrapping and pricing food in the preparations rooms. Large self-service branches employed twice as many women as men. By 1968, 11,000 of Sainsbury’s 28,000 employees worked part time and most were women.
SA/BR/16/IMA/1/1 Photograph of shop counter with female employee and refrigerated cabinet containing dairy products
With better conditions and more job opportunities in the stores, some recruitment advertising began to be aimed specifically at women. Equal pay was introduced during the period between 1970 and 1975 and women began to climb the employment ladder within the business. However, only a minority of women were entering management positions at this time. In 1981, a quarter of management positions were held by women, even though they made up two thirds of the total workforce. In the same year Sainsbury’s appointed its first female non-executive director, Jennifer Jenkins, who later became a Dame. Improvements continued to be made for the working lives of women. In 1989 a ’career bridge’ scheme was introduced. This allowed women to take a break of up to five years without losing status or benefits.
SA/EMP/1/1/2/21 "Women: better pay and prospects at… J Sainsbury" (Code B) recruitment flyer
Favourite Comments Hierarchy
Photograph of Mary Ann Sainsbury
SA/FAM/1/IMA/1/8
Butter patting still from Pathe news reel
SA/WAR/1/4/4
Photograph of female butcher, Second World War
SA/WAR/2/IMA/1/1
This photograph is featured in 'The Best Butter in the World' page 112.
Photograph of customer with ration book being served with eggs
Photograph appears to be of one of the early 1950s partially self-service stores - possibly Debden (24 The Broadway), Grange Hill (185 Manford Way), Oxhey (7 St Andrew's Road) or Croydon (9/11 London Road) store. Photograph by Studio Briggs (reference 2865/2).
Photograph of shop counter with female employee and refrigerated cabinet containing dairy products
SA/BR/16/IMA/1/1
Code B version (blue)
"Women: better pay and prospects at… J Sainsbury" (Code B) recruitment flyer
SA/EMP/1/1/2/21
Marcela Bonthron, 1870s, Drury Lane, London
Sarah Pullen, one of the couple’s early employees said: The principle trade in those early days was in butter and eggs, and it was Mrs.Sainsbury who made the shop famous for the quality of its...
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/ Articles about the samovars
/ What is a samovar page 11
The device of the samovar
How do I put the samovar?
Scheduled work, which recommended the plant samovars. Put the samovar, that is, prepare it for work and melt it - the action that is usual for the mistress of the XIX century - now seems a mysterious ritual. Here's how to "put" a samovar:
- shake out the ashes and ash left over from previous use;
- pour water into the body of the samovar;
- Close the samovar with a lid;
- Put fuel in the pipe-brazier;
- set it on fire with a long splinter;
- put on the exhaust pipe, connecting it with the chimney heater;
- after boiling water, remove the pipe and put the plug on the brazier - the air movement stops inside and the coals go out.
Birch bark, representing the ideal rostopochny material.
Immediately fall asleep part of the charcoal and put on the connecting pipe, connected to the chimney of the furnace. The oven should be open, otherwise there will be no traction and the samovar will not be inflamed, recommended at the samovar plant.
In old movies one can see how to use a leather boot with a soft boot, corrugated, like a harmonica bell, for lighting a samovar. Acting like a fur with a boot, they create an intensive movement of air, causing coal to burn out. In practice, boots are taken in exceptional cases.
As soon as the first portion is inflamed, add the rest of the coal. After the boiling of water, the pipe is removed, and intense burning stops. The samovar is delivered to the dining table, where it is placed on a tin, copper or brass tray.
From time to time the furnace of the samovar needs to be cleaned. In most cases, there is a small hatch in the lower part. Through it, remove the remains of ash and small coals, and the bulk of their shake out, just turning the samovar upside down. If the samovar is heated with coal, resin and soot do not settle on the walls of the furnace, and if the main fuel is a tree, the soot should be regularly scraped off with a hard brush.
"Self-Vessel Vessels"
In the thirties of the 18th century, the first Russian silver teapots appeared to brew tea. Since the second half of the XVIII century, as the spread of tea, begins the manufacture of copper and brass kettles. The same time, a number of teapots-samovars and samovars-kitchens intended for cooking are dated. From the metal utensils of that time - teapots, bowls and broth - they are distinguished only by the structural details hidden inside the vessel in the form of a brazier, a pipe and an ash-pit. Such an assembly was rightly called a "samovar", because it allowed, without melting the Russian oven, without much trouble
Quickly cook porridge, cabbage soup, soup, get boiling water and save it. The very first types of Russian samovars are "heating" teapots and "kitchens". Subsequently, the name "samovar" entrenched behind the unit, intended only for making boiling water and brewing tea. Its high popularity was explained by the ease of use and care-it did not have to be washed after each use, and it was possible to heat the most diverse cheap and affordable fuel.
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Mobile: +91-9937373811 (Mr. Jay) | Email: [email protected]
About Simlipal
Simlipal Tourism
Simlipal Attractions
FAQs About Simlipal
Tourist Routes Inside Simlipal
Wildlife Tourism in Odisha
Simlipal Fauna
Simlipal National Park is known for the tiger, elephant and hill mynah. It holds the highest tiger population in the state of Odisha. 55 species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles, 21 species of frogs, 38 species of fish and 164 species of butterflies have been recorded from the Park.
Apart from the tiger, the major mammals are leopard, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel and common langur. Grey hornbill, Indian pied hornbill and Malabar pied hornbill are also found here. The park also has a sizeable population of reptiles, which includes the longest venomous snake, the King cobra and the Tricarinate hill turtle. The Mugger Management Programme at Ramatirtha has helped the mugger crocodile to flourish on the banks of the Khairi and Deo Rivers.
History and Current Status:
The Tiger Reserve originated as a hunting ground for the surrounding royalty. It was formally designated a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in May 1973. The Government of Odisha declared Simlipal as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 with an area of 2750 sq. km. Later in 1980, Government of Odisha proposed 303 sq. km of the sanctuary as National Park. Further in 1986, the area of the National Park was increased to 845.70 sq. km. The Government of India declared it as a biosphere reserve in 1994. UNESCO added this National Park to its list of Biosphere Reserves in May 2009. This tiger reserve also comes under Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve that includes the adjacent Hadgarh and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Apart from its biodiversity, the region around Simlipal forests is home to a variety of tribes. Prominent among these are Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia and Sahara. Most of them are settled agriculturists, supplementing their income by collecting firewood and timber except for the last three who are indigenous hunter-gatherer communities living primarily off the forest, collecting forest produce. While the tribes earlier followed a number of traditional conservation practices like closed seasons, hunting taboos on specific species, maintenance of sacred groves (Jharia) etc., of late, these practices have been on the decline due to the increasing influence of modern civilization, increasing human population and decreasing wildlife availability.
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New Life United Methodist Church
Immaculate Conception Church New Jersey Bernadette Soubirous is the saint of Lourdes, France. Visionary and messenger of the Immaculate Conception, she told us the very words of the Virgin Mary, spoken in the native Basque tongue of Southern France and Northern Spain. Phone: (212) 647-1680 | Fax: (212) 647-1648. Phone volunteers available from 9AM to 2AM. Web Design & Development
Facing a slow death, the declining membership of Christ United Methodist Church in Maplewood gathered. What started as community outreach has breathed new life into the church. “The one who gives u.
Our mission at Central United Methodist Church is. to make disciples of Jesus Christ, by loving God, loving people, and serving the world. one relationship at a time.
Regular Church Hours Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Service 10:45 AM Our Youth Group is called United Youth Ministry. The Grace Youth leaders are
Lawrence, who shepherded a United Methodist church in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, noted that his old church was recently demolished. Other churches across urban centers are finding new life as resta.
At New Hope United Methodist Church in Hertford, NC, newcomers find us to be very accessible, because we are a small church. No one feels “lost” here. We get to know each other immediately and newcomers soon feel that they are full–fledged members of our family. We have many activities, both in “reaching–out” to the community and in our own rich social life.
We are glad you stopped by!! No matter who you are or how you came across Orange United Methodist Church, we are glad you are here!. OrangeUMC is a diverse church, founded in 1832 with a long history in the same location.
Welcome to Coldspring United Methodist Church in Coldspring, Texas! Coldspring United Methodist has a very bright future dedicated to serving God, joined with almost two centuries of beautiful history since our founding in 1848 as a very involved church in this community.
United Methodist Church(UMC)serving the Valley Stream, NY area with opportunities for spiritual growth, Christian worship, outreach, and youth & children’s programs.
Forest Park United Methodist Church needed a lifeline. The once-vibrant Fort Wayne congregation at 2100 Kentucky Ave. may not have expected help would come all the way from Huntertown. On June 30, For.
Welcome to All! We are a contemporary spiritual community inspired by the ancient and timeless example of Jesus’ life. We welcome all people to join us for worship, service and connection -.
List Of Religions And Their Gods This is a list of religions and spiritual traditions.Some entries are written more than once. I assure you this dreary list could be extended. whether or not it was called “religion.” They found, in their very separate ways, that the sacred does not die. Mankind’s need of it is too basic. S. Immaculate Conception Church
Photo illustration by Kathryn Price, United Methodist Communications. Trying some new ways to pray can deepen your conversations with God.
LOUIS (KMOV.com) – Too busy to attend a church service on Ash Wednesday? Don’t worry, a Manchester church is offering drive-thru Ashing. Manchester United Methodist Church. love and amazing grace b.
A Family Friendly Church serving Findlay OH and the global community by providing Traditional and Contemporary services, Outreach, Mission Projects, Community Dinner, Appalachian Service Project, and New Life Korean Worship.
Pastor Rob Stippich. Please Join us Keep in Touch Pastor Rob is on Facebook – "friend" him: (Robert Stippich) and – be connected! We also have a Facebook page for Evangelical United Methodist Church.
The old Hebron United Methodist Church. into this space that we’re stewards of and we get to bring new life to.” It was definitely a transition learning to live in an old church, she said. The firs.
This web page is developed as an outreach ministry of our church. You are invited to seek our church on your travels in this area. This church is handicap accessible.
Chicken Supper: At Willow United Methodist Church. 36925 Willow Rd., New Boston. prayer and sharing offers choices for living into Lent and discovering the seeds of new life. The event is from 10 a.
New Palestine (Disciples of Christ. Information: mcmethodist.com Movie Theater Church Meets in the Family Life Center of Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church, 3179 N. County Road 600W, Greenfield. W.
Foothill Community Church, Free Methodist: 2475 Foothill Blvd. www.michaeljacobsenministries.org, 533-2975. New Life Church: 965 Grand Ave.: Worship services, 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday servic.
New Life Chapel, 914 N. Texas Ave. Celebrate Recovery has scheduled meetings from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Monday at First United Methodist Church in the Student Ministry Building, 214 W. Fourth St.
We are glad that you have dropped into our website. As we hope you will discover, we are dedicated to helping everyone find their God-given purpose in life and be equipped to live out that purpose in ministry and mission locally and around the world.
First United Methodist Church in Bloomington is a Christ-centered community. We worship in several styles with exceptional ministries for youth & college.
All Saints Lutheran Church: Eben Ezer Care Center, 1880 Edison. Come to be nurtured in the Word and nourished at Holy communion for the life of the world. Worship,7 p.m., United Methodist Church: 1.
The Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church (GNJ) is the regional body and central office for professional staff and ministry for the more than 550 congregations in New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania. There are more than 50,000 people who worship with us each week. GNJ is one of 57 annual conferences in the United States and 76 additional annual.
With its decision to stigmatize LGBT congregants, the United Methodist Church. with leaving the church, I ask you to first reckon with the consequences of complicity and then take the bold step of.
At New Life UMC you’ll find: warm, real people of all ages; relevant messages you’ll be able to use each week; a safe place to ask questions and get help with real life issues; ways to connect with Go.
The movement, which would become the United Methodist Church, began in the mid-18th century within the Church of England.A small group of students, including John Wesley, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, met at Oxford University.They focused on Bible study, methodical study of scripture and living a holy life.
What Religion Has No God ndeed, God. To have a calling with no skill is a tragedy anyone can understand. The other way around. less so.” Penric’s feeling of lacking a place in the world is a nearly universal human exper. A record number of young Americans (35 percent) report no religious. have this network that [the new belief] kind
Javier Garcia Flores takes questions from the press outside the First United Methodist Church on Arch Street in Philadelphia, where he’s live since November 2016. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY) Javier Garcia.
Like all secular progressives, you and others like you want the worldwide church. one’s daily life? How is wanting to live by God’s word "grievous?" The vote by the General Conference did not say t.
If you are frequenting Patheos, then you have undoubtedly heard about the events that occurred almost a week-and-a-half ago at the United Methodist. invested in the life of the Church stay because.
A United Methodist Congregation. New Hope Fellowship Family Life Center. The New Hope Fellowship Family Life Center is a 24,000 square foot multi purpose building located on the Nottingham Myers Church Campus.
An energetic, growing congregation, New Palestine United Methodist Church is located in the heart of New Palestine. Offering three different worship experiences, NPUMC is sure to meets the needs of any family. New family members are always welcome!
The United Methodist Church this week voted to uphold its stance against. Maybe it’s a womb, ushering us into new life." Adelie has been a reporter, editor and graphic designer for the News Tribune.
March 1, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – Despite a concerted campaign by LGBT activists and liberal clergy, earlier this week the leaders of the United Methodist. s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedica.
Cabot United Methodist Church. MENU. Home; New? What We Believe… How to Join; Worship; LifeGroups
Faith Comes By Hearing Fcbh
A Guide To Prayer For All Who Walk With God
Fr Peter Rookey Miracle Prayer
Catholic Churches In Fort Worth Area
True Religion Baby Clothes On Sale
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Uhuu
By iittala
For over 35 years, Oiva Toikka has created the Birds collection. His limitless imagination and knowledge of glass has made it possible to create small miracles of life, sought after by collectors globally. Each bird is individually mouth blown and thus unique, a gift that keeps on giving forever.
Professor Oiva Toikka is one of the great names of Finnish design. The Iittala Birds originated in 1972 with Toikka is small Flycatchers. Today the collection grows with collectors all over the world who enjoy these art objects as simple reminders of poetry in everyday life. These lyrical creatures are a feat of craftsmanship. Each bird is as diverse and individual as those who collect them.
Oiva Toikka is imaginative, rich and bold glass art deviates from the streamlined aesthetic of Nordic design. He has worked in the performing arts for as long as he has in glass. The Birds collection is Toikka's best-known work. He has enjoyed an international career and received numerous awards, among them the Lunning Prize, Pro Finlandia Medal, World Glass Now 85 Award, Kaj Franck Design Prize and the Prince Eugen Medal.
Professor Oiva Toikka is one of the greatest names in Finnish glass. His imaginative, rich and bold glass art deviates from the streamlined aesthetic of Nordic design. He has worked in the performing arts for as long as he has in glass. The Birds collection is Toikka's best-known work. He has enjoyed an international career and received numerous awards, among them Lunning Prize, Pro Finlandia Medal, World Glass Now 85 Award, Kaj Franck Design Prize and the Prince Eugen Medal.
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Renault Road trip to France
terms and conditions | So Frenchy So Chic
Buy tix
So Frenchy So Chic
Information on how to enter, mechanics of entry and the Travel Prize form part of these Conditions of Entry. Entry into the promotion is deemed acceptance of these Conditions of Entry. Entry is via Internet only.
Entry is only open to residents of Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide aged 18 years or older who are able to travel and remain in Paris, France to participate in the Travel Prize as set out in Conditions 11 and 12 (Entrants). The directors, management and employees (and their immediate families) of the Promoter, its related entities, printers, suppliers, providers and agencies whom are directly associated with the conduct of this promotion are ineligible to enter the promotion.
The promotion starts at 8 am(AEST) on 12/09/2018 and ends at 11:55pm (AEDT) on 19/01/2019 (Promotional Period).
To enter the promotion, Entrants must, during the Promotional Period: a. Purchase a ticket to So Frenchy So Chic Festival (sofrenchysochic.com) b. Enter their name and email address. C agree to competition terms and conditions.
Only one (1) entry per person permitted. Any subsequent entry after the first valid entry is received will be deemed invalid.
Entries will be deemed accepted at the time of receipt by the Promoter and not at the time of transmission.
An Entrant agrees that the Promoter may, in the event the Entrant is the winner, publish or cause to be published the Entrant winner’s name and entry on SoFrenchySoChic social media for public viewing. The promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Entrants understand that they are providing their information to the Promoter and not to Facebook. Entrants are solely responsible and liable for the content of their entries and any other information they transmit to other Internet users. To the extent permitted by law, each Entrant agrees to indemnify, defend and forever hold harmless, Facebook and its associated agencies and companies, against any and all losses, actions, claims, costs, expenses and damages (of any nature) which may be incurred by an Entrant in respect of the Entrant’s participation in the promotion. Any questions, comments or complaints about this promotion must be directed to the Promoter and not to Facebook.
The use of any automated entry software or any mechanical, electronic or other means that allows an Entrant to automatically enter repeatedly is prohibited and will render all entries submitted by that Entrant invalid.
All eligible entries will be drawn randomly by Trade Promotion and Lottery. randomdraws.com.au at Level 2, 11 York St Sydney NSW 2000 on the 30th January at 2pm. The prize winner will be notified via facebook and email on the 4th of February 2019. The prize winner will be published on Facebook on the 4th of February.
Total prize is $9050. There will be one winner.
The lucky contestant will win: (1) travel prize to Paris, France for ten (10) days, nine (9) nights for the winner and one (1) travel companion aged 18 years or older, (Travel Prize). The Travel Prize comprises of the following elements: a. two (2) adult return economy airfares to Paris, France from any one (1) of the following Australian capital cities closest to the winner’s ordinary residential address: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide
b. Nine (9) nights (minimum 3 star hotels) , 3 nights in Paris , 2 nights in Burgundy , 2 nights in provence, 2 nights in Loire valley according to availability (except congress and holiday period). A Renault car Hire for (10) days. The prize doesn’t include highway tolls or petrol.
Redemption of the Travel Prize is subject to availability in Economy Class. Please note there is a black out period applying (including Christmas, Easter, July & August). Validity of the ticket(s) is 6 months from the date of departure and all tickets are to be used together, on the same travel date.
The Travel Prize must be taken during the period 10/02/2019– 31/03/2020 (inclusive), otherwise the entire Travel Prize is forfeited. All components of the Travel Prize must be taken together and when offered or are forfeited. Any extension or variation of the travel and/or accommodation dates and/or the schedule of activities included in the Travel Prize, as nominated by the Promoter in its sole discretion, will be at the cost and responsibility of the winner and their travel companion (if any). It is appreciated that you give us at least 20 working days prior notice of the intended travel date, but we suggest booking your travel date as early as possible to ensure availability.
The winner and their travel companion (if any) must travel together and depart from and return to the same departure point. The winner and their travel companion (if any) may not accrue frequent flyer points. Use of the Travel Prize and any passes or vouchers issued as part of the Travel Prize may be subject to prevailing Travel Prize supplier terms and conditions of use. The Travel Prize cannot be used in conjunction with travel discounts or special offers. Travel is to be arranged by contacting Mr Jean Pierre Boutefeu at Travel Managers jpb@travelmanagers.com.au. Travel manager will select the appropriate airline at time of the enquiry. Accommodation is to be arranged by the Promoter in its sole discretion. Date change permitted once ticket is issued or part used within the 6 months’ change for a fee.
The winner and their travel companion (if any) must travel together and depart from and return to the same departure point. You can depart from any of the following cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.
All additional costs not expressly stated, but which may be incurred in acceptance and use of the Travel Prize, are the responsibility of the winner and their travel companion (if any). Such additional costs include, but are not limited to, additional meals, beverages, room service, telephone calls, laundry services, spending money, transport or travel to and from the airport departure point and their ordinary residential address, additional transfers, taxes including arrival and departure taxes (if applicable), insurance, travel insurance, passports and visas (if applicable). Winner may be required to present a credit card at time of accommodation check-in.
The winner is solely responsible for their entry and the entry of their travel companion (if any) into Paris, France, at their own expense, including ensuring all necessary passports, visas, travel authorizations, medical advice and recommended vaccinations and immunizations have been obtained prior to travel and, if required, on or by a date nominated by the Promoter. Failure to do so may result in the Travel Prize being forfeited.
Taking the Travel Prize is subject to any prevailing terms and conditions of any accommodation/transport/services/transfers/travel insurance or tour providers, and in particular, health, behaviour, age and safety requirements. No compensation will be payable if the winner or their travel companion (if any), are unable to use any element of the Travel Prize as stated for whatever reason, including refusal of entry or departure into or out of Paris, France, or participation in certain activities for health, age, behaviour or safety reasons.
The airfares included in the Travel Prize are not transferable. The Travel Prize is not exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash (unless otherwise indicated). The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any tax implications that may arise from the Travel Prize winnings. Independent financial advice should be sought. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in Travel Prize value. All Travel Prize values are the recommended retail price including GST, depending on point of departure.
Alliance Francaise de Sydney terms are: Value up to $1050. One General French Course. Books and administration fees are not included in the prize. Textbooks are not included in the prize. Prize is not refundable, exchangeable, nor transferable or redeemable for cash. The winner may reserve the French Course in person or by telephone and email at the Alliance Française de Sydney 257 Clarence Street 2000 NSW Sydney. Admission into classes is not guaranteed and subject to the availability of classes. The AF Française de Sydney reserves the right to re-schedule classes if applicable. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
Alliance Francaise de Melbourne terms are: Value up to $850. One General French Course valid in 2018. Books and administration fees are not included in the prize. Textbooks are not included in the prize. Prize is not refundable, exchangeable, nor transferable or redeemable for cash. The winner may reserve the French Course in person or by telephone and email at the Alliance Française de Melbourne 51 Grey St, St Kilda VIC 3182. Admission into classes is not guaranteed and subject to the availability of classes. The AF Française de Sydney reserves the right to re-schedule classes if applicable. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
Alliance Francaise de Adelaide terms are : Value up to $320. One Voucher to enrol in a French Group Course. Valid for a 2018 course session. Includes full course fee and registration fee. Textbooks are not included in the prize. Voucher is not refundable, exchangeable, nor transferable or redeemable for cash. The winner may reserve the French Course in person or by telephone and email at the Alliance Française de Adelaide 319 Young Street Wayville SA 5034. Admission into classes is subject to the winner’s level and the availability of classes. The Alliance Française de Adelaide reserves the right to re-schedule classes if applicable. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
The Promoter may award the Travel Prize to the next selected random entry by 30/04/2019 at the same time and place as the original draw if the Travel Prize is unclaimed by that date. The unclaimed prize winner will be notified via facebook and email on the 2nd of May 2019. The unclaimed prize winner will be published on Facebook on the 2nd May 2019. All reasonable steps to notify the unclaimed prize winner will be taken by the Promoter.
Entrants can only enter in their own name. Entrants who provide incorrect, misleading or fraudulent information are ineligible to participate in the promotion and all entries of an Entrant who is deemed by the Promoter to have provided incorrect, misleading or fraudulent information may, at the discretion of the Promoter, be deemed invalid. The Promoter reserves the right to request the Entrant produce (within the requested time) appropriate photo identification or other documentation (to the Promoter’s satisfaction, at its sole discretion) in order to confirm the Entrant’s identity, age, residential address, eligibility to enter and claim the Travel Prize, and any information submitted by the Entrant in entering the promotion, before issuing the Travel Prize. If the documentation required by the Promoter is not received by the Promoter (or its nominated agent) or an Entrant or entry has not been verified or validated to the Promoter’s satisfaction then all the entries of that Entrant will be ineligible and deemed invalid.
The Promoter reserves the right to request the winner’s travel companion (if any) produce (within the requested time) appropriate photo identification or other documentation (to the Promoter’s satisfaction, at its sole discretion) in order to confirm the travel companion’s (if any) identity and age before issuing the Travel Prize. The Travel Prize will only be awarded following any winner and/or travel companion validation and verification that the Promoter requires in its sole discretion.
It is a condition of accepting the Travel Prize that the winner and their travel companion (if any) may be required to sign a legal release or releases in a form determined by the Promoter in its sole discretion.
Depending on the winner’s city of residence , the Alliance Francaise of Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide will supply a French course session for two.
Any attempt, deliberate or otherwise, to cause malicious damage or interference with the normal functioning of the sofrenchysochic.com/roadtrip Page or the information on the SoFrenchySoChic social media Page , or to otherwise undermine the legitimate operation of this promotion may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and, should such an attempt be made, whether successful or not, the Promoter reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. If the Promoter suffers loss or incurs any costs in connection with any breach of these Conditions of Entry or any other legal obligation by an Entrant, the Entrant agrees to indemnify the Promoter for those losses, damages and costs.
If the Travel Prize or element of the Travel Prize becomes unavailable, for any reason beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control, then a comparable prize or prize element of equal or greater value will be awarded in lieu (which may include alternative destination(s) at alternative date(s) as specified by the Promoter) subject however to any written directions given under applicable law
The Promoter, its associated agencies and companies excludes all liability (including negligence) except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, for any direct or indirect injury, loss and/or damage arising in any way out of the promotion. This includes, but is not limited to:
(i) technical malfunctions, delays or failures, including those resulting from accessing any materials related to this promotion and any incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information communicated in the course of, or in connection with, this promotion as a result of any technical malfunctions, delays or failures; (ii) theft, unauthorised access or third party interference; (iii) lost or damaged entries, Travel Prize claims or the Travel Prize; and/or (iv) acceptance and/or use of the Travel Prize.
If this promotion is not capable of running as planned for any reason, including but not limited to war, terrorism, state of emergency or disaster (including natural disaster), infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, technical failures or anything which corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this promotion, the Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the promotion and/or, if necessary, to provide an alternative prize to the same value as the original Travel Prize subject however to any written directions given under applicable law
An entry and any copyright subsisting in an entry irrevocably becomes, at time of entry, the property of the Promoter. The Promoter collects personal information about an Entrant to include the Entrant in the promotion and, where appropriate, award the Travel Prize. If the personal information requested is not provided, the Entrant cannot participate in the promotion and is deemed ineligible. An Entrant can gain access to, update or correct any personal information held by the Promoter by contacting Customer Services at info@cartellmusic.com.au
By participating in the promotion, an Entrant also acknowledges that a further primary purpose for collection of the Entrant’s personal information by the Promoter is to enable the Promoter to use the information to assist the Promoter in improving goods and services and to contact the Entrant in the future with information on special offers or to provide the Entrant with marketing materials via email or any other form of electronic, emerging, digital or conventional communications channel whether existing now or in the future. The Promoter may share information with its promotional partners (including Renault, Travel Manager, Alliance Francaise and So Frenchy So Chic) who may contact the Entrant with special offers in this way. By entering the promotion, an Entrant acknowledges and agrees that the Promoter may use the Entrant’s personal information in the manner set out in this condition. View Renault Privacy policy here
Promoter: Cartell Live Pty Ltd (ACN 152 437 235 – ABN 77 152 437 235.
C/O of Banks Group Pty Ltd 801 Glenferrie Road Vic 3122 Hawthorn. mail(at)sofrenchysochic(dot)com
Authorised under NSW Permit No. LTPS/18/27759, SA Permit No. T18/1574
Enter your details for a chance to win a road trip around France!
© 2019 SFSC
WEBSITE BY WORK ART LIFE & THE MIGHTY WONTON
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Four seriously injured in three-car crash
Police are appealing for witnesses after a three-car collision in Batley, one of which made off from the scene.
The accident happened on Healey Lane, yesterday evening (Sunday 17 April) at around 7.05pm, when a red Ford Fiesta and blue Peugeot 108 collided.
It is believed that a third vehicle, thought to be a 4x4 type of vehicle made off from the scene.
It is believed that the Ford Fiesta may have been pursued by the 4x4 from Heckmondwike Town Centre. Following the collision, it is believed this vehicle made off down Healey Lane towards Batley.
The driver of the Ford Fiesta, an 18-year-old man received serious injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
The driver of the Peugeot, an 34-year-old man was rescued from the vehicle by West Yorkshire Fire Service and received serious injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening.
The passengers in the Ford Fiesta, two 18-year old men, were also injured. All four persons were taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
PC 4892 Sean Hepworth said; “I am appealing to anyone who was in Heckmondwike Town Centre on Sunday evening and may have seen the red Ford Fiesta and a 4x4 type vehicle. I would also appeal to anyone who was near to, or on Healey Lane and may have seen any of the vehicles prior to the incident, or indeed witnessed the collision itself to come forward.
“Enquiries are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of what took place.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 at the Safer Roads and Neighbourhood Support Team (W) via 101.
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May 13, 2014, 01:49PM
This American Life Takes on "I Was So High..." Stories
And basically fails.
A couple of days ago I finally got around to listening to last weekend’s episode of This American Life, “I Was So High.” I’m an infrequent listener to TAL at this point, but a friend had sent me the press release about a month ago, in which the staff of TAL asked listeners to send in their best “I was so high…” stories, “about a time when you, or a friend, relative, spouse, parent, co-worker etc., happened to be high and went through something that they'll never forget and maybe even learned something from.” It’s a genre TAL staff found out is actually incredibly boring. Listeners sent about 2,600 emails. “Were they funny?” asks Ira Glass. “They weren’t that funny,” TAL contributor Elna Baker admits. “…they don’t stand up unless you either know the person or were there, or if you were on drugs at the time, it was funny to you.” Which reminds me of the Dave Attell joke from Shanks For the Memories about why there’s no famous “pothead writers,” because no one wants to read “500 pages on why if you put a hat and glasses on a dog it looks like he could drive a truck.”
On my recent trip to Savannah I spent the better part of the drive down listening to old TAL episodes, and they do some amazing work sometimes, like last year’s “Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde,” which tells the story of a small town doctor who kills his father, an hour of radio that’s so captivating I dare you to try turning it off halfway through. “I Was So High,” however, is an incredibly weak episode, with Marc Maron’s reminiscences the only worthwhile segment, and I think that’s just because I could listen to Maron talk about anything.
The episode starts with producer Sean Cole’s rather unshocking realization that most of the bartenders at a Toronto bar he used to frequent use coke on the job. Really, bartenders on coke? “How did I not notice?” asks Cole. To which there’s really only one answer: you’ve never done coke. If you had you’d realize it’s really not that big of a deal—or that fun. As Chuck Klosterman once put it, “It makes you feel like you’re walking down the street—minding your own business—and the smartest, most attractive person you’ve ever met suddenly jumps out from behind a bush and gives you a compliment. This sensation lasts between 16 and 21 minutes…” Cole then goes on rank professions with the most drug use, based on a recent survey from the Department of Health and Human Services. Top of the list? Accommodation and food services (about one in six). “That would include,” Glass asks, “dare I say, bartenders?”
Most of the rest of the episode is equally mundane. Act 2 features a story from Alex Blumberg about his dad, who used to smoke pot every day for all the expected reasons: he was a former hippie, who had married, had kids, and taken a corporate job, which he found very, very boring. “Why do you think you were getting high every day at work?” Blumberg asks him. His dad thinks. “Uh, I think I was getting high because I didn’t really feel that marketing was a worthwhile thing to do.”
Act 3 is taken directly from one of Wyatt Cenac’s stand-up routines, a dinky five minute-story about the first pot brownie he ever ate, and since I can’t find it anywhere else online I have to assume it’s an early promotion for an upcoming album. I guess that works out for both Cenac and TAL—anyone who’s a fan of Cenac will probably look up his segment, I’ve just never thought he was all that funny. Still it fits better than the last five minutes of the episode (Act 5), which is just audio from a recent Congressional hearing in which Rep. Steve Cohen from Tennessee lays into DEA Deputy Administrator Thomas Harrigan over his remarks that pot “insults our common values.” It’s a fascinating back-and-forth—and good for Cohen for talking legalization and sensible drug policy—but it doesn’t serve much purpose in a show about “I was so high…” stories.
But leave it to Marc Maron to redeem the episode. Maron (Act 4) starts off with a story about taking mushrooms at a Jerry Garcia concert, and then tries to deconstruct the “mythology” of the “drug adventurer.” “I think that was something that the '60s was sort of built on,” Maron says. “Creativity and art” too, “that there was struggle and torment…” Maron joined a 12-step program some 15 years ago, but he remembers plenty of late night parties with pot and coke and psychedelics. “Did you feel superior to people who weren’t doing drugs?” Glass asks. “I felt like I had a secret,” Maron says. “…like, oh man, I’m so glad I’m seeing this like I’m seeing it.” Maron tells a story about a friend who came to visit him in LA so many years ago. They stayed up late, on drugs, talking, listening to music, and at one point Maron says, “This is amazing, man! Nobody lives like this! We’re living!” Later, his friend sent him a letter: “I don’t know if you know this, but nobody would really want to live like that.” Which says so much about why it’s hard to tell a good “I was so high…” story. So often nothing happens, and really you’re lucky that way, because so often it just ends sad. “I don’t regret the times I did drugs,” Maron says. "...Some of those times were great times... am I happy that it didn't drag me down the hole? And hurt a lot of other people? And make me sick in a way that I could not get better or even die? I'm happy about that. But I am also thrilled that I had some of the experiences I did. And that's the two sides of it."
Older Consume
Photo Albums Are Gathering Dust
The Crazy Propaganda of the Temperance Movement
Action Bronson's New Food Show
Newer Consume
Alton Brown's Grilled Grilled Cheese
PornBurger
Kids Taste Gourmet Foods
commented May 13, 2014, 02:22PM
I don't think Ira Glass has gotten high since the Reagan administration. Maybe the lamest attempt by TAL to be cool and topical. Drug stories are usually only interesting when they're an addition to an already insane story. Or rock stars, artists, knowing what they were on when they made this and that. Or Rob Ford type shit. I can't imagine many "man i was so stoned on pot" stories being very funny.
Responses to this comment
Everyone seems excited to talk about their use of pot since it was legalized in CO earlier this year.The truth is smoking pot it's not that big of a deal and neither are stories about it. "I was so high..." stories aren't all that funny or interesting in real life and especially not on TAL.
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TOPIC: Unable to install
Unable to install 2 years, 8 months ago #29566
imthiyas
Expired - JEC-Developer License
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When I try to install the quick start pack it gives the following errors and rolling
"Deprecated: iconv_set_encoding(): Use of iconv.internal_encoding is deprecated in /home/myuser/new.myuser.com/libraries/joomla/string/string.php on line 28
Deprecated: iconv_set_encoding(): Use of iconv.input_encoding is deprecated in /home/kinniyainn/new.myuser.com/libraries/joomla/string/string.php on line 29
Deprecated: iconv_set_encoding(): Use of iconv.output_encoding is deprecated in /home/myuser/new.myuser.com/libraries/joomla/string/string.php on line 30
Joomla! 2.5.8 Installation
How to solve this issue?
Re: Unable to install 2 years, 8 months ago #29579
yennt
Dear imthiyas,
Please try to Set Error reporting in Global configuration -> Server tab to None.
Thanks & regards!
yennt wrote:
In which file I can change it and where the file is located?
Please edit in back-end as this screenshot prntscr.com/d41pnd
Yes, but we can do after the Joomla installation completed, But I am facing difficulties to install the Joomla Quick start Pack.
Please turn off "display errors" in php.ini, find line "display_errors=On" replace with "display_errors=Off"
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Mom Never Knew
Series: Incest Erotica
By Amber FoxxFire
Adult Taboo Erotica
While I was away at college, dad called me up one day. He said it was an emergency. Come to find out, mom had given him an ultimatum: impregnate her or she’d leave.
But he’d had a vasectomy and couldn’t do it. So, he turned to me, his 18-year-old son. Mom was all ready for me: tied up on the bed with a blindfold on. If all went right, she’d never know that it was her son who knocked her up. More
Trouble was, he’d had a vasectomy and couldn’t do it. So, he turned to me, his 18-year-old son. Mom was all ready for me: tied up on the bed with a blindfold on. If all went right, she’d never know that it was her son who knocked her up.
"I'm real sorry about dragging you all the way across state, son, but this really is an emergency." My father sat across from me, his hands interlaced.
"I was in the middle of an important class, dad..." I protested weakly. I could see that whatever it was must have been pretty important.
He was nodding before I was even finished. "Yes, yes, I know." He wrung his hands. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Thoughts of free tuition danced in my eyes. Suddenly this was starting to get interesting.
"So...what is it? What's wrong? Is it something with mom?" I looked around, suddenly realizing that I hadn't seen her since I came home.
He nodded and my heart froze.
"In a way, yes." He leaned closer and explained. "She's threatened to divorce me and I believe her." He straightened up and looked me in the eyes. "Tommy, I love her. She's everything I've got. You're 18 now, you've got your whole life ahead of you. But me? I'm just an old man."
"Dad, you're only 45."
He put his hand up.
"The point is, your mother has given me one last chance."
I shook my head. "So take it. I don't get --"
"I can't. It's physically impossible for me to give her what she wants. Even if I wanted to - which at this point, I do - I can't."
"Dad. What are you talking about? None of this makes any sense."
He sighed deeply. "Mom wants one last baby. Something about her clock ticking down."
"Oh boy," I muttered. "And I take it you've had a vasectomy without telling her?"
He nodded hopefully. "Yes, I knew you'd understand."
"But I don't," I insisted. "What does all this have to do with me?"
He took another deep, long breath then exhaled it slowly. "Because son, you're my only hope."
I stared at my father incredulously for a moment. "You want me to convince mom not to divorce you?"
He shook his head. "No. I need you to impregnate mom in my stead."
I couldn't believe I was hearing these words tumble from my father's lips. I thought of a million things to say, but I was so flabbergasted that I couldn't say any of them.
"Wouldn't mom be opposed to that?"
He shook his head and smiled, then leaned closer and whispered. "No, that's the best part! Right this very second, she's tied up and blindfolded in our bedroom, waiting for me - ahem you - to come in and impregnate her." He sat back and looked like he'd won the world.
Category: Fiction » Erotica » Men's Erotica
Category: Fiction » Erotica » MILF
Erotica themes: Incest or pseudo-incest, Dubious consent (dubcon)
Words: 2,710
Tags: incest taboo bondage breeding milf mother son creampie bareback impregnation bred
About Amber FoxxFire
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*** Mind Controlled My Bimbo Daughters - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/947068
*** Birthing The Illicit, Underground Rottweiler Pups - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946959
*** Free Use Bimbos 5: Taking The Judge - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946872
*** 50-Pack Vol 12 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946822
*** Remote Controlled Sister - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946742
*** I Forced My Sick Sister To Fuck The Dog - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946705
*** Free Use Bimbos 4: Milking My Lactating Sister In Public - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946294
*** Animal Birthing 10-Pack Vol 1 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946134
*** Spanking My Sleepwalking Mother - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/945932
*** Free Use 7: Inviting Myself To My Sister Cousin Niece Sleepover Sex Party - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/945521
*** The Alpha Tiger's Baby Kittens - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/945547
*** Shattered By The Raging Pitbull - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/945402
*** Mind Controlling My Sister With Black Magic - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/945285
*** Mind Controlled By The Doberman - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/945277
*** Knocked Up And Birthing 5-Pack Vol 3 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/945151
*** Free Use Bimbos 3: I Knocked Up My Bimbo Aunt In The Backseat While Mom Drove - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/944811
*** Free Use Bimbos 2: Breeding My Sleepwalking Niece In The Bathroom - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/944788
*** I Will Not Tease Daddy Ever Again! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/944752
*** Birthing My Cute Baby Foal - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/944441
*** Beast Mind Control 5-Pack Vol 1 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/944371
*** Elven Goddess Multipack Part 1 & 2 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/944222
*** Free Use Dogs 1: Taken & Used At The Dog Pound - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/944176
*** Studded By My Big Brother! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943945
*** Studded 5-Pack Vol 2 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943815
*** Birthing The Lion's Cubs - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943810
*** Rough Sex With My Dog In His Doghouse! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943684
*** Rough Sex With My Lonely Sister - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943674
*** Force Breeding My Bimbo Sister - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943651
*** Big Breasted, Horny, Amateur Mothers Pounded By Their Sons 12-Pack Vol 2 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943335
*** Something Old Something New 8-Pack Vol 1 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/943016
*** Mind Controlled By The Feral Stallion - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942996
*** Free Use Bimbos 1: Turned My Sister Into A Bimbo Sex Fuck Doll - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942695
*** The Alpha Lion's Helpless Kitten - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942592
*** Free Use 4-Pack Vol 1 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942591
*** Daddies Impregnating Their Daughters 8-Pack Vol 10 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942555
*** Expecting The Rottweiler's Puppies - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942342
*** Free Use 6: Using The Pastor's Daughter - In Front Of The Pastor! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942017
*** Free Use 5: Knocking Up The Bimbo Bride - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/941157
*** Bimbo Daughter Knotted By The Boss' Dog - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/941123
*** Free Use 4: Using The Cop Lady Illegally - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/940768
*** Free Use 3: Using The Large-Breasted Virgin Cashier - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/940598
*** Breeding A Baby In My Bimbo Aunt - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/940566
*** Birthing The Pit Bull's Pound Puppies - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/940484
*** Breeding Busty Bimbos 5-Pack Vol 1 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/940456
*** Ruff Stuff - Bestiality Dog 10-Pack Vol 3 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/940233
*** Free Use 2: Using Sis While She Was Studying - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939928
*** Birthing The Stray's Puppies - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939825
*** Free Use 1: Using Mom - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939681
*** Knocking Up My Sleepwalking Sister - In The Back Of Daddy's Car! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939660
*** Fucking My Daughter - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939455
*** Birthing My Brother's Secret Baby - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939325
*** 3 Sisters Turned Bitches Dog Sex Gangbang - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939274
*** Force Breeding My Lactating Niece - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939105
*** Stallion Sex 3-Pack Vol 7 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939026
*** Birthing The Stallion's Forbidden Foal - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/938982
*** Birthing Bigfoot's Baby - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/938767
*** Knotted, Bred & Humiliated By My Father's Dog! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/938735
*** I Fucked My Wife's Sister - She Was On The Phone! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/937741
*** Birthing Puppies 5-Pack Vol 1 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/937189
*** I Mind Controlled My Two Sisters - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936957
*** Birthing A Pony For My Daughter - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936644
*** Ultra Taboo Incest 20-Pack Megabundle - Vol 4 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936731
*** Brother Sister Mind Control 8-Pack Vol 1 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936756
*** I Turned My Shy Sister Into A Horny Sex Mad Bimbo! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936402
*** I Slipped My Sister A Bimbo Pill - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/935748
Don't forget to purchase the saved stories in your library!
Audio Books are here! Check out http://www.naughtyerotica.org/mbm-book-author/amber-foxxfire/ for more details!
Jez Bestiality's Birthing Series: https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/38606
*** From A To D - A Brother Sister Bimbo Fuck Story - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/935064
*** Birthing The Dolphin's Baby - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/934393
*** Mind-Controlling My Sister - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/934159
*** I Caught My Twin Cousins Making Out - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/933481
*** Dominating My Sister 20-Pack Vol 3 - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/933392
*** Raping My Pregnant Sister - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/932859
*** Fucking Mom In Front Of Dad - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/932597
Learn more about Amber FoxxFire
About the Series: Incest Erotica
Taboo Incest Erotica Stories
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S Murray Stage “Great British Bake Off” For Comic Relief
On Friday March 15th, members of the company were treated to a wonderful selection of home-made cakes – all made by each other in a fund-raising effort for Red Nose Day and Comic Relief. The cakes were then judged in true “Great British Bake Off” style (in the spirit of the BBC programme) and a fun afternoon was had by all.
Event organiser, Jessica Eve was “delighted at the fabulous efforts which everyone had made, especially to raise money for such a worthwhile cause”. In keeping with the BBC show, judges were appointed from within the company and verdicts passed on the appearance, taste, texture and artistic style of the cakes – and a very impressive selection they were too!
To save embarrassment and blushes, the winner shall remain anonymous in what proved to be a close run contest, but thanks go out to all those who contributed to make the day such a success.
The giving does not have to stop there though and for more information on how to get involved or to donate to the Comic Relief cause, please follow the links below:
www.comicrelief.com
www.rednoseday.com
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Minority Health Essay
Heritage and Culture Differences in Families
Jennifer M. Rinoldi, RN
Grand Canyon University: NRS- 429V-0500
The United States is full of many diverse cultures from all around the world and is known as the “melting pot”. Culture can be defined as the beliefs, arts, customs etc, of a specific society or group, place or time. Each and every culture is very unique in itself and are composed of many different sets of values, beliefs, religion and traditions. These all can contribute to an individual’s choices and behaviors can ultimately influence how a person cares for themselves during times of illness, how they perceive illness, and how they may ...view middle of the document...
S are; cancers, heart disease, stroke, unintentional injuries, diabetes, influenza/pneumonia, chronic lower respiratory diseases, nephritis/nephrotic syndrome/kidney disease, alzhiemers, and the tenth being suicide. In comparison to the national average heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the U.S, cancer being number two. This makes the top two between the national average and the Asian population very close with the Asians having a higher cancer rate than the national average.
Some of the other health issues amongst Asian Americans in which have a higher prevalence in the U.S, are HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Smoking and tobacco use and TB. Taking a look at these illnesses, you can see that the risk factors for these can be prevented through proper health education and by education and increasing health promotion, thus going into lack of education for this specific ethnic group.
In this paragraph I will be discussing cancer, are one of the largest health disparities in the Asian American ethnic group. Cancer is the number one cause of death in Asian American in the U.S. This is the highest rate of cancer in comparison of any other racial/ethnic group. Asian Americans are found to have a lower incidence in some forms of cancer but have the highest in infectious origins, such as liver, uterine, cervix and stomach cancer. These forms of cancers lead to overall lower life expectancy, decreased quality of life, and increased health care costs.
One of the specific cancers I want to discuss is cervical...
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30% of Taiwanese working fathers estranged from children: online survey
Father’s Day in Taiwan is celebrated on August 8, as 8/8 is a homonym of the word 'father' in Mandarin
By Alicia Nguyen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – About 30 percent of Taiwanese working fathers have become alienated from their children due to long hours at work and a lack of interaction with children, according to a recent survey by online job bank yes123.
On August 7, yes123 published an online survey which primarily focused on Taiwanese fathers in the workplace ahead of the celebration of Taiwan Father's Day.
According to the survey, around 39.3 percent of fathers who responded are the primary source of income in their family. Among 60 percent of families have both a father and a mother going to work, while a percent of 26.6 reported that as fathers they were the family's "economic backbone." Consequently, fathers are still the main breadwinners in Taiwanese society.
Additionally, 84.3 percent of the correspondents revealed that their current income is not enough to support for their family despite the average working hours totalling around 9.6 hours per day. A considerable percentage of fathers (74.2) who took the survey said that their working hours exceed 9 hours, suggesting that three-quarters of fathers might be at risk of being overworked.
The long working hours also results in decreased time that fathers are able to spend with their children, leading to a poor father-children relationship, according to the survey. Around 71.3 minutes is the average time that fathers spend with their children during weekdays, with as many as 18.4 percent of respondents saying that they almost have no time for their children.
Regarding the father-child relationship, around 30 percent of fathers claimed that they are alienated from their children.
The poll was conducted online from July 11 to 24 in an attempt to understand the pressures facing working Taiwanese fathers. It collected 1166 valid questionnaires and has a confidence level of 95 percent and a margin of error of 2.87 percentage points.
Last year, a survey done by 1111 Job Bank found that 24.6 percent of Taiwanese working dads had to take extra part-time jobs to support their children due to the low average salary rate.
yes123
father and children
90% of workers in Taiwan not happy about their salary: survey
82% of Taiwanese workers have interest in becoming a ‘slashie’: survey
Taiwan's professional women are paid less than men: survey
More than 5 million Taiwanese suffering from overwork: survey
As Taiwan celebrates Father's Day, 24% of dads work extra part-time jobs to support kids
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India's diamond capital of the world fears more job losses as China slows
Craftsmen work at the polishing department of a diamond processing unit at Surat in Gujarat, India, on Aug 31, 2015.PHOTO: REUTERS
A craftsman checks the shape of a diamond at the polishing department of a diamond processing unit at Surat in Gujarat, India, on Aug 31, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS
http://str.sg/ZXJD
SURAT, INDIA (REUTERS) - A year ago, India's diamond capital hit the headlines when one of the largest polishing companies in the western city of Surat treated hundreds of employees to bonuses in the form of Fiat cars, apartments and jewellery.
This year, there's no sign of a repeat bonanza in a city that by some estimates polishes about 80 per cent of the world's diamonds.
More than 5,000 Surat polishers have lost their jobs since June and thousands more could be left without work, as Chinese consumers pull back from luxury purchases, leaving jewellers with stocks of unsold jewellery and gems. Polishers say Chinese jewellers have defaulted on deals worth millions of dollars.
Nearly half a dozen large diamond companies in the city have closed down: a significant hit for an industry that employs nearly a million people in India, two-thirds of them in Surat.
Jobs are a critical issue for India's government, struggling to revive economic growth to a rate that will create employment for millions joining the workforce every year.
Sunilkumar Rajput spent 25 years cutting gems in this coastal city, where streets are lined with workshops of all sizes, bustling with craftsmen huddled under desk lamps, preparing to carve rough diamonds into multi-faceted gems. He lost his job in June.
"I am ready to work even at half the salary I was getting in my previous job, but no one will listen," says Mr Rajput, 45, speaking in a quiet side street of Surat. He has sent his children back to his home state of Uttar Pradesh, in India's north, to save money.
Distress in Surat's warren of polishing houses comes at a time of unrest across the state of Gujarat - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home base - where hundreds of thousands of members of the Patidar, or Patel, community have held protests to demand changes to India's affirmative action policies, which they say hurt them.
Like many of Gujarat's largest industries, diamond polishing is dominated by Patels, who make up 14 per cent of the state and a nascent but disgruntled middle class.
Hiren Patel, 35, says his salary has halved since June: "We have work only for three days a week." Last month, he joined a rally of at least half a million people which turned violent, leaving at least seven dead.
China represents roughly a fifth of the world polished diamond market - less than half of the United States in value terms - and accounts for the same proportion of India's US$23 billion of annual exports.
But its growth has fuelled the diamond industry in recent years, as jewellery stores expanded at breakneck pace to cater for luxury hungry consumers.
At the peak, between 2008 and 2013, diamond jewellery sales in China grew at a compound annual rate of 18 per cent. Now, industry executives estimate growth in single digits, and jewellers are adapting - and cutting back.
A stock market crash since June and slowing growth has hurt the wealthy in China. Also, a crackdown on corruption has meant that the rich are fearful of any ostentatious signs of wealth, and among luxury goods, jewellery has taken a big hit.
Surat polishes cheaper diamonds of less than a carat, but is also known for solitaires - single stones - popular with Chinese buyers.
"In the last couple of years China was on an explosive growth path," said Stephen Lussier, CEO of Forevermark, the diamond brand of the De Beers group, the world's largest diamond company by market value. "Now, demand for polished diamonds in China has significantly reduced relative to a year ago."
Vipul Shah, chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, estimates a drop of 50 per cent this fiscal year from a year ago.
Surat's ranks of craftsmen, swollen by cheap migrant labour, ballooned over the boom years in anticipation of more growth and ever-higher diamond prices. Instead, margins are squeezed as polished prices fall faster than rough, with even major producers Anglo American-owned De Beers and Russia's Alrosa pulling back.
India's exports of cut and polished diamonds in July fell 18.3 per cent from a year ago, to US$1.5 billion. July imports plunged 43 per cent to US$1.9 billion. Over the year, imports are expected to drop by a fifth.
"In an over-supplied market, we don't have any option but to cut production," says Mavji Patel, managing director of Kiran Gems, a leading diamond exporter.
JEWELLERY/GEMSTONES
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No way to produce babies without eggs? Think again
http://str.sg/4GiC
PARIS • We all grow up accepting certain unassailable facts: Water is wet, the earth is round, and to produce a baby, you need an egg and sperm.
As it turns out, the last of these may not be true.
This week, scientists announced they had produced baby mice by fusing sperm and a type of cell that is not an egg, reported Agence France-Presse.
Writing in the Nature Communications journal, the scientists from Britain and Germany described how they took mouse eggs and used chemicals to trick them into developing as if they had been fertilised. These pseudo-embryos behave much like skin and other cells in the body.
The scientists next injected sperm into the "fake" embryos and found that rather than dying, they developed normally, and when transferred into female mice, led to apparently healthy mouse pups.
The researchers reasoned that if injecting sperm into mouse pseudo-embryos could produce healthy babies, then it might one day be possible to achieve a similar result in humans using cells that are not from eggs.
The findings in Nature Communications could, in the distant future, mean women can be removed from the baby-making process, said the researchers.
In the mouse experiments, the odds of achieving a successful pregnancy were one in four.
The report's senior author, Dr Tony Perry of the University of Bath, told the BBC News website: "This is the first time that anyone has been able to show that anything other than an egg can combine with a sperm in this way to give rise to offspring.
"It overturns nearly 200 years of thinking."
Although the researchers began with an egg cell for the experiment, they do not believe it is required to spark the same development, reported The Telegraph. In theory, the technique should work with any cell in the body as long as half the chromosomes are removed first to allow them to fuse with the sperm's chromosomes.
The so-called motherless technique raises the possibility that two men could have a child, with one donating an ordinary cell and the other, sperm, although a woman would still need to act as a surrogate. Or one man could have his own child using his own cells and sperm - with that child being more like a non-identical twin than a clone.
Dr Perry stressed that such scenarios were still "speculative and fanciful" at this stage, reported the BBC.
More realistically, the technique could potentially allow women whose fertility has been wiped out by cancer drugs or radiotherapy to have their own children, reported The Telegraph.
The researchers are planning to test out the theory using skin cells.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 15, 2016, with the headline 'No way to produce babies without eggs? Think again'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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The house is covered front and back, ground to rooftop, with overgrown vegetation. A side fence has collapsed. Two trash bins sit in the alley, filled to the brim with dirty water and decrepit junk. Barrels lie on their sides in the back yard, near a half-built wooden shed that is falling apart.
"If this place ever catches fire, there's nothing to do but run. They couldn't put it out even if the firetruck was parked outside."
She has complained to city officials, by phone and in person, on and off for years, she says. "Anytime I see them anywhere, I stop and tell them."
Finally, fed up and plum out of ideas, she wrote to The Watchdog. I visited this week and made a video of her giving me a tour and begging for help. I put the video on YouTube and sent the Web link to Code Compliance Director Brandon Bennett. I also sent him photos of the disgusting trash bins, too.
Bennett jumped on the problem. The video and photos, he told me, were the evidence he needs to get a warrant giving his staff permission to march onto the property and take action. Code officers aren't allowed to enter private property without owner permission, but this owner isn't around.
City-hired mowers are allowed to enter a property every so often, and in this case, they do. But the listed owner doesn't pay the bills.
"This is one of the ones that are falling through the cracks," Bennett told me. "We have too many of these. They are killing us."
Substandard housing is a threat to most large U.S. cities. As the economy suffers, it gets worse.
"These patterns develop," Bennett said. "It just brings down the rest of the neighborhood. It starts with one house, and pretty soon it's the whole block."
With his department's budget cut 20 percent, he said, "We have to prioritize calls for service."
Used to be the city ordered mowers to cut neglected grass and weeds when they reached 12 inches. Now it's 18 inches. Used to be the city hired mowers every 21 days. Now it's 45.
"We just don't have the funding to pay for them," he said.
I tried to contact the listed owner of the house but couldn't find her.
Nine liens on the property for mowing and administrative fees total $2,300, city records show.
The listed owner has also fallen behind on city property taxes for three years, totaling $2,500.
Eight resident complaints for tall grass and high weeds have been listed against the property since 2006. Before that, there were complaints for trash, debris, storage and junked vehicles.
It's an eyesore every way you look. But there's hope for Washington. This week, the city launched what it calls its "nuisance abatement process" -- legal talk for "get rid of the junk."
The debris, barrels, fence, a dead tree near a power line and the wretched bins should all be removed by July 20, the city says.
There's also hope for others in the same situation.
A state law that went into effect Jan. 1 (House Bill 3065) allows counties with a population greater than 1.5 million to adopt ordinances requiring registration of vacant buildings. That process allows a city to take drastic action on abandoned properties, too.
But there is a kink. Even though Fort Worth officials began working on such an ordinance, the process was halted temporarily because Tarrant County didn't have enough residents to qualify.
New census numbers expected to become official in April will show that Tarrant County's population has grown.
What does this mean? A new city ordinance will give officials greater control to stop the pattern of block erosion.
Jessie Washington has a wait-and-see attitude.
"I know they let me down," she said. "They ignored me. That's what they did."
DAVE LIEBER, 817-685-3830
TWITTER @DAVELIEBER
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Not the right job for you?
Early Years/KS1 Teaching Assistant, Waltham Forest
Closing date: 31 May 2019
Forest SchoolWaltham Forest
Contract type: Full Time
Salary: £26,500 p.a.
Contract term: Permanent
Suitable for NQTs: No
We are seeking an enthusiastic, qualified and experienced Teaching Assistant for the Pre-Preparatory Department. We are looking for someone who can work well with a certain degree of independence, who has an innovative outlook, clear ambition and enthusiasm for pupil development and who will be fully involved in the life of the school.
Forest Preparatory School is situated at the innermost point of Epping Forest and is also within 30 minutes of the centre of London. It is well-known for the quality of its extended curriculum, successes in Sport, the Arts and for Academic Excellence with pupils regularly winning scholarships and awards to our own senior school as well as other highly competitive secondary schools. The junior section of an all-through school, Forest Preparatory School has its own excellent facilities, but also benefits from sharing a site with the Senior School and utilising whole-school resources.
Forest is London’s only diamond formation school. The split between the sexes is exactly 50:50. Pupils are taught in single-sex classes between the ages of 7 and 16 and in co-educational classes both in the Pre-Prep and the Sixth Form. This ‘diamond structure’ is a striking feature of the School.
Forest is very proud of its academic status, its reputation in a range of co-curricular activities. All teaching staff are encouraged and expected to contribute in accordance with their strengths to the outstanding co-curricular programme and other areas of School life.
Forest School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 4th June, 2019
Please visit our website (www.forest.org.uk/prep-school) where you will find a full introduction to Forest Preparatory School. Should you wish to discuss any aspect of this position before applying, Mr James Sanderson, the Head of Forest Preparatory School, would be happy to hear from you (0208 509 4985 or prephead@forest.org.uk).
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Type: Mainstream School
Phase: All-through with sixth form
Funding status: Independent
Gender: Mixed
Denomination: Church of England
Address: Snaresbrook, London, E17 3PY, United Kingdom.
Website: http://www.forest.org.uk
Situated on a beautiful site on the edge of Epping Forest in North East London with outstanding facilities, Forest School is one of the few diamond structure schools in the country where pupils are taught in single-sex classes between the ages of 7 a...
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Shop All Amana
The Appliance Loft in Cincinnati, OH is an authorized dealer of Amana Products. The Amana Corporation is an American brand of household appliances. It was founded in 1934 by George Foerstner as The Electrical Equipment Co. in Middle Amana, Iowa, to manufacture commercial walk-in coolers. The business was later owned by the Amana Society and became known as Amana Refrigeration, Inc. It is now owned by Whirlpool Corporation.
In 1947, Amana manufactured the first upright freezer for the home, and in 1949 it added a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. In 1950 the company was sold to a group of investors, including its founder, and became Amana Refrigeration, Inc. In 1954 it began making air conditioners. Amana was acquired in 1965 by Raytheon, which had invented the microwave oven in 1947, and introduced the commercial Radarange Model 1611 in 1954. In 1967 Amana introduced a consumer model of the Radarange, the first popular microwave designed for home use. Amana has since expanded into manufacturing a variety of other appliances, including furnaces, ovens, countertop ranges, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers. In 1997 the company was purchased by Goodman Global, a heating-and-cooling manufacturer who sold it to Maytag (now part of Whirlpool) in 2002. Goodman still owns Amana's air conditioners and heater division, and Amana home appliances are now owned and manufactured by Whirlpool Corporation. Amana Under Counter Wine was spun off and is now marketed under the Aficionado marquee. Amana continues to be innovative, having introduced curved fronts to its refrigerators in 2000, and in 2009 collaborating with Thom Filicia on a series of colorful designs which debuted at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.
So if you are looking for Amana products in Cincinnati, Norwood, Oakley, Reading, Hyde Park, Blue Ash, Montgomery, Sharonville, White Oak, Springdale and Ft Thomas, or if you have any questions about Amana products, please feel free to call us at 513-533-0440 or simply stop by The Appliance Loft at any time and we would be glad to help you.
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News Next → Return To All News
Sir Richard Stilgoe to present Beethoven concert
Sir Richard Stilgoe will present the next Bach Choir concert at the Royal Festival Hall on Friday 28th June.
Richard has spent fifty years as a performer and writer in all forms of the performing arts. He has frequently appeared on television (Nationwide, That’s Life) and on stage. He wrote lyrics for Cats, Starlight Express and The Phantom of the Opera and his broadcasting work has earned him several awards.
Richard will be joined by signer Paul Whittaker OBE to enhance the performance with an exploration of music and deafness.
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U.S. Business Why Detroit-Windsor bridge could become Canada’s white elephant
Why Detroit-Windsor bridge could become Canada’s white elephant
The skyline of Detroit, Michigan is seen from Windsor, January 4, 2012. Saddled with crippling debt, mounting labor costs, and onerous union contracts, the city that paved the auto industry's success is in need of a bailout of its own. Picture taken January 4, 2012.
Rebecca Cook/Reuters
Barrie McKenna Economics Reporter
Published May 4, 2014 Updated May 12, 2018
It risks becoming a very expensive bridge to nowhere.
At issue is the long-planned, and even longer-discussed, new bridge linking Windsor and Detroit – one of the busiest border crossings in the world. The whole project is slated to cost $3.4-billion.
But all of it – the span, a Canadian customs plaza and highway links on both sides of the border – could become the largest white elephant in Canadian history.
The problem? The Obama administration is balking at paying the $250-million needed to build its own customs plaza on U.S. soil.
And without a U.S. government presence, the entire project would be a dead end – an elaborate boat ramp and fishing pier on the Detroit River. The $1.6-billion Herb Gray Parkway, linking Highway 401 to the new bridge, would be lonely monument to the long-time federal Liberal cabinet minister, who died recently at age 82.
Never in the long history of the Canada-U.S. border has one country not built their own border station.
But this is no ordinary bridge project. So anxious to get the vital artery built, Canada has already agreed to front or guarantee virtually all the cost, including a highway on the U.S. side.
And now the Americans apparently want Canada to pay for the U.S. customs plaza, discreetly suggesting Ottawa could pay itself back from future tolls on cars and trucks crossing the bridge. It's a little like your neighbour expecting you to pay for his new driveway, front door, doorbell and burglar alarm.
U.S. officials insists they never agreed to pay for the plaza. Ottawa may have assumed they would, but it's not in writing.
"I am not aware of any promises to fund that," new U.S. ambassador Bruce Heyman said in his first interview after taking up his post last month. "At the same time, I would like to have the opportunity to sit down with the Canadian government and understand their perspective."
Mr. Heyman is technically correct. The U.S. government is not a party to the bridge agreement between the Canadian and Michigan governments.
But politics, rather than legal niceties, may be the real reason for the plaza controversy. The money has become caught up in partisan budget wrangling in Washington and nasty U.S. midterm elections, coming up in November.
A Democratic-held U.S. Senate seat is up for grabs in Michigan, with the retirement of Carl Levin. Republican Governor Rick Snyder is also up for re-election. And he has angered some traditional Obama allies, including the United Auto Workers, for passing anti-union right-to-work legislation in the state.
Like the long-delayed U.S. decision on the Keystone XL oil pipeline, even the lure of thousands of construction jobs hasn't been enough to break the bridge impasse. The project would create as many as 13,000 full-time jobs in both countries for three to four years.
In what has become a common theme in many other cross-border disputes, Ottawa has predictably struggled to gets its economic arguments heard over the din of domestic U.S. politics.
The other awkward reality is that Canada needs this bridge more than the United States. The Detroit-Windsor crossing is part of a vital lifeline linking Ontario manufacturers to their U.S. customers and supply chains. Congestion-free access to the border is more important than ever, given the disturbing loss of export market share in the United States over the past decade.
The bridge is to Ontario's manufacturers what Keystone is to Alberta's oil patch.
There is some urgency to getting this issue resolved. The plan is to put the project out to tender as a public-private partnership by early 2015. If the $250-million for the plaza is to be paid out of future tolls, investors would have to wait longer to get their money back. It also increases the risk to Canadian tax payers, who are already shouldering the most of the burden and won't be fully reimbursed for some 50 years. Construction could begin late next year or 2016, with completion in 2020.
The options facing Ottawa aren't very enticing. It can pony up more of its own money for a U.S. customs plaza. Or, it can delay the bidding process in the hopes that the U.S. government commits the cash in next year's budget.
Either way, this bridge could get a lot more expensive.
U.S. funding holdout threatens Detroit River bridge
Follow Barrie McKenna on Twitter @barriemckenna
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Teagasc Special Award at BTYSTE 2017 goes to Agroforestry Project
The winners of the Teagasc special award at BTYSTE 2017, Asa Curran, Tiarnan Collins and Jack Ryan-Purcell from Schull Community College in Co Cork, pictured receiving the award from Dr Lance O Brien, Teagasc Foresight and Strategy manager.
The winners of the Teagasc special award at BTYSTE 2017 were Asa Curran, Tiarnan Collins and Jack Ryan-Purcell from Schull Community College in Co Cork, who were also highly commended in their category putting them in the top 15% of entries. Their project investigated the relatively new land use, agroforestry, and its potential to offset carbon emissions from other agricultural sources. Their science teacher and mentor is Larissa Kelly.
The Teagasc award is presented to the project that best demonstrates a thorough understanding of the science of agricultural or food production, or the use of science to improve technologies available to agricultural or food production. There were 550 projects accepted to take part in the finals this year from a total of 2,091 entries. The event took place at the RDS, Dublin, with students from 375 schools entered in the competition.
The students were prompted to undertake this project when they heard that Ireland was to face a hefty fine from the EU for failing to meet its carbon emissions reduction targets. They decided to investigate the use of agroforestry (trees are grown in combination with agriculture on the same land) as a possible solution to offsetting some of the emissions associated with agricultural production.
Working with farmer Liam Beechinor in Lyre, Clonakilty, Co Cork, they compared three different land uses for the sequestration of carbon: conventional pasture, agroforestry and conventional forestry for soil carbon. The students also looked at the amount of carbon stored in the biomass of the trees. They feel that agroforestry is an attractive way for farmers to grow trees without tying up their land in forestry for long periods of time, as agricultural activity can continue beneath the trees.
They found that 3.3% of farm emissions could be offset per year by the growth of agroforestry. They also found that agroforestry resulted in an increase in soil organic matter and therefore carbon. They concluded that agroforestry could be an attractive way for farmers to offset some of their greenhouse gas emissions by sequestering carbon, thus helping to reduce the levels of greenhouse gases.
The winners will be invited to visit with Teagasc’s Forestry Development Officer John Casey and Eugene Curran, from the Forest Service.
Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle congratulated the winners and said: “I would also like to congratulate all students who exhibited at the event and I was very impressed with the standards they achieved in their projects.”
Dr Frank O’Mara said that Teagasc is proud to support BTYSTE: “We all benefit from raising students’ awareness of the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers and the career opportunities from taking STEM courses”.
Over 60,000 visitors attended the event which took place at the RDS Dublin during January 12-14.
The theme of Teagasc’s stand at BTYSTE 2017 was ‘The Future of Farming and Food’ and was based on the five research prioritisation areas identified in Teagasc’s Technology Foresight 2035 exercise: Plant and animal genomics; human, animal and soil microbiota, digital technologies; new technologies for food processing; and, transformation in the food value chain. Visitors to the stand were asked to use the interactive stand to give their ideas on technologies for the future.
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Crouch Mummifies Coltrane and Davis
I came across Stanley Crouch's ten or so years ago when his collection of essays "Notes of a Hanging Judge" came out, and thought he had a wonderful fluidity as a writer. It was something else to see him link a number of subjects together and to extol the virtues of sustaining a black intellectual class, but what I enjoyed was his bomb throwing. He wasn't shy at attacking thug-rap, and certainly not reticent to announce that he thought the caliber of work being done by Cornell West or Henry Louis Gates was the least amount of scholarship for the highest paycheck. Crouch, though, is not Adorno, and soon enough his outrage becomes boilerplate nay saying. You know his remarks on a given subject before he even opens his mouth, and this article on Coltrane is typical of his column work; advance praise for early work, decry the waste, and grumble in depressed terms that the race is going to hell in a handbag because it walks away from its best cultural habits and traditions. Lately, America’s favorite conservative black bomb-thrower has been writing about jazz for Slate, most recently tucking John Coltrane and Miles Davis under his values-pronged umbrella. The problem with assessing Coltrane's career is the fact of his early death; pressed for time, he experimented relentlessly and furiously with his material, attacking it in performance from differing angles. The amount of studio work his band released during his brief life is astounding, and daunting to the novitiate. All told, the saxophonist's headlong dive into freer structures, more open-ended improvisations, more atonal and intense harmonics, would seem natural, and inevitable investigation for a man he was likely aware that he was playing music on borrowed time. It's a mistake to consider this late experimentation as a jump into the "abyss" since Crouch uses it as a way to close his discussion and wax poetic on the days when JC could swing like the rest of them.
I like a good amount of the late work and regard something like A Love Supreme to be on the greatest jazz pieces ever set to tape; it's an emotional blow out that no one has equaled since, and I've no problem placing this with other 20th century music, from Ives through Berg through Zappa and Cage, where stridency was a virtue and another kind of pleasure. So now we ask ourselves the questions we pose as well when considering Parker or Hendrix; what would the musicians have come up with if they'd lived ten or twenty years longer? There's never a satisfying answer, although it would seem to me that Coltrane would have reined in the screams and the skronk and concentrated on composition, finding still newer ways to expand beyond bebop's formalist rigour. My last guess would be that one would have to consider him, had he lived, to have grown beyond the comfortable limits of jazz as a definition and blazed a trail that would lead to a different kind of international music. My principle beef with Crouch is that he speaks of Coltrane's experimentation with free jazz structures and atonality as a total tragedy, and puts the period right there as if his "outside" work were a final, irreversible ruination and doom. I don't suppose I should be surprised at such a confidently Spenglarian view from the Bill Bennett of jazz, but it is goading that he sees the final work as an end, not wondering at all what might have evolved from all this restless experimentation. I think Coltrane would have merged with other musical cultures and gone on to create a new, international musical language. As such, I cherish all of 'Trane's phases and wonder how he might have added to an already crowded legacy of genius.
Crouch's approach to black history and culture has been to invest much of the same narrow argument in the way he talks about black artists--writers, musicians, composers, actors, educators. Like Wynton Marsalis, he will insist that the best of the culture contains the living example of virtues younger generations of blacks can learn from and are at risk of losing sight of. Needless to say, he is not a fan of hip-hop culture nor much else that post-50’s black musicians have done. He and Bennett are monotonous explicators on art and culture; neither seem as though they derive much pleasure from the things they write about, though one may observe that Crouch enjoys eating and Bennett is not above a gentlemanly bet, or many of them, as the moment moves him, Crouch obviously prefers music from an older, done daily, and that's fine, but that is a matter of taste, which he will bring forth as moral righteousness. He will tailor his discussions of Coltrane, Ellington, and Billie Holiday with generous hypotheses as to how the spirit of their work is a high essence of human virtue from which audiences and generations to come can learn civics lessons from. Crouch hangs back on the religiosity, but his agenda is clearly to form an African American canon that adheres to a culturally and politically conservative line, just as Bennett seeks to counteract and remedy, as he sees it, the preponderance of left-tilted discourses that view literature as a form of progressive social criticism. Lost on both of them is the beauty of art; they do not address the core issue as to why we make or are attracted to art; it makes us feel good.
It's more a matter of a tendency that Crouch shares with Bennett, attempting to demonstrate what is creative, brilliant and influential in black American culture (in itself a worthwhile mission) and using this as evidence of morally conservative, "values-based" tradition that has always been there. It is, of course, foolish to hypothesize that there's a monolithic political consensus among black Americans and that they are no less diverse in views and experience than any other population group, but Crouch's agenda insists that who he writes about be treated as moral philosophers, and not artists, a habit that overlooks far too much. This is the reductionist tendency Crouch shares with Bennett.
I'm less inclined to expect a commentator to be expert in both older and newer forms, only that they are genuinely interested in developments, find something interesting to talk about, and find a convincing, hopefully, compelling way to link past and present trends. Crouch does not do this, by Eric Michael Dyson does rather brilliantly, even though he does tend to accelerate his way through his reference points--bebop, postmodern indeterminacy, hip-hip self-definition, outsider traditions--at speeds that hinder ready comprehension. Robert Christgau finds something to talk about with each new form that comes at him. The task of the critic is one that requires a personality that refuses to stay stuck in a particular area of expertise and regards their knowledge and assertions as views under constant construction. I could do without Christgau's star system and would prefer if he wrote more extended essays, but at least it is an attempt to keep abreast of the bands and artist that come his way. I even borrowed (read stole) the method when I had a record review column in my college paper; it was an efficient way of disposing of ten albums in a single piece, sending off tear-sheets to record promoters so they'd have something to show their higher-ups, and so continue my flow of albums.
Of course, I sold the albums for beer and burger money, and there's not a record reviewer who was working then or now that doesn't do something similar with their excess swag. What I like about him is that he's been writing reviews since the late sixties for this magazine or that, and wasn't afraid to poke around, investigate and examine the margins of pop and rock music. As is, his discussions are more cogent and, dare I say, perceptive than those of his fellow Pantheon critic Greil Marcus, who approaches music not as humanly formed aesthetic expressions that any number of interested listeners may approach and discuss in useful ways, but rather as sacred texts, scrolls written in a dead language that only he can extract articulate wisdom from. For all his hermeneutic maneuvering, however, Marcus is himself barely coherent, and one is left with such books as "Lipstick Traces", a purported secret history of the 20th century where the efforts of Elvis Presley, Guy Debord, The Sex Pistols, Walter Benjamin and Cabaret Voltaire are all discussed in long born pauses and rolling cadences. Some of the writing Marcus does is beautiful as prose, but the point one awaits is not delivered. Christgau at least makes good on any thesis he advances by at least coming to a point, which makes his kind of wide referenced tastes an interesting methodology.
I can't fault Stanley Crouch for his assessment of Miles Davis's style and accomplishments during the fifties and early sixties, but this critic rather conveniently avoids the reason for the trumpeter's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was the generation-spanning innovation, experimentation and refusal to look back, all of which influenced music outside and beyond the tidy definitions of jazz Crouch prefers. It's ironic that Crouch continues to write eulogies for great jazz musicians, giving eloquent voice to what he finds beautiful, holding in reserve the boilerplate regret that his artist of the week didn't remain faithful to a perceived moment of true voice. Crouch likes to write as if these artists have personally betrayed him, by either taking on new avenues or dying too young, and this allows him to live in a long-ago country of old men.
Obviously, he sees history as a series of self-contained compartments, each separate from one another with no fluidity between eras, no cross-fertilization of ideas between generations. While Crouch is obsessed with the days when black artists were emerging from the margins and appearing as matinee idols as well as dignified artists, what Miles Davis continued and improved on wasn't the legacy of Charlie Parker nor Clifford Brown, but rather of Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, mixing and matching differing cultural approaches to electronics and coming up with sounds that hadn't yet graced the bandstand. Stance and persona matter less than Crouch gives it credit for; music accomplishment is everything, and the directions Davis made music at large, and not just jazz, turn to is a greater legacy than the nostalgically waxed moments Crouch will put forth.
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Acts 24 Acts 25:1-27 Acts 26
Paul Appeals to Caesar
1Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3asking as a favor against Paul1 that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5“So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”
6After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. 8Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
13Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
23So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
1 25:3 Greek him
Select one: Ready with an Answer (Acts 25:1-27) Preaching the Gospel from Acts (Acts 25:23-26:32)
See all sermons on Acts
« Acts 24 | Expand chapter | Acts 26 »
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Microarray rapid test speeds up detection in case of a Legionella pneumophila outbreak
Measurement chip detects Legionella
In an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, finding the exact source as quickly as possible is essential to preventing further infections. To date, a detailed analysis takes days. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have now developed a rapid test that achieves the same result in about 35 minutes.
Legionella are rod-shaped bacteria that can cause life-threatening pneumonia in humans. They multiply in warm water and can be dispersed into the air via cooling towers, evaporative recooling systems and hot water systems.
The most dangerous among the almost 50 species of Legionella is Legionella pneumophila. It is responsible for 80 percent of all infections. When an outbreak occurs, the source of the germs must be identified as soon as possible to prevent further infections.
Similar to a paternity test, the origin of the outbreak is confirmed when the germs in the process water of a technical system exactly match those identified in the patient. However, often numerous systems must be tested in the process, and the requisite cultivation for the test takes around ten days.
Faster detection with antibodies
Meanwhile there is a rapid test for detecting the Legionella pathogen in the clinic. It identifies compounds of Legionella in the urine of patients. "Unfortunately, this quick test serves only as a first indication and is not suitable for screening the water of technical systems," says PD Dr. Michael Seidel, head of the research group at the Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry of the Technical University of Munich.
The team of scientists thus developed a measuring chip in the context of the "LegioTyper" project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This chip not only detects the dangerous pathogen Legionella pneumophila but also identifies which of the approximately 20 subtypes is present.
Fast, inexpensive and versatile
The foil-based measuring chip uses the microarray analysis platform MCR of the Munich company GWK GmbH. Using 20 different antibodies, the system provides a complete analysis within 34 minutes.
"Compared to previous measurements, the new method not only provides a huge speed advantage," says Michael Seidel, "but is also so cheap that we can use the chip in one-time applications."
The system can be deployed for environmental hygiene as well as clinical diagnostics. In combination with a second, DNA-based method, the system can even distinguish between dead and living Legionella pathogens. This allows the success of disinfection measures to be monitored. The project participants will present their system to the public for the first time at the Analytica 2018 trade fair in Munich (Hall 3, Booth 315; April 10–13, 2018).
Wunderlich, A.; Torggler, C.; Elsaesser, D.; Lück, C.; Niessner, R.; Seidel, M.,
Rapid quantification method for Legionella pneumophila in surface water.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2016, 408(9), 2203-2213 – DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9362-x.
Kober, C.; Niessner, R.; Seidel, M.
Quantification of viable and non-viable Legionella spp. by heterogeneous asymmetric recombinase polymerase amplification (haRPA) on a flow-based chemiluminescence microarray. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2018, 100, 49-55. doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2017.08.053
The LegioTyper project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in the context of the "Civil Security – Protection against biological threats and pandemics" program. The antibodies were provided by the German Reference Laboratory for Legionella at the TU Dresden.
PD Dr. Michael Seidel
Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry
Institute of Hydrochemistry
Marchioninistr. 17, 81377 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 2180 78252 – E-mail: michael.seidel(at)ch.tum.de
Minilab identifies antibiotic residues in milk
No one wants antibiotic residues in their milk. But antibiotics are sometimes used even in the dairy barn. The routine tests conducted nowadays take hours to produce a result and do not test for all of the typical...
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How England paid the penalty again for an attack of the sporting yips
When the Under-17s lost a final they had all but won with a couple of misses from 12 yards it again underlined that English football’s version of the yips needs a long-overdue cure
Fri 26 May 2017 08.49 EDT Last modified on Sun 26 Nov 2017 23.51 EST
England’s Joel Latibeaudiere reacts after missing the decisive penalty in the under-17 European Championship final against Spain in Varazdin, Croatia. Photograph: Antonio Bat/EPA
The yips can take more than one form. Usually we think of the phenomenon in terms of an individual submitting to a technical meltdown: a golfer seizing up at the sight of a six-inch putt, a tennis player suddenly incapable of tossing the ball up for a serve accurately, or a bowler losing the ability to land the ball anywhere near the cut strip.
Jon Lester is one of the stranger variations. A recent issue of Sports Illustrated carried a long and absorbing feature on the 33-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, who mysteriously lost the ability several years ago to throw the ball to first base. Facing a batter, he was as effective as ever. Turn him 90 degrees left, and he was like a man trying to find a target while blindfolded.
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Naturally he tried to cure the problem, attempting to find its source in biometrics and psychology as he moved from the Boston Red Sox to the Oakland As and on to Chicago. Nothing made a difference. So he chose to work around it, developing a system of feints and signs to keep opponents from taking advantage of that specific weakness. His coaches came to accept the occasional stolen base as the price of pitching that remained useful enough for Lester to be given a $155m six-year contract by the Cubs and to play a part in their hoodoo-ending World Series win last year.
What makes the yips so alarming is the attack it mounts on a function that has probably never been questioned before. The fundamental joy of sport is in the satisfaction of making something go where you want it to go, whether it’s a tiny little golf ball or a 200mph racing car. That begins in childhood, with the first application of motor functions. As expertise grows, the simplest of pleasures can evolve naturally into an enriching engagement with competitive sport. It remains something against which we can continually measure ourselves, sometimes in as trivial a way as kicking a pebble into a gutter or tossing a crumpled envelope into a wastepaper basket.
Getting the yips is a horrifying experience. When it happened to me, I had been playing cricket very happily for almost 30 years. On a pleasant afternoon at a lovely ground in Oxford I’d taken four wickets in six or seven overs at fast-medium pace when the first delivery of a new over suddenly, and for no apparent reason, went vertical. The next one almost hit my toecap. And that’s how it continued, until the over mercifully ended after an excruciating number of no-balls.
Every element of natural coordination had vanished. It didn’t come back the next weekend or during solitary hours in the nets spent attempting to put it right. I didn’t try psychotherapy. Instead I gave up a game that had turned from a reliable source of self-validation into a generator of mental distress.
The key seemed to be in the moment the ball left the hand: the release from the fingertips. The more intense the efforts to sort it out, the more it seemed something intervened to override the combination of physical and mental judgment that made it possible to direct a ball accurately. It was as if a subliminal flash of white light had obliterated all the parameters instinctively consulted and processed at the moment of delivery. Maybe that’s what Lester experiences when he attempts a throw to first base.
The eminent philosopher and sports fan David Papineau, who teaches at King’s College London and New York’s City University, writes interestingly about the yips in his new book Knowing the Score, subtitled How Sport Teaches Us About Philosophy (And Philosophy About Sport). “The yips,” he writes, “are the sporting equivalent of a cancer that cannot be cured but only placed in remission.” According to his analysis, my efforts in the nets were worse than wasted. “No good can come from self-consciousness about your technique. By turning your mind towards the components of your skills, you reduce yourself to the level of a beginner who is trying to play by numbers. You end up desperately stitching together movements, rather than exercising the smooth skills your hours of practice have instilled in you.”
The yips, he continues, “afflict only those actions that are triggered by the players themselves”. That includes the taking of a penalty kick, as we saw again last weekend, when England’s record of failure at shoot-outs in international tournaments was extended to encompass the team who lost the final of the European Under-17 Championship.
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They had twice taken the lead and were 2-1 up in stoppage time when Spain equalised again in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Using an interesting new Uefa system aimed at equalising the psychological pressure, under which one team takes the first penalty and then each takes two in a row, England’s Aidan Barlow converted the opening kick, followed by two successes for Spain. Then Rhian Brewster and Joel Latibeaudiere both missed for England, hitting a post and firing over the bar respectively, leaving their opponents to seal a 4-1 success with two more impeccable efforts.
It was hard to avoid the conclusion that Brewster and Latibeaudiere were undermined not by personal technical failings or by the significance of the night but by an underlying awareness of a dismaying tradition going back 10 years before they were born, to the nightmare of Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce in Turin, and featuring Gareth Southgate, Paul Ince, David Batty, David Beckham, Darius Vassell, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and the Ashleys Young and Cole. Gripped by fear of the shootout, England players of every type, age and degree of technical sophistication seem to fall victim to the sudden flash of white light that destroys their ability to bring mind and body together to accomplish a familiar action.
Some would define the under-17 defeat as choking: the collapse leading to the loss of a match which had seemed won. That might indeed be the effect but the cause is a version of the yips. Although perhaps not the very worst kind, the sort that ends careers, it is the result of a syndrome no remedy yet devised by a succession of England managers at all levels has cured.
Entire books have been written about penalty-taking, particularly since goalkeepers became taller and more agile and were permitted to move about on their line.
Someone at St George’s Park, perhaps with Southgate’s encouragement, should be taking a serious look at this problem and devising an approach applicable to all players: a method of mind management that replaces the distractions of process and outcome with a focus on something as simple as kicking a pebble into the gutter.
Gareth Southgate
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The T Is the Truly Intersectional Queer Series You Need to See
The webseries explores a friendship through love, sex, and chosen family in contemporary Chicago.
When you ask Bea Cordelia and Daniel Kyri about why they work well together, they’ll be quick to tell you that they’re both Libras — but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. They’re also “cosmic twins,” born within 24 hours of each other to families on opposite sides of Chicago, both growing up to join the creative bustle of the city’s DIY art scene. Not only that, but they came up with the same show, their new webseries the T, almost without realizing it.
“I’d originally written the pilot about these two best friends, who were a white trans woman and a queer black cis man,” says Cordelia, speaking with Kyri to them. via phone from Chicago. But her script gained no financial traction at the time, and she forgot about it — until Kyri emailed her months later to pitch the exact same idea. Cordelia told him she’d already written it, sent him the script, and the two joined forces to fulfill their apparent astrological destiny.
After a successful Kickstarter earlier this year, the T debuted online this week through the website Open Television, telling the semi-autobiographical stories of Jo and Carter, two friends and former lovers navigating the intersections of their identities in contemporary Chicago through love, sex, and finding chosen family. Cordelia and Kyri, now officially Chicago’s Filmmakers-in-Residence for 2018, spoke to them. about finding common ground through collaboration, bringing sincerity to cliches, and defining their unapologetically queer voices.
What has it been like to recreate the vibrancy of Chicago’s queer community?
Daniel Kyri: Recreating the queer Chicago community aesthetic was something I was already passionate about. We filmed the pilot at my old apartment, which also doubled as a DIY underground art space where I curated a lot of queer art parties at the time. So for me, it was just a matter of calling up my friends and just saying, “come through and let’s basically have a safe space and a queer gathering on camera.” [laughs]
Bea Cordelia: We decided to throw it there because we could basically use it for free, because we didn’t have money at the time. We just invited all our friends, like “we’ll give you some food, we’ll give you some booze in a respectable amount because we do have to be filming, [laughs] and come hang out.” The whole soundtrack is all Chicago musicians, a lot of queer folks represented there as well. We just know a ton of people through the DIY scene because it's a really supportive, kind of tight-knit family. Making the show felt like an extension of what our lives already were and are.
Daniel, can you tell us what it was like coming in with Bea’s script already drafted and working on making Carter a more authentic queer black character?
Kyri: The whole process of me joining and adding onto the vision that Bea had for this pilot that she wrote — when I first read the first draft of the pilot that she sent over, it matched my idea of exploring the dynamic between blackness and whiteness and queerness and transhood, all of those kinds of conversations I had been hoping to have in my mind when I approached her about doing something like this. It already existed in the text. Reading the script, I felt honored in a way, because there was nothing that she had written for my character initially that felt out of place. It just felt human, the interactions felt organic. I think it just came down to me being like “what are the ways I can enrich and deepen what’s already here with my experience as a black man?”
Cordelia: We just really quickly found how much common ground we had, not in terms of our circumstances but in terms of a lot of the ways that we came to understand ourselves and specifically in environments that don't enable an authentic self to flourish.
That's just become a really foundational part of our collaborative process and of our work, living in this intersectionality of finding what is this common human ground. I think a lot of people kind of mistakenly suggest a utopian ideal as "everybody's the same, we're not different from each other." No, we are different, and that's awesome. Let's celebrate those differences. There's a difference between letting differences divide you and appreciating the differences for all of the magical complexity that is humanity.
There’s a scene with Jo wiping her makeup off in a mirror during episode 2, and that jumped out at me, because that image of a trans woman staring pensively into a mirror is such a cis filmmaking cliche, and yet it really is an important emotional component to a lot of trans stories.
Cordelia: It’s nice to be interviewed about the T by another trans person, because that's just something that literally no one else is going to pick up on. I'm super, hyper aware of all the tropes about trans folks that happen in TV and film. We have written many, many grant applications, and one of the things that we always reference is this study that Autostraddle posted of U.S. television portrayals of trans women to date. There were enough occurrences of people discovering that someone else was trans and literally vomiting in response that it merited note, which is crazy. This is the legacy that I have to inherit? That's a big uphill battle you've got on your hands, of how to mitigate that when you're going to be going out and creating your own work. How do you keep all of that huge negative weight in your eyesight at all times? Do you dive headfirst into that stuff and claim it for yourself in a way that is actually true and sincere, versus the way that's understood from this outsider perspective that feels more objectifying and fetishizing you — or do you just move in a completely new direction that people haven't even seen before? And the show goes back and forth between both of those things for a lot of different characters in a lot of different ways.
I understand you had to cut the script down a lot after losing funding?
Kyri: Twelve days before our shoot, the distributor pulled out, so we lost seventy percent of our budget. We cut down about half the content and pushed back the shoot a week.
I’m glad you managed to keep some scenes with Emerie, a Latina trans woman played by Evelyn Riojas who has one of my favorite lines in the show: “I’m just really tired of having to apologize for the best parts of me.” What does that line mean for you both, in terms of the show and your lives as queer people?
Kyri: Emerie was one of our darlings.
Cordelia: It’s a beautiful scene that I really love. It's just the two of them in Emerie's bedroom smoking pot and talking shit, and Emerie is talking about some stuff that's been more difficult for her. And then Jo kind of gets this idea and they sort of tag-team dream up their trans commune utopia. The effect that Emerie is able to have on Jo is, I think she’s a lot more forthcoming with her feelings and seeks out trans sisterhood in a way that Jo isn’t entirely comfortable doing yet. A huge theme of the show is realizing the most sustaining relationships we’ve found with queer and trans folks have been the friendships more so than the romantic things, which are super inconsistent. That’s something Emerie recognizes more readily than Jo, and that’s a catalyst for Jo to start waking up and taking some action in her life to live more authentically.
Kyri: The beauty that we were able to capture in that exchange that culminates in that line is that it is indicative of a sort of self-discovery and journey. We all as queer folks and as just humans, we all get to that point where we are one self in a work sphere and another self in our social sphere, we’re another person. A lot of times that navigation requires a kind of negotiation about what parts of ourselves we let other people see. As a queer person growing up on the South Side of Chicago, a lot of times just who I am in my body was othered in those environments. And then when I got to academia and started to find my way in the arts, then the negotiation becomes what level of blackness am I displaying in this environment, what is acceptable? At one point in my life, it was like, “I don’t know who I am.” My art started to suffer from that. So it came out of a place of feeling a need to enter spaces unapologetically and not apologize for who I am showing up as. I think that’s what that line really means to me...we’re tired of apologizing for what are honestly the best parts of us, because they make us who we are.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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Proposed State Bills Allow for Public Sale of Self-Driving Cars
August 26, 2016 Joseph Mansour
It appears that the State of Michigan is ready to dive into the world of self-driving vehicles. The U.S. auto capital is making preparations for the arrival of autonomous cars by passing legislation to allow for public sales and operation. Currently there are existing state laws that only allows testing on these types of cars.
A package of bipartisan bills which would update 2013 laws to allow for sales and operation are in the works, the Detroit Free Press reports. Furthermore, Detroit based auto companies General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, and Ford would be authorized to run networks of on-demand self-driving vehicles. This piece of legislation is an effort from both the government and auto companies to reinvent themselves as “mobility companies”. Earlier this year, GM invested $500 million in Lyft and bought a start-up company that creates software for autonomous vehicles.
“It’s coming. It’s coming fast. The technology is at a point where it will be incorporated into something that is mass-produced,” Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Kirk Steudle said. Michigan is not alone in having laws on the books related to self-driving vehicles. Nevada became the first state to authorize self-driving vehicles in 2011, and California, Florida, North Dakota, Tennessee and Utah followed suit.
Testing of self-driving vehicles is getting closer to home as well. In July, a convoy of self-driving Army trucks were tested along a stretch of Interstate 69 in Michigan’s “Thumb” region. To follow Michigan state law, someone will be required to be at the wheel at all times as a precaution. MDOT has been working closely with state legislators to develop the bills, which the state’s economic development officials are supportive of. “I see the autonomous vehicles being tested on the road every day. It’s weird, but it’s what’s going to move the auto industry into the (next century),” Senator Mike Kowall, the lead sponsor of the proposed bill said. Governor Rick Snyder is also “very supportive” of the proposal, according to a spokesman.
Not everyone is 100% on board with the proposal which will begin to be considered for adoption later this summer. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court is concerned that the auto companies are moving too fast and the necessary safety measures aren’t being put in place. “It’s foolhardy to rush into this without a plan just because it seems to be a way to stimulate jobs,” Court argued. Court also believes that there is a long way to go because “robots and humans don’t communicate.”
One of the Michigan bills that is being debated would end the requirement for a driver to be behind the wheel at all times, and another would provide funding to build a facility which would allow for testing of autonomous and wirelessly connected cars. The proposed facility would be located at the site of an abandoned GM plant that once produced World War II bombers.
Traffic deaths in Michigan have seen an increase in the last year, as lower gas prices and a rebounding economy has led to more cars being on the road. Whether it is a trip to the super market or a road trip up north, drivers should always be focused on what's happening on the road. If you or somebody you know has been in a car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Car collisions may lead to physical, mental, and emotional damage. Our attorneys will work alongside you to get you the help you need. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.
Tags Autonomous Cars, Michigan, Michigan State Bills, Public Sale of Self-Driving Cars, Autonomous Vehicle Laws
← New Bill Requires Rental Car Companies to Repair Recalled VehiclesLyft Begins Testing Pre-Scheduled Pickups →
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Saraki urges banks report suspicious accounts
Senator Bukola Saraki:
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday in Abuja, urged banks to assist the Federal Government in the fight against corruption by reporting suspicious accounts and transactions.
This is contained in a statement signed by Sani Onogu, Special Assistant (Media) to Saraki, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Saraki, according to the statement, made the call when the management of Fidelity Bank Plc visited him at the National Assembly.
He said that banks were at a vantage position to disclose suspicious transactions to relevant authorities and called on them to take on the major responsibility of stamping out corruption.
“In the fight against corruption, the banks must play a role in knowing its customers and also being accountable for their activities. In developed societies, banks know that if their customers are being questioned in any activity, they too are responsible for not bringing it to the attention of the government.
“So, if the banking system is tight, it will bring the greatest contribution in fighting corruption because at the end of the day, it must come through the banking system.
“But, I think that when the banks turn a blind eye, that does not help. I think that we need to start looking at that in supporting the government in addressing corruption,” he said.
Saraki also urged the banks to ensure that they lent needed support to farmers in order to boost food production and stimulate the growth of agriculture in the country.
Earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, said that the visit was in line with the bank’s ongoing engagement with critical stakeholders in the economy.
He said that the bank had been, and would continue to provide support for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), industries and telecommunication sectors. (NAN)
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Policeman kills colleague over N20,000 ‘gift’
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 4:08 pm
A policeman (name withheld) with the Bayelsa Police Command has shot dead his colleague (name also withheld) over N20, 000 largesse.
The incident occurred early Tuesday morning following an argument between the officers on the sharing formula.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo went on an operation where they were rewarded with N20, 000.
NAN gathered that the deceased was of the opinion that they should give their Divisional Police Officer (DPO) part of the money, while the other objected.
While the argument ensued, the enraged police officer allegedly brought out his gun and shot his colleague.
NAN reports that the deceased, a native of Ondewari community in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa is survived by two wives and children.
His remains have been deposited at the morgue of Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa.
Sympathisers were seen trooping to the deceased residence at Swali to pay condolences to his family.
Some of them, who spoke with NAN, described him as a “jolly good fellow.’’
When contacted, the Spokesman for the command, Mr Asinim Butswat, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident. (NAN)
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Rob Ford: Low-income supporters stand by their mayor
By Laura KaneStaff Reporter
Fri., Dec. 6, 2013timer6 min. read
Standing in the courtyard of her Rexdale community housing complex, Lily Burke points to all the reasons she still supports Mayor Rob Ford.
Kids playing on a brand new red-and-yellow plastic jungle gym. The missing letter replaced on the sign outside her building. Blank walls, where there used to be graffiti.
These changes all happened because Ford returned her phone calls, she says.
“He works with the community,” Burke says, beaming. “If it wasn’t for him, we would not have what we have here.”
When the mayor recently stood up in council chambers and proclaimed that he “sides with the poor people,” many in the public gallery laughed. Ford is a wealthy man, and has voted against social programs for the poor.
But the reality remains that Ford’s supporters are predominantly lower-income. People who make less than $40,000 a year are twice as likely to support the mayor than those who make $100,000 or more, a recent Ipsos Reid poll found.
In his former council ward of Etobicoke North, many lower-income residents are fierce supporters of the mayor. The reasons for their loyalty have more to do with the mayor’s visibility than any of his policies.
“I haven’t seen no other politicians around here,” says Carlos Santokie, 39, who lives in the same Queen’s Plate Dr. complex as Burke. “He’s always here, I’m not going to lie. If he’s not here, his brother’s here. That’s the most important thing to me.”
The mayor and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, were at the complex on a recent weekend for a memorial for a 12-year-old boy. It was there that CNN caught up with Ford for an interview, and residents rallied around the embattled mayor.
“If he really didn’t give two squats about anyone, he wouldn’t be out here in a community where there is violence and there is stuff that’s not positive,” says Omar Omar, an 18-year-old wearing a “Rob Ford for Mayor” button.
The community is mixed-income, with social housing and market value units. Burke, a 65-year-old seniors’ home worker, pays market rent for her two-bedroom apartment, which is crammed with framed photos of her grandchildren.
Also on the wall is a framed Toronto Sun column featuring a big, smiling photo of the mayor, which was given to her by a friend. Her fridge, naturally, is plastered with Rob Ford magnets.
“I love the mayor,” she says. “I love him for who he is and what he’s done for this community.”
When she first moved into the building in 2002, she says she was shocked to find graffiti covering the walls and holes in the carpet. Burke says she called Ford — then councillor for the area — and he made sure everything was fixed.
“He said to me that it only takes one person to make a difference in the community, and when he looks at me, he can see I’m going to be that person,” she recalls proudly.
Burke also credits Ford with replacing a run-down playground outside the complex and renovating its community centre. The $1.3 million revitalization was funded by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Ascot Co-operative Homes in 2006.
Most of the community cleanup for which Burke praises Ford was completed when he was a councillor. But she says she still thinks he’s doing a great job as mayor — regardless of any recent controversy.
On nearby Dixon Rd., in a housing complex that police raided in June as part of a massive guns-and-gangs sweep dubbed Project Traveller, diehard supporters of the mayor are also not hard to find.
Ford has become inextricably linked to Dixon Rd. Police first became interested in the mayor when his name was mentioned in Project Traveller wiretaps, and sources say Ford blurted out two unit numbers at 320 Dixon Rd. as possible locations of the crack video the day the Star reported on its existence.
Still, to some residents of the buildings, the mayor is seen as a tough defender of their interests at city hall.
“He is the best mayor this country has ever seen,” says Nsa Archibong, a security company manager. “He talks about reducing taxes. He has done so many good things for the lives of Torontonians who work very hard.”
But critics point out that the mayor’s 2011 property tax freeze and subsequent small tax hikes are aimed at middle- and upper-class homeowners, not lower-income renters. His vow to drop the land transfer tax is also unlikely to benefit the poor.
Further, he has restricted funding for public transit and libraries, and hiked user fees for recreation programs — all municipal services that low-income people rely on.
“He’s made life harder for folks,” says Councillor Adam Vaughan. “He has done nothing for low-income people except answer their phone calls, show up, scream at a hole in the wall and leave. . . . He doesn’t fundamentally fix the problem.”
Councillor Ana Bailao, chair of the affordable housing committee, pointed out the mayor wanted to sell off 900 publicly owned homes in 2012 to tackle the repair backlog, while 90,000 people are waiting for social housing.
The mayor has also voted against funding social programs for at-risk youth — which he called “hug-a-thug” programs — despite his own devotion to his Rob Ford Football Foundation and former job as coach of the Don Bosco Eagles.
“He says he sides with (lower-income people), but when it comes to the voting, a lot of times he’s not voting for the things that really, really have an impact on them,” says Bailao. “That’s the reality.”
Ford did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
There’s also the matter of the mayor’s personal wealth. Despite portraying himself as just an “average guy” fighting against elites, he was raised in a privileged home and his family business, Deco Labels & Tags, has annual sales estimated at $100 million.
But his Rexdale supporters say his income is irrelevant — he doesn’t flash his wealth, or distance himself because of it, they say.
“Regardless of what’s in a person’s pocket, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change what’s in their character,” says Omar.
Asked about Ford’s history of racially insensitive comments, including reports that he called a cab driver a “Paki” and referred to his football team as “f---ing minorities” in the crack video, many say that it simply doesn’t match up with their image of the mayor.
“I never heard him say anything like that,” says Burke. “For me, the community here, we are all a mixture of people. If he tried to help us here, I can’t see how he could make racist comments.”
Ford’s ties to criminals and admitted drug use have not fazed his supporters here. While many say he should take a short leave of absence to deal with his health issues, none want him to step down. There is a pervading belief that the mayor is being held to an unfair standard by both the media and police.
“I feel like he’s being bullied, to be honest,” says Omar. “Everyone’s parading him around as this crackhead. . . . He was caught slipping, associating with those kinds of people, but I think that’s not his whole life.”
Even if the mayor were to be arrested, Burke says that wouldn’t change her opinion of him. Insisting that nobody’s perfect, she says she’d vote for him again.
“We vote for the people who look after us and who we see take care of the situation,” says Burke. “I would vote for him a million times.”
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But South Carolina’s lack of a real trade strategy “puts us at somewhat of a competitive disadvantage,” Woodward said.
“We give a lot of support on marketing, but we don’t have a comprehensive export-oriented strategy to the extent that we see in other places in the world,” he said. “The Palmetto State must really respond with an aggressive coordinated strategy. The time is right for that.”
Globalization is here to stay. Much of the forum focused on the opening of the world’s markets through the World Trade Organization and free-trade agreements such as NAFTA and CAFTA-DR.
South Carolina has done well with both trade and international investment.
Exports pump $13.6 billion into the state economy annually, supporting employment and generating billions in state and local taxes.
In his welcome remarks to the forum, Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor noted that “our state ranks No. 1 in the United States in per-capita investment by companies that are headquartered abroad.”
Taylor built his own business, Southland Log Homes, through exporting, shipping homes to China, Taiwan, Japan and Europe — even the Seychelles, islands off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.
“That is how easy it is to be in the export business today,” Taylor said. “If an old country boy like me can ship a log home out to the Seychelles islands, I think you can do business like that anywhere in the world.”
South Carolina has experienced a lot of success in the international markets, said Paul Dyck, deputy assistant secretary for market access and compliance with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Over the last four years, the state has experienced a 41 percent increase in export sales, Dyck said.
He also noted the impact that exporting success has had on the state’s job market.
“Only the state of Washington has a higher percentage of export jobs supported by manufacturing,” Dyck said.
But South Carolina needs a strategy to continue that success.
That should include diversifying the kinds of businesses that are exporting and the kinds of products that are exported, Woodward said.
Too many S.C. exports come from too few companies and are in too few product categories, Woodward said.
Some of that lack of diversity was felt last year, when S.C. exports fell by a little more than 2 percent while global export markets have been growing at double digits. The state exported $16.6 billion worth of goods in 2006 versus $13.9 in 2005.
The state’s big-dollar exports include vehicles, rubber products and electrical machinery, said Clark Thompson, director of export development and foreign relations for the state Commerce Department.
When one of the companies making those products has a bad year or, as in the case of BMW last year, drops production while it installs a new product line, the state’s exports suffer, Thompson said.
South Carolina does need to work harder to ensure that small and medium-sized companies increase their exports so that “all of our export eggs are not in one or two baskets,” Thompson said.
The state also needs to continue to work to diversify its export markets, Woodward said.
“Just like a financial portfolio, if we want to be successful, diversification is going to be the key to sustainable growth and taking advantage of the opportunities of globalization.”
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Overwhelming Demand for TIGER Grants Highlights Need for More Investment in an America Built to Last
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the overwhelming demand for TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants has once again far surpassed the available funding.
Applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation for TIGER 2012 grants totaled $10.2 billion, far exceeding the $500 million set aside for the program. The Department received 703 applications from all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
“President Obama has challenged us to invest in an America that is built to last, and it’s clear that communities across America can’t afford to wait any longer to get started,” said Secretary LaHood. “At a time when gas prices are high, it’s more important than ever that we invest in projects that will relieve congestion, improve the safety of our transportation systems, and provide Americans with affordable, efficient options for reaching their destinations.”
On November 18, 2011, the President signed the FY 2012 Appropriations Act, which provided $500 million for Department of Transportation infrastructure investments. Like the first three rounds, TIGER 2012 grants are for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and will be awarded on a competitive basis. This is the fourth round of TIGER funding.
The previous three rounds of the TIGER program provided $2.6 billion to 172 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Demand for the program has been overwhelming, and during the previous three rounds, the Department of Transportation received more than 3,348 applications requesting more than $95 billion for transportation projects across the country.
Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
US Department of Transportation
justin.nisly@dot.gov
9:00am-5:00pm ET, M-F
American Built to Last
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TV Stocks Online
Television Ratings and Virtual Stock Prices
2000: It was announced that Christopher Reeve wou...
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2000: It was announced that Christopher Reeve would direct and serve as executive producer on the TV movie "Rescuing Jeffrey."
2001: MTV premiered the original movie "Hysteria - The Def Leppard Story."
The Conners
Wednesday Final Ratings: ABC Claims Prime Time Victory in Viewers and Demos with ESPY Awards
What follows are the Live + Same Day rating results for the night’s broadcast network telecasts on Wednesday, July 10:
Broadcast Network Prime Time Averages
HUT Levels for TV: 23.09m A18-49 (17.92 rating), 79.18m viewers
ABC: 1.12m A18-49 (#1 – 0.87 rating), 3.87m viewers (#1)
CBS: 0.87m A18-49 (#2 – 0.68 rating), 3.02m viewers (#2)
Fox: 0.81m A18-49 (#3 – 0.62 rating), 2.71m viewers (#3)
Telemundo: 0.71m A18-49 (#4 – 0.55 rating), 1.52m viewers (#7)
NBC: 0.64m A18-49 (#5 – 0.49 rating), 2.60m viewers (#4)
Univision: 0.50m A18-49 (#6 – 0.39 rating), 1.16m viewers (#8)
CW: 0.31m A18-49 (#7 – 0.24 rating), 0.89m viewers (#9)
ION: 0.31m A18-49 (#7 – 0.24 rating), 1.67m viewers (#6)
PBS: 0.28m A18-49 (#9 – 0.22 rating), 2.01m viewers (#5)
UniMás: 0.16m A18-49 (#10 – 0.12 rating), 0.38m viewers (#10)
ESPY Awards (S) (ABC, 8:00 PM, 180 min.)
86% coverage
• 3.871 million viewers
• 2.6/6 HH
• 0.9/5 A18-49 (0.8/4 F18-49, 0.9/6 M18-49)
• 0.6 A18-34 (0.6 F18-34, 0.7 M18-34)
• Median age: 58.5
Love Island (P) (CBS, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
Big Brother 21 (CBS, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
S.W.A.T. (R) (CBS, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Ellen’s Game of Games (R) (NBC, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
Songland (R) (NBC, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
The InBetween (NBC, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
MasterChef (Fox, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
First Responders Live (Fox, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Penn & Teller: Fool Us (R) (CW, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
Jane the Virgin (CW, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Blue Bloods (R) (ION, 6:00 PM, 60 min.)
Blue Bloods (R) (ION, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Amor Eterno (Univision, 7:00 PM, 60 min.)
La Reina Soy Yo (Univision, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
La Rosa de Guadalupe (Univision, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Por Amar Sin Ley (Univision, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Inseparables, Amor al Límite (UniMás, 7:00 PM, 120 min.)
Jesús (UniMás, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Noticias Univision Edicion Nocturna (UniMás, 10:00 PM, 30 min.)
Nosotros Los Guapos (UniMás, 10:30 PM, 30 min.)
Caso Cerrado: Edición Estelar (Telemundo, 7:00 PM, 60 min.)
Un Poquito Tuyo (Telemundo, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
Betty en NY (Telemundo, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
La Reina del Sur II (Telemundo, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
What follows are the Live + Same Day rating results for the night’s select cable telecasts on Wednesday, July 10 (with the night’s cable ranks according to households, total viewers and demo ratings in parentheses):
Wahlburgers (A&E, 8:00 PM, 58 min.)
• 0.194 million viewers [#133]
• 0.06 A18-49 [#100]
• 0.09 A18-49 [#68]
The Employables (A&E, 10:01 PM, 63 min.)
Southern Charm (BRAVO, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
• 1.226 million viewers [#28]
• 0.40 A18-49 [#2]
Watch What Happens Live (BRAVO, 11:00 PM, 30 min.)
Squawk Alley (CNBC, 11:00 AM, 60 min.)
Deal or No Deal (CNBC, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
New Day (CNN, 6:00 AM, 60 min.)
CNN Newsroom (CNN, 9:00 AM, 60 min.)
CNN Newsroom (CNN, 10:00 AM, 60 min.)
At This Hour (CNN, 11:00 AM, 60 min.)
Inside Politics (CNN, 12:00 PM, 60 min.)
CNN Right Now (CNN, 1:00 PM, 60 min.)
CNN Newsroom (CNN, 2:00 PM, 60 min.)
The Lead with Jake Tapper (CNN, 4:00 PM, 60 min.)
Situation Room (CNN, 5:00 PM, 60 min.)
Erin Burnett Outfront (CNN, 7:00 PM, 60 min.)
Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
Cuomo Prime Time (CNN, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
CNN Tonight (CNN, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Man Fire Food (CC, 9:00 PM, 30 min.)
Amphibia (DSNY, 10:00 AM, 30 min.)
Just Roll With It (DSNY, 8:00 PM, 30 min.)
E! News: Daily Pop Live (E!, 12:00 PM, 60 min.)
E! News (E!, 7:00 PM, 60 min.)
SportsCenter AM (ESPN, 7:00 AM, 60 min.)
Tennis: Wimbledon Men’s Quarterfinal (ESPN, 8:00 AM, 480 min.)
High Noon (9AM Pacific) (ESPN, 4:00 PM, 30 min.)
Highly Questionable (ESPN, 4:30 PM, 30 min.)
Around The Horn (ESPN, 5:00 PM, 30 min.)
Pardon The Interruption (ESPN, 5:30 PM, 30 min.)
SportsCenter Special (ESPN, 6:00 PM, 1 min.)
ESPYs Red Carpet (ESPN, 7:01 PM, 59 min.)
2019 World Series of Poker Main Event (ESPN, 8:00 PM, 183 min.)
SportsCenter Late (ESPN, 11:03 PM, 57 min.)
SportsCenter 12AM (ESPN, 12:00 AM, 60 min.)
SportsCenter 1AM (ESPN, 1:00 AM, 60 min.)
SportsCenter Morning (ESPN, 2:00 AM, 60 min.)
Tennis: Wimbledon Men’s Quarterfinal (ESPN2, 8:00 AM, 420 min.)
NBA: The Jump (ESPN2, 3:00 PM, 60 min.)
Around The Horn (ESPN2, 6:00 PM, 30 min.)
Pardon The Interruption (ESPN2, 6:30 PM, 30 min.)
Highly Questionable (ESPN2, 7:00 PM, 30 min.)
Summer Pro Basketball League Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN2, 7:30 PM, 120 min.)
Summer Pro Basketball League Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks (ESPN2, 9:30 PM, 120 min.)
2019 World Series of Poker Main Event (ESPN2, 11:30 PM, 150 min.)
Guy’s Grocery Games (FOOD, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Fox and Friends (FOXNC, 6:00 AM, 60 min.)
America’s Newsroom (FOXNC, 9:00 AM, 60 min.)
America’s Newsroom (FOXNC, 10:00 AM, 60 min.)
Outnumbered (FOXNC, 12:00 PM, 60 min.)
Outnumbered Overtime (FOXNC, 1:00 PM, 60 min.)
Daily Briefing with D. Perino (FOXNC, 2:00 PM, 60 min.)
Shepard Smith Reporting (FOXNC, 3:00 PM, 60 min.)
Your World with Neil Cavuto (FOXNC, 4:00 PM, 60 min.)
The Five (FOXNC, 5:00 PM, 60 min.)
• 2.489 million viewers [#4]
Special Report with Bret Baier (FOXNC, 6:00 PM, 60 min.)
The Story (FOXNC, 7:00 PM, 60 min.)
Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
Hannity (FOXNC, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
The Ingraham Angle (FOXNC, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Fox News at Night (FOXNC, 11:00 PM, 60 min.)
Undisputed (FS1, 9:30 AM, 150 min.)
The Herd (FS1, 12:00 PM, 180 min.)
Speak For Yourself (FS1, 3:00 PM, 90 min.)
grown-ish (FRFM, 8:00 PM, 31 min.)
Snowfall (FX, 10:00 PM, 68 min.)
Archer (FXX, 10:00 PM, 30 min.)
Vice News Tonight (HBO, 7:31 PM, 28 min.)
I Love You, Now Die Part 2 (HBO, 8:00 PM, 79 min.)
Time Machine Carweek: Battle 80s Supercar (HIST, 8:00 PM, 123 min.)
Strongest Man In History (HIST, 10:03 PM, 62 min.)
Morning Express with Robin Meade (HLN, 6:00 AM, 60 min.)
Property Brothers: Forever Home (HGTV, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
House Hunters (HGTV, 10:00 PM, 30 min.)
House Hunters International (HGTV, 10:30 PM, 30 min.)
The Killer Beside Me (ID, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Lone Star Justice (ID, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Married at First Sight: Unfiltered (LIF, 8:00 PM, 30 min.)
Married at First Sight (LIF, 8:30 PM, 90 min.)
Marrying Millions (LIF, 10:00 PM, 56 min.)
Marrying Millions First Look (LIF, 10:58 PM, 14 min.)
Roadkill (MT, 9:00 PM, 30 min.)
Throttle Out (MT, 10:00 PM, 30 min.)
Morning Joe (MSNBC, 6:00 AM, 180 min.)
MSNBC Live with S. Ruhle (MSNBC, 9:00 AM, 60 min.)
MSNBC Live with H. Jackson (MSNBC, 10:00 AM, 60 min.)
MSNBC Live with C. Melvin (MSNBC, 11:00 AM, 60 min.)
Andrea Mitchell Reports (MSNBC, 12:00 PM, 60 min.)
MSNBC Live with Velshi & Ruhle (MSNBC, 1:00 PM, 60 min.)
MSNBC Live with K. Tur (MSNBC, 2:00 PM, 33 min.)
MSNBC Breaking News (MSNBC, 2:33 PM, 54 min.)
MSNBC Live with A. Velshi (MSNBC, 3:27 PM, 33 min.)
Deadline: White House (MSNBC, 4:00 PM, 60 min.)
MTP Daily (MSNBC, 5:00 PM, 60 min.)
The Beat with Ari Melber (MSNBC, 6:00 PM, 60 min.)
Hardball with Chris Matthews (MSNBC, 7:00 PM, 60 min.)
All In with Chris Hayes (MSNBC, 8:00 PM, 60 min.)
Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (MSNBC, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
11th Hour with Brian Williams (MSNBC, 11:00 PM, 60 min.)
Catfish: The TV Show Season 7D (MTV, 8:00 PM, 61 min.)
Are You The One Season 8 (MTV, 9:01 PM, 92 min.)
Mission Saturn: Inside The Rings (NGC, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Mission Pluto and Beyond (NGC, 12:00 AM, 60 min.)
Tour De France – Live 2019 Stage 5 (NBCSN, 8:00 AM, 240 min.)
Double Dare (NICK, 7:30 PM, 30 min.)
Queen Sugar (OWN, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Yellowstone (PAR, 10:00 PM, 63 min.)
Krypton (SYFY, 10:00 PM, 59 min.)
Conan (TBS, 11:00 PM, 30 min.)
Double Dare (TEENNICK, 7:00 PM, 30 min.)
Teen Titans Go (TOON, 9:30 AM, 30 min.)
Weather Channel Live (TWC, 3:00 PM, 60 min.)
90 Day Fiance: Clip Show (TLC, 8:00 PM, 120 min.)
90 Day Fiance Happily Ever After First Look (TLC, 10:00 PM, 63 min.)
UFOs: Uncovering the Truth (TRAV, 9:00 PM, 60 min.)
Alien Highway (TRAV, 10:00 PM, 60 min.)
Younger (TV LAND, 10:00 PM, 36 min.)
Basketball Wives 8 (VH1, 8:00 PM, 61 min.)
Scream: The TV Series Season 3 (VH1, 9:01 PM, 60 min.)
Scream: The TV Series Season 3 (VH1, 10:01 PM, 60 min.)
Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research
The post Wednesday Final Ratings: ABC Claims Prime Time Victory in Viewers and Demos with ESPY Awards appeared first on Programming Insider.
by stockadmin
marc burman
neilson
programming insider
Updated Friday Ratings: ‘Love Island’ on CBS Bested by ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Rerun on NBC Within the 8 p.m. Hour
Tuesday Final Ratings: Fox Wins All Key Prime Time Adult Demos with MLB All-Star Game
Grey's Anatomy, Once Upon a Time, Scandal, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., How to Get Away with Murder, Secrets and Lies, American Crime, Quantico, The Catch, Designated Survivor, Notorious, Conviction, Modern Family, The Middle, Last Man Standing, The Goldbergs, Black-ish, Fresh Off the Boat, Dr. Ken, The Real O'Neals, Speechless, American Housewife, Imaginary Mary, America's Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, Shark Tank, The Great Christmas Light Fight, Bachelor in Paradise, Beyond the Tank, Boston EMS, BattleBots, The Great American Baking Show, Greatest Hits, People Icons, The Toy Box
NCIS, Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0, Elementary, Madam Secretary, NCIS: New Orleans, Scorpion, Code Black, Zoo, Bull, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, MacGyver, Pure Genius, Ransom, Training Day, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls, Mom, Life in Pieces, The Odd Couple, Kevin Can Wait, Man with a Plan, The Great Indoors, Superior Donuts, Big Brother, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Undercover Boss,
The Blacklist, The Blacklist: Redemption, Blindspot, Chicago Fire, Chicago Justice, Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., Emerald City, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Night Shift, Shades of Blue, Taken, This Is Us, Timeless, The Carmichael Show, The Good Place, Powerless, Superstore, Trial & Error, America's Got Talent, American Ninja Warrior, The Apprentice, Better Late Than Never, First Dates, Little Big Shots, Running Wild with Bear Grylls, The Voice
Fox & CW
The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Son of Zorn, Sleepy Hollow, Gotham, Empire, Wayward Pines, Rosewood, Scream Queens, Lucifer, The Exorcist, Pitch, Lethal Weapon, Star, 24: Legacy, APB, Shots Fired, Prison Break, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Last Man on Earth, The Mick, Making History, Hell's Kitchen, So You Think You Can Dance, MasterChef, Hotel Hell, MasterChef Junior, Home Free, American Grit, Kicking & Screaming, You the Jury, Supernatural, Arrow, The Originals, Reign, The 100, The Flash, iZombie, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, Frequency, Riverdale, Jane the Virgin, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, No Tomorrow, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Masters of Illusion
(c) 2009-2019 TV Stocks Online. All television shows are properties of their respective studios and agencies.
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For River’s Edge Academy, St. Paul, rare fall…
For River’s Edge Academy, St. Paul, rare fall flood is intriguing lab
Senior student Austin Schweich from Burnsville checks the clarity of Mississippi River water across from St Paul– during science class at River’s Edge Academy Thursday morning September30, 2010. (Pioneer Press: John Doman)
By John Brewer | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: October 3, 2010 at 11:01 pm | UPDATED: November 12, 2015 at 10:05 am
The Mississippi River might have been rising Thursday morning and the main entrance to Harriet Island Regional Park was sealed off to floodwaters, but a class from nearby River’s Edge Academy still trekked over a berm to take in the view.
“This is our back yard,” said science teacher Sarah Oppelt.
Instead of shying away from the fast-moving water, Oppelt and about a dozen teenagers carried blue buckets, glass vials and plastic bottles to collect turgid water samples.
River’s Edge is using the unusual fall flooding to compare Mississippi and Minnesota river water samples and to see how the water quality changes after the rivers combine flows.
“It’s a unique situation,” Oppelt said. “The fall flood is something that’s not all that common.”
The morning mission to the river is a common experience at the 2-year-old charter school, where experiential learning about the environment — specifically fieldwork in and around the Mississippi River — mixes with a focus on preparing students for post-secondary education.
There’s a focus on sustainability, too, evidenced by the fleet of bikes the school maintains for students to use when they head to study sites — such as Lilydale’s Pickerel Lake, where they’ve started the first-ever water-quality survey in cooperation with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency — or when they take public transit to head farther afield. Last week, students went to the St. Croix River, some of them paddling in a canoe for the first time.
The high school is small right now, with about 60 students, but has capacity this year for 80, said Director Meghan Cavalier. Over time, the school, in a former warehouse near Harriet Island, could hold 200 students.
This June, the school will hold its first graduation — a class of 21 students — at Harriet Island Regional Park.
By then, all will have visited at least two post-secondary schools and have applied to at least one. Cavalier said the school’s goal is to have 100 percent of the students furthering their educations.
On Thursday, though, students were siphoning river water, swishing samples in vials and recording their results.
“We’re doing pH tests and temperature readings in four trials to get more accurate results,” said Lisa Reese, 17, a senior in her second year at the school.
After analyzing the test strips, she determined the water had a pH of 6.5 — slightly acidic.
Nearby, senior Khadijah Parris, 16, was testing for nitrates in the water by mixing in a reagent. She wasn’t sure it was working, though.
“It’s supposed to turn pink, but I don’t know,” she said.
What she did know was that after moving from Chicago to live with an aunt in St. Paul this year, the school was a good fit for her.
“It’s nice for people who don’t like sitting in classrooms all day,” she said. “We get out into the community a lot. It’s better than daydreaming out the window.”
Classmate Katie Donkers, 17, agreed.
“I was at a big high school before,” she said, “but I like this because you know everyone in your school and we learn about cool local things.”
In her humanities class, she is studying the Dakota Conflict in Minnesota and had just visited Fort Snelling to speak with a Dakota elder. “We get to go out and see where things happened,” she said.
After drawing the samples and testing the water for nitrogen, phosphate and dissolved oxygen, the students will write a water-quality report.
Their information will be fed into a St. Paul tour book the school is putting together. The tome will combine scientific and historic information collected by classes at the school.
Ultimately, Oppelt said, the year’s work will help to “tell some of the stories of this area.”
John Brewer can be reached at 651-228-2093.
What: College Preparation Night (open to the public)
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: River’s Edge Academy, 188 W. Plato Blvd., St. Paul
John Brewer
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‘Brief History of Seven Killings’ wins another…
‘Brief History of Seven Killings’ wins another award
By Mary Ann Grossmann | mgrossmann@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: July 19, 2015 at 11:01 pm | UPDATED: October 25, 2015 at 12:45 am
Minnesotan Marlon James’ novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings” has won another award.
The story of Jamaicans and Jamaica, based on the attempted assassination of Bob Marley, was among more than a dozen winners of the 36th annual American Book Awards that celebrate diversity.
The awards are presented by the Before Columbus Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 by author/playwright Ishmael Reed.
“A History of Seven Killings” has been optioned by HBO to be made into a television series.
It was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and won the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature for fiction, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Fiction and a Minnesota Book Award.
James, who was born in Jamaica, teaches at Macalester College. He is the author of “The Book of Night Women” and “John Crow’s Devil,” both winners of various awards.
Mary Ann Grossmann
Mary Ann joined the Dispatch-Pioneer Press in 1961 when there were two papers. She has been a fashion writer, a women's columnist and the women's department editor who brought "society" pages into the 20th century. She was named book editor in 1983, just when the local literary community exploded. She has won the Minnesota Book Awards Kay Sexton Award, a Page One Award and YWCA Leader Lunch Award. She retired in 2001 and works part time. A graduate of Macalester College, she lives on St. Paul's West Side in a money-sucking Victorian house with assorted old animals.
It’s hot out there. Here are a few ideas to keep you cool.
Hot enough for you? It's about to get even warmer, with temperatures in the 90s forecast for Friday. A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Friday. Those temperatures Friday with the humidity will feel like its 95-105 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. And warm temperatures at night will offer little relief. The temperatures will lead to...
Classic musical ’42nd Street’ has been renovated at the Ordway: the moves, the set, the relationships
The architecture and address are the same, but "42nd Street" has undergone an extensive remodelling. The classic Broadway musical, which opens at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, is a "revisical," says Rod Kaats, the Ordway's artistic producing director. "Nothing was left wholly the way it was," he says. "Everything was taken out and looked at." The...
Stillwater Lumberjack Days ready to kickoff
Stillwater's annual Lumberjack Days celebration will begin its 5-day run on Wednesday. From a boat cuise on Wednesday to the big parade on Sunday, each of the five days will have unique activities. The market and food vendors, as well as a number of other activities, will run Friday through Sunday on the festival grounds downtown Stillwater. Main stage music...
Rosemount park goes nature-based with new playground
Work has begun on building a new nature-based playground in Rosemount. The specialized playground being built at Schwarz Pond Park will forgo plastic slides and other typical amusements. Instead, there will be a log pond, fort builder, wood balance beam, log “mountain” climb area and 65-foot zip line. “Our goal is to make sure kids get out and have a...
The public viewings began Tuesday to coincide with the half-century anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11.
Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin, TU Dance on tap for upcoming O’Shaughnessy season
Folk singers Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin, storyteller Kevin Kling and TU Dance are among the acts set to perform during the O’Shaughnessy's newly announced 2019-20 season. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. July 30 at 651-690-6700 and theoshaughnessy.com. Performances take place at the O’Shaughnessy on the campus of St. Catherine University in St. Paul. For the first...
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BARFLIES, CELLISTS, and OTHER HUMANS
This series presents people as nameless characters, often in ambiguous, sterile environments, providing no explanations as to how they arrived there or where they came from. The only snippets of background information are provided in the titles, thus prompting the viewer to make assumptions and create underlying narratives. They are characters in search of an author, so to speak, and since that author is in part the viewer, a trialogue is established between the viewer, the painting, and the artist. There are no absolutes—all is open to perception and interpretation. Perceptions, assumptions and narratives will vary significantly from viewer to viewer, and will indicate as much about the observer as they do about the subject. We are all to some degree prejudicial or at least presumptive in our beliefs about other people’s race, gender, identity, appearance, occupation, and/or place of origin. The paintings and their titles address the idea of labelling and stereotyping, and the inherent dangers in doing so.
On a more personal level, I wanted to show these characters in moments of isolation, self-reflection and/or vulnerability. In an age of once-removed digital imagery, environments, and experiences, I wanted my people to be as "analogue" as possible, exposing their humanity (and mine), with all its warts and blemishes.
From a technical standpoint, I strove to explore a painterly expressionistic technique, aspiring to discover new ways of applying paint and wanting to share this sense of discovery with the viewer.
Influences can be attributed to novelists and figurative painters of the 20th century, as well as alternative music of the 60s and 70s, all combined with my own licks and a contemporary sensibility.
This is a return to figuration for me after a 30-year hiatus, during which time I explored the abstraction and semi-abstraction of natural and urban environments. Figuration has proved to be a rewarding undertaking, and I look forward to exploring it in greater depth and detail.
FIRE AND RAIN: A Journey to Extremes
In 2017 I embarked on a 9,000 km journey through western North America, a remarkably diverse region formed largely by dynamic volcanic and hydrological forces. My trek took me from the fiery desert canyons of the Southwest, through the glaciated gorges of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, and on to the rain-soaked forests and beaches of the Northwest. Camping alone for weeks in these extreme environments, I found peace, solace, simplicity, and ultimately creative inspiration.
The resulting paintings are a visual journal of my experiences, ranging stylistically from impressionism to abstract expressionism, while always focusing on the underlying essence or spirit of the subject rather than the incidental details.
I have no manifesto, nor do I subscribe to any esoteric art theories or practices. I simply explored these landscapes because they intrigued me, and I hope my love and passion for the wilderness resonates within the viewer in some inexplicably profound way.
In 2016, I inexplicably felt compelled to paint train tracks, stations, terminals, depots and other transport hubs. Then my mind got busy, and I began to question why. Perhaps it was because my studio is flanked by a rail yard, or because I’d spent countless hours in and around such places in my daily life, in my travels, and as a result of unfortunate summer employment when I was a student. Then again, maybe I was intrigued by the allegorical implications inherent in train tracks converging and vanishing on a horizon line, or by the pictorial allusions to the transitory nature of existence: always arriving and departing at the same time, and never in a state of permanence. And what about the mystical connotations implied by…
Shut up and paint, I reproached myself, my mantra when in doubt about the worthiness or significance of a particular subject matter.
Each work generally began with reference to a photo or memory, but then, as usual, intuitive aesthetic impulses took over. I recalled the words of Hans Hoffman who said, “Eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Each painting consequently evolved into something not so much about a particular place, but represented, rather, more of an essence or archetype of such places, in varying degrees of representation and abstraction.
There are an abundance of valid interpretations for this series—and of course I have a few of my own—but I would never be so arrogant as to suggest what the viewer should see, feel or understand. It’s up for discussion, and that is the enigmatic character of art that has sustained my curiosity and passion for over 40 years. Have at it.
GENERAL STATEMENT
My artistic lineage goes directly back to the roots of abstract expressionism. My instructor, Gordon Smith, was taught by important San Francisco Bay area painter Elmer Bischoff, who was on faculty at the University of California Berkeley with the likes of Richard Diebenkorn and Clyfford Still in the 1940s.
Still, of course, was an important if reluctant member of the so-called “New York School” in the 1940s and 50s, along with Jackson Pollock, Willem deKooning, Mark Rothko, Franz Kline and many others of note.
Diebenkorn and Bischoff headed up the Bay Area painters, who alternated between figurative and abstract expressionism.
This lineage has deeply affected my artistic sensibility and my approach to painting, and I feel fortunate and honoured to be the progeny, so to speak, of such an esteemed group.
My work is inspired and informed by locations ranging from wilderness areas to urban sprawl, and more recently, by the people I have encountered in my travels and daily life. My chosen subjects are used as starting points from which each painting evolves and transforms, until representational elements are distilled, intensified, and sometimes obliterated by aesthetic impulses and considerations. My goal is to create an image filled with vitality and stated in as few brush strokes as necessary. I’ve found that once the inexplicably “correct” strokes have been executed, petting or tidying the paintings only detracts from their vigor. Paint inherently runs, drips and bleeds, and I find much of the expressive potential and beauty in this very fact.
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Identifying persons linked to MH17 downing: fresh report by Bellingcat
The report provides further evidence that phone intercepts publicly released by Ukraine's security officials are unlikely to have been tampered with, as critics have continued to allege.
Photo from UNIAN
The Bellingcat Investigation Team has previously published a number of reports demonstrating that the deployment of the Buk missile launcher used to shoot down Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) over Ukraine on 17 July 2014 involved senior officers of the Russian Ministry of Defense and its military intelligence agency, the GRU.
However, questions still linger over the involvement in the downing of other previously unidentified individuals, Bellingcat wrote.
Today’s new report from Bellingcat seeks to resolve these questions and to determine the identity of most of the individuals, hitherto unknown to the public, who were heard and/or referred to on the SBU intercepts. With this, the report provides further context around the intercepted phone conversations and reveals new potential suspects in the downing of MH17.
The first batch of phone intercepts allegedly linked to the downing of MH17 were released by the SBU on their YouTube channel in an attempt to convince the international community that the airliner was shot down from militant-held territory.
Read alsoUkraine's SBU to charge four persons responsible for MH17 downing in Donbas
Intercepted phone conversations published by a government intelligence service, in this case the SBU, should not be trusted without verification, but there has already been a plethora of evidence from open sources corroborating the authenticity of the published calls. Several of these calls are intercepted phone conversations between militants and Sergey “Khmury” Dubinsky, the (ex-)GRU officer and former head of the intelligence of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (“DNR”) who oversaw the transport of the Buk-M1 missile launcher that downed MH17 over Ukraine. The transport route of the Buk-M1 discussed in these recorded conversations exactly matches the route along which the missile launcher was filmed and photographed in eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014. Furthermore, militant leaders Igor Bezler and Nikolay Kozitsyn have admitted that it was indeed their voices that are heard on the intercepts, and voice comparisons carried out by forensic analysts in two research institutions have confirmed the identity of Russian officers Nikolai “Delfin” Tkachev and Oleg “Orion” Ivannikov, as described in previous Bellingcat publications.
The report released today provides further evidence that the publicly released phone intercepts are unlikely to have been tampered with, as critics have continued to allege.
In this publication, Bellingcat releases the actual names of several militants who featured on the SBU intercepts along with a preliminary assessment on their respective level of involvement in the Buk transport and/or the downing of MH17. Some of these identities have not been published before by Bellingcat or other media organizations.
The following overview shows the key individuals, who had a role in organizing or facilitating the transport of the Buk missile launcher that downed MH17 on 17 July 2014 is eastern Ukraine.
Read alsoMH17 tragedy: Largest class-action lawsuit filed against Putin
Igor Girkin/Strelkov, call sign “Strelok”. Date of birth: 17 December 1970. Place of birth: Moscow, Moscow oblast, Soviet Russia. Nationality: Russian. Function in the summer of 2014: Minister of Defense of the DNR.
Link to MH17: Bellingcat has identified former FSB colonel Igor Strelkov on one of the intercepts with Sergey Dubinsky from the morning of 18 July related to the removal of the Buk missile launcher from militant-held territory in Ukraine to Russia. Since most of the militants who can be linked to the downing of MH17 were his subordinates, it is likely that he was also fully aware of the procurement and import of the Buk from Russia. The full report describes his close cooperation in mid-July 2014 with Pulatov and Kharchenko, both of whom are believed to have provided security to the Buk near the launch site.
Sergey Nikolaevich Dubinsky, call sign “Khmury”. Date of birth: 9 August 1962. Place of birth: Neskuchnoe, Donetsk oblast, Soviet Ukraine. Hometown: Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Nationality: Russian. Function in the summer of 2014: Head of the GRU DNR, subordinate to Strelkov. According to Ukraine’s official position, allegedly also a member of Russia’s GRU.
Link to MH17: Several intercepted phone calls indicate that it was Dubinsky who requested the delivery of a battle-ready Buk missile launcher to aid his forces at the frontline south of Snizhne, and that he personally coordinated the transport of the arriving Buk missile launcher to the launch site on 17 July. He was also involved in the removal of the Buk back to Russia after the downing of MH17. Furthermore, the full report demonstrates that Dubinsky also ordered some of his subordinates to secure the Buk near the launch site south of Snizhne, and that it was his group that may have played a key role in the decision to shoot down MH17 under the presumption that it was an enemy aircraft.
Oleg Yuldashevich Pulatov, call signs “Gyurza” and “Khalif”. Date of birth: 24 July 1966. Hometown: Ulyanovsk, Russia. Nationality: Russian. Function in the summer of 2014: Head of the 2nd Department of the GRU DNR, subordinate to Sergey Dubinsky.
Link to MH17: Oleg Pulatov is a (former) Lieutenant colonel in the Russian Armed Forces who has previously been identified as the man behind the call sign “Gyurza” who is mentioned on one of the intercepts. In the full report we provide new evidence confirming that Pulatov is indeed the man behind the call sign “Gyurza” and that he was likely involved in securing the Buk missile launcher at the launch site south of Snizhne.
Leonid Vladimirovich Kharchenko, call sign “Krot”. Date of birth: 10 January 1972. Place of birth: Kostyantynivka, Soviet Ukraine. Nationality: Ukrainian. Function in the summer of 2014: Head of the Krot Reconnaissance Battalion of the 2nd Department of the GRU DNR since 6 July. Before then, he was the garrison commander in his hometown Kostyantynivka.
Link to MH17: Kharchenko is found to be involved in the securing of the Buk missile launcher near the launch site south of Snizhne. He may have also coordinated the transport of the Buk from Donetsk to the launch site, and the subsequent removal of the Buk from the launch site to Russia.
Eduard Mashutovich Gilazov, call sign “Ryazan”. Date of birth: 27 March 1984 (missing and presumed dead since 27 July 2015). Place of birth: Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk oblast, Soviet Russia. Hometown: Ryazan, Russia. Nationality: Russian. Function in the summer of 2014: Commander of the 1st Reconnaissance Company of the Krot Reconnaissance Battalion, subordinate to Kharchenko.
Read alsoRussian air defense units officially deployed at border with eastern Ukraine on day of MH17 crash - Russian media
Link to MH17: Gilazov has been identified as the militant commander who, in the aftermath of the downing, brought a member of the Buk crew who had lost the rest of the crew to his commander Leonid Kharchenko in Snizhne. He may also have been involved in securing the Buk near the launch site south of Snizhne.
Oleg Anatolevich Sharpov, call sign “Zmey”. Oleg "Zmey" Sharpov. Date of birth: 30 May 1972 (died on 3 November 2014). Hometown: Kostyantynivka, UkraineNationality: Ukrainian. Function in the summer of 2014: Platoon commander within a Reconnaissance Company.
Link to MH17: Sharpov has been identified as the militant named Oleg in an intercepted phone call with Leonid “Krot” Karchenko from 17 July 2014 at 1:09 pm. In this conversation, Sharpov asks Kharchenko about directions to the location south of Snizhne from which the Buk system launched the missile that downed MH17. As this conversation took place more than two hours before the downing, Sharpov was very likely present at the launch site.
Igor Nikolaevich Bezler, call sign “Bes”. Date of birth: 30 December 1965. Place of birth: Simferopol, Crimean oblast, Soviet Ukraine. Nationality: Russian. Function in the summer of 2014: Commander of the Bezler Group, alleged by Ukraine to be a member of GRU.
Link to MH17: Bezler is heard on the phone intercept with his subordinate Stelmakh who informs him that a “birdie” is flying towards him. Bezler instructs his subordinate to report this message “upwards”, and as such may have facilitated the spotting of MH17 as an enemy aircraft. Bezler is also heard on an intercept in which he reports the shootdown of an airplane to a person whom the SBU identified as a GRU agent named Vasily Geranin. Bezler has claimed that this recording was actually from 16 July 2014 — one day before the downing of MH17 — but in the full report it is explained that it is more likely that the message was recorded on 17 July concerning the downing MH17.
Sergey Sergeyevich Povalyaev, call sign “Botsman”. Date of birth: 10 November 1976 (died of pneumonia in Russia on 6 January 2016). Place of birth: Kaliningrad, Soviet Russia. Nationality: Russian. Function in the summer of 2014: Deputy commander of the Bezler Group, possibly a Russian GRU Spetsnaz officer.
Link to MH17: In an intercepted phone call between Sergey Dubinsky and “Botsman” that took place shortly after MH17 was downed, Dubinsky tells “Botsman” that he received a Buk-M in the morning and that they just shot down a ‘Sushka’ (a Sukhoi aircraft). Aside from how “Botsman” was Bezler’s deputy, there is no direct link between “Botsman” and the downing of MH17.
Valery Aleksandrovich Stelmakh, call signs “Naemnik” (“Naimanets” in Ukrainian) and “Batya”. Date of birth: 1 August 1955. Place of birth: Dzerzhynsk, Donetsk oblast, Soviet Ukraine. Function in July 2014: Militia commandant of Dzerzhynsk until 21 July 2014, subordinate to Bezler.
Link to MH17: Stelmakh has been identified as the person with the call sign “Naemnik” (“Naimanets” in Ukrainian) who reported the spotting of MH17 as an enemy aircraft to Bezler a few minutes before the downing. Bezler also instructed him to report this message to “higher up”, which might indicate that Stelmakh relayed this message to the GRU DNR or another authority that was in contact with the Buk crew. The full report features a reconstruction showing that it is indeed possible that it was this message that had reached the Buk crew shortly before the downing of MH17.
Igor Ivanovich Ukrainets, call sign “Minyor”. Date of birth: 24 December 1971. Place of birth: Verbky, Dnipropetrovsk oblast, Soviet Ukraine. Nationality: Ukrainian. Function in the summer of 2014: Subordinate of Bezler and commander of an infantry unit known as the “Minyor Unit”.
Link to MH17: Ukrainets has been identified as the commander of the Minyor Unit, which was mentioned by Bezler in one of the intercepts in relation to the downing of MH17. Although it has been possible to confirm that Ukrainets was at the time a subordinate to Bezler, we found no evidence that suggests Ukrainets was involved in the downing of MH17. In the full report we discuss the possible explanations why Bezler had mentioned him in relation to the shootdown of the aircraft.
Aleksandr Sergeyevich Khodakovsky, call sign “Skif”. Date of birth: 18 December 1972
Place of birth: Donetsk, Donetsk oblast, Soviet Ukraine. Nationality: Ukrainian. Function: Head of the Vostok Battalion and until 16 July 2014 the Minister of State Security of the DNR.
Link to MH17: As the head of the Vostok Battalion, it is likely that Khodakovsky helped facilitate the arrival of the Buk system in Donetsk, since the intercepts indicate that his deputy Aleksandr Semyonov helped coordinate the transport of the Buk in Donetsk. After the shootdown of MH17, he admitted in an interview with Reuters that he knew beforehand that pro-Russian militants were going to receive a Buk missile launcher that would be transported from Luhansk to Snizhne, but he later retracted these statements saying that they were taken out of context by Reuters. The SBU intercepts also reveal that he had briefly attempted to hide MH17’s black boxes from the OSCE and other parties on behalf of Moscow, which he later also denied. In the full report we will provide further information that suggests Khodakovsy’s statements to Reuters were not taken out of context, and that he was indeed willing to hide the black boxes, most likely on behalf of officials in Moscow.
Alexander Aleksandrovich Semyonov, nickname “(San) Sanych”. Date of birth: 21 December 1967. Place of birth: Yenakieve, Soviet Ukraine. Function: Deputy commander of the Vostok Battalion and the DNR’s Deputy Prime Minister of Economy, subordinate to Khodakovsky.
Link to MH17: The phone intercepts indicate that Semyonov helped facilitate the arrival of the Buk in Donetsk in coordination with Sergey Dubinsky. One day before the downing, Semyonov was also informed by Dubinsky that the latter wished to receive a missile launcher for operations at the Marynivka front.
Tags: #SBU#investigation#crash#MH17#Bellingcat#intercept
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See 18 scholarships worth $88K
What should every freshman at your school know before they start? (63) What's unique about your campus? (17) What kind of person should not attend this school? (12) What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year? (11) What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why? (11) What kind of person should attend this school? (11) Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it. (10) Here's your chance: Say anything about your college! (10) Describe the students at your school. (9) What's the most frustrating thing about your school? (9) What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school? (6)
« See more reviews of North Park University
Describe your favorite campus traditions.
North Park University is known as a small, Christian university placed in an extremely diverse neighborhood in Chicago, IL. It is a school that although Christian in roots does not force a belief on any of the students attending. Most students living on campus come from strong faith backgrounds however there are also a fair amount of students with no faith backgrounds which is unique to a Christian college. North Park's focus is not on evangelizing in the traditional sense but instead, living the word by serving those locally and internationally.
North Park University is best known for, as it's motto describes, being "distinctively Christian, intentionally urban, and purposefully multicultural". It is a small, caring community of engaged students and teachers who care about each other and strive to positively impact the world.
Being a diverse Christian school in an urban setting that allows people from all backgrounds to attend, including religion.
The Nursing and Education programs are well known. It's also known in its connection with the Evangelical Covenant Church.
My school is best known for its spiritual emphasis in teaching, small classes and engaging professors.
My school is best known for being founded by swedish people.
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Food and Drink,
Five Mexican gastronomic delicacies you cannot miss
By Yucatan Times on April 16, 2016
Mexico is mostly renowned for tacos, but… not many know that there’s a whole world of options out there?
You see, Mexican gastronomy was declared “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO, and that means more food than just meat-filled tortillas!
Here’s a brief list containing the ABC’s for a true Mexican diet!
Next morning after your arrival, you’ll have these at your breakfast buffet for sure.Chilaquiles are slightly fried tortilla chips poured with green or red tomato sauce, with some cream and cheese on top. If you want, you can have yours with fried eggs or shredded chicken too; it really highlights the flavor and works for a more complete breakfast!
Original Image: “Chilaquiles” by Masa Assassin, used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license, via Flickr.
Pozole
Before you even try to guess what you can get from the name, you should know thatpozole is an ancient dish dates back to pre-Hispanics days when it was used for ritual sacrifices according to anthropologists. Nowadays, there’s even a vegan version of it, so that lessens the creepy factor a bit. It’s a soup made from hominy corn with plenty of herbs and spices, then it gets stewed for hours, and once it’s ready to serve, you can sprinkle some lettuce, radish, onion, cilantro or (if you’re brave enough) some chili on top too!
Original Image: “Pozole Rojo with Pork” by James, used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, via Flickr.
We are definitely not done with tortillas yet! And this time they are deep fried to get a good crunchy, golden color. Then it can be piled up with lots of toppings like refried beans, seafood, pork, chicken, lettuce, and many other edible garnishes. A Mexican “pizza” if you will!
Original Image: “Mexican tostadas” by David Boté Estrada, used under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr.
These remain a Mexican favorite among many, because not only are they a great option for breakfast but for lunch time too! Enchiladas are corn or flour tortillas filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and other type of fillings, then covered with chili sauce, don’t worry, you can get a non-spicy sauce if you want to!
Original Image: “Enchiladas” by Rogelio Portillo Seguir, used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, via Flickr.
Take a small peek at any of these rich Mexican sauce ingredients list and you’ll know why it’s one of Mexico’s finest! With a staggering number of 20+ ingredients, there are many types of mole, and they are all made from different kinds of spices and chili peppers. The most famous one is Mole Poblano, a rusty red sauce usually served over a turkey or a chicken.
Original Image: “Chicken Mole” by Adam Freidin, used under CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, each Mexican state has its own personal touch and original take on various recipes for traditional dishes, so should you ever come to pay a visit, you’re in for a very delicious treat!
By Daniel Juárez for Mexico News Network
Source: http://www.mexiconewsnetwork.com/gastronomy/must-try-foods-mexico/
Owner of California car dealership beaten to death in Cabo, Mexico
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Prosecutors in.
5 Mexico Beaches on International Living’s World’s Best List
Most people who dream about retiring.
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Tag: diameter
What Are The Diameters of the Planets?
The planets of our Solar System vary considerably in size and shape. Some planets are small enough that they are comparable in diameter to some of our larger moons – i.e. Mercury is smaller than Jupiter’s moon Ganymede and Saturn’s moon Titan. Meanwhile, others like Jupiter are so big that they are larger in diameter than most of the others combined.
In addition, some planets are wider at the equator than they are at the poles. This is due to a combination of the planets composition and their rotational speed. As a result, some planets are almost perfectly spherical while others are oblate spheroids (i.e. experience some flattening at the poles). Let us examine them one by one, shall we?
Mercury:
With a diameter of 4,879 km (3031.67 mi), Mercury is the smallest planet in our Solar System. In fact, Mercury is not much larger than Earth’s own Moon – which has a diameter of 3,474 km (2158.64 mi). At 5,268 km (3,273 mi) in diameter, Jupiter’s moon of Ganymede is also larger, as is Saturn’s moon Titan – which is 5,152 km (3201.34 mi) in diameter.
Mercury, as imaged by the MESSENGER spacecraft, revealing parts of the never seen by human eyes. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
As with the other planets in the inner Solar System (Venus, Earth, and Mars), Mercury is a terrestrial planet, which means it is composed primarily of metals and silicate rocks that are differentiated into an iron-rich core and a silicate mantle and crust.
Also, due to the fact that Mercury has a very slow sidereal rotational period, taking 58.646 days to complete a single rotation on its axis, Mercury experiences no flattening at the poles. This means that the planet is almost a perfect sphere and has the same diameter whether it is measured from pole to pole or around its equator.
Venus:
Venus is often referred to as Earth’s “sister planet“, and not without good reason. At 12,104 km (7521 mi) in diameter, it is almost the same size as Earth. But unlike Earth, Venus experiences no flattening at the poles, which means that it almost perfectly circular. As with Mercury, this is due to Venus’ slow sidereal rotation period, taking 243.025 days to rotate once on its axis.
The planet Venus, as imaged by the Magellan 10 mission. Credit: NASA/JPL
With a mean diameter of 12,756 km (7926 mi), Earth is the largest terrestrial planet in the Solar System and the fifth largest planet overall. However, due to flattening at its poles (0.00335), Earth is not a perfect sphere, but an oblate spheroid. As a result, its polar diameter differs from its equatorial diameter, but only by about 41 km (25.5 mi)
In short, Earth measures 12713.6 km (7900 mi) in diameter from pole to pole, and 12756.2 km (7926.3 mi) around its equator. Once again, this is due to Earth’s sidereal rotational period, which takes a relatively short 23 hours, 58 minutes and 4.1 seconds to complete a single rotation on its axis.
Mars is often referred to as “Earth’s twin”; and again, for good reason. Like Earth, Mars experiences flattening at its poles (0.00589), which is due to its relatively rapid sidereal rotational period (24 hours, 37 minutes and 22 seconds, or 1.025957 Earth days).
As a result, it experiences a bulge at its equator which leads to a variation of 40 km (25 mi) between its polar radius and equatorial radius. This works out to Mars having a mean diameter of 6779 km (4212.275 mi), varying between 6752.4 km (4195.75 mi) between its poles and 6792.4 km (4220.6 mi) at its equator.
Mosaic of the Valles Marineris hemisphere of Mars, similar to what one would see from orbital distance of 2500 km. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Jupiter:
Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, measuring some 142,984 km (88,846 mi) in diameter. Again, this its mean diameter, since Jupiter experiences some rather significant flattening at the poles (0.06487). This is due to its rapid rotational period, with Jupiter taking just 9 hours 55 minutes and 30 seconds to complete a single rotation on its axis.
Combined with the fact that Jupiter is a gas giant, this means the planet experiences significant bulging at its equator. Basically, it varies in diameter from 133,708 km (83,082.3 mi) when measured from pole to pole, and 142,984 km (88,846 mi) when measured around the equator. This is a difference of 9276 km (5763.8 mi), one of the most pronounced in the Solar System.
Saturn:
With a mean diameter of 120,536 km (74897.6 mi), Saturn is the second largest planet in the Solar System. Like Jupiter, it experiences significant flattening at its poles (0.09796) due to its high rotational velocity (10 hours and 33 minutes) and the fact that it is a gas giant. This means that it varies in diameter from 108,728 km (67560.447 mi) when measured at the poles and 120,536 km (74,897.6 mi) when measured at the equator. This is a difference of almost 12,000 km, the greatest of all planets.
This portrait looking down on Saturn and its rings was created from images obtained by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft on Oct. 10, 2013. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute/G. Ugarkovic
Uranus:
Uranus has a mean diameter of 50,724 km (31,518.43 mi), making it the third largest planet in the Solar System. But due to its rapid rotational velocity – the planet takes 17 hours 14 minutes and 24 seconds to complete a single rotation – and its composition, the planet experiences a significant polar flattening (0.0229). This leads to a variation in diameter of 49,946 km (31,035 mi) at the poles and 51,118 km (31763.25 mi) at the equator – a difference of 1172 km (728.25 mi).
Neptune:
Lastly, there is Neptune, which has a mean diameter of 49,244 km (30598.8 mi). But like all the other gas giants, this varies due to its rapid rotational period (16 hours, 6 minutes and 36 seconds) and composition, and subsequent flattening at the poles (0.0171). As a result, the planet experiences a variation of 846 km (525.68 mi), measuring 48,682 km (30249.59 mi) at the poles and 49,528 km (30775.27 mi) at the equator.
In summary, the planets of our Solar System vary in diameter due to differences in their composition and the speed of their rotation. In short, terrestrial planets tend to be smaller than gas giants, and gas giants tend to spin faster than terrestrial worlds. Between these two factors, the worlds we know range between near-perfect spheres and flattened spheres.
We have written many articles about the Solar System here at Universe Today. Here’s Interesting Facts about the Solar System, How Long Is A Day On The Other Planets Of The Solar System?, What Are the Colors of the Planets?, How Long Is A Year On The Other Planets?, What Is The Atmosphere Like On Other Planets?, and How Strong is Gravity on Other Planets?
For more information of the planets, here is a look at the eight planets and some fact sheets about the planets from NASA.
Astronomy Cast has episodes on all the planets. Here is Mercury to start out with.
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Development Maps
Cities, Places, Regions
How Safe Are South Carolina's Cities?
By myrtlesquare, August 26, 2005 in South Carolina
myrtlesquare 0
Unincorporated Area
You begin to wonder how safe are South Carolina's metro areas? According to a recent study http://www.morganquitno.com/cit04pop.htm of the most dangerous metro areas in the US, South Carolina had 4 out of 25. Here's how they ranked:
#6 on list: Myrtle Beach
#9 on list: Sumter
#16 on list: Charleston-North Charleston
#22 on list: Columbia
on a total of 281 Metropolitan areas.
Additionally, North Charleston rates as #12 on a list of 350 most dangerous cities.
Spartan 1290
Gigalopolis
What a list.... would you mind summarizing what the criteria were for making this list?
I have spent significant time in 3/4 of those cities and I have never felt unsafe. N Chas doesnt suprise me though.
krazeeboi 151
Location: SC
In the "SC City Rankings" thread, I posted the crime ratings of our metropolitan areas as reported by Sperling's BestPlaces website. Here are the rankings:
Best and Worst Cities for Crime
--100 largest metro areas--
53. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson
78. Charleston-North Charleston
84. Columbia
--114 mid-sized metro areas--
114. Myrtle Beach
--117 small metro areas--
108. Sumter
113. Florence
The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program Crime Index was used as the basis for this study. This index consists of the combined rate of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, and auto theft per 100,000 population. The higher the ranking (#1, #2, etc.), the less crime.
Myrtle Beach has the highest total rate of crime in the nation, due to a high rate of violent crime and the nation's highest rate of property crime. In particular, the rates of assault, burglary, and larceny are particularly high. However, I think that this is largely attributed to Myrtle Beach being such a popular tourist destination. I wish we had some statistics detailing the times of year that crime seems to peak in the area.
I'm not understanding how Columbia ranks so high on the Morgan Quitno list, yet so low on the FBI Index list. Both supposedly use the FBI Index list as a basis for their rankings, yet it seems that the Morgan Quitno folks use a more complicated methodology:
The methodology for determining America
I haven't felt a real threat in any of the cities, except maybe north of Charleston. Myrtle Beach is on there, I guess, because of the criminals that vacation in Myrtle Beach. It's attractive because of the 14 million people that go there, and blend in to the crowd.
I didn't think, in my personal opinion, that Sumter was dangerous. Do you think this was based on Shaw Air Force Base?
I don't know that much about Columbia's crime, so I can't make an opinion on it.
The Morgan Quitno method is somewhat complex, so I'd go with the BestPlaces statistics.
sonofaque86 8
Members+
Location: NC/SC
Wow...I've never felt unsafe here or any other city in SC. Only unsafe place I really felt threatend was in DC
DC can get a little creepy. I last visited DC in June 2002, after 911. You'd be surprised how secure that place was! Just don't wander off of Capitol Drive.
Topher1 0
Location: ORL, MIA, AGS
The lists are objective, so I guess it's hard to argue with them, but I feel MUCH less safe in Augusta that I do in any of SC's big cities, even though Augusta somehow got a safer score. Another note, squeaky clean Orlando's score is even lower than SC's cities, even though (downtown at least) Orlando is about as clean and safe as it gets...
JetTroop 0
Myrtle Beach's crime rate is so high for one reason. Full time population verus tourist population. Myrtle Beach as a city is small with an estimated 25,000 full time, year round residents. However, during the summer tourist season there is an estimated overnight population of 250,000 residents and guests with the peak coming in May where it gets as high as 450,000 residents and guests per night.
If the FBI considered an average of the overnight population (including tourists) and not just the year round residents, then you would probably never see Myrtle Beach on any list. Las Vegas and Orlando, while having high tourist counts also have higher populations to absorb the crime figures. Myrtle Beach doesn't have that luxury and it makes our numbers look or seem worse than they are. There just isn't an accurate gauge for where Myrtle Beach ranks on the list.
Good analysis, JetTroop.
Welcome to UrbanPlanet JetTroop!
I lived in DC for a year, and never felt unsafe there. Staying in the high-volume/good areas is the key there, although any big city obviously has crime from time to time.
If I were walking around late at night, there are plenty of places in DC where I would feel safer than in the ghetto areas in downtown Charleston. For a city its size, Charleston certainly has some rough areas.
Ness 0
I've felt unsafe in parts of Greenville. In fact, there are parts of the city that are downright hell.
My crack-dealing, gun-toting, next-door neighbor being one reason I've felt unsafe.
According to FBI figures released this past Monday, SC had the second-highest violent crime rate in the nation in 2004 despite a drop in the number of murders and rapes. However, SC Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart said that could be attributed to the state having a more accurate system for reporting crimes at the local and state level. I'm inclined to think that that's correct. As a matter of fact, I really think that in many instances, the reason why this state receives bad rankings is because our methodologies are more accurate and honest.
As a matter of fact, I really think that in many instances, the reason why this state receives bad rankings is because our methodologies are more accurate and honest.
I disagree. In fact, I'd bet we'd be near the bottom at that too.
peaceloveunderstanding 0
Yea, everyone else lies about homicide rates and violent crimes.
I read somewhere that Myrtle Beach is one of the poorest metro areas in the United States. That could be a major part of it's crime problem.
Jerseyman4 0
Location: NC High Country
Myrtle Beach is one of the poorest metro areas in the United States. That could be a major part of it's crime problem.
The majority of jobs in MB are mainly service industry jobs that cater to tourism. What other jobs are there in MB besides that? That could be a contributing factor.
Ness, why do you disagree?
Atlanta's police department has recently come under fire for not accurately reporting crimes occurring there; you think they're the only one? Some more info here. People will do all kind of things to make their city/state look more attractive.
I'm beginning not to put as much stock into rankings as I previously have done, especially since I discovered that one of the reasons why SC often falls near the bottom in educational rankings has to do with the fact that the state has higher academic proficiency standards than most states. That's not to say that this state doesn't have its educational issues, but at the same time, I don't think it's as utterly destitute as many are inclined to think.
Looking at the actual study itself, it confirms what I've been saying. When citing these statistics, each state is also profiled for 1) the actual percentage of MSAs reporting; 2) cities outside of MSAs reporting; and 3) nonmetropolitan counties reporting. SC's figures are 99.9%, 99.6%, and 100%, respectively. Here are some statistics for other states for comparison:
VA: 99.4%, 97.2%, 99.7%
WV: 96.3%, 83.3%, 87.3%
NC: 96.0%, 96.4%, 91.3%
GA: 89.7%, 84.8%, 82.8%
FL: 99.9%, 98.1%, 100%
TN: 100%, 100%, 100%
Interestingly, NJ only reported for their MSAs and not for the other two categories.
In addition, multiple reporting agencies were used for SC (10 in all), including Alcohol Beverage Control, Bureau of Protective Services, Dept. of Mental Health, Dept. of Natural Resources, Employment Security Commission, Forestry Commission, Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, and U.S. Dept. of Energy (Savannah River Site--which alone reported 51 incidences of property crime). In comparison, NC used 5 reporting agences, GA 4, LA 2 (?), FL 7, and VA 4.
So not only do we come VERY close to reporting all of our data, we also use, on average, a greater number of reporting agencies. I think my point is justified.
Well actually there is manufacturing, finance, medical, IT, research, aerospace, etc etc. In fact all of the jobs you would see in any other city in SC.. There is also significant number of residents who live in MB on well off retirement income. Keep in mind that Myrtle Beach has more jobs than residents and many people in SC commute as far as 90 miles away to work jobs in MB. The vast majority of people working in the tourism service industry can't afford to live in Myrtle Beach.
As mentioned earlier MB for all practical purposes is a 450,000 person city throughout most of the year. Far larger than any other city in SC, but when computing per capita statistics, the government only uses the census reports for permanent residents. That is the primary reason you see MB appearing high on the violent crime rate. Its mostly and poorly behaved drunk tourists.
When I was growing up there in the 70s, they used to send roudy tourists to the mid part of Horry county and put them on the chain gang to dig ditches in the hot sun. They ought to bring back the practice as it has a habit of instilling a bit of respect and common sense in the people whose bad choices in life and sense of entitlement resulted in them being in that situation. The college frat boy never wanted another 30 days with the boys and there are never ever any repeat requests to join this particular work group.
Just a feeling I got, not based in any kind of research. But I don't think a significant number of states are deceptive to the point that it dramatically affects our rankings.
I'm with you on this though, I don't put a lot of faith in rankings anyway.
I agree with the above statement, but...
The violent crimes (any crimes for that matter) affect the community, tourists and permanent residents alike irregardless of the city's current population. Just because a tourist commits a crime, it will affect the community even if the tourist doesn't live there. I do agree that the government's census can be biased on its per capita statistics.
COMPARATIVELY SPEEKING:
Using the 450,000 person population of the beach, compare it with a similar-sized city such as Fresno, California. Using this data (http://fresno.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm), Fresno had the following from 2004: 53 murders, 181 rapes, and 1,282 robberies. Yet, Myrtle Beach (http://myrtlebeach.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm)had 3 murders, 42 rapes, and 179 robberies. Crimewise, we have less crimes. Any ideas?
I have to say that Myrtle Beach is somewhat unsafe comparing it to other cities that I've lived in. I have never lived in a popular tourist destination, so I couldn't compare to such cities like Orlando, Daytona Beach, etc. I wished that the moral standards of the beach were higher than they currently are.
Of course, we don't have any of these problems aforesaid in the Forest (Carolina Forest, that is )
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U.S. Under-17s Top Russia, 6-2
Strathroy, Ontario – The U.S. Under-17 Team got goals from six different players during its 6-2 win over Russia before a sold-out crowd of more than 900 here at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge on Sunday.
Four of the goals came on the power play, and two were shorthanded.
The U.S. scored three goals early in the first, from Drew Shore, Steven Whitney and Jeremy Morin. After the third goal, at the 7:13 mark, Russia pulled goaltender Eduard Reyzvikh and replaced him with Dmitry Shikin.
Ryan Bourque scored in the second, and Jerry D’Amigo and A.J. Treais scored in the third.
Nick Mattson had three assists for the U.S. Morin was named player of the game for the U.S.
The U.S. outshot Russia, 49-41. Brandon Maxwell kicked out 39 shots for the win.
Russia was whistled for 16 minors and the U.S. was called for 13.
The U.S. is tied atop Pool B with Canada West. Both teams are 2-0 going into Monday’s head-to-head matchup in Woodstock, Ontario (4:00 pm EST). The U.S. also plays Tuesday, vs. Germany, in the last preliminary round game. Playoffs are Jan. 3-4.
1st Period:
US -- Drew Shore (Kyle Palmieri) shg 4:00
US -- Steven Whitney (Shore) ppg 6:08
US -- Jeremy Morin (Nick Mattson, A.J. Treais) ppg 7:13
2nd Period:
Russia -- Sergey Chvanov (Dmitry A.Orlov) :47
US -- Ryan Bourque (Sam Calabrese) shg 7:50
Russia -- Maxim Kitsin (Vladimir Malinovsky) 10:16
3rd Period:
US -- Jerry D'Amigo (Mattson) ppg 9:17
US -- Treais (D'Amigo, Mattson) ppg 10:03
Conboy to Spartans
Omaha Lancers 6’4”, 200 lb. LW Andrew Conboy, the USHL leader in penalty minutes, has committed to Michigan State for this coming fall.
A fifth-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens last June, Conboy is from Rosemount, Minn. but played midget AAA with Victory Honda.
Conboy had previously committed to Omaha-Nebraska, but reneged on that. He had reportedly signed a letter of intent with UNO, but it became void after Conboy failed to get through the clearinghouse. Conboy, who is taking a full load of courses at an Omaha-area four year college, will transfer in to Michigan State as a sophomore. Michigan State, of course, is in the same league as UNO.
So far this season, Conboy, a 5/16/88 birthdate, has a 7-11-18 line in 27 games to go with 111 penalty minutes. He’s on track to finish the season with 60 points and over 250 penalty minutes.
It’s hard to say for sure, but he could be just a one-year player at Michigan State.
Other schools in the picture were the University of Minnesota, St. Cloud State, and Alaska-Fairbanks.
-- Lincoln Stars (USHL) 5’11”, 200 lb. defenseman Tyler Kieffer, who had committed to St. Cloud State, but was reportedly having eligibility difficulties, has left Lincoln and singed with Everett (WHL).
Kieffer, who has one assist in 19 games as a USHL rookie, is a Stillwater, Minn. native and played his high school hockey at Stillwater HS.
-- UNH forward Danny Rossman has left the Wildcats to join the Indiana Ice (USHL). Rossman, who played 18 games as a freshman last season, appeared in just two games this season, the season opener against BU and a game against Brown on Nov. 24.
Wilson Hat Trick Leads U.S. Past Finland
Liberec, Czech Republic – The U.S. National Junior Team, in a game that had no bearing on the standings, topped Finland 5-3 to wrap up preliminary round play with a perfect 4-0-0 record.
The U.S. attack was led by the line of James vanRiemsdyk (1g,3a), Colin Wilson (3g,1a), and Jordan Schroeder (2a). After the U.S. scored their fifth goal midway through the second, Finland switched goaltenders. It helped their cause, as the U.S. was shut out the rest of the way. Meanwhile, Finland came back in the third with three goals against Joe Palmer, who had replaced Jeremy Smith (two shutout periods) at the start of the frame.
Canada won their game over Denmark, 4-1, behind two goals from Kyle Turris, and one apiece from Shawn Matthias and John Tavares.
Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchups are Russia vs. Czech Republic and Canada vs. Finland. The U.S., having drawn a bye, won't be playing again until Fri. Jan. 4, when they play the winner of Canada vs. Finland. The game will be at 2:00 pm EST -- unless the Czech Republic (the host country) reaches the semifinals, in which case the U.S. will be play at 10:00 am EST.
Through preliminary round play, van Riemsdyk (4-6-10), Wilson (6-1-7), and Schroeder (0-7-7) are the tournament's top three scorers. Smith (1.36, .938) is the tournament's third-leading goaltender, trailing only the Canadian duo of Steve Mason and Jonathan Bernier.
The only other time the U.S. won all four of its preliminary round games was in 2004, the only year the U.S. won gold.
Today's attendance was 1,133.
U.S. 5, Finland 3:
First Period:
US – Wilson (vanRiemsdyk, Schroeder) 9:29
US – Wilson (Blum, vanRiemsdyk) ppg 13:20
Second Period:
US – Wilson (Schoeder, vanRiemsdyk) 1:43
US – Ruegsegger (McBain, Okposo) 4:44
US – vanRiemsdyk (Wilson) 9:14
Third Period:
F – Aaltonen (Salminen, Lajunen) ppg 10:52
F – Kousa (Lucenius, Juutilainen) ppg 15:21
F – Lucenius (Poysti, Jalvanti) 19:14
Goaltending:
US -- Smith (40:00) 15/15
US -- Palmer (20:00) 11/8
F – Helenius (29:14) 20/15
F – Sateri (30:46) 9/9
US Lines:
Rakhshani – Ruegsegger – Okposo
vanRiemsdyk – Wilson – Schroeder
Geoffrion – Carman – Sweatt
Pacioretty – Rust – Flynn
Defense Pairings:
Summers - Blum
Strait - Sanguinetti
Montgomery - Cole
Fairchild - McBain
Final Preliminary Round Standings:
Group A:
1. Sweden
3. Czech Republic
4. Slovakia
5. Denmark
Group B:
1. U.S.
2. Russia
3. Finland
4. Kazakhstan
5. Switzerland
US Schedule
2008 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 -- Liberec & Pardubice, Czech Republic
Wed. Dec. 26 – US 5, Kazakhstan 1
Fri. Dec. 28 – US 4, Switzerland 2
Sat. Dec. 29 – US 3, Russia 2
Mon. Dec. 31 –U.S. 5, Finland 3
Wed. Jan. 2 -- Quarterfinals – US gets a bye
Fri. Jan. 4 -- Semifinals – US vs. winner of Canada/Finland
Sat. Jan. 5 -- Gold and Bronze Medal Games -- TBD
Six Unanswered Goals Spark Comeback
Woodstock, Ontario – The U.S. Under-17 Team came back from a 4-1 deficit late in the second period, scoring six unanswered goals to defeat Canada West, 7-4, at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
The U.S. (3-0-0) will face Germany in its final preliminary round game on Jan. 1 at 2:00 pm EST.
Jeremy Morin (2g,1a) was named U.S. player of the game. Other point-getters for the U.S. were Kenny Ryan (1g,1a), Chris Brown (1g,1a), Kyle Palmieri (g), Kevin Lynch (g), Jerry D’Amigo (a), Ryan Bourque (g), Drew Shore (a).
The U.S. outshot Canada West 47-23. The U.S. is averaging 51 shots a game here.
U.S. 7, Canada West 4:
First Period - Scoring: WEST, Glennie (Schenn, Bubnick) 10:30
Second Period - Scoring: USA, Palmieri (unassisted), 2:23; WEST, Schenn (Bubnick, Cowen), 8:12; WEST, Schenn (Glennie, Bubnick), 12:48; WEST, Schenn (Glennie, Ashton), 14:59 (pp); USA, Morin (Ryan), 15:20; USA, Brown (Morin), 18:11
Third Period - Scoring: USA, Lynch (D'Amigo), 2:57; USA, Bourque (Shore), 4:52 (pp); USA, Morin (Brown), 7:20; USA, Ryan (unassisted), 12:56
Goaltending – Krahn (West) 47/40; Maxwell (US) 23/19
SOG: US 47, West 23
Penalties: US—6 minors; West – 6 minors.
World Under-17 Challenge
Fri. Dec. 28 – Team Pacific 5, US 4 – shootout (exhib.)
Sat. Dec. 29 – US 8, Team Atlantic 0
Sun. Dec. 30 – US 6, Russia 2
Mon. Dec. 31 – US 7, Team West 4
Tues. Jan. 1 -- Germany, 2:00 pm
Thurs. Jan. 3 -- TBD
Fri. Jan. 4 – TBD
U.S. Under-17s Rout Atlantic, 8-0
London, Ontario – The U.S. Under-17 Team routed Canada’s Team Atlantic 8-0 in opening day action at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge here today.
U.S. forward Drew Shore started things off with an unassisted short handed goal just 1:28 into the game, and things snowballed from there. Final shots were US 56, Atlantic 23.
Boston College recruit Brandon Maxwell earned the shutout for the U.S.
The U.S. faces Russia tomorrow at 3:00 pm at Strathroy Arena.
USA -- Shore (unassisted) 1:28 (sh)
USA -- Calabrese (Ryan, Crowley) 6:43 (en)
Penalties: USA-- Calabrese (hooking), 0:57; USA -- Schmitz (interference) 9:59; ATL -- Couturier (tripping) 13:47; ATL -- Roski (delay of game) 18:26.
USA -- Morin (unassisted) 3:32
USA -- Palmieri (Whitney, Shore) 4:35
USA -- Whitney (Shore) 5:33
USA -- Morin (Mattson, Treais) 8:29 (pp)
USA -- D'Amigo (Lynch) 8:57
USA -- Lynch (D'Amigo, Schmitz) 18:33.
Penalties: ATL -- Boudreau (high sticking) 7:34; USA -- Lynch (interference) 10:39; USA -- Krupp (interference) 13:57; USA -- Whitney (goaltender interference) 19:10.
No Scoring.
Penalties: ATL -- Boudreau (delay of game) 4:23; ATL -- Roski (slashing) 6:13; USA -- Fowler (interference) 7:23; USA -- Schmitz (hooking) 7:55.
U.S. Edges Russia at WJC; Gains Bye
Liberec, Czech Republic -- The U.S. edged Russia 3-2 here this evening at the World Junior Championship, improving their record to 3-0-0, clinching the top seed in the B pool, and earning a bye into the semis.
By earning the top seed, the U.S. avoids the quarterfinals, in which the #2 finisher in each pool crosses over to play #3 finisher in other pool. The U.S. will instead go directly to the semifinals. It’s too early to say who the U.S. might face off against. A lot can still happen. Today, Canada joined the ranks of the defeated as Sweden edged them in an A pool preliminary round game, 4-3. It was the first loss for Canada at the World Junior Championship since the 2004 final -- a winning streak of 20 games.
The U.S. still has one more preliminary round game, vs. Finland on Monday.
"Our guys played with deep belief in themselves," U.S. head coach John Hynes said. "Our commitment to team play was evident and I thought as the game wore on, we showed good survival skills when we needed to. We definitely took another step forward."
The U.S. forced five straight penalties to Russia to start the game and eventually took a 1-0 lead at 11:31 of the first period on a 5x3 power play goal by Tyler Ruegsegger, who banged home the rebound of a Jordan Schroeder shot. Kyle Okposo also picked up an assist.
Russia tied it up in the second, on an Alexei Cherepanov rebound goal at 8:36.
In the third, James vanRiemsdyk scored on the power play at 3:01, as Russian goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky got a piece of the shot, but managed to deflect it off his pad and into the net to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead. Rhett Rakhshani picked up an assist on the goal. The U.S. made it 3-1 at the 7:44 mark when Mike Carman scored an even-strength goal, with assists going to Blake Geoffrion and Chris Summers.
Victor Tikhonov beat U.S. goaltender Jeremy Smith at the 14:36 mark to cut the U.S. lead to 3-2 and put some suspense into the final minutes, but the U.S. held the fort.
Summers was named player of the game for the U.S.
The U.S.outshot Russia, 49-30. Bobrovsky, who kicked out 46 shots in a losing cause, was named player of the game for Russia.
Mon. Dec. 31 -- vs. Finland – at Liberec, Czech Republic (6:00 pm local/12:00 pm EST)
Fri. Jan. 4 -- Semifinals – US vs. ???
U.S. Goes Up 2-0 at WJC: Russia Next
Liberec, Czech Republic -- The U.S. scored four power play goals -- two on 5x3s -- in a 4-2 win over Switzerland today at the World Junior Championship.
The U.S., now 2-0-0 in round robin competition, faces Russia tomorrow (Sat.) at 8:00 pm local time (2:00 pm EST).
US scoring: James vanRiemsdyk (1g,2a), Colin Wilson (2g), Jordan Schroeder (3a), Bobby Sanguinetti (1g,1a), Rhett Rakhshani (1a), and Kyle Okposo (1a).
The U.S. outshot Switzerland, 51-18.
Scoring By Period
USA 1 - 1 2 4
SUI 0 - 1 1 2
USA -- Wilson (Schroeder, vanRiemsdyk) 5:08 (pp)
SUI, Wieser (hooking) 3:12; USA, Carman (hooking) 9:27; USA, Summers (tripping) 13:55; SUI, Bykov (hooking) 20:00.
USA -- Sanguinetti (vanRiemsdyk, Rakhshani) 2:57 (pp)
SUI -- Bykov (Wiesner) 4:17
SUI, Josi (tripping) 1:40; USA, Rakhshani (interference) 6:00; SUI, Froidevaux (tripping) 9:37; USA, Rust (interference) 12:22; SUI, Schlagenhauf (hooking) 15:04.
USA -- vanRiemsdyk (Sanguinetti, Schroeder) 2:27 (5x3 pp)
USA -- Wilson (Okposo, Schroeder) 9:30 (5x3 pp)
SUI -- Jacquemet (Weber, Froidevaux) 15:45 (pp)
SUI, Weber (cross-checking) :29; SUI, Maurer (boarding) 2:10; SUI, Josi (tripping) 3:02; SUI, Jacquemet (tripping) 7:33; SUI, Weber (boarding) 9:01; USA, Ruegsegger (interference) 9:51; SUI, Sbisa (holding) 10:40; USA, Flynn (hooking) 14:14; USA, Geoffrion (charging), 18:12.
USA 19 18 14 51
SUI 9 4 5 18
Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Smith, 60:00 9-9 4-3 5-4 18-16
SUI, Mayer, 58:40 19-18 18-17 14-12 51-47
Power Play: USA 4-11; SUI 1-6
Penalties: USA 7-14; SUI 11-22
Spring Beantown Classic Dates
The Spring Beantown Classic will run from Wed. through Fri. March 19-21, 2008 at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Mass.
The format will be the same as last year, with one game Wednesday night, followed by a big day on Thursday, with all teams playing two games, then three games on Friday, with everything winding up in the early afternoon, enabling scouts to get to their NCAA Regional games.
This is an invitation-only tournament. Unlike the summer tournament, there are no tryouts.
There will be two divisions, a draft division of ‘87s to ‘90s and a pre-draft division of ‘91s and ‘92s.
U.S. Under-17s Set for World Under-17 Challenge
The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gets underway in London, Ontario tomorrow with the U.S. Under-17 Team facing off against Team Pacific in a 7 pm exhibition game.
Lawrence Academy forward Steven Whitney, who played with the Under-17 Team when they came east for the Beantown Classic Oct. 19-20, will be joining the team for the tournament, which runs through Fri. Jan. 4.
The U.S. should do well in this tournament, as they have the advantage of sending a standing, full-season team while Canada sends five regional teams that are put together only for the tournament. However, the U.S. hasn't won it in a while. Russia (Dec. 30) could pose a problem for the U.S., as they beat the U.S. 2-1 back on Nov. 11 in Dmitrov, Russia in a game which featured a brawl at the final buzzer. The Russian team arriving here should have at least half of the players who suited up for that game.
Click on the link below to be taken to the tournament’s page, which is a section within Hockey Canada’s website.
Under-17 Team Roster (all ’91 birthdates):
Goaltenders (2): Brandon Maxwell, Adam Murray.
Defensemen (8): Tyler Amburgey, Sam Calbrese, Richie Crowley, Cam Fowler, Bjorn Krupp, Nick Mattson, Beau Schmitz, and William Wrenn.
Forwards (12): Ryan Bourque, Chris Brown, Jerry D’Amigo, Zach Golembiewski, Kevin Lynch, Jeremy Morin, Kyle Palmieri, Kenny Ryan, Drew Shore, A.J. Treais, David Valek, and Steven Whitney.
Head Coach: Ron Rolston. Assistant Coach: Chadd Cassidy.
US Schedule:
Fri. Dec. 28 – Team Pacific (exhib.), 7 pm
Sat. Dec. 19 -- Team Atlantic, 2 pm
Sun. Dec. 30 -- Russia, 3 pm
Mon. Dec. 31 -- Team West, 4 pm
Tues. Jan. 1 -- Germany, 2 pm
World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
U.S. Opens WJC With a Win
Liberec, Czech Republic – The U.S. National Junior Team got goals from five different players en route to a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan in the opener of the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship here today.
Kazakhstan broke out to a 1-0 lead when Alexandr Kurshuk tipped a shot past U.S. goaltender Jeremy Smith for a power play goal at the 14:46 mark. However, with three seconds left to play in the period, James vanRiemsdyk, who would be named U.S. player of the game, evened things up at 1-1.
The U.S. dominated the rest of the game, scoring four unanswered goals. By period, the U.S. outshot Zazakhstan 15-5, 16-3, and 18-10. Final shots on goal were 49-18.
vanRiemsdyk (1g,1a), Kyle Okposo (1g,1a), Tyler Ruegsegger (2a), and Billy Sweatt (2a) each finished with two points. Rhett Rakhshani (1g), Colin Wilson (ppg), Mike Carman (1g), and Cade Fairchild (1a) each had one point.
Team USA will practice tomorrow at noon local time (6:00 am EST). On Friday they face Switzerland at noon EST.
Brian Strait was named U.S.captain, with Blake Geoffrion, Chris Summers, and Ruegsegger named alternates
Pacioretty – Carman – Sweatt
Geoffrion – Rust – Flynn
Other Games:
In other B pool action, Marat Kalimulin (1g,3a) figured in four of Russia’s goals in a 7-4 win over Finland.
In the A pool, Jonathan Bernier (Lewiston – QMJHL) posted a 44-save shutout and John Tavares (Oshawa – OHL) scored a pair of goals to lead Canada past the Czech Republic, 3-0.
A Johan Alcen goal with 4:57 remaining in regulation lifted Sweden to a 4-3 win over Slovakia.
The 2008 U.S. National Junior Team:
Goaltenders (2): Joe Palmer (Ohio St. – ‘88); Jeremy Smith (Plymouth – OHL, 89).
Defensemen (8): Jonathon Blum (Vancouver – WHL, ‘89); Ian Cole (Notre Dame, ’89); Cade Fairchild (Minnesota, ’89); Jamie McBain (Wisconsin, ’88); Kevin Montgomery (London – OHL, ’88); Bobby Sanguinetti (Owen Sound – OHL, 88); Brian Strait (BU, ’88); Chris Summers (Michigan, ’88).
Forwards (12): Mike Carman (Minnesota, ’88); Ryan Flynn (Minnesota, ’88); Blake Geoffrion (Wisconsin, ’88); Kyle Okposo (Minnesota, ’88), Max Pacioretty (Michigan, ’88); Rhett Rakhshani (Denver, ’88), Tyler Ruegsegger (Denver, ’88); Matt Rust (Michigan, ’89); Jordan Schroeder (U.S. Under-18 Team, ’90); Billy Sweatt (Colorado College, ’88), James vanRiemsdyk (UNH, ’89), Colin Wilson (BU, ’89).
Head Coach: John Hynes (U.S. Under-18 Team) Assistant Coaches: Keith Allain (Yale University) and Patrick Foley (Harvard University).
Fri. Dec. 28 -- vs. Switzerland– at Liberec, Czech Republic (6:00 pm local/12:00 pm EST)
Sat. Dec. 29 -- vs. Russia – at Liberec, Czech Republic (8:00 pm local/2:00 pm EST)
Wed. Jan. 2 -- Quarterfinals – TBD
Fri. Jan. 4 -- Semifinals -- TBD
Coassin to Crimson
New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (EJHL) forward Rence Coassin has committed to Harvard for the fall of ’08.
Coassin, a left-shot center, is in his second year with the Monarchs after graduating from Choate in 2006. As a senior at Choate he was an assistant captain and was selected to the All-Founders League Team. He was also captain of the Mid-Fairfield team that won the Midget Tier I national championship in 2005.
A 6’1”, 197 lb. native of Hamden, Conn., Coassin is a 2/20/88 birthdate. In 24 games with the Monarchs this season, he has a 8-9-17 line. Sean Tremblay, the Monarchs GM/head coach, cited Coassin’s playmaking ability and intensity of play. “I would say he might be one of the hardest working players I have ever coached,” Tremblay said.
Big Commitment for Huskies
Northeastern got a big commitment last night in 6’4”, 185 lb. Sioux City Musketeers wing Steve Quailer.
A USHL rookie who played midgets last season for the Colorado Rampage, Qualier has a 6-20-26 line in 22 games played. He’s currently tied for eighth in the league in points, and is second in assists (behind only Indiana’s John Kemp).
A 8/5/89 birthdate from Arvada, Colorado, outside Denver, Qualier skates well for his size and has good hands, as evidenced by his assist total. He’s still a little raw, but he has a lot of upside. He is a “B” prospect in Central’s fall list, meaning he’s a mid-round prospect for June’s NHL draft. Qualier was eligible last year but was passed over.
A left shot who plays the off wing, Qualier was recruited right off the bat this season by Northeastern, at the USHL Fall Classic in Sioux City.
-- Another Sioux City forward made a commitment earlier this week, as 6’1”, 190 lb. forward Ben Kinne, also a USHL rookie, committed to Bemidji State.
A 6/4/88 birthdate from St. Paul, Minn., Kinne played for Cretin-Derham Hall before going to the Santa Fe Roadrunners (NAHL) last season.
In 22 games with Sioux City, Kinne has a 9-7-16 line.
Longtime Prep Coach Dave Rogerson Dies at 76
Dave Rogerson, a star player at Middlesex and Bowdoin who went on to coach Noble & Greenough and Groton, died Saturday at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, NH. He was 76 and had been fighting a long battle with heart disease.
“Rogie,” a native of Brookline, Mass., attended the Middlesex School and was a three-sport athlete, winning the ISL scoring crown and captaining the baseball team as a senior. After graduation in 1950 he went on to Bowdoin, where he starred in hockey. After graduating in 1954, Rogerson served in the army during the Korean War. Afterward, he went into coaching and teaching. For eleven years he taught math and history and coached the varsity hockey team at Nobles -- his 1965-66 squad won the ISL championship. In 1967 Rogerson moved on to the Groton School where he served as director of admissions and director of athletics, taught history and coached football, hockey and baseball. In 1989 he has named to the Mass Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame. The following year, 1990, he and his wife, Anita, retired to Bridgewater, Vt., but for the next five years he worked part time in admissions at Cardigan Mountain. For a few years after that he tutored Bridgewater Village School first, second and third graders in math and reading.
There will be a celebration of Dave Rogerson’s life on Sat. Dec. 29 at 2 pm at the Barnard Town Hall in Barnard, Vt. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Hardscrabble, the family property in Bridgewater, Vt. The public is welcome to attend.
Donations may be made to the David S. Rogerson Fund at Bowdoin College, 4100 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011.
We should point out that the MVP award at the Flood-Marr is officially named the David Rogerson Award – and Rogie passed away right in the middle of the tournament.
Worcester Academy #1 in Div. II
Worcester Academy is the unanimous #1 in the first USHR Div. II Prep Poll of the '07-08 season.
For the full poll click on the link below. Next poll is scheduled for Mon. Jan. 7, 2008.
USHR Div. II Prep Poll, Dec. 18, 2007
From Muskie to Husky
5’11”, 187 lb. Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) forward Alex Tuckerman has committed to Northeastern for the fall of ’08.
Tuckerman is a fast, skilled tough guy who comes to battle. Actually, he treads that fine line in his play a la Mark Messier -- and no, we are not saying he has Messier’s upside. As a matter of fact he was bypassed in last summer’s NHL draft but, as a 12/23/88 birthdate, he’s eligible again and is a potential mid-rounder for this coming June.
In 17 games this season, Tuckerman has a 5-14-19 line with 26 pims for the Musketeers, who, at 18-4-0, have the best winning percentage in the USHL.
Tuckerman was suspended for four games in early October for an illegal hit on Omaha’s 6’5”, 225 lb Tyler Elbrecht. Tuckerman KO’d him with an open ice hit, shoulder to jaw.
Tuckerman is a native of Orleans, Massachusetts, on the elbow of the Cape, and never did Mass Hockey, the Beantown Classic, HNIB or anything along those lines. He was seen playing in a fall tournament by Sioux City scout – now assistant coach – Bobby Kinsella, who followed up and watched him that winter at Div. III Nauset High School, where he was in the 10th grade. When the USHL draft came around in the spring, Sioux City took him in the third round (one round after Max Pacioretty).
Other schools interested in Tuckerman were Mankato State, BU, Quinnipiac, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, and Ohio State. Some schools, like BU, were interested for ’09, but Tuckerman feels he’s ready for the college game – and wanted to come back home to Massachusetts – hence Northeastern.
Kipp a Wildcat
6’0”, 202 lb. Salmon Arm SilverBacks (BCHL) defenseman Damon Kipp has committed to the University of New Hampshire for the fall of ’08.
Kipp, a right shot, is a local kid who grew up in Salmon Arm, BC and played his youth hockey there. A 9/4/88 birthdate, this is his third year with the SilverBacks, the squad that also recently sent Josh Ciocco and Craig Switzer on to UNH.
Kipp moves the puck very well – he makes a good first pass. He doesn’t panic and comes out of the zone very effectively. He’s physical and is a very good 1-on-1 defender. He’s very mobile, and a good skater – not a burner, but just good. As he moves the puck well, he’ll be very effective on the big sheet at the Whittemore Center.
In 31 games this season, Kipp has 5-24-29 points. Also, for the second year in a row, he was the assistant captain of the Canada West team at the World Jr. A Challenge, played last month in Trail, BC.
Last year he was offered by Bowling Green and Northern Michigan but opted to take another year in the BCHL.
This time around he made his final pick from between UNH and Wisconsin.
Kipp will join Waterloo’s Blake Kessel as UNH defense recruits for next fall.
Balysky a Friar
Taft senior forward Andy Balysky has committed to Providence College for the fall of ’08.
Balysky, who was Taft’s second-leading scorer last season with a 10-16-26 line in 23 games, is an excellent two-way forward who can play any position up front and has shown a knack for scoring at opportune times. He is extremely competitive, a throwback prep school athlete who was captain of Taft’s football team this season and has run track for several years.
A 4/20/89 birthdate from Randolph, NJ, Balysky is 5’10, 184 lbs. His final decision came down to Holy Cross or Providence.
Salisbury Tops USHR Div. I Prep Poll
The Salisbury School, undefeated at 5-0-2 has taken over the #1 spot on this week’s USHR Div. I prep poll from Avon Old Farms. The Winged Beavers fell to Kent in the title game at the Avon Tournament.
Salisbury is not the only team in Div. I that is undefeated. Belmont Hill can make the same claim (though both teams have tied games) and as such holds down the #2 spot.
After those two there are several teams – Avon, Kent, and Hotchkiss, that have one loss, and each is a quality loss. Avon has lost to Kent. Kent has lost to Salisbury. Hotchkiss has also lost to Salisbury.
Following them are a couple teams with two quality losses. Deerfield has lost to Avon and Hotchkiss. Nobles has lost to Belmont Hill and Salisbury.
So there’s plenty of symmetry, but it won’t last for long.
USHR Div. I Prep Poll -- Dec. 17, 2007
Lalor to Take Over South Shore Kings
Twelve-year NHL defenseman Mike Lalor, who won a Stanely Cup with the 1986 Montreal Canadiens, has been hired to take over behind the South Shore Kings (EJHL) bench.
Lalor, 44, will be taking the position on an interim basis. The Kings will begin looking for a permanent head coach shortly.
Lalor, a native of Buffalo, NY, played in the OHL and AHL before sticking with the Canadiens in 1985-86. A dependable defensive defenseman, Lalor would play four years in Montreal before moving on to St. Louis, Washington, Winnipeg, San Jose, and Dallas.
After his playing career ended, he moved to Needham, Mass. His son Jordan, an ’88 defenseman, graduated from St. Sebastian’s in 2006 and now plays for South Shore. A younger son, Mac, is a junior defenseman at St. Sebastian’s.
South Shore is currently 12-9-3, in fifth place in the EJHL’s Southern Division. Lalor, who has coached in the Boston Junior Eagles organization, takes over for Jack Sweeney, who coached the franchise for seven years.
12/11/07 updated 12/12
Sweeney and South Shore Kings Part Ways
Jack Sweeney, who was in his seventh year coaching the South Shore Kings EJHL franchise (formerly the Foxboro Stars and, before that, the Walpole Stars), is out.
Sweeney, who we reached by phone late last night, says he was fired, but the Kings management group claims that Sweeney quit. We’ve tried to sort things out and it sounds like the reality is somewhere in the middle, with semantics and perspective playing the usual role.
We do know, however, that Sweeney had been frustrated by a number of things. For one thing, we’ve heard from a reliable source that a dissatisfied player whom Sweeney had held accountable had done an end-run around the coach and gone to the management group with his complaint; Sweeney was unhappy with the way that situation was handled.
Sweeney would neither confirm or deny the story.
Yesterday afternoon, Sweeney met with the South Shore Kings management group, which consists of president Rich Touzos and rink manager/director of hockey operations Scott Harlow. At the meeting, Sweeney was steamed. Whether it was one thing that got to him, or an accumulation of things, we can only speculate on. The bottom line, though, is that the meeting signified the end of the line for Sweeney’s tenure as coach.
Harlow, reached by phone today, said that “there wasn’t any one issue” but allowed that the afternoon session “brought everything to a head” and that “Jack left on his own accord.” However, Harlow added, “With every team, within a season, there are issues and in this case they just weren’t going to get worked out. It was time to go in a different direction.”
“We hold no grudges and I don’t think he holds any grudges against us,” Harlow said. “We wish Jack luck in his future hockey career.”
Sweeney was equally gracious in talking about the Kings organization.
“I have a very distinct thought process about how to manage a team,” Sweeney said, “and they have their own thought process as to how to manage a team – and they differ. That said, I’d like to say that I’m very thankful to the organization for giving me the opportunity I was given. It’s been rewarding watching my players move on to play at prestigious Div. I and Div. III programs and for that I am thankful.”
Sweeney was asked whether wins or losses – the Kings are at 12-9-3 -- figured in any of this.
“I would say no,” he said, “because we had a stretch where we had just one loss in 13 games. But over the last five we’ve had one tie and four losses (0-4-1). We came back from the Thanksgiving break not focused – and it showed.”
“But this is a good team,” Sweeney continued. “There will be a transition period but the kids will continue on with the season. The situation (with the South Shore Kings) is a breeding ground for success. They have a great strength and conditioning coach who sublets space at the rink. The owner is a good guy. I have nothing bad to say. My time has come, so let’s move on. This isn’t about me anymore.”
As for who the next South Shore Kings coach will be, there is no shortage of candidates.
“My phone’s been ringing off the hook this morning,” said Harlow. “I guess the EJ is a pretty good league to work in.”
Harlow, who is working as an assistant at Nobles this season, said he will not be going behind the Kings bench.
Touzos, who owns the Foxboro Sports Center and the South Shore Kings, took over the franchise at the beginning of the 2006-07 season. So this was Sweeney’s second season under the new group. For the previous five seasons, Fred Lane had owned the team.
Sweeney was an assistant at Babson before beginning his EJHL coaching career. He’s also been active in the Mass Satellite Program and is highly regarded by his peers.
Henrion to Wildcats
Boston Junior Bruins RW John Henrion has committed to UNH for ’09 or ’10.
Despite being one of just five ‘91s in the EJHL, Henrion leads his team in scoring with an 18-9-27 line in 26 games. He also leads the Junior Bruins in penalty minutes with 42. In the list of league leaders, his 18 goals place him second, one behind the league leader.
Henrion, who was invited in March to join the NTDP for this season, chose instead to stay home and play for the Junior Bruins. He’s one of the three blue chip ’91 forwards from Massachusetts, with Ryan Bourque (US Under-17/UNH) and Steven Whitney (Lawrence Academy/BC) being the others.
Henrion, a 1/19/91 birthdate, is from Holden, Mass., about 10 miles north of Worcester, and is in the 11th grade. He’s a rugged, physical winger who can really shoot the puck. He has as good a release as you’ll find on any kid of that age.
In addition to UNH, the schools that made up Henrion’s final five were Vermont, Maine, Boston University, and Boston College.
Nice Goal, Max!
Maybe you saw this little 15-second YouTube video of the highlight reel goal scored by nine-year-old Max Gerlach the other night.
Max plays for the Texas Attack ’98 team. That’s right, the ‘98s.
Max Gerlach's Goal
We suspect Max’s handlers saw Mike Legg’s goal in the 1996 NCAA West Regionals in East Lansing, Michigan. Legg, you may recall, was behind the goal line when he pulled off his lacrosse-style goal. It was a big goal, too, as it tied up the game against the University of Minnesota. The Wolverines would go on to win the game – and the NCAA Tournament. The stick with which Legg scored the goal is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Legg won an ESPY for Outrageous Play of the Year.
You can find that on YouTube, too. (What can’t you find on YouTube?)
Mike Legg's Goal 3/24/96
As long as we’re on the subject of Max Gerlach, there’s another Max Gerlach. If you studied F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby in school or college (who didn’t?), you may have heard of him.
Many Fitzgerald biographers believe that the character of Jay Gatsby was based on Gerlach, a bootlegger who threw lavish parties and mixed with all the right people. It’s believed that Gerlach was the liquor source – this was during prohibition, remember – for Fitzgerald and his Princeton buddies. Gerlach owned a Manhattan garage to store his fleet of cars, and it was directly around the corner from the Princeton Club, where Fitzgerald spent many an hour.
It’s also said that Max Gerlach was General Pershing’s nephew.
Anyway, if you need brushing up on the novel, we found it... on YouTube, of course.
The Great Gatsby (in six minutes)
Avon #1 in Season's First USHR Div. I Poll
Defending champion Avon Old Farms sits atop the first USHR 2007-08 Div. I poll. That said, we don't put too much stock into a poll this early in the season -- the statistical sample is just too small. But these teams have played well -- the top seven are all undefeated.
The first Div. II prep poll will be released on Dec. 18.
USHR Div. I Poll -- 12/10/07
Quick Arrival
Roughly six months after leaving UMass-Amherst after his sophomore season, former Avon Old Farms goaltender Jonathan Quick has made his NHL debut.
On Thursday night, Quick picked up the win as the Los Angeles Kings, the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2005 draft, defeated the Buffalo Sabres 8-2 at the Staples Center.
Quick stopped 15 of the 17 shots he faced.
The 21-year-old from Milford, Conn. was filling in for the Kings’ #1 starter, Jason LaBarbera, who is out with a rib injury.
Quick began the season with the Reading Royals (ECHL). A couple of weeks ago he was brought up to the Manchester Monarchs (AHL) and appeared in three games there with a 2.67 gaa and .909 save percentage before the Kings came calling.
“It was just good timing that I happened to get in tonight,” Quick said. “It was a lot easier with the support the team gave me and the way they played in front of me. It was a good game for me to start off my career with. It was a lot of fun.”
Need Sandpaper?
Omaha Lancers 6’4”, 200 lb. power forward Andrew Conboy has reneged on his commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Conboy, a fifth round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in June, has a batch of schools -- from Hockey East to the WCHA -- looking to land him. Being a Rosemount, Minn. native, it’s likely he’ll stay in the west. We’ve heard the Gophers, Minnesota-Duluth, and North Dakota all mentioned. It’s possible a deal is already in the works.
Conboy should be in college now, but failed to get through the clearinghouse after graduating from high school in 2006. However, he’s now in an Omaha-area four-year college (Bellevue University), taking a full course load, and would transfer in as a sophomore to whatever school takes him. After graduating, he’d have an additional year of college eligibility remaining.
Reportedly, Conboy signed a letter of intent with Nebraska-Omaha, but, since he failed to get through the clearinghouse and is back to square one, that LOI may be null and void.
Doc DelCastillo, the former UNO assistant who recruited Conboy is no longer at the school, having taken the head job at Alaska-Fairbanks over the summer.
Last year, in 56 regular season games, Conboy had a 25-25-50 line with 104 pims for the Lancers. This year, to date, he has a 7-10-17 line in 21 games – with a league-leading 88 pims. So he’s on a pace for 60 points and over 250 pims.
In Omaha’s most recent game, a shootout win at home over Des Moines on Tuesday night, Conboy was slashed early in the first period by Des Moines forward Brett Bruneteau, a former Lancer teammate. Bruneteau, an Omaha native, then challenged Conboy. He swung and missed – and Conboy connected with an uppercut to the jaw that knocked Bruneteau out cold. After a minute or two, Bruneteau was helped back to the bench. After the game, Buccaneers head coach Regg Simon reported his forward, a Washington Caps draft pick and North Dakota recruit, had a concussion and would be reevaluated back in Des Moines.
Why Bruneteau, who's 5'11", went after Conboy is a mystery. Likely there is more there than meets the eye. Bruneteau, an Omaha native who should have been a star in this hometown, was instead far less than that, in no small part because his hockey career was reportedly micromanaged by his father, which led to his trade from Omaha to Indiana. On Nov. 20 he was traded again, this time to Des Moines.
At any rate, on Tuesday night, after the fight, and with Omaha on the power play, due to Bruneteau starting things with the slash, Barry Almeida scored to put Omaha up, 1-0.
After a scoreless OT, the game went to a shootout where Conboy scored the game-winner – and skated past the Des Moines bench pumping his fist. The Omaha fans ate it up, and Conboy was named the game’s #1 star.
Conboy is the younger brother of former St. Cloud State defenseman Tim Conboy, now with Albany (AHL). Another brother, Tom, is a defensive lineman at St. Cloud State. The father, Tim Sr., is a football coach and administrator at Rosemount High.
A 5/16/88 birthdate, Conboy played in the Beantown Classic in the summer of 2006. Early in the tournament, he fought one of the other USHL players rostered at the tournament, and then tried to get at him in the locker room. He also ran former St. Paul’s defenseman Peter Child twice from behind, and the second time managed to break his own wrist. At the hospital, Conboy reportedly declined anesthetics before being operated on. He’s really out of Slapshot.
Conboy played Minnesota High School hockey, but left early and wound up in the Detroit area playing for Victory Honda’s Midget AAA team, where he could fight, and did, in just about every game. In 05-06, he played for Wichita Falls (NAHL) and racked up 158 penalty minutes in 51 games.
The wild man has toned it down, a little.
Omaha head coach Mike Hastings told an Omaha World-News correspondent that Conboy has been “outstanding” this season.
”I’m real happy with his development,” Hastings said. “He’s become one of the top power forwards in the league.”
“He’s an honest player who’s doing the right things with passion and commitment,” Hastings added. “I don’t know if there’s a player in the league I’d trade him for. If another GM came to me with a good offer, I’d have to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.’”
An NHL scout who has watched Omaha a lot this season described Conboy as, “A kid with a lot of upside potential. He has surprisingly good hands, soft hands. He can make a pass. He goes to the net hard. He’s a tough kid. His best years could be ahead of him if he goes to the right program. It’s up to him. He has the tools. He’s not a guy who will carry your team, but he’s good in a lot of different areas. He surprised people with his season last year. I know I was surprised me with his skill. I didn’t think he had that much.”
“I should also say – and I don’t say this much – that he could be a player better suited to major junior than the NCAA.”
Hughes to Saints
Taft 6’2”, 178 lb. senior defenseman George Hughes has committed to St. Lawrence University for next year.
Hughes, who is in his third year at Taft, has blossomed over the past couple of seasons. “He’ll continue to get better as he grows into his body more,” said Taft head coach Danny Murphy. “He’s a big rangy guy with a long stride, and a great long reach. He has patience with the puck. He just does so many things so well. His upside is huge.”
Hughes, a 12/27/88 birthdate from Westwood, Mass., is the son and nephew of, respectively, former Malden Catholic and Harvard stars George and Jack Hughes. George was a forward and Jack a defenseman. Jack, as you may recall, was the next-to-last cut for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team (UNH’s Ralph Cox was the last).
Hughes is also the sister of Hotchkiss Girls senior forward Aleca Hughes, a Yale recruit for next fall… so, in short, good bloodlines abound.
EJHL Leading Scorer Picks Robert Morris
Robert Morris University, which has wins over Boston University and Ohio State this year, and #1-ranked- at-the-time Notre Dame last season, is a Div. I program steadily gaining traction under fourth year head coach Derek Schooley.
Earlier this week the Colonials picked up a commitment from Trevor Lewis, who is leading the EJHL in scoring with a 13-27-40 line in 24 games. Lewis, a 9/24/87 birthdate and late bloomer, is from Lititz, PA, which is between Reading and Harrisburg.
Other schools in the picture were Union, Niagara, Merrimack, and Northeastern.
U.S. National Junior Team Named
The U.S. National Junior Team was named today, and here it is:
The IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Pardubice and Liberec, Czech Republic, Dec. 26, 2007 - Jan. 5, 2008.
-- Six players on the 22-man roster played for the 2007 U.S. National Junior Team that earned the bronze medal at last January’s WJC in Leksand and Mora, Sweden. They are: forwards vanRiemsdyk, Sweatt,Carman, Geoffrion, and Okposo; and defenseman McBain.
-- The youngest player on the team is Schroeder, a 9/29/90 birthdate. The oldest is Strait, a 1/4/88 birthdate. In total, there are 14 '88s, seven '89s, and one '90.
-- Sixteen members of the team played in the U.S. NTDP.
-- Two members of the team formerly played in the USHL, Okposo at Des Moines, and Pacioretty at Sioux City.
-- Nine members of the team currently play in the WCHA, five in the CCHA, three in Hockey East, three in the OHL, one from the WHL, and one from the US Under-18 Team.
-- Four members from the team are from the University of Minnesota, three from the University of Michigan, with two apiece from Wisconsin, Denver, and Boston University.
-- Summers can play both forward and defense, and has done so both in the NTDP and at Michigan.
-- Players out of the picture for the U.S. start with first rounders Patrick Kane (Chicago - NHL), Eric Johnson (St. Louis - NHL), and Peter Mueller (Phoenix - NHL). Obviously those guys would be a huge addition to the U.S. squad.
Players at the evaluation camp who didn't make the cut include goaltenders Thomas McCollum (Guelph - OHL, '89), Kent Patterson (Cedar Rapids - USHL, '89), and Josh Unice (Kitchener - OHL, '89); defensemen T.J. Brennan (St. John's - QMJHL, '89), David Fischer (Minnesota, '88), Ryan McDonagh (Wisconsin, '89), Trent Palm (Minnesota-Duluth, '88), Kevin Quick (Michigan, '88), Mike Ratchuk (Michigan State, '88), Teddy Ruth (Notre Dame, '89), Kevin Shattenkirk (BU, '89); forwards Mark Arcobello (Yale, '88), Brian Day (Colgate, '88), T.J. Galiardi (Calgary - WHL, '88), Jimmy Hayes (U.S. NTDP, '89), Luke Popko (BU, '88), Doug Rogers ('88, Harvard), Tony Romano (London - OHL, '88), Ben Ryan (Notre Dame, '88), Ben Smith (BC, '88), Aaron Palushaj (Michigan, '89), Eric Tangradi (Belleville - ohl, '89), Patrick White (Minnesota, '89).
Of the above group, Unice, McDonagh, and Shattenkirk would have been on our list of guys who, coming into the start of this season, stood a very strong chance of making the team. We might have also included Ben Smith and Palushaj. Obviously, a number of players at the camp are serious candidates for next year's team and were brought to Lake Placid simply to get their feet wet. And then there were a number of '88s there who were long shots from the get-go.
Dec. 26-Jan. 5• Liberec & Pardubice, Czech Republic
Thurs. Dec. 18 -- at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich. (exhib.) 7:30 pm EST
Thurs. Dec. 22 -- vs. Czech Republic (exhib.) -- at Ceska Trebova, Czech Republic(6:00 pm local/12:00 pm EST) Wed. Dec. 26 -- vs. Kazakhstan – at Liberec, Czech Republic (4:00 pm local/10:00 am EST)
Crocker to be Honored Tonight
Today, Bob Crocker is best known as the dean of the New England scouts. He’s the guy the younger scouts try to emulate, for his thoroughness, his energy level, his knowledge of the game, and, most importantly, the way he treats people.
Over 35 years ago, Crocker, who now scouts for the LA Kings, was an assistant on Jack Kelley’s staff at Boston University, and was the key guy in recruiting the players that would form the nucleus of the Terriers back-to-back NCAA championship teams of ’70-71 and ’71-72.
There were some pretty remarkable players on those teams, which went 54-6-2 over those two seasons. Steve Stirling, Bob Brown, John Danby, Toot Cahoon, the late Ric Jordan, Ron Anderson, Bob Gryp, Tim Regan, Dan Brady… and those are just the big names.
Chairman of the Friends of BU Hockey Paul Giandomenico was a forward on both of those teams and is the force behind the tribute to Crocker planned during tonight’s BU-BC game at Agganis Arena. “Bob was a major contributor to those two championship teams. He must have recruited ninety percent of the guys,” Giandomenico says.
However, Giandomenico points out, Bob did more than just recruit the kids to BU. “For the four years that the kids were there, he was everyone’s father. He helped them take care of any problems or issues they had. He was just the man. He was especially important to the guys who came down from Canada. He would help them get acclimated to the city and the life at school and he made sure they stayed in school. He kept them reined in.”
A good number of the players who will be toasting Crocker tonight in Agganis’ Mark Bavis Suite are coming down from Canada to be on hand.
Giandomenico says the ceremony will be low-key. Between periods the Jumbotron’s cameras will pan up there and a short tribute will be read. The former players have a gift for him – a Chelsea Clock – but, says Giandomenico, it’s on backorder.
The players on hand will encompass a greater range than just those two years, as Crocker’s ties with Boston University go back much further. After graduating from BU in 1955, Crocker served the school as director of intramurals. He also was head coach of the varsity baseball team. In the 1960s, Crocker coached the freshman hockey team, which one year went 17-0-0.
After the second NCAA championship season at BU, Crocker took over as head coach of the University of Pennsylvania. In his first season, the Quakers went 16-9-2 and finished fourth in the ECAC, which consisted of 17 teams then. On March 6 Penn went up to Walter Brown Arena and defeated BU, 7-3, knocking the Terriers, then coached by Leon Abbott, out of the ECAC Tournament.
Penn, however, didn’t capitalize on their hockey success, and instead tightened the team’s budget, putting a serious crimp on recruiting. By the late ‘70s varsity hockey at Penn was done.
Crocker then put in 15 years as an assistant general manager with the Hartford Whalers (NHL). After that he scouted for the New York Rangers, who won a Stanley Cup during that time, and is now with Los Angeles.
We’re printing this story as late as possible. We want people going to the game to have this info so they can stop and say hi to Crocker, but at the same time much of this is meant to be a surprise. However, he may have an inkling that something is up because his wife of 56 years, Ann, is attending the game with him tonight -- and that’s a rarity.
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Men-Only Clubs Are Dated and Embarrassing
It's hard to believe that clubs that exclude women from membership still exist, but they do. Maybe a little gender mixing would be helpful at a time when the news is full of terrifying sexual assault allegations.
by Merrill Markoe
Dec 1 2014, 5:43pm
I accurately predicted that Bill Cosby would get a standing ovation at his first sold-out comedy gig after the recent rape disclosures. I said as much at dinner the night before. Yet I still found it disheartening when I read, in a review in the Los Angeles Times the very next day, that many in the audience "saw the comedian as the victim of a coterie of hustlers, or worse." Because, you know, those awful gals and their vicious stories.
When I graduated college in the 70s, I would have bet any amount of money that every one of the many tentacles of the discussion we still seem to be having about all aspects of women's rights would by now have gone the way of arguments in favor of slavery or cigarettes being good for your health.
But here we are, almost in 2015, finally on the cusp of driverless cars, and we're still flooded with crazy news about a frightening rape culture full of asshole frat boys on college campuses like the University of Virginia. We're also assimilating the notion that the man we picked to be "America's Dad" is an alleged serial rapist.
That pretty much pares the cherished-old-man list down to Gandhi, Einstein, and Santa Claus. And we better not be about to learn that the Santa Claus myth was originally based on the true story of a fat guy in the gift business who was caught moving elves across state lines for purposes of sex trafficking.
This brings me to November 5, the day the Los Angeles Adventurers' Club failed to strike down its 93-year-old no-girls-allowed membership policy. The vote was suggested by Marc Weitz, one of the club's former presidents, who also took pains to reassure the existing members that "We're not changing the qualifications" for membership. Any female candidates would still "have to meet the same standards that men have."
But to his surprise, "People stood up and argued against me quite vehemently," said Weitz. And of course, by "people" he meant "men."
Unfortunately, once the dust settled, none of the naysayers came forward to explain their reasoning. I could get no confirmation that the word "cooties" was repeatedly cited as a factor. This forced me to speculate about what the problem between the Adventurers and their potential counterpart Adventurer women might be.
Founded in 1908, the Adventurers' Club describes itself on its website as a "gathering place for those who leave the beaten path to explore the globe and return to share their adventures." Their membership page features a list of 28 qualified areas of mutual adventurous enjoyment, starting with "Racing, Climbing, Mountaineering, Travel to Remote Areas of the World" and ending with "Extreme Skiing and Snowboarding." Also listed are fields of endeavor as diverse as "Environmental Testing," "Space Exploration," and "Zoologists." Interestingly, every activity mentioned is one both sexes pursue.
At a time when it appears that men and women understand one another more poorly than ever, it seems important to discover the reasoning behind the rejection. I am well aware that there are good things to be said about single-gender gatherings. For example, some classroom studies show the lack of distraction from the opposite sex results in more learning (though other studies claim there are no measurable benefits at all).
But let's face it: We're all drowning in studies. The same day one study recommends a glass of red wine with dinner as a protection against heart attack, another one cautions that the same thing causes cancer.
So I did a bit of Google searching to try to get to the real root of the problem that men's clubs have with the idea of admitting women. What I discovered was a variety of interesting lines of reason. Let's begin with a quote from a 40-year member of London's oldest and most exclusive men's club, White's, who describes the club as "a refuge."
"You can be completely unselfconscious" he explains in a BBC news article. "It's not snobbish. It just allows you to relax. You can break wind and nobody minds."
Assuming he joined the club in his 20s, this guy and his friends would now be in their 60s. Thus we are presented with the image of a group of older men who relish the opportunity to get dressed up and sit in handsomely appointed rooms where they can fart freely while they exchange the appropriate stories.
I must admit that this picture is not an appealing one to me, no matter how many trips to the Arctic each of them have made. But just because I am turned off by the idea of a room full of farting old men is no reason to reject women members, per se. If casual farting is an integral part of being a member of a men's club, then the club literature should simply come right out and say it. There are probably plenty of women with poor digestion who indulge in skydiving and whitewater rafting. I bet the Venn diagram for people of either sex who enjoy both journeys to remote areas and public displays of flatulence is fairly narrow. This could turn out to be an excellent device for screening new candidates.
Looking further, I discovered other men's-club members who believed that having women in the clubhouse would prevent them from being able to speak freely. These are men who said they didn't feel comfortable swearing in the presence of women. How they made it to 2014 unaware of the astronomical number of foul-mouthed women around them—adventurous and otherwise—is in itself a remarkable phenomenon.
Once again, if the club would simply go public with this information, all they'd need to do is add one simple sentence to the membership page: "All members must be at ease speaking the following vile epithets." If this were followed by a comprehensive list of carefully crafted disgusting verbal invective, it would help attract only the female applicants who are as coarse and degenerate as the men.
After all, the name " the Adventurers' Club" is a fairly misleading one because the word "Adventurer" is decidedly gender-neutral. It's defined as:
A person who has, enjoys, or seeks exciting unusual experiences.
A seeker of fortune in daring enterprises.
That is why a smarter idea might be to consider changing the name of the club to include these important specifications. Everyone knows it's all about niche marketing these days. By simply re-naming the group "The Foul Mouthed Adventurers," or even "The Gassy Adventurers," they could be sure that only the right kind of swearing, farting mountaineers and space explorers applied.
Isn't it time we knocked off pretending that personal inclinations and tastes are defined by gender? It's simply not true that all women are one thing and all men are another. Our culture should have assimilated something this simple by now.
Example: I am a woman who hates shopping.
I will give you time to take that in before I continue.
Yes, I will concede that we gals are by definition penis-less. But believe it or not, we have even more DNA in common with male humans than we do with fruit flies! We are a gender composed of a group of vastly different individuals. Angela Merkel and Kim Kardashian are both women. I swear this is true. So are Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Condoleezza Rice, and Nicki Minaj.
Maybe in the future, if the members of both genders who share lots of common interests—whatever they happen to be—were encouraged to socialize together in arenas besides nightclubs and frat parties, they might learn to see each other as human beings.
We live on a planet adrift in one of billions and billions of galaxies, yet for every foul-mouthed Adventurer man, there is a foul-mouthed Adventurer woman who might like to be his friend. Imagine a world where they might fart peacefully together while telling their respective hang-gliding stories. May 2015 be the year they discover their mutual humanity.
And may it also be the year I successfully avoid contact with them both.
Merrill Markoe is an Emmy-winning comedy writer and New York Times best-selling author. Her latest book, Cool, Calm and Contentious, is available now on Amazon. Follow her on Twitter.
the patriarchy
Views My Own
Merrill Markoe
Cool Calm and Contentious
Los Angeles Adventurers Club
farting in peace
men-only clubs
restricted membership clubs
America's Dad
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Visions Alum Becomes Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
February 21, 2018 /in Home School, Student Spotlight /by jpmktg
Update-February 22, 2018
Jamie Anderson can now add “first female snowboarder to win two medals at a single Olympics” to her resume! She won silver in the first Olympic big air competition with a final score of 177.25. Read more about Jaime and her Olympic success below.
“History is made here in PyeongChang, Jamie Anderson was homeschooled when she was younger so she could ride during the day and study at night.” –NBC Sports announcer Liam McHugh
Jamie Anderson is the first female snowboarder to win two Olympic gold medals. She’s a fearless athlete, inspiring free spirit AND a Visions In Education alum!
We’ve been following her success from the very beginning. She began snowboarding in South Lake Tahoe at the young age of nine. Homeschooled by her mother, along with her eight siblings, Jamie studied her academics but also focused on her character and passions. Her freedom and ability to balance her education with her talents allowed her to become an Olympic and X Games champion.
“I think that [homeschooling] has cultivated who I am today,” Jaime recently told the Los Angeles Times, “because I got to tap into my own passions and purpose at a young age, and I wasn’t stuck in a school room being ADD and crazy. I think kids need that freedom to understand who they are.”
Jamie’s most recent slopestyle gold medal win in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics was beyond impressive. The competition was delayed due to windy conditions and 41 of the 50 athletes that competed crashed but Jamie came out on top.
“History is made here in PyeongChang, Jamie Anderson was homeschooled when she was younger so she could ride during the day and study at night,” said NBC Sports announcer Liam McHugh. “So it seems this has paid off once again, the 27-year-old is now the back-to-back Olympic gold medalist in women’s snowboard slopestyle.”
Next up she’ll be competing in the inaugural big air snowboarding event on February 22. This is the first year this event has been included in the winter games and it tests the Olympians to ride down a 160 foot tall snow ramp with a single jump at the bottom. The ramp can propel riders to go as fast as 50 mph and send them 20 feet into the air! We’re wishing Jamie the best of luck and look forward to seeing her compete yet again!
Jamie Anderson Fun Facts
She graduated from Visions in 2008 and we interviewed her in 2014 after her gold medal win at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
She starred on the 2014 season of Celebrity Apprentice to raise awareness about climate change.
In 2013, she established the Jamie Anderson Foundation to support young athletes.
She’s sponsored by 18 companies including Sierra-at-Tahoe, GoPro, Downy, Milk Life and Visa.
She was the youngest athlete to win an X Games medal when she earned bronze in 2006 (at the age of 15) and she’s the most decorated woman in the history of the games, touting an impressive 15 medals.
She strongly believes that meditation, yoga and self-care contribute to her success.
Check out seven more fun facts about Jamie here.
Follow Jamie’s Olympic journey on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
The photo in this article is used with the permission of Jamie Anderson.
Tags: athlete, home school, homeschool, homeschool athelete, homeschooling, Jamie Anderson, olympic slopestyle, olympic snowboarding, pyeongchang winter olympics, visions in education
https://www.viedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/jamieanderson.png 500 1260 jpmktg https://www.viedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/29thAnnWebVersionFINAL.png jpmktg2018-02-21 14:24:022019-03-21 20:44:01Visions Alum Becomes Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
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Marco Starr
Mill Valley Film Festival - More Information
San Francisco Recreation and Park District
Free Things to Do in Monterey County
San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs
A celebration of the best in independent and world cinema, this high-powered but low-key event always attracts major film-makers and stars, as well as some of the hottest independent talents in films. Thousands of enthusiastic fans attend screenings at various locations in Marin County, just north of San Francisco—they know that the festival has an outstanding track record for including the next big films in its line-up (Slumdog Millionaire, King’s Speech, and Argo all screened at MVFF before raking in the Oscars). Special tributes also draw top stars; past honoured stars have included Bradley Cooper, Ang Lee, Geoffrey Rush, and Dustin Hoffman. With its reputation as a film-makers’ festival, this prestigious non-competitive event showcases international features, documentaries, shorts and children's films—something for every film goer.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
Pack a blanket, some snacks and your dancing shoes for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival- a...
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
See an all-star line-up of top golfers and A-list celebrities take to the manicured, ocean-hugging greens at the AT...
Think of a river, and chances are you’ve got your own daydream. Maybe you want to float on inner tubes, or maybe your style is to careen through raucous rapids in an eight...
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Police: Woman hurt in Chesapeake shooting got caught in crossfire
Posted: Jul 3, 2018 / 08:02 AM EDT / Updated: Jul 3, 2018 / 04:35 PM EDT
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A woman was seriously injured after being caught in a shooting Monday evening in Chesapeake.
Officers were dispatched to Linster Street and Reid Street, in the Portlock section of the city, around 6:20 p.m. for a report of a female with a gunshot wound.
Police say the victim was leaving an apartment complex in the area when she got caught in the crossfire.
Her injuries are considered severe, but not life-threatening, according to police.
There’s no suspect information at this time, but police ask anyone with information to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Stay with WAVY.com for updates.
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Books/Poetry
ArtsBoston Calendar
Meet The Somerville Artist Who Reinvented A Forgotten Marvel Comics Superhero
Dana ForsytheTwitter
Squirrel Girl from Marvel Comic's "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" (Courtesy Marvel Comics)
Erica Henderson sat on the worn two-person couch near the entrance of Hub Comics in Somerville when the email that would change her life arrived. She was in the middle of an intense summer back in 2014, traveling back and forth between Somerville and New York, to visit her father, C.J. Henderson who was suffering from cancer before he died on July Fourth.
Henderson was no stranger to comic books thanks to her father, who wrote issues of "Batman," "The Punisher" and, most notably, Neil Gaiman’s "Lady Justice." After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2008, she dabbled in the comic book industry, freelancing and working on the web comic "The Guilded Age."
“At the time I was doing just enough freelance work to get by, but no more. I just had other stuff on my mind, obviously,” Henderson recalled over coffee in a Somerville café. “But I knew I had to get to working. My dad would have understood, because he lived that same life."
The email she received that July afternoon in 2014 offered her a way to keep doing the work she and her father both loved. An editor of Marvel Comics asked Henderson to create a comic for "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl."
A cover of "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" (Courtesy Marvel Comics)
Co-created by Quincy native and writer Will Murray and the late comic legend Steve Ditko, who drew the character, Squirrel Girl debuted in the back pages of the "Marvel Super-Heroes Winter Special" in the early 1990s. Squirrel Girl is gifted with the proportional strength of a squirrel, a large tail, and an army of squirrel hench-animals. But her real super power, according to Murray, lies in her “unswerving optimism” and ability to relate to those around her.
That’s not to say she isn’t strong. As one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel universe, she’s taken down major baddies including Dr. Doom, Thanos and Galactus.
“I had two objectives in creating Squirrel Girl. First was to evoke the early fun spirit of Marvel Comics that I enjoyed as a reader circa 1962 to '64,” Murray said. “I thought Marvel had turned too dark by the late '80s. Secondly, I consciously wanted to create a breakout character. It appears that I did. It only took about 20 years for her to break out.”
Over its continuing three-year run, "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" has sold more than a million issues, won two Eisner Awards and inspired a young generation of diverse fans. In addition to the continuing success of the comic, Squirrel Girl is set to hit the small screen in the recently announced "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors" animated series, alongside other young superheroines like Spider-Gwen and Ms. Marvel.
An excerpt from "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" (Courtesy Marvel Comics)
When Henderson started conceptualizing and sketching ideas for Squirrel Girl in 2014, back on the Hub couch, she hoped to create something completely different from Marvel's other offerings. When Doreen Green (AKA Squirrel Girl) made her debut, the character had an odd circus-inspired look to her, sporting a fur vest and gauntlets, a gray jumpsuit and "KISS"-like makeup. Henderson played a key role in reimagining Squirrel Girl's aesthetic.
Henderson, who credits the work of Dan DeCarlo ("Archie") and Bruce Timm, who developed "Batman: The Animated Series," as inspiration for her art, went with a cartoonish feel for the character, while ensuring Squirrel Girl's body was more realistically proportioned. “I immediately asked if I could redesign the character,” she said. “It was hard because this character hadn’t been in much, and her old costume was just kind of weird."
Henderson set out to give Squirrel Girl a more practical costume: a bathing suit, tights, boots and a bomber jacket. Her headband and acorn earrings were soon added by Marvel. In addition to the new getup, Henderson drew Squirrel Girl as small and sturdy, befitting an athlete who could run stealthily. Embracing a physique almost unknown to the cookie-cutter superheroine design, Henderson fundamentally changed the character.
"The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" writer Ryan North said it was Henderson's sketches, so full of life and personality, that defined the character. “I wrote the first issue with them up on another monitor, so when I got stuck I could glance at them and ask myself, 'What would this character do?' "
Fans flocked to the title, triggering five reprints of the first issue. Launching alongside titles like "Star Wars," "Uncanny" Avengers and "Batman," Squirrel Girl stood out thanks to Henderson’s emotive illustrations and North’s inventive writing.
Brookline resident and Squirrel Girl fan Allison Racicot said the book — and Erica’s art in particular — has inspired her, too. “As a plus-size lady, it was so nice to see that Erica drew Doreen (and every character, for that matter) as a real person, and not just a stereotypical lady superhero," she said. "It meant a lot, and honestly played a big part in giving me the confidence to cosplay Squirrel Girl at New York Comic Con the past couple years."
Ryan North credits Henderson’s eye for realism. The characters she draws look real and wear clothes that real people wear.
“I remember someone on Twitter thanking us for showing Doreen's bra-strap on her shoulder when her shirt shifted a bit because it showed her wearing regular clothes that real people wear, that weren't impossibly idealized,” he said. “She's just a regular person who happens to live in a comic book (and also have squirrel powers).”
Hub Comics manager and lifetime comic book fan Jesse Farrell said the success of Squirrel Girl is multilayered. It’s smart, progressive, serves as a great entry point for kids, he says, adding that it is also incredibly funny.
“It pulls off the Simpsons' trick of making jokes kids will get and jokes that adults will get, while appealing to both,” he said. “Squirrel Girl is an unrelentingly positive and upbeat character in a world that sometimes gets too dark and full of itself. She embodies the best qualities of superheroes, a desire to help, bravery, compassion, and the ability to kick all the butt that's put in front of her.”
Farrell added that Squirrel Girl is one of the top-selling books at Hub Comics.
Lest this kind of earnestness fatigue you, Squirrel Girl also celebrates the utter absurdity of superheroes and affectionately calls attention to their peculiarities without making fun of them. In one episode, Squirrel Girl helps a z-rated villain find a job in New York City, while acknowledging the city's perpetually rising costs.
“Squirrel Girl crossed over in a way I've never seen before and wonder if I'll see again,” Farrell said. “It's not that everyone reads it, it's that so many different people of different ages and walks of life read it. And it meant a lot to me that kids, particularly little girls, loved it and got excited to read it.”
So why did it take 20 years for her to breakout? Most people thought of Squirrel Girl as somewhat of a joke character when she first debuted, including Steve Ditko, Murray said.
“I created her to be a major Marvel superhero," he said. "At the time, I tried to convince my editor that she had tremendous potential, and was capable of reaching audiences Marvel rarely tapped."
A cover of Marvel Comic's "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" (Courtesy Marvel Comics)
The new iteration of Squirrel Girl marks a continued push for inclusion on the part of Marvel, who in recent years has added female versions of its favorite characters including Iron Man, Thor and Wolverine in an attempt to court larger audiences.
“Women make up half of all readers so if you know they’re out there and will pay, why not create characters and stories for them,” Henderson said. “That’s on top of the bigger questions of what representation means and why it's important.”
Earlier this year, Henderson announced after more than three dozen issues and a standalone graphic novel of "Squirrel Girl," she would be leaving the book to pursue new opportunities. With issue No. 32, artist Derek Charm picked up illustration duties on "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl," which is set to continue with North at the helm.
Henderson said she's loved Squirrel Girl and found refuge in reshaping the character after her own father's death, but she's now ready for change.
“I’m very proud to have a part in the character’s development," she said. "It’s amazing when you get to see fans create art, clothing and stories based on something you created.”
Squirrel Girl came into Henderson's life as she struggled with deep loss, offering her an opportunity to infuse new life into a forgotten superhero who has become a new icon of courage.
For Comic Artists Of Color, A Dorchester Meet-Up Reminds Them They're Not Alone
What Makes Superheroes So Super?
Dana Forsythe Twitter Public Art Writer
Dana Forsythe writes about art, comic books and culture for The ARTery.
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Middle East /
GULF OF OMAN
Gulf of Oman – Map & Description
The Gulf of Oman is a western extension of the Arabian Sea, positioned in the Middle East between Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
It's the entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, and therefore an important (and vital) shipping route for the oil-producing countries in the Persian Gulf.
Its maximum width is approximately 230 mi (370 km), and about 340 mi (545 km) long. It connects with the Persian Gulf through the shallow Strait of Hormuz.
A speedboat races through the Gulf of Oman...
by Mark Daffey
Buy This at Allposters.com
Other helpful pages on WorldAtlas
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Featured On WorldAtlas
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Do we really need a $443 million smallpox drug?
Siga Technologies was awarded a U.S. government contract worth $433 million to develop an experimental drug for smallpox. The problem: it was eradicated in 1978.
By Andrew Nusca | November 28, 2011 -- 09:55 GMT (01:55 PST) | Topic: Innovation
An alarming report in the Los Angeles Times this month notes that New York-based pharmaceutical company Siga Technologies was awarded a U.S. government contract worth $433 million to develop an experimental smallpox drug.
The problem: smallpox was eradicated across the globe by 1978. It exists "only in the locked freezers of a Russian scientific institute and the U.S. government," David Willman writes.
The contract calls for the company to deliver 1.7 million doses of the drug -- at $225 per dose -- for the United States' biodefense stockpile. (Theoretically, a terrorist could cause harm with smallpox; on the other hand, no credible evidence exists that anyone has the stuff.)
Currently, the U.S. government has more than $1 billion worth of smallpox vaccine on hand -- at $3 per dose -- in case the threat ever goes viral again. (Pun very much intended.) Williams' report suggests that the contract was more the product of political glad-handing than actual problem-solving.
There is a difference between the treatments. The government's existing vaccine can prevent death in those who receive it within four days of infection; Siga's antiviral ST-246 pill treats those who miss that four-day window.
One hiccup: the drug can't be tested in humans because it would be unethical to infect someone with the pathogen for the sake of scientific research.
Do we really need a new drug for smallpox? Is research without an immediate application worth pursuing?
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com
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CNA-Q celebrates graduation of largest class in its history
(From right) HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousuf bin Mohamed al-Othman Fakhro; HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi; and former minister of Energy and Industry and Chair of the CNA-Q Board of Trustees HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada at the CNA-Q’s 15th graduation ceremony.
Joey Aguilar
The College of the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q) marked the graduation of 559 students — its largest class since opening in 2002 — at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday.
CNA-Q’s 15th graduation ceremony was held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The event was attended by HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, former minister of Energy and Industry and Chair of the CNA-Q Board of Trustees HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada; HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousuf bin Mohamed al-Othman Fakhro, CNA-Q president Dr Khalifa bin Nasser al-Khalifa and members of CNA-Q’s Board of Trustees.
According to CNA-Q, the students graduated from more than 35 programmes – each tailored to the needs of the country’s economy.
The number of graduates in each discipline include: 150 from Business Studies, 172 from Engineering Technology, 93 from Health Science, 60 from Information Technology programmes and 84 in the Technician Certificate programme.
“It is a profound success for the college to celebrate the milestone of its largest class at the 15th graduation ceremony. We are so pleased to see strong, capable graduates enter the Qatari workforce year after year,” Dr al-Khalifa said.
“As a national college, these graduates are the reason we are here – to continue to offer a high-quality technical and vocational education.
Our graduates are shining examples of the potential and capability of this great nation,” he noted.
“As the future leaders, with the credentials they receive tonight, these students will become the leaders that Qatar has envisioned in the National Vision 2030.”
Dr al-Sada congratulated the graduates on their academic accomplishments saying they are ready “for the labour market, and to take responsibility for serving Qatar and your countries.”
“CNA-Q has equipped you with knowledge, skills, and competencies, in addition to self-confidence in taking responsibility in the decision making so as to arrive at suitable solutions required for the labour market. These are characteristics of CNA-Q graduates and what the labour market needs,” he stressed.
“Currently, the total number of graduates is more than 6,000, most of whom contribute to the Qatar National Vision 2030, while the others work, or continue their studies abroad,” Dr al-Sada said.
He noted that CNA-Q started with a team of 50 instructors in 2002 and has now grown to approximately 500.
The number of graduates, has increased from 71, in the first group in 2005, to 559 graduates this year.
Dr al-Sada also cited the recently signed, updated agreement with College of the North Atlantic, which will replace the previous agreement where the management of the college will be transferred to Qatar, while the academic aspect will remain within CNA in Canada.
In the past six months, he said the college has been conducting a restructuring process.
“In addition to that, academic and administrative policies needed for the next stage have been developed in accordance with Qatari laws and regulations.”
Dr al-Sada noted that CNA-Q’s ‘Business Gateway’ centre, which was launched as an ‘Entrepreneurship Centre’, is the first of its kind regarding higher educational institutions in Qatar, and largely serves the student and labour markets.
The college is also in the process of establishing other vocational centres.
He said the college has signed several agreements to provide vocational academic services for military sectors, including the Qatar Amiri Navy and the National Service Committee Office.
It co-operated with industry, energy and transportation sectors in designing and presenting specialised vocational programs and providing vocational diplomas.
CNA-Q is one of the oldest post-secondary institutions in the country, founded in 2002 after a world-wide search to bring the best technical education to Qatar in support of the energy and industry sector.
HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada addresses the CNA-Q’s graduation ceremony yesterday at QNCC. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
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Find the Dragon - the Welsh Where's Wally?
Packed with lively double-page illustrations, a new book starring a small dragon has been hailed as the Welsh Where’s Wally? However, Find the Dragon! has an obvious Welsh slant, with every double page showing an iconic Welsh location, including Mount Snowdon, Caerphilly Castle and Portmeirion. Other scenes include the Red Wall at a Wales football match, a Gower beach and a farm full of disobedient sheep.
As well as searching for the little dragon, the pictures can also be used to search for many other bizarre objects and characters listed at the back of the book. The book is guaranteed to provide hours of discussions and fun for all the family!
Find the Dragon! is by the well-known cartoonist and illustrator Huw Aaron. Huw is based in Cardiff and he’s illustrated a number of children’s books and comic strips as well as being a regular contributor to Private Eye, The Oldie and The Spectator.
Speaking about his new book, Huw Aaron said:
“Between finding the little dragon, evil dragon-hunting baddies, funny characters and bizarre items hidden within the scenes, there are over 250 individual things to search for, so plenty to keep any child amused during a long car journey or rainy (screen-free!) afternoo. I love designing busy scenes and hiding funny details in the pictures, so it was a lot of fun creating this book... and a lot of work too! Good luck with the dragon-spotting!”
Find the Dragon! features Boc the dragon, a face familiar to many Welsh children as one of the characters of the popular Welsh-language children’s comic Mellten, which began in 2016.
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OP-ED: Higgins sees 'empowering people' as goal of public service
I am Judith Higgins, and I am running on the Democratic ticket for York County Commissioner because I believe in the people of York County.
OP-ED: Higgins sees 'empowering people' as goal of public service I am Judith Higgins, and I am running on the Democratic ticket for York County Commissioner because I believe in the people of York County. Check out this story on yorkdispatch.com: https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/contributors/2019/04/25/op-ed-higgins-sees-empowering-people-goal-public-service/3571510002/
Judith Higgins, York County Commissioner candidate Published 7:52 a.m. ET April 25, 2019 | Updated 9:15 p.m. ET April 25, 2019
Judith Higgins, a former Democratic candidate for state senate, is running for the York County Board of Commissioners. (Photo: Submitted)
I am a veteran with 13 years of service in the Air National Guard; a small business owner of eight years; a 20-year business-management adjunct instructor for Penn State; 17-year Eastern York school board director; a wife of 31 years; a proud mother of three fantastic sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and three healthy grandkids. I’ve lived in Lower Windsor Township for over 25 years.
My parents were alive during the Great Depression and raised me to understand that, while we had very little, there were people who had even less. It was understood that helping our neighbors, and contributing in a positive way in our community, was core to our family values, and that reflects who I am today.
Helping to care for my older sister — who was born prematurely and, as a result, lost her sight and suffered mental deficiencies — was a part of my upbringing. And, after my father passed away when I was a teenager, I worked while going to high school to help support my family. My personal experiences also inspired me to be involved in the community, going door-to door to help raise money for different charities.
One of the key qualifications I would bring to York as county commissioner is that I am a servant leader. As a military member, there is an understood desire to serve. But even when I left the military, I continued to want to serve. As a school board director and community supporter, I believe that empowering people to be the best that they can be should be the goal of public service.
More: Judith Higgins, former state senate candidate, joins race for York County commissioner
More: List of candidates for York County offices
When we help people thrive, not just survive, we are investing in the success of our community.
For example, I want to ensure opportunities are created for training in all parts of York County for all York countians. Better pay, more investment in the county, upgrading and preserving the beauty of York are all potential outcomes when people do not have to struggle to meet basic needs. To this end, I am already involved with the York County Workforce Development and Salem Square Community Association to make this a reality. If elected, I will continue to champion job preparedness, restoring York’s infrastructure with local craftsman and trades people, and promote York.
As a government analyst for many years, I learned to research issues, to recognize that there are both financial and human implications to every decision that’s made, and that immediate solutions may not result in positive long-range outcomes. When the county nursing home was privatized, I do not believe there was enough consideration to the needs of York County residents, simply a desire to lower costs.
This is highly unfortunate because, based on what I’ve found, there does not appear to be any assurance that quality of care, levels of staffing, and adequacy of availability was part of the discussion. Many of us have elderly parents, some do not have much left of their retirement funds due to the economic crash of the early 2000s, and some were unable to even save money for retirement. What happens to “those people”? I cannot change past decisions, but I want to ensure future ones keep the safety net of society whole.
Another concern is the York County 911 Center, which has been publicly criticized and experienced high turnover, as well as low morale. This service is a matter of public safety and welfare, and is a responsibility of the county commissioners to ensure its availability. However, as a human resources-professional and candidate for this office, I’m mystified that three management studies have been done related to the 911 Center, within two years, at a cost of $285,000 to taxpayers, and issues continue. Is there an agenda that is not being stated?
I want to ensure these individuals are getting the support they need, whether training or mental health services, to keep our first-responders and communities safe. Our residents must be confident that when help is needed, the coordination between 911, the first-responders and appropriate help will be seamless. It will be a priority for me to work to ensure this happens.
I believe the county commissioners need to be more visionary. Maintaining the status quo does not help our county. I want to address, collectively, some of the issues of York County — including flooding, air quality and racism. All three significant topics require we come together as one community, one York County, to open the lines of communication, encourage greater collaboration, and advocate decision-making for the benefit of all of York County. I’m Judith Higgins and I ask for your vote for York County Commissioner May 21.
Read or Share this story: https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/contributors/2019/04/25/op-ed-higgins-sees-empowering-people-goal-public-service/3571510002/
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Traditional 'pour' takes place for Our Emmeline
The creation of Hazel Reeves’ sculpture of Emmeline Pankhurst has reached its dramatic climax, as the traditional ‘pour’ took place. With the molten bronze that will create the cast reaching temperatures of 1,200 degrees centigrade, this was an intensive and colourful moment.
Our Emmeline’s final resting place will be in Manchester, but for this symbolic occasion, it was in the London based foundry, Bronze Age Sculpture Casting Foundry, that the pour took place. This is ‘lost wax’ bronze casting, a highly skilled process that dates back some 6,000 years. The process entailed 300kg of glowing molten bronze being poured into a hollow vessel exactly in the shape of Emmeline.
Overseeing the ‘pour’ was sculptor Hazel Reeves and Chair of the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Committee, Andrew Simcock.
Sculptor Hazel Reeves said, “After months spent working by hand on the clay sculpture of Our Emmeline, this was when the magic of the alchemy took place, as we witnessed the process that turns the clay into bronze. The pour of the bronze never fails to thrill!”
Andrew Simcock, Chair of the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Committee, said, “To reach this moment was to see all of the months of campaigning, fundraising, planning and work coming together for Our Emmeline. It has also been the time to reflect upon the skill of Hazel, and it was wonderful to see this stage of her work unfold at the Foundry to create what will be a magnificent piece of public art and a testament to the legacy of Emmeline Pankhurst and all those who have supported this project.”
Minster for Equalities Baroness Williams said, “In this centenary year it is important that we mark the many achievements and contributions of women in politics, society and beyond. The Government Equalities Office Centenary Fund has enabled women across the nation to do just that.
"This Emmeline Pankhurst statue - created by a leading female sculptor - is a brilliant way of continuing to remember the change that women have made in the last hundred years, and inspiring the next hundred years of success, courage and determination.”
Once the work at the Foundry is complete, Our Emmeline will then travel over 200 miles to reach her home city of Manchester. Here she will take her place in St Peter’s Square at the heart of the city, in recognition of her place in history and the legacy that lives on.
Emmeline Pankhurst began what was to become known as the suffragette movement from her home in Manchester, now the Pankhurst Centre, and it is thanks to the votes of thousands of people that she will be immortalised as a statue.
As a final honour to her story, the unveiling of Our Emmeline will take place on Friday 14 December 2018 to mark 100 years since the first women voted in a UK General Election, connecting her story and legacy to this historical moment.
The statue will be the first of a woman in Manchester since Queen Victoria was unveiled in Piccadilly Gardens in 1901.
Emmeline Pankhurst was selected as the public’s chosen female icon to be immortalised as a statue from a long list of 20 inspiring Mancunian females.
As well as voting for Emmeline, the public also voted for Hazel Reeves’ 'Rise up, women' as the winning design from a short list of six maquettes.
The unveiling on December 14th will be the culmination of a campaign launched in 2014 to celebrate the significant contribution of women to the city.
The project was conceived, and has been led and directed by Councillor Andrew Simcock, Chair of the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Campaign.
Funding has come from Corporate Sponsors Property Alliance Group and Manchester Airport Group, the Government’s Centenary Fund (Centenary Cities) and individual Gold Sponsors Edwina Wolstencroft, Dennis Morgan, Mr and Mrs Gosztony, Laura and Peter Carstensen, Pauline and Michael Underdown and Andrew Simcock himself, who all purchased one of a limited edition of Hazel Reeves’ bronze maquette.
For further information on the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Campaign visit: www.womanchesterstatue.org.
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MP welcomes puppy and kitten farming ban
‘Your vote is yours alone’ – protect it at May’s local elections
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Feds Charge Son-in-Law of Prominent New York Politician With Securities Fraud
On April 13, federal prosecutors in New York City charged a Brooklyn man with scheming to defraud investors out of more than $7 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan claims Marcello Trebitsch, also known as Yair Trebitsch, promised to invest customer funds while actually appropriating money for himself. Trebitsch is married to the daughter of Sheldon Silver, the former speaker of the New York State Assembly, who was himself charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in an unrelated bribery case and faces trial later this year.
United States v. Trebitsch
According to an affidavit filed by Special Agent Constantine S. Voulgaris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Trebitsch has been defrauding investors since at least 2009. The affidavit said Trebitsch solicited clients for his company, Allese Capital, LLC, with promises of investing their money in “large-cap stocks traded on major stock exchanges.” Trebitsch claimed his investment strategy would provide “annual returns in the range of 14 to 16 percent.”
But the FBI said Trebitsch only invested “a portion” of his customers’ funds as promised. In reality, he used most of the funds raised “for his own personal benefit and the benefit of others, including to repay other investors,” which is characteristic of a Ponzi scheme. Furthermore, the money Trebitsch actually invested “suffered net trading losses,” according to Special Agent Voulgaris, which Trebitsch concealed by furnishing his customers with “phony account statements” and other false documentation.
Special Agent Voulgaris cited interviews with two unidentified “victims” of Trebitsch’s fraud. The first victim was a real estate developer who said he invested “more than $6.5 million” with Trebitsch, only to receive about $2.2 million in return. A second victim invested about $700,000 and never saw any returns. The FBI said its investigation revealed Trebitsch transferred “hundreds of thousands of dollars” of the two victims’ funds to accounts controlled by him and his wife, who is also a certified public accountant. Special Agent Voulgaris added that upon executing a search warrant for Trebitsch’s home in April 2014, he found a handwritten note by Trebitsch admitting to his crimes.
Risks vs. Illegal Acitivity
Trebitsch is of course innocent until found guilty in a court of law. But the charges against him highlight risks that all investors should be aware of. Securities fraud is based on unscrupulous individuals willing to manipulate honest investors with promises of large, risk-free gains. But all investing entails risk. However, as the Manhattan U.S. Attorney noted in charging Trebitsch, that “should not include the risk of being defrauded by one’s investment manager.” Any person who accepts investment funds on behalf of another has a legal duty to use that money as promised. There is never any justification for an investment manager diverting client funds for personal use. And there are certainly no circumstances that would ever justify the type of behavior alleged in the Trebitsch case, such as preparing false documents designed to mislead investors about the status of their own funds.
If you have been the victim of a Ponzi scheme or similar securities fraud and need competent legal advice on how to proceed, contact Florida stockbroker fraud attorney Gregory Tendrich, P.A., right away.
By Gregory Tendrich, P.A. | Posted on May 14, 2015 Tags: Allese Capital, Boca Raton Investment Fraud Lawyer, Boca Raton Investment Fraud Lawyers, Boca Raton Securities Fraud Attorney, Boca Raton Securities Fraud Attorneys, Ponzi schemes, Trebitsch, Voulgaris
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Gaslight Grimoire: Fantastic Tales of Sherlock Holmes
By: edited by J.R. Campbell and Charles Prepolec
Publisher: Edge Publishing
324 pages, $16.95
There are many writers who pay homage to the character of Sherlock Holmes by extending his adventures beyond the original canon of four novels and fifty-six short stories. A article in Wikipedia lists over 115 writers who have tried their hands at various lengths, and still misses several that I have on my shelves. To my mind, the most enjoyable of these efforts are usually the short stories, and so I am always happy to find another collection of works by diverse hands.
While Sherlock Holmes was firmly of the opinion that supernatural agencies did no exist and that only objective reality had a place in rational discussion, his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was not so firmly grounded. Aside from his obsession with fairies later in his life, he wrote many non-Holmes stories in which otherworldly powers and places played a part.
The theme of most of the eleven short stories in this engaging collection is that there were times when Holmes was faced with things which were not dreamt of in his philosophy. Two of them deal with other matters related to Holmes in some way but using the same notion.
Between these covers you will meet Peter Pan, an evil djinn, several ghosts, the dinosaurs of Professor Challenger’s Lost World (another Doyle creation), an artist who practices murder by portraiture, a woman possessed by an other dimensional being, Dracula, and “monsters from Mars”.
While most Holmes’ collections feature a number of name authors, the list depending on the theme, this enjoyable volume was filled with material by writers I had never heard of before. Only Barbara Hambly, an author who writes science fiction, fantasy and mysteries, was familiar to me.
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Our Messed Up Beliefs About Africa: Heart of Darkness & Black Consciousness
September 15, 2018 by athena1002@gmail.com in Black Feminism
“Nobody cares about Africans, bruh.”
I read either this exact statement or some variation of it from an African blogger. For the sake of not unjustly exposing anyone to being called out on my blog when they didn’t agree to it, I’ve left out a few details of the statement and surrounding details.
I read the statement, and I didn’t flinch. I didn’t feel a pang of guilt or the defensive need to prove that I really did care about Africans. Some writers and bloggers immediately feel this urge, or a need to prove that Africans are actually the big bad bullies of the diaspora — the “lucky” ones who were “never enslaved” — a historically inaccurate statement, rife with ignorance.
Honestly, the statement was (and remains) true.
“Nobody” in this context was aimed yes, at everybody, but specifically at the larger group of Black non-Africans who discuss “social justice” online. By now, most discussions online regarding colonialism, slavery and the African diaspora have been imbued with a class analysis and an adoption of revolutionary rhetoric such as you might read in history books about Grenada or Cuba.
You read the words “liberation” and “abolish private property” thrown around as well as the words “the West” and “the global South”. Despite the appearance of “woke” behavior and critical analysis about every aspect of society from the cultural practice of female genital mutilation to niche aspects of African American history such as black Wall Street and Henrietta Lacks, there are gaps, huge swaths of emptiness when complex subjects are breached.
Africa, and discussions of African history, politics and influence are largely missing from these discussions. Black people as a whole, it seems, when brought together in online spaces to discuss our differing life experiences seem to have a complicate relationship with the place that arguably ties us all together.
Our blackness and our “Africanness” are inextricably linked, yet if I had to answer whether I genuinely believed most non-African people “cared” about Africa, I would answer with a definitive and resounding “no”.
People do not care about Africa.
Black people have an understandably complex relationship with the continent, and to understand what’s at play, we first need to look at the colonial history that has informed our past and current relationship to the African continent. The good news is, I have some ideas for us — all of us. Whether you’re reading this from the comfort of your spacious urban apartment, or like me, sweltering in the heat of a third world black majority country, you’ll find something here that will hopefully open your awareness to your perceptions of Africa, your implicit beliefs, your prejudices and your biases. I’ll share how I relate to black people from around the globe in a way that validates different experiences without invalidating my own.
I’ll also share why we have such harmful views about Africa, how this is a manifestation of our own pain as a population of displaced people and how we can come to terms with this displacement appropriately. Hint: Occupying land that doesn’t belong to us isn’t the solution.
In King Leopold’s Ghost, black American William Sheppard visits the Congo and he’s one of the most outspoken about the injustices that occur there. Backed by American white supremacists, who were eager to send black people “Back to Africa”, Sheppard wrote extensively about his desire to “return” to Africa (a place he had never been) and wrote enthusiastically about the potential for converting Africans to Christianity and civilizing them.
The extent to which colonized people can not only accept, but perpetrate the views of their oppressors couldn’t be more clear than in reading about Rev. William Sheppard’s response to the Congo. Of course, his views are contradictory too. While his response to the brutality and human rights abuses appeared to have an empathetic base, the conclusions he drew based upon that empathy were decidedly misplaced. “They need colonizers who look like them” isn’t quite the conclusion I can imagine a Baldwin or a Davis coming to.
Our blackness doesn’t give people from the West Indies or America the right to inhabit anywhere in Africa we choose, at any time we choose, nor does it give black people the right to participate or spearhead missions with the intent to colonize local peoples and erase their religious beliefs in the same way colonizing European Christians did.
Reading about William Sheppard opened my eyes to how easy it is for colonized people to become the mouthpiece of their oppressors ideology. If white supremacists agree with your ideas for where black people as a whole should belong, shouldn’t that raise some red flags? (King Leopold’s Ghost)
Unfortunately, many writers and social justice influences today tend not to be much different from William Sheppard when discussing “Africa” and as black folks, our complex relationship to the continent plays a role in why.
I’ve been referring to “Africa” as if it is one place. Despite the convenience of a continental label in simplifying complex ideas, cultures, places, languages and peoples, “Africa” can often be a cop out for specificity that would strengthen a particular point rather than weaken it. Homogenizing the continent for convenience reinforces negative propaganda by forcing a multitude of complex languages, cultures, social practices and beliefs to unite under one idea, making it easier to ignore a diverse and complicated history, influenced both by ethnic affinity groups and European colonization.
We underestimate the continent’s size thanks to the mercator maps of 1569 that continue to govern our perceptions (Source). We ignore the fact that Africa has the most genetic diversity out of any continent on the planet (sorry white people, your thin nose was African first!).
One of the most popular pieces of fiction about Africa, dives into the psychological relationship that Westerners have with Africa. The power in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darknesslies not in his “accuracy” in describing the human condition nor in some sort of moral righteousness that he deign suggest that he might have once had a notion that the people of the Congo were in fact human beings. The power of Joseph Conrad’s story lies in how perfectly it encapsulates Western ignorance, confusion, desire, racism and xenophobia when it comes to Africa. The terrifying part of this is: black people outside of Africa are not immune from the Heart of Darkness’grip on our psyche.
My boyfriend and I sat together recently, mugs of piping hot black coffee in hand while I mused, frustrated about the book I’d just read, King Leopold’s Ghost.
What nagged at me had less to do with the colonial violence — if this surprises you, perhaps you aren’t ready for this blog — and more with an internal disruption of my current thoughts and belief system.
“Heart of Darkness is racist,” my boyfriend reminded me.
“I know. It is racist.” (I paused.)
“But it’s kind of true,” I continued, “This is how we see Africa — the whole continent — as some sort of amorphous… heart…of…darkness…”
I’m paraphrasing the insight — and making it brief, I talked his ear off — but the more I considered it, the more I realized I had to share this. I had to admit to myself and hopefully, inspire others to admit that our feelings about where we originate from are not only complex, they’re largely negative.
In Saint Lucia, my education about Africa was nonexistent. I fared no better at my private high school or my private college. In high school, I at least learned more about Mansa Musa, but that’s the extent of what I learned. Religions, ethnic groups, the social conflict of apartheid, the Rwandan genocide and Congolese civil war were all left out of our “world history” education. Africa, as a continent, is omitted from the curriculum.
The largest continent in the world is blotted out from our collective consciousness as if its mere existence was a mistake. While bold history teachers may foray into East Asian studies, African history, religious studies and languages languish within our academic experience. (By college, this was largely due to my specific concentration.)
What is the impact on a displaced population, I wonder, if the history of the place they were displaced from faces such egregious omission?
The “impact” is explained indirectly via Jason Stanley’s book How Propaganda Works. Our narrative of our history and our identity as a people, when left up to our own devices and what material is easily accessible, can be created by the dominant social group and due to lack of better information, we absorb the beliefs and ideology of the dominant social group. This ideology is not in our interests and it’s not in the interests of the African people.
The best example of how quickly a white Western ideology can become engrained in black people is explained in King Leopold’s Ghost. William Sheppard, an African American living in a racism post-emancipation America, visits “Leopold’s” Congo. His thoughts and collective writings introduce his “vision” for Africa. He called for a popular “solution” proposed by white supremacists at the time, suggesting all African Americans return to the Congo, govern by colonial rule, and continue to spread Christianity throughout the region.
His vision for Africa is no different than the white supremacists who dominated his culture. Africa remained a “dark” place to be conquered. The wants, desires and needs of the African people were never a consideration.
How ironic, I thought, that this man could see himself as kin to the folks in the Congo due to skin color, yet his behavior and collective writings reflect someone who viewed the people of the Congo as a group to be conquered and viewed their land as “available” for anyone to lay claim to regardless of their prior connection to it.
Sheppard’s colonial views are not uncommon in contemporary black views of Africa, especially when you’re dealing with folks who are not African. It may hurt to admit that we hold onto so much negativity towards a place we may believe ourselves to love. Yet, how can we consider ourselves seeking “justice” when our view of the African continent is a cheap photocopy of long held colonial views?
In black Western conversation, and in black conversations in the global south, our view of Africa needs to undergo a change that prioritizes integrity and decolonization of our visions of Africa. I have long accepted the fundamental truth that Africa is not “mine”. My ancestors can be directly traced to Guinea, yet, Guinea does not “belong” to me. Seeing yourself as the owner of a place you’ve never been to, whose language you don’t speak, whose people you don’t understand and whose history you’re ignorant to, is nothing but colonial. Is it really so bad for Africa not to belong to you? Does it make a material difference in your life?
What are we really seeking when we (speaking generally) don dashikis, romanticize the African continent or even when we speak negatively about Africa & Africans? Whether we believe our critiques to be valid, where does this negativity stem from? Where does the pain come from? Who put it there?
Every person has a deep desire for community. Our deep desire for belonging stems from the generational pain of the injustice of having our homes stripped from us. We want a home. Many of us dream of an idealized place where we can live free of anti-blackness, an elusive pursuit that you’ll weary of chasing the more you learn about the history of black people across the globe.
This desire for an ever elusive home base can be reduced by strengthening our connection to the present moment, as well as strengthening our connection to our current communities. I can’t spill all the secrets about “living in the present” — I’m far from a zen master and many have done this better than I can. However, it’s been my personal experience that mindfulness meditation can not only reduce anxiety but provide profound clarity in my life — a view backed scientifically. This is a first step to finding the “raw” spots on our relationship to our personal and familial histories.
Is this chick really suggesting we meditate over not knowing who the hell our ancestors are and not having any connections we can trace?
No, I’m not. Calm down. I’m suggesting that a connection to our present communities and our present realities is a better use of our time than fixating on a fantasy that may very well be colonial by its very nature. We can create a home where we are now. Our recent ancestors in the Caribbean have proved that much at least!
Another appropriate way to handle this desire for belonging is through education. Material is difficult to find, and studying a vast continent such as Africa provokes many difficulties. Where should I start? Which countries should I study? Should I learn Swahili? Do I need to visit Africa? Breathe. You don’t need to do everything at once, and education can happen in a number of ways. I recently learned a bit about Malawian culture just from watching a YouTuber who talked about her life growing up in Malawi on her channel. I read King Leopold’s Ghost, and I’m in the process of reading a number of other books on Rwandan history, the history of the Congo and as much precolonial history as I can find. You don’t have to become an expert to find a connection. Reach out.
Connect with something or someone who can teach you, and be patient. Approach the subject with humility.
Education has the profound impact of changing your perspective, especially when it’s self motivated. You can choose whatever you want to learn and enjoy it. Some people may want to learn about the Orishas. Some people want to learn about King Leopold. Others will be interested in Fulani jewelry or recipes to traditional African foods.
What’s important is not replacing a connection to Africa, or learning about Africa, with the experience of growing up African. Honestly, I don’t think it’s anything we can understand fully! There are so many countries, languages and ethnic groups in Africa and we have been displaced for so many years that this can’t be changed. We can’t go back in time and mend connections that were severed.
I find greater happiness accepting this than fighting it.
Accepting what I can change — my ignorance — and letting go of what I can’t change — slavery in the 1600s-1900s — has done wonders for my emotional and spiritual connection to what it means to be black.
We don’t need to assume faux-African identities, culturally appropriate, or “own” African culture for our connection to exist. It’s there. Learn about the colonial history of Western and Central Africa, and you will see that our connection is there. Don’t take my word for it. Embrace self-reflection, education and honesty about our complex relationship with Africa. Let go of what you cannot change about this. Pursue what you can change with love, open-mindedness and passion.
Approaching education about Africa with respect, humility and honesty can help us build greater connections with people we meet from the countries we wish to connect with. It will help us to learn more, understand our history and others, and we’ll be in a better position to advocate for human rights on the African continent (if that holds our interest) from an emotional state that at least questions the colonial status quo the continent holds in our consciousness.
We can create a world where the people we were cut off from do not feel misunderstood, uncared for and ultimately unloved by people who are proud to proclaim a connection in public, while treating Africa/Africans like a shameful bastard child. It isn’t “pride” we need to seek at all in relation to our African heritage, but humility.
Hey readers. If you’re interested in learning more about my education into African history and contemporary issues, comment down below and I’ll consider putting together a comprehensive reading list of everything I’ve read or intend to read on the subjects. Copyright © 2018 West Indian Critic. See plagiarism notice prior to use.
September 15, 2018 /athena1002@gmail.com
africa, african colonization, african history, african identity, african studies, black diaspora, black issues, caribbean diaspora, civil war, colonization, colonizers, diaspora, guinea, king leopold's ghost, liberation, mansa musa, woke
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Details emerge on Canadice crash
Jessica Pierce
While the families of two people killed in the collision with two horses are finalizing funeral arrangements, deputies are continuing their investigation.
David Johnson, his longtime girlfriend Amanda Carey, and their close friend Michael Moulthroup had a quiet Sunday evening together: The trio had watched a football game and had dinner at the couple’s home on Curtis Road in Hemlock.
They decided to call it a night fairly early, since Moulthroup had to work early the next morning — he had just been accepted into a carpenters’ union.
The three got into Johnson’s 1993 Saturn station wagon and headed toward Moulthroup’s place at 9125 Culberson Road in Dansville. While driving south on a stretch of County Road 37 in Canadice just after 9 p.m., an unfathomable tragedy happened: Johnson’s car struck two horses that had broken through a fence nearby.
Mr. Moulthroup, 23, and Ms. Carey, 21, were killed, as were the horses. Johnson, 23, was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he was treated for neck pain and released.
Days later, more details are emerging and loved ones are finalizing plans to lay Mr. Moulthroup and Ms. Carey to rest.
Ontario County sheriff’s deputies who are overseeing the crash investigation initially reported that Mr. Moulthroup and Ms. Carey were not wearing seat belts. However, Mr. Moulthroup’s family said they were told otherwise — that Johnson and Ms. Carey were both buckled in; only Mr. Moulthroup, who was sitting in the back seat, was not.
Sheriff Phil Povero said Tuesday afternoon that while both Johnson and Ms. Carey, the front-seat passenger, were wearing the automatic shoulder harness, they had not fastened the manual lap belts.
Johnson was driving about 44 miles per hour when his car struck the first horse, which was standing partially in the lane ahead. That horse, Povero said, struck the front driver’s side of the vehicle, including the windshield. The horse was pushed to the side of the road. The second horse, also in the lane ahead, struck the vehicle and was thrown up onto the roof over the back seat, the sheriff explained.
Johnson lost consciousness “momentarily, upon impact,” Povero said. When he came to, the vehicle was stopped. He freed himself and was able to pull Ms. Carey from the wreckage, the sheriff said.
The sheriff’s office is still investigating the crash. Deputies are awaiting the results of autopsy reports to determine the causes of death for Mr. Moulthroup and Mr. Carey; they suffered massive internal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene by an Ontario County coroner.
“This tragedy should remind motorists that their attention to the road while they’re driving must be constant,” Povero said, “because animals or other objects can rapidly enter the highway and result in a collision or a tragedy of this nature.”
Mr. Moulthroup’s sister, Lisa Moulthroup, said it was a tragic, “freak accident.”
She said her brother and Johnson went to school together in Dansville and were best friends. Ms. Carey and Johnson had been dating for about three years and were living together at 5430 Curtis Road in Hemlock.
Calling hours for Mr. Moulthroup will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Hindle Funeral Home at 271 Main St. in Dansville. A funeral service will begin at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greenmount Cemetery in Dansville at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Calling hours for Ms. Carey will be held at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 W. Naples St. in Wayland, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday; her burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Cuba, Allegany County.
Lisa Moulthroup said her grief-stricken family is finding comfort from the many who have turned out to support them in the past few days.
“We’re getting through it,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of friends that have been here for us.”
Jessica Pierce can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 250, or at jpierce@mpnewspapers.com.
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wthr.com, redesign, website, home page - Welcome to the new WTHR.com - 13 WTHR Indianapolis - wthr.com, redesign, website, home page
Welcome to the new WTHR.com
Welcome to the new WTHR.com | 13 WTHR Indianapolis
WTHR.com staff
Published: Jul 21st, 2016 - 1:32am (EDT)
Updated: Jul 25th, 2016 - 5:05pm (EDT)
WTHR is proud to unveil the latest version of WTHR.com.
We listened to viewer feedback and have moved our website to what is known as a "responsive design" that works better on mobile phones and tablets.
The design mirrors a mobile app experience, even on the desktop version of the website.
WTHR.com also features an endless scrolling presentation on almost all of our pages which means to see more stories you just have to keep scrolling.
We have also cut down on the number of ads on each page.
What hasn't changed is the same quality journalism you've come to expect from us.
Thank you very much for visiting our website. We greatly appreciate you sharing some of your time with us!
- WTHR.com Staff
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Representation without compromise
Wynn Williams has one of the strongest dispute resolution teams in the country. We have a New Zealand wide reputation for delivering successful results with integrity and responsibility.
If you are faced with a dispute, either in your business or personal life, our team can apply their commercial insight and unrivalled experience to your case. We’re skilled at developing innovative and successful strategies to ensure the best outcome.
We’re experienced at representing clients in complex cases before the Privy Council, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court. Over the years our firm has also produced several of the country’s leading judges.
We provide expertise in all areas of dispute resolution:
Commercial and contractual disputes
Real estate and leases
Relationship property
Care of children and family
Employment and Health & Safety
Insolvency and credit recovery
Professional and product liability
Judicial review and public law
We are recommended as a Leading Firm for Litigation & Dispute Resolution by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019 and Chambers Global 2019 legal guides. The team is described by Chambers as "one of the strongest dispute resolution teams in the country with a New Zealand-wide reputation for delivering successful results with integrity and responsibility"
If you need advice on a dispute, please get in touch with any of our team below.
Jeremy Johnson
Joshua Shaw
Philip Maw
Emily Walton
Richard Hern
Amanda Douglas
Anthony Drake
Stephanie Woods
Ellie Harrison
Shane Campbell
Richard Hargreaves
Greg Simms
Anna Needham
Tim McGuigan
Acting for the Canterbury Regional Council in relation to the Application for Judicial Review of the Navigational Safety Bylaw 2016.
Debt collection work for local authorities and various companies.
Advising clients from a variety of backgrounds on relationship property division and drafting section 21 and section 21A separation agreements.
Undertaking due diligence in respect of Māori rights and interests and the impact this may have on the sale and/or purchase of land.
Acting for the Canterbury Regional Council and Southland Regional Council in relation to prosecutions under the Resource Management Act 1991.
Successfully obtaining without notice injunctions freezing defendants' assets.
Acting in construction contract adjudications.
Acting as lead counsel in a significant claim involving a company that collapsed owing in excess of $30m involving application of the Securities Act and the Financial Markets Conduct Act.
Acting in the High Court on a major relationship property appeal involving property exceeding $28 million and complex business and trust arrangements.
Acting as Senior Counsel in the Supreme Court for Allied concrete on the interpretation of the Companies Act insolvent transaction provisions in an appeal. We were granted leave to appeal direct from the High Court to Supreme Court.
Acting for Canterbury Regional Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council and Christchurch City Council in the High Court and Court of Appeal in litigation brought by property developers to challenge a decision of the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery.
Acting or advising CERA in relation to earthquake recovery matters.
Successfully acting as Senior Counsel for the Anglican Church in the Court of Appeal and High Court in relation to the de-construction of Christchurch Cathedral and successfully opposing leave before the Supreme Court.
Successfully acting against the Statutory Management of Aorangi Securities Limited for a US investor for $6,000,000.
Being appointed by the High Court to act as counsel for Canterbury Policy Holders in the liquidation of Western Pacific Insurance Limited (In Liq) to seek payment of moneys from reinsurers for the benefit of those who suffered loss in the Canterbury Earthquakes.
Acting as counsel in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal in New Zealand's leading trust case, Kain & Ors v Hutton & Ors [2008] 3 NZLR 589 (SC), [2007] 3 NZLR349.
Acting for a major North Island Iwi in a claim against the Crown for breach of fiduciary duty and the unlawful taking of Maori land.
Successfully representing a director in the investigation of security claims related to Hanover Finance Limited and acting in the defence of civil proceedings.
Appeared in Chirnside v Fay [2007] in the Supreme Court which is New Zealand's leading case on fuduciary duties in joint ventures.
Representing the Anglican Church in relation to the use of insurance funds for the Transitional Cathedral.
Acting as counsel in multiple negligent valuer and negligent solicitor cases including the defence of prominent North and South Island firms on behalf of insurers.
Acting for a major policy holder in Re ACS before the High Court concerning approval of New Zealand's first solvent scheme of arrangement under the Companies Act 1993.
Acting as counsel for Save Our Arts Centre in the highly publicized litigation Save Our Arts Centre v The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Board, the University of Canterbury, and the Christchurch City Council.
Successful representation of Te Rununga o Ngai Tahu before the Privy Council in the case of Ngati Apa Ki Te Waipounamu Trust v The Attorney General and Ors [2006] UK PC 49.
Acting as counsel in the Supreme Court in the leading case on fiduciary obligations, Chirnside v Fay [2007] 1 NZLR 433.
Acting as counsel in the decision of ANZ National Bank v Macpherson Properties Ltd CIV 2008 409 561 on rectification and transfer fraud.
Acting as counsel in Celibriala v Inwood CIV 2008 409 120 to restrain a sale of land for failure to comply with a right of first refusal.
Acting as counsel for specialist medical practitioners against an errant director for breach of fiduciary obligations in a joint venture.
Acting as counsel (with Peter Whiteside) on behalf of a group of unit owners in a case concerning unit entitlements under the Unit Titles Act 2010 following demolition of apartments caused by the 2011 Canterbury earthquake.
Acting on behalf of investors in the winding up of entities related to South Canterbury Finance and Aorangi Securities Limited.
Attending mediations on behalf of professional indemnity insurers in cases involving allegedly negligent financial advice.
Acting for defendants in financial advice claims.
Advising on strategy in a probate litigation matters involving residential property in Auckland and Christchurch.
Advising a large corporate trust organisation on matters arising from the application of its trust deed.
Assisting company directors with an application for termination of a liquidation.
Successfully negotiating the discontinuance of a Fair Trading Act claim on behalf of a defendant.
Acting for a defendant in a civil claim by the Financial Markets Authority.
Acting for a defendant in a claim concerning alleged negligent building work.
Acting for plaintiffs in various conveyancing litigation matters, including a claim for specific performance.
Acting in various debt recovery (breach of contract) matters.
Advice on Valuer Negligence cases for a major lender.
Arbitration for a State-Owned Enterprise.
Acting for Policy Holders for a Collapsed Insurance Company.
Counsel for Christchurch City Council in complex civil litigation over alleged land transfer fraud.
Counsel for property owners in High Court and Court of Appeal in dispute over neighbours application to obtain access over their land.
Acting for Professional Indemnity Insurers.
Supreme Court decides reinstatement benefits cannot be assigned
The Supreme Court has decided the case of Xu v IAG NZ Ltd against the homeowners by a 3:2 majority.
Directors’ liability in the spotlight
When Mainzeal Property and Construction Limited (Mainzeal) collapsed in February 2013, it left behind a raft of unsecured creditors who were jointly owed just over $110 million. The proceedings brought by Mainzeal’s liquidators against its former directors were for the effective benefit of these creditors.
Introduction to the Privacy Bill 2018 – mandatory reporting of privacy breaches
The highly anticipated Privacy Bill was introduced to Parliament in March 2018 and is due to come into effect in July 2019. It will replace the Privacy Act 1993 and aims to bring New Zealand’s privacy law framework up-to-date with the digital society we live in. The reform also brings New Zealand in line with international laws, including the European General Data Protection Regulation.
Ebert's retention fund clarified
The recent receivership and subsequent liquidation of Ebert Construction Limited (Ebert) has been well publicised with significant public interest about another large construction firm in financial trouble.
Review of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976
The Law Commission is reviewing the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (Act). As part of its review, the Law Commission has recently released their preferred approach for changes to the Act.
Construction update: payment claims for deposits – are they allowed?
The parties to a construction contract will commonly come to an arrangement where the principal will need to make a payment to the contractor before any work is undertaken. That is, the principal must pay a deposit or security. The same is also true as between contractor and subcontractor.
Cost of non-compliance: falling foul of AML/CFT obligations
The recent decision of the High Court in Department of Internal Affairs v Qian Duoduo Limited comes as a timely reminder to reporting entities about the risks associated with failing to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism regime under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.
Insurance fraud – recovery of exemplary damages
A recent UK case has provided an opening for awards of exemplary damages for serious insurance fraud.
Voidability of third-party payments
A company is teetering on the verge of insolvency. Its creditors are numerous. The company arranges for a third party to settle some of its debts on its behalf, but nonetheless tips over into liquidation. Can the liquidators recover the monies paid to the company’s creditors?
The neighbourly bane of trees blocking light: what can you do?
Boundary trees block your views, access to light, or even Wi-Fi signals. What can you do? This was the issue that came before the High Court on appeal from the District Court in Vickery v Thoroughgood [2018] NZHC 2303.
Receiverships: who, what and why
The recent enforced receivership of national construction firm Ebert Construction has thrust receiverships back into the spotlight. With some 95 staff laid off and creditors owed around $40 million, the consequences of a high-profile company being forced into a receivership are apparent. Nonetheless, many people involved in the construction industry, and the general public, may have little knowledge of what a receivership entails.
Court of Appeal rejects QBE’s appeal contending double insurance
The Court of Appeal has rejected QBE’s appeal in QBE Insurance (International) Limited v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited [2018] NZCA 239.
Privacy law shake-up! What does the EU General Data Protection Regulation mean for your company?
Unless you’re willing to pay a fine of up to 4% of your company's annual global turnover or €20 million for failing to comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), it's time to review your company's privacy policy and practices.
Review of insurance contract law – calling for submissions
Do not let the unlucky submission closing date of Friday 13 July 2018 put you off having a say in the Government's review of insurance contract law.
Family Protection Act: (un)enforceable contracting out provisions
The situation is seen all too often. In contemplation of spousal separation, or in preparation for death, individuals and members of their immediate family will often enter into inter vivos deeds of separation or deeds of family arrangement. The purpose for entering into these deeds often involves managing sensitive interfamilial relationships.
Hawkins liable for $13.4 million: summary of the latest case involving builder negligence
In a judgment released on 1 May 2018 Downs J, in a 344 paragraph judgment, has found H Construction North Island Limited (formerly Hawkins Construction North Island Limited) liable for serious building defects at the Botany Downs Secondary College.
Insolvency update April 2018
This article provides an update on insolvency matters with reference to recent case law.
Purchase of real estate: High Court reminder of what not to do when another party tries to cancel an agreement
Associate Judge Sargisson's decision in Sutton v van Der AA is a timely reminder of how parties should act if they do not accept a repudiation (cancellation) of an agreement by the other party. In essence, if you do not accept the repudiation then you should conduct yourself that way by your words and actions.
The easy allegation that's hard to prove: appealing selection decisions affected by bias
This article will look at the allegations of bias that have arisen in the New Zealand Sports Tribunal and Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to explore how they tend to be decided and the differences between actual and apparent bias.
"No Oral Variation" clauses and their enforceability: the current legal landscape in New Zealand and England
Is it possible to agree in writing that you will not alter that agreement other than by writing? It is common for commercial contracts to have a clause proscribing oral variations (or variations by conduct), or at least attempting to do so. It is also increasingly common for parties to enter into dispute about the efficacy of oral variations notwithstanding the presence of such clauses. The question for practitioners is whether such clauses are enforceable.
Do councils now owe a duty of care to building developers?
Jonathan Pow and Isabella van Woerkom discuss the recent Supreme Court decision in Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust v Invercargill City Council.
Tenants' liability for damage – High Court ruling
The Court of Appeal in Holler v Osaki confirmed that a residential tenant who damages their landlord's property carelessly can not be sued by their landlord in respect of the damage. In November 2017, the High Court released a new judgment on tenants' liability, in Linklater v Dickinson.
Dishonest real estate agents beware
Dishonestly offending will be taken seriously when applying to be a licensed salesperson, as is demonstrated in the recent case Real Estate Agents Authority v A [2017] NZHC 2929.
Relationship property reform – have your say
The Law Commission is reviewing the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (PRA). Since 1976, New Zealand society has changed dramatically. The way people enter and leave relationships has evolved. The value that people place on marriages has changed and New Zealand is now more ethnically diverse.
Insolvency update - voidable transactions and payments made by third parties
A recent High Court case: McCullagh v Robt Jones Holdings Limited [2017] NZHC 2182, provides an interesting illustration of the application of the voidable transaction regime to payments made by third parties on behalf of a debtor company.
Eight miles too far?
Summary of Eight Mile Style v New Zealand National Party [2017] NZHC 2603. The National Party's use of the track Eminem Esque, in its 2014 election campaign was a copyright infringement.
Supreme Court clarifies when litigation funding amounts to an abuse of process
The cost of access to the courts is commonly seen as one of, if not the most, significant barriers to access justice. This is true even for corporates. The decision in PriceWaterhouseCoopers v Walker was concerned with the validity of a litigation funding agreement between a company called SPF No. 10 Limited, the liquidators of Property Ventures Limited and related companies, Messrs Robert Walker and John Marshall.
A new look for the law of contempt in New Zealand?
The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of the current position on the law of contempt and to summarise the Law Commission's recommendations and the Government's Response in order to comment on the future scope of contempt in New Zealand.
Double Insurance or Seamless Cover? When the Inception Time of Insurance Cover Matters - Updated
The time of inception on an insurance policy was considered by the High Court in Body Corporate 74246 & Ors v QBE Insurance (International) Limited and Allianz Australia Insurance NZ [2017] NZHC 1473. This decision has been upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Court of Appeal revisits the lawyer-litigant exception in costs
On 14 June 2017 the Court of Appeal held that the lawyer-litigant exception is not justifiable under the specific costs rules now in place. This article summarises the rationale of the decision.
The Arbitration Amendment Bill 2017
Jeremy Johnson contributes to an article on The Arbitration Amendment Bill 2017 for LawTalk Magazine.
Arbitration of trust disputes: a new frontier
The Arbitration Act 1996 (Act) was enacted to facilitate the arbitration of commercial disputes and to enable international arbitration so that disputes decided here can be easily enforced in other jurisdictions. In principle, the incorporation of an arbitration clause should lead to the successful resolution of such disputes in a private, expeditious, and cost-effective way.
Is self-representation a good idea?
In New Zealand, you have a right to go to court and represent yourself; self-representation procures access to the courts. But, whether it provides access to justice is another question.
Proposed changes to voidable transactions: feedback sought
The Government's Insolvency Working Group has this week issued its second report, which includes its recommendations on changes to the voidable transactions regime. Two key changes are proposed.
Bankruptcy: Court clarifies its powers to approve payment proposals
You are a creditor and have served a bankruptcy notice on a judgment debtor. The debtor puts forward a payment proposal which you reject. The debtor then applies to the Court seeking to set aside the bankruptcy notice and requests that the payment proposal be approved. Does the Court have jurisdiction to approve the payment proposal, despite the creditor's refusal?
The final word on disclosure of trust information to beneficiaries
The Supreme Court in Erceg v Erceg [2017] NZSC 28 has confirmed the court's important role in supervising trustee decisions to not disclose information to beneficiaries. In clarifying the scope of the court's supervisory role, this decision should assist beneficiaries in holding trustees to account.
Fluoridation of water in New Zealand – have your say
On the 17 November 2016, the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill (Bill) was introduced into Parliament; its aim being to amend the Health Act 1956 (Act) to enable District Health Boards (DHBs) to make decisions and give directions about the fluoridation of government drinking water supplies in their areas.
The importance of complying with court orders
When a court makes an order, the party or parties against whom those orders are made may well query what will happen if they do not comply with those orders. The recent decision of Palmer J in Zhang v King David Investments Ltd (in Liq) [2016] NZHC 3018 provides an example of the adverse consequences which can occur.
Injured player decides to sue – the right thing to do?
Alex McKinnon, a former Newcastle Knights NRL player left a quadriplegic after being upended in a tackle by the Melbourne Storm's Jordan McLean in 2014, is planning to sue the NRL and Mr McLean personally, seeking damages as a result of the incident.
High Court reaffirms New Zealand's stance on suing for personal injury
In McGougan and Dingle v Depuy International Limited [2016] NZHC 2511 the High Court was required to determine the scope of the bar against claims for personal injury in s 317(1) of the Accident Compensation Act 2001 (ACA). The particular question for consideration was whether a person could bring a claim for compensatory damages (i.e. sue for damages flowing from personal injury) in New Zealand, where they have cover under the ACA, but where the conduct giving rise to the claims occurred outside of New Zealand.
Exclusion of improperly obtained evidence in civil proceedings
On 26 October 2016, the Supreme Court released its decision in Marwood v Commissioner of Police [2016] NZSC 139. This decision required the Court to determine whether New Zealand courts have jurisdiction to exclude improperly obtained evidence in civil proceedings and, if so, whether the jurisdiction should be exercised on the facts of the case before it.
Effective use of Arbitration Agreements and Dispute Resolution Clauses
Dispute resolution clauses are rarely excluded from commercial contracts and the inclusion of arbitration agreements within those clauses are becoming increasingly common. Dispute resolution clauses come in a range of forms and it is important that parties drafting or entering into agreements with dispute resolution clauses are familiar with the consequences of doing so.
Update: What's all the buzz about NZ's recent drone regulations?
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (the CAA) released new rules for the flying of unmanned aircraft beginning 1 August 2015. The changes were aimed at drone operators and are found in Part 101 and Part 102 of the Civil Aviation Rules (the Rules).
The rule against self-dealing
An important principle in the law of trusts is that a trustee must not, with some very limited exceptions, place themselves in a position in which duty and interest conflict. This is known as the rule against self-dealing. The Supreme Court has recently considered this rule in a decision in the context of ahu whenua trusts established under the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 (Act).
Clayton v Clayton: Trust Busting
The Court of Appeal's recent decision in Clayton v Clayton has been described as redrawing the landscape on trusts and divorce. In this article I discuss the more controversial aspect of the judgment - the Court's finding that the settlor's power of appointment is relationship property. Although the context of the decision is a relationship property dispute, the Court's reasoning could be applied in other contexts, such as bankruptcy.
Clayton v Clayton: Nipping the "Illusory Trust" in the Bud
Introduction The Court of Appeal's recent decision in Clayton v Clayton has been described as redrawing the landscape on trusts and divorce. The decision has already generated discussion within the legal community because the Court decided that a settlor's power of appointment could be relationship property. The Court went on to determine that the value of the appointment was the net value of the trust's assets. The decision is also important because it is the first New Zealand case where the concept of an "illusory trust", as distinct from a "sham trust", has been considered. It is this aspect of the decision which I intend to discuss in this article.
Certainty at last for Creditors and Liquidators in voidable transaction claims
The Supreme Court has ruled that new value is not required for creditors to rely on the section 296 defence to voidable transactions under the Companies Act 1993. This means that creditors unfortunate enough to find themselves a party to a voidable transaction that a liquidator is attempting claw back are in a much better position to resist the liquidators claim. The Supreme Court heard three appeals in March 2014. The appeals concerned the operation of the voidable transaction regime under the Companies Act 1993, particularly section 296(3). A voidable transaction is a transaction made by an insolvent company to a creditor which results in that creditor receiving more than they would have in the liquidation of the company. Liquidators have the ability to 'claw back' voidable transactions paid to creditors up to two years prior to their appointment. The appellants in the Supreme Court were creditors of companies in liquidation and the respondents were the liquidators. Wynn Williams acted for Allied Concrete Limited who was a creditor in the appeal.
Arbitration clauses and summary judgment: what to do when you don't think there is a dispute
Introduction Arbitration clauses are increasingly used in commercial agreements and in leases. One question that often arises in situations where there is an arbitration clause is what claimants should be doing when they do not think the defendant has a defence? Usually the claimants have proceeded to Court under the summary judgment procedure; however the Supreme Court in Zurich Australian Insurance Limited t/a Zurich New Zealand v Cognition Education Limited has now closed off this option. The decision will have significant practical implications for parties. The summary jurisdiction is not often used in arbitrations and the reasons for that appear to be both principled and practical. Nevertheless there are good reasons – both in terms of principle and practicality - why clients might want to have access to a summary jurisdiction and there are ways that this can be achieved – namely by allowing for it in the arbitration clause itself.
Arbitration clauses and the summary jurisdication: the Supreme Court speaks [2015] NZLJ 82
Introduction The question of how to handle arbitration clauses in contracts where there is no clear dispute between the parties is one that has long bothered lawyers and clients. If the other party does not respond to demands for payment/remedy of contractual breaches is it appropriate to issue summary judgment proceedings? If the other party does respond but the alleged defence is not reasonably arguable must the parties proceed to arbitration anyway?
Law Commission Adopts Pragmatic Approach to Pecuniary Penalties
The recently released Law Commission report on pecuniary penalties accepts that pecuniary penalties are a legitimate tool. However, the Law Commission has made nine recommendations that will mean future legislation invoking penalty regimes will be more principled and uniform. Unfortunately, little has been done about overhauling the pecuniary regimes that are already in place. Pecuniary penalty regimes have become increasingly prevalent, but are drafted on a somewhat ad hoc basis. That created a legislative environment that can appear unclear and unprincipled, a climate that prompted the Law Commission review.
Private Health and Safety Prosecutions
A number of private prosecutions under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (HSEA) have been signalled in recent months. Having recently been counsel in a HSEA private prosecution, Tim Mackenzie outlines the issues that practitioners considering a HSEA prosecution should consider. Registering an interest Any party interested in a potential prosecution must first formally notify Worksafe New Zealand (Worksafe) of an interest in any enforcement action being taken. Worksafe must then advise the interested party of any decisions taken including a decision not to prosecute. If Worksafe declines to prosecute it is sensible for your client to consider their reasons and give weight to them.
Supreme Court finds leaky home limitation periods are not water tight
Osborne & Anor v Auckland City Council & Anor [2014] NZSC 67 Introduction After over seven years of litigation the Supreme Court has yesterday held that John Anthony Osborne and his wife Helen Osborne are entitled to seek relief for a leaky home claim which began in February 2007. On 10 June 2014 the Supreme Court released a unanimous judgment concerning the limitation period for leaky homes claims under the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act 2006 (the "Act"). The effect of the decision is that the limitation period for claims under the Act will extend for 10 years from the date when building work which gives rise to the claim, including the issuing of code compliance certificates by a Council or territorial authority, is completed.
Statutory demand procedure available to liquidators to collect voidable transactions
The recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Damien Grant and Stephen Khov v Lotus Gardens Limited [2014] NZCA 127 overturns a High Court decision which held that liquidators could not use the statutory demand process to collect monies under transactions that had been set aside under the voidable transaction provisions of the Companies Act 1993 (the "Act"). The Court of Appeal held that s 295 of the Act is not the only process available to liquidators to recover transactions that have been set aside. Section 295 of the Act sets out the various discretionary orders a Court can make following a transaction being set aside.
Wolf in sheep's clothing: failed finance company investors at risk?
Investors in Ross Asset Management Ltd (in liquidation) ("RAM") were understandably surprised when the liquidators announced that payments to investors made by the company two years prior to liquidations may be set aside.
Can I claim for a reduction in the value of my claim?
If someone (person A) reduces the value of a claim you have against someone else (person B), can you recover the loss in the value of the claim from A?
Directors: Call Your Brokers [2014] NZLJ 126
Nearly a year to the day after the Court of Appeal, in Steigrad v BFSL 2007 Ltd [2012] NZCA 604, gave insured directors a Christmas present, the Supreme Court has played Scrooge for directors and Santa for liquidators and receivers of, and investors in, failed finance companies to recover losses by pursuing directors of those companies for breaches of their directors' duties and also for breaches of the Securities Act 1978.
Saunders v Vautier and the Recognition of Special Circumstances
A view as to why the NZ Courts should not trump a beneficiary's indefeasible interest in trust property. The rule in Saunders v Vautier (1841) 41 ER 482, which has long been a part of New Zealand's common law, provides that an adult beneficiary who is sui juris (or a number of adult beneficiaries acting together) who has (or between them have) an absolute, vested and indefeasible interest in the capital and income of property, or an aliquot share of capital and income as the case may be, may at any time require the immediate transfer of the property to him (or them) and consequently terminate the trust.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Lawsuit
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. But who has the right to benefit from the film depiction of that hobbit? This is the issue raised by the claim recently filed by Miramax LLC, and its managing directors Harvey and Robert Weinstein ("the Plaintiffs"), against Warner Brothers Entertainment Inc and New Line Cinema Corporation.
Arcadia Homes Ltd (In Liq) v More To This Life
For the first time in New Zealand, the issue of "subject to director's approval" clauses has come before the Courts. This raised the question of how such clauses would be interpreted. In particular, would the Courts approach the clauses as "conditions precedent" or "conditions subsequent"?
Passing Off As Rihanna?
In a recent case from the Chancery Court, Rihanna, a prominent pop star, successfully sued Topshop, a high street fashion retailer, for passing off.
How Safe is Your Goods Service Licence?
You are required under the Land Transport Act 1998 ("the Act") to hold and maintain a Transport Service Licence ("TSL"). If you lose your TSL, you cannot lawfully operate.
Payment of Sum Insured Over and Above EQC Cover
On 15 May the High Court delivered a judgment in respect of a body corporate's earthquake claim against its insurer Zurich: Body Corporate 398983 v Zurich Australian Insurance Limited [2013] NZHC 1109. The issue for determination was whether the amount Zurich was to pay was in addition to the sums paid by the Earthquake Commission.
Advertising Ethical and Socially Responsible Business
Last month Dole came under scrutiny for labelling its fruit products with stickers bearing the slogan “Ethical Choice”. Dole’s justification for the labels was that it has a commitment to ethical conduct throughout its business operations by providing a "safe, healthy, fair, and productive environment" for its workforce.
When is hilarity defamatory?
The New Zealand law reports are replete with defamation cases brought by public figures. One of the earliest was in 1911, where William Massey unsuccessfully sued the New Zealand Times for a cartoon that insinuated he was a liar and guilty of disreputable acts. More recently, The Civilian, a previously niche satirical news website, was launched into the public spotlight by the threat of a defamation action from the leader of the Conservative Party, Colin Craig.
High Court Earthquake List: Key Issues for Determination
An Earthquake List was implemented in the High Court in May 2012 to ensure that cases involving disputes arising out of the earthquakes are dealt with as swiftly as possible.
Section 296 - Avoiding A Voidable Transaction
The recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Farrell and Rogan as Liquidators of Contract Engineering Limited (In Receivership and In Liquidation) v Fences & Kerbs Limited [2013] NZCA 91 has implications for those trading on credit. Previously the defence in an insolvent liquidation, if the liquidator tried to claw back a payment, was available when prior value was given for the payment received. This is no longer the case.
New Zealand Maori Council and Others v The Attorney-General and Others [2013] NZSC 6
On the 28th of February 2013 the Supreme Court found that the Crown's intended proposal to restructure the state-owned asset Mighty River Power was not inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Court concluded that the proposal would not materially impair the Crown's capacity to remedy any Treaty breach in respect of Maori interests in water.
Johnson v Auckland Council [2013] NZHC 165
On 11 February 2013 the High Court found that the purchasers of a leaky building had not taken reasonable steps to protect themselves against the risk that the house had weathertightness issues. Because of this, the loss they suffered was substantially their own fault, and the Court reduced the damages which would otherwise be recoverable by 70%.
Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware
The recent High Court decision of Johnson v Auckland Council highlights the fundamental legal principle of caveat emptor - buyer beware!
Earthquake-prone building policy not enforceable
Six days after the 4 September 2010 earthquake, the Christchurch City Council adopted its Earthquake-Prone, Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy 2010 (the Policy). The High Court has recently found it is unenforceable in terms of the level of strengthening required for earthquake-prone buildings.
Steigrad v BFSL 2007 Ltd [2012] NZCA 604
On 20 December 2012, the Court of Appeal released its decision in Steigrad v BFSL 2007 Ltd [2012] NZCA 604. The decision impacts negatively upon attempts by liquidators and receivers of, and investors in, failed finance companies to recover losses by pursuing directors of those companies for breaches of their directors' duties and also for breaches of the Securities Act 1978.
Cathedral Decision 15 November 2012 - What it Really Means
Outcome: the Judge ordered a stay of the CPT's decision on the basis that the CPT's decision was "incomplete". The Judge found that the trust on which the Cathedral is held required a cathedral to exist on the site, rather than a cathedral in a specific design and form. Importantly, the Judge declined to set the decision aside.
Drastic Change to the Leaky Building Landscape
In Spencer on Byron the Supreme Court held that local authorities owe a duty of care in their inspection role to all building owners. This is a huge development, as previously such a duty only recognised residential building owners.
Crafar Decisions Result in Little Real Change
In the recent Court of Appeal decision, rejecting an attempt to stop the sale of the 'Crafar' farms to Shanghai Pengxin, it was held that the Ministers responsible for granting consent for overseas investments have considerable flexibility in determining what business experience and acumen is relevant to any particular investment.
A New Approach To Litigation Privilege?
If and when litigation privilege attaches to reports obtained by insurers is a hotly debated issue. The general principles can be easily stated and are well accepted: the document in question must have been prepared for the dominant purpose of providing advice in respect of reasonably anticipated litigation.
More than leases bargained for
In the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes many building owners, tenants, developers, and even lawyers have turned to their leases in an attempt to figure out exactly what they happens in a disaster.
A Contextual Approach to the Application of Bias
Howe v Keown has been one of the most controversial cases to pass through the Christchurch Courts this year. The case concerned an injunction application to prevent the defendant, Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown, from participating in the Council process to appoint a new chief exectuive. The plaintiff, a concerned ratepayer, sought the injunction principally on the grounds that the defendant illegitimately favoured the incumbent Council chief executive and had made public statements to that effect. Fogarty J refused to award the injunction and in so doing severally curtailed the application of the law of bias to elected members in public office.
Earthquakes, mortagees and lessees [2011] NZLJ 301
The Canterbury earthquakes have given rise to more than just seismic aftershocks. The legal consequences are only just beginning to be felt. Issues have been raised that have not been considered before and from which there are no easy answers.
Record Keeping and Our Limitation Laws
How will changes to our limitation laws affect you? Charlene Sell, an Associate with Wynn Williams, discusses the impact of our new limitation laws on your business’s record keeping procedures.
Contract: Missed Opportunity? [2010] NZLJ 50
In Vector Gas Ltd v Bay of Plenty Energy Ltd [2010] NZSC 5 the Supreme Court confronted the questions of contractual interpretation, and of what extrinsic evidence may be adduced to prove the meaning of contractual terms. Throughout the 20th century the parol evidence rule, under which the admission of extrinsic evidence to assist in the interpretation of contracts was severely limited, was gradually worn down, primarily through the creation of numerous exceptions combinedwith a judicial re-examination of the principles of contractual interpretation. The result is an area of law that is over-complicated, which hampers the ability of practitioners to provide sound advice to clients.
Section 11 Contractual Remedies Act 1979 - Unintended Consequences?
In 1979 Parliament significantly changed the law of contract in New Zealand by enacting the Contractual Remedies Act 1979. That Act arose from recommendations made by the Contracts and Commercial Law Reform Committee in its 1967 Report on Misrepresentation and Breach of Contract. The Act both changed and codified the law relating to the cancellation of contracts, damages for breach of contract, and damages for misrepresentation which induced entry into a contract.
Save Our Arts Centre - Response to the Opinion of Crown Law
The decision that Crown Law has reached is open to challenge in two ways. First, for such a significant
decision for Christchurch it has come about through an inadequate process. Second, it has failed to
consider the issues properly. Unfortunately, Crown Law has formed its view on limited evidence.
The No Asset Procedure - Easy Bankruptcy?
Emily Walton, associate, and Edward Burrell, former solicitor, with Wynn Williams & Co, look at this from the points of view of both a creditor and a debtor.
The Anti-Smacking Law: Implications for Judicial Review
The debate about the amendment to Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961 produced so much heat that it must have contributed to global warming. However, the compromise agreed between National and Labour prior to the passing of the Amendment Bill introduced a new clause which has ramifications beyond the mere removal of the previous defence to assault on a child.
Trustees Indemnity - Litigation Costs
A trustee is not always entitled to recoup his or her litigation expenses from the trust fund. Often a
trustee will have to await the outcome of litigation before he or she can exercise any right of indemnity. There
are now over 300,000 trusts in New Zealand and an increasing number of trust disputes are being brought before the courts (Wear “QCsaysNZneeds specialist trust bar”Lawtalk, 18 February 2008). However, it is still common for trustees to be advised that they are entitled to have their litigation expenses met out of the trust fund. This is not always the case.
Reported Decisions
Commissioner of Inland Revenue v Cullen Group Ltd (2018) 28 NZTC 23-059
Darlow v Raymond [2017] 3 NZLR 353
Southland Regional Council v Hardegger [2017] 2 NZLR 852
Greig v Hutchison [2015] NZFLR 587
J v J [2015] NZAR 861
Satterthwaite v Gough Holdings Ltd [2015] NZCCLR 15
Dalian Deepwater Developer Ltd v Dybdahl [2015] 3 NZLR 260
Holler v Osaki [2014] 3 NZLR 791
Great Christchurch Buildings Trust v Church Property Trustees [2014] 3 NZLR 236
Howe v Keown [2011] NZAR 764
F M Custodians Ltd v Pinot Rouge New Zealand Ltd [2011] 12 NZCPR 155
Hagaman v Fairbank [2010] 20 PRNZ 68 (CA)
Kain v Hutton [2008] 3 NZLR 589 (SCNZ)
Kowhai Mainland Roof Coatings Ltd v Newman [2009] DCR 211
Cutler v Oceanside Developments Ltd [2009] DCR 645
Cousins v Heslop [2007] 18 PRNZ 677
Waitikiri Links Ltd v Windsor Golf Club Inc [1998] 8 NZCPR 527
Oldfields Ashphalts Ltd v Grovedale Cool Stores [1994] Ltd [1998] 3 NZLR 479
Stavefield Holdings No 29 Ltd v Nathan Securities Ltd [1993] ANZ ConvR 597
Grainger v Rossendale Holdings Ltd [1989] 2 NZLR 389
Independent Fisheries Ltd v Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery [2013] 2 NZLR 397
Church Property Trustees v Attorney-General [2013] 2 NZLR 428
Independent Fisheries Ltd v Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery [2012] NZAR 785
Reynolds v Peter [2010] 20 PRNZ 774
Chirnside v Fay [2007] 1 NZLR 433
Ngati Apa Ki Te Waipounamu Trust v Attorney General of New Zealand and others [2007] 2 NZLR 80
Chirnside v Fay (No 2) [2005] 3 NZLR 689
Shepherd v Disputes Tribunal [2004] NZAR 319
Chirnside & Rattray Properties Ltd v Fay, Supreme Court [2004] 3 NZLR 637, [2005] 3 NZLR 689) (CA)
Kraal v Earthquake Commission [2014] 3 NZLR 42
C v Legal Complaints Review Officer [2013] NZAR 398
Kain v Wynn Williams & Co [2013] 1 NZLR 498 (CA)
Sisson v Standards Committee(2) of the Canterbury-Westland Branch of the NZLS [2013] NZAR 416
C v Legal Complaints Review Officer [2012] NZAR 924; (2012) 21 PRNZ 270
Dominion Finance Group Ltd (in Rec and Liq) v Body Corporate 382902 (2012) 7 NZ ConvC 96-003
Wynn Williams & Co v Kain [2011] 3 NZLR 709
CAA v Griffiths [2010] DCR 169
PGG Wrightsons Ltd v Mid Canterbury Real Estate [2009] DCR 515
Williams v Cazemier [2009] 11 NZCPR 79
Lowe v Brankin (2005) 6 NZCPR 607
R v B [2003] 2 NZLR 777, (2003) 20 CRNZ 308
Brankin v MacLean [2003] 2 NZLR 687
Canterbury Regional Council v Newman [2002] 1 NZLR 289
Morris v Templeton (2000) 14 PRNZ 397
Hall v Warwick Todd Ltd (2000) 9 TCLR 448
Newman v Canterbury Regional Council [2000] NZRMA 420
Official Assignee v Brodie (2000) 15 PRNZ 89
Halswater Holdings Ltd v Selwyn District Council [1999] ELRNZ 192
Tubbs v Futurity Investments Ltd and Buchanans Foundry Ltd [1998] 1 NZLR 471
R v Guy (1996) 13 CRNZ 589
R v S (1995) 13 CRNZ
King v Wilkinson (1994) 2 NZ ConvC 191,828
A v District Court (1993) 11 CRNZ 335
Savin v De Vere(1986) 3 NZ ConvC 99,703
Anglian Sales Ltd v South Pacific Manufacturing Co Ltd [1984] 2 NZLR 249, (1984) 2 NZCLC 99,220
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Torts and Resource Management Prize Winners’ Celebration
Wynn Williams established the University of Canterbury Torts Prize in 1993 and the Resource Management Law Prize in 2009, and each year the firm continues to celebrate the achievements of the two winners at its annual Prize Giving Ceremony. The prizes are awarded annually on the recommendation of the Faculty of Law to the top students in Torts / Resource Management Law. This year’s winners were Max Beckert who received the Prize in Resource Management Law and Will Chambers who received the Prize in Torts.
The 2018 event was held on Thursday 8 March with the firm’s partners and other Wynn Williams staff welcoming the winners, their families and law faculty staff to help celebrate the recipients’ success. Chief Operating Officer, Matthew Jones said “It is always a pleasure to invite the winners and their families to the Prize Giving Ceremony in recognition of their hard work. The prizes encourage students to excel in their chosen field, and the firm is proud to continue to support the University with this initiative each year”
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Home / Life story / kevin de bruyne … Belgium star and Manchester City club …. kevin de bruyne wifeMichèle Lacroix
Ahmed Mohamed 2 weeks ago Life story Leave a comment 22 Views
kevin de bruyne the German FC Wolfsburg, Debroin was able to achieve the 2015 German Super Cup in 2015.
With the Man City English club
(the player won the Premier League in 2018/the cup of Professional English clubs in 2018/Premier League 2019/the Professional League Cup 2019 and the FA Cup 2019).
kevin de bruyne The march of the player kevin de bruyne International
The talent of the player made him graded in the ranks of the Belgian team quickly played in the ranks of the team for less than 18 years in 2008,
Where he played only 7 games,
and 10 matches in a team less than 19 years old, before he found himself in the ranks of the first team at the age of 19,
De Bruwen fought the first international match with the Belgian team in 2010,
The Belgian young man starred in the eyes of Belgian coach George Lickens in 2010,
Debroen started his career in Finland’s match on 11 or 2010,
Which ended with the victory of the Belgian team with a broad result (6 1),
De Bruin, the newcomer to the then-Red Devils,
has made the team’s history the most extensive.
Proving itself as a difficult equation in the basic lineup of the Belgian team despite its many stars,
in qualifying qualifiers for the World Cup year in Brazil in 2014,
The Belgian young man succeeded in registering his first goals with the team on October 12, 2012 in front of the Serbian team, which ended at that time (3 0),
Kevin also succeeded in being the team’s top scorer in the playoffs with 4 goals and leading his country to participate in the World Cup finals held in Brazil.
He played de Bruin since his debut with Belgium in 2010,
where he participated in more than 50 international games for Belgium,
It was also part of the Belgian lineup that reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
In 2018, like Belgium in the World Cup where he won third place after winning England in the third place match.
Wife of the player Kevin Debroin Michèle Lacroix
The Belgian man, Kevin de Bruin, met his wife Michelle Lacroix in 2014 before his wedding in Italy last year.
Michel gave birth to a two-and-a-half-year-old child named Mason, who is now pregnant in her second child.
Michelle is the 26-year-long queen of Manchester,
during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Stoke City at Etihad Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Manchester, England.
as confirmed by British Sun, who has been interested in publishing a lengthy report on Michelle and her love story with the Belgian star.
Michelle is associated with a love story with de Bruin where she wrote on her account banstgram:
“Today is my birthday, I have the best surprise before Christmas,
I will marry my best friend, partner in adversity, love of my life “.
Belgian star Kevin de Bruin, midfielder of Manchester City English striker,
has announced that his fourth child would be waiting for his family to be composed of four people without three.
The star of the Belgian team published a photo through his personal account on the social networking site “Instagram”,
gathered by his wife and son Mason, commenting on it saying: “The duties of the elder brother”, and the wife Michel added another message of her own,
and said: “Family of 4 individuals”.The Sun, a British newspaper, said that Kevin de Bruin,
who already had a child from his wife Michel, named Mason Milian,
would become August for the second time, as he would soon add another child to his small family.
kevin de bruyne The birth of my son contributed to my transition Manchester City
Belgian player Kevin de Bruin admitted that the birth of his son played a major role in his move to Manchester City last summer because of his desire to secure all the needs of the family.
Kevin de Broin made 21 decisive passes in the Bundesliga last season with his former Wolfsburg club, before moving to Manchester City for £55 million.
“The birth of my son may be the best day of my life and cannot be compared with football,
although he played a role in a transition to Manchester City,” said former Wolfsburg star.
“If I hadn’t had this baby, I might have stayed in the ranks of Wolfsburg because I didn’t want to move, maybe I would continue my career with my former team if this happy event hadn’t happened,” he said.
Sources : Kevin De Bruyne
See Also : Mo Salah
: Sadio Mane
: Leionel Messi
About Ahmed Mohamed
Previous Egyptian Mohamed Salah, a player of Liverpool … Champions League champion
Next Sergio Ramos history and honeymoon in Egypt and his relationship with Mo Salah
Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez , Perhaps The Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo lives most of his …
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Home » Blog » Perfil: The U.S. Congress had cited Nisman in 2013 and Cristina didn’t allow him to travel
Perfil: The U.S. Congress had cited Nisman in 2013 and Cristina didn’t allow him to travel
The suspicious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman has reverberated nationally and internationally. Several news outlets in Latin America and around the world discussed the news and the continued advances in the investigation. There has been such shock provoked by the death of the man who accused the government of Argentina of reaching an agreement with Iran that those who were in contact with him at some point had theories about what might now happen.
Cuban-American Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chair of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, who was in frequent contact with Nisman professionally, referred to the “many doubts around what happened to this prosecutor” and issued a press statement.
Ros-Lehtinen worked with Nisman on the AMIA case: “We had a lot of ties with this prosecutor because we care a lot about Iran’s influence in Latin America,” she said in a conversation with AmericaTeVe “We were always in communication with him; he called us, we called him. We invited him to testify in Congress,” she further said.
The statement also recalls that in July 2013, President Cristina Kirchner “refused to let Alberto (Nisman)” travel to the United States to testify before the Congress. “For years I have being authoring legislation to condemn the attack on the AMIA and I mentioned Alberto’s reports in our resolutions. Alberto appreciated being mentioned in our press releases, fearing that people might forget these terrible atrocities of terrorism perpetrated by Hezbollah,” wrote the Cuban-American representative.
She not only referred to Nisman’s death, but in the same way as President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner she questioned whether the prosecutor killed himself: “I am very suspicious about this suicide because I knew him professionally. He didn’t seem to me to be a person who was depressed, who had that kind of problem,” she told AmericaTeVe, a website that had confirmed an interview with him over Skype for Monday, until he was found dead in his apartment in Puerto Madero.
“I extend my sincere condolences to Alberto’s family and friends. The people of Argentina have lost a great defender of the rule of law and a fighter against corruption and terrorism. (…) Under these mysterious circumstances, I urge that a transparent and neutral independent entity to hold a thorough investigation of the reality surrounding this death,” wrote the Congresswoman on her website.
It’s time to hold Iran accountable for terrorism in Argentina
Al-Arabiya
Bloomberg: Argentina Under Fire for Revealing Trip of Fleeing Reporter
New York Times: Whodunit? In Obsessed Nation, Question Becomes Who Didn’t
Real Clear World: Argentine Probe Closes In
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Entries in Most Expensive (6)
Twenty Most Expensive Places to Get Hitched
Stockbyte/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- New York City continues its reign as most expensive place to get married in the U.S. with couples spending $76,787 on average, according to the annual Real Weddings Survey by TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com.
The survey revealed that the average amount couples spend on weddings in the country reached a high since 2008 at $28,427, not including the honeymoon. Spending in nearly every category also increased, including money spent on a photographer, venue and wedding planner.
"In general, you're seeing couples a little more comfortable with their pocket books," said Anja Winikka, site editor for TheKnot.com. "Most spending is up across the board. They're adding a few more flowers. They're going for the higher-end dress."
The average amount spent on a wedding dress in 2012 was $1,211, compared with $1,121 in 2011. The average number of guests is 139.
This year, spending per guest increased to $204 from $196 in 2011.
"Couples are concentrating on their guests and creating a holistic experience for guests. It's not just about a dazzling dress and me, me, me," she said.
More couples this past year, one in four, provided shuttles and buses for guests to attend their wedding.
New York City has been the most expensive place to get married in the country since TheKnot.com began asking this question in 2007. The least expensive place to get married is Alaska, with an average of $15,504 per wedding.
Winikka said the amount of spending is likely tied to rent and the cost of living.
"To own and run a business in Manhattan is that much more expensive than in the rest of the country," she said.
New to this year's list of 20 most expensive places to get married are Savannah, Ga. (17th), Sacramento/Reno/Tahoe (18th), and Illinois (20th).
1. New York City (Manhattan)
Average spent per wedding: $76,687
2. Chicago
Average spent per wedding:$49,810
3. New York Metro (Long Island, Hudson Valley and NYC Outer Boroughs)
Average spent per wedding, respectively: $49,002, $46,300, $39,602
4. Northern/Central New Jersey and Southern New Jersey
Average spent per wedding, respectively: $48,496, $35,375
5. Rhode Island
6. Santa Barbara/Ventura, Calif.
7. Boston
9. Connecticut
10. San Francisco
12. San Diego and Orange County/Inland Empire, Calif.
13. Baltimore
14. Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia
15. Houston
16. Southern Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas)
17. Savannah, Ga.
18. Sacramento/Reno/Tahoe
19. Hawaii
20. Illinois
Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 2:08PM by Christine Hsu Permalink
tagged Cost of a Wedding, Most Expensive in Business General
New York City Tops "Forbes'' 5 Most Expensive US Zip Codes
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- A lack of inventory is driving real estate prices higher, especially in the most expensive zip codes in the country.
Forbes on Tuesday released its annual list of the zip codes with the priciest housing. While the usual suspects made the top five, a New York City zip code topped the list for the first time since Forbes began collecting this data several years ago.
Forbes and Altos Research pulled pricing data for more than 22,000 zip codes in the U.S. from June 28 to Sept. 28, then analyzed the 500 most expensive. Only single-family homes and condominiums were sampled. Multi-family homes and co-ops were left out, which may be one reason New York City, known for its high housing costs, had not reached number one on Forbes' list yet. Four of the most expensive 10 zip codes are in Manhattan.
Morgan Brennan, real estate reporter at Forbes, said New York City zip codes surrounding famed Central Park were especially expensive, though the zip code that was most expensive, 10065, had more expensive single-family homes and co-ops.
"The regions most popular are these zip codes that hug Central Park, especially with high-end buyers," she said. "Wealthy, foreign investors consider it a safe-haven investment."
Coming in second is the exclusive, posh Alpine, a suburb in New Jersey that is usually in the top three each year. Brennan said what is driving the high prices there is a lack of multi-family housing and many multi-million-dollar single-family estates.
In its analysis, Forbes takes into account not just housing prices, but the amount of time properties are on the market and inventory.
Inventory is down about 30 percent on average among all the zip codes that made Forbes' list. This is true especially in Silicon Valley, which is represented on the list by Atherton and Hillsborough, third and fifth, respectively.
Because of the tech boom in Silicon Valley, Brennan said inventory is down even more drastically there.
Here is the list of the top five most expensive zip codes compiled by Forbes:
1. New York, N.Y. (10065)
Median home price: $6,534,430
Number of homes on the market: 80
2. Alpine, N.J. (07620)
3. Atherton, Calif. (94027)
4. Sagaponack, N.Y. (11962)
5. Hillsborough, Calif. (94010)
Number of homes on the market: 124
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 9:50PM by Carmen Cox Permalink
tagged Forbes, Most Expensive, New York City, Top 5, Zip Codes in Business General, Economy, Real Estate/Housing Market
Sarah Lawrence Tops List of Most Expensive US Colleges
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- A college degree may be losing its value, but the price tag for a four-year education continues to rise.
The cost to attend college for one year exceeded $60,000 for the first time this year, according to Campus Grotto, a college publication that compiles an annual list of the most expensive colleges.
Tuition at more than 70 colleges is more than $55,000, according to Campus Grotto, and the sticker price often makes it necessary for students to seek financial assistance through student loans and other means.
Last year, the total student debt surpassed $1 trillion.
According to a report from the Pew Research Center, nearly one in every five U.S. households is saddled with student loan debt.
The Pew Report found that 40 percent of all households headed by those younger than 35 had student loan debt. Among households owing on student loans, the average outstanding loan balance increased from $23,349 in 2007 to $26,682 in 2010, according to the Pew Research Center.
In the meantime, the cost of a college degree continues to climb.
This year the cost to attend the most expensive college, Sarah Lawrence College, for one year was more than double the average outstanding loan balance in 2010. The private college in New York’s Westchester County charges its students $61,236 a year for tuition, room and board and fees.
Here’s Campus Grotto’s list of the top 10 most expensive colleges:
1. Sarah Lawrence College
Total Cost: $61,236
2. New York University
3. Harvey Mudd College
4. Columbia University
5. Wesleyan University
6. Claremont McKenna College
7. Dartmouth College
9. University of Chicago
10. Bard College
Friday, October 5, 2012 at 6:49PM by Carmen Cox Permalink
tagged Colleges, Debt, Most Expensive, Student Loans, Tuition, Universities in Business General
The Seven Most Expensive Places to Live in the US
Hemera/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- You may have suspected it all along, but the data backs it up: Manhattan is, once again, the most expensive place to live in the United States.
That's according to an index of 300 cities published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), which found that the cost of living in the borough of Manhattan in New York City is 133.5 percent higher than the national average of 100, with an index score of 233.5. Harlingen, Texas, is the least expensive city, with a cost of living 18.4 percent below the national average.
"The top 10 most expensive cities are pretty stable, they remain almost static," said Dean Frutiger, project manager for the Cost of Living Index project at C2ER. "There's more change with the bottom."
The council has published the quarterly data for 45 years (previously, it was released by the government) and bases its information on the prices of 60 consumer goods and services in six categories: grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous items.
Not surprisingly, housing carries the largest weight, said Frutiger, noting that about 29 percent of our income is spent on housing. That's the reason Washington, D.C., wound its way into the top 10 this year instead of hovering around the 11th or 12th spot.
"Housing prices have been hurt very badly by the recession. However, D.C.'s housing has remained relatively strong because there's a built-in market in D.C. You wouldn't believe the construction going on there relative to other cities," Frutiger said.
Here's a list of the seven cities with the highest cost of living out of 300 regions analyzed by C2ER:
1. Manhattan, New York City - Index Score: 233.5
2. Brooklyn, New York City - Index Score: 183.4
3. Honolulu - Index Score: 170.8
4. San Francisco - Index Score: 163.2
5. San Jose, California - Index Score: 156.5
6. Queens, New York City - Index Score: 151.4
7. Stamford, Connecticut - Index Score: 146.7
Friday, August 31, 2012 at 6:29AM by Jeanette Torres Permalink
tagged Manhattan, Most Expensive, United States in Business General, Personal Finance
9 Most Expensive American Cities
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- What drives costs in the most expensive cities in the U.S.? The answer is housing. But the nationwide trend of falling home prices won't knock the city with the highest cost of living, New York, out of the top spot anytime soon.
According to an index of 306 cities published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), the cost of living in the borough of Manhattan in New York City is 128 percent higher than the national average, with an index score of 228.
The council has published the quarterly data since 1968, after it was originally published by the government, and uses the prices of 60 consumer goods and services in six categories: grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous items.
Housing, which is weighted the heaviest in the analysis, created challenges for the data collection with its plummeting prices across the country.
"This is the worst economy the project has seen since 1968," said Dean Frutiger, project manager of the Cost of Living Index project at C2ER.
Frutiger said the project usually does not use new home prices below $365,000 for its data collection, but he has been seeing "prices that are far below that."
"The economy forces us to be pretty flexible," he said.
Here's a list of the nine cities with the highest cost of living out of the 306 regions analyzed by C2ER:
Manhattan (New York), N.Y.
While C2ER aims to collect uniform data about mortgage rates, housing prices and rental costs across the country, the densely populated area of Manhattan requires certain attention with its 1.6 million residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
C2ER works with local organizations to collect data on designated days so the information is as consistent as it can be across the country.
Frutiger said C2ER usually looks at homes with four or more bedrooms at about 2,400 square feet.
"In Texas, that's a closet, but that's going to be huge in Manhattan," he said.
For that reason, C2ER will have to pro-rate housing data from New York to compare to the other cities in the index.
Brooklyn (New York), N.Y.
The borough of Brooklyn creates similar challenges to that of Manhattan. With a population of 2,504,700, according to the U.S. Census, Brooklyn is the most populous of the New York's five boroughs. It is however, the second largest, which arguably may make housing more affordable than in Manhattan.
New York boroughs make it to the top of the list frequently, Frutiger said.
"I don't think anyone would be surprised looking at that," he said.
San Francisco, Calif.
The cost of living is 66.5 percent higher in San Francisco than the national average. While housing is more affordable in San Francisco than in Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Golden Gate region's transportation costs and health care were slightly more expensive Brooklyn's, according to the data submitted to C2ER.
The cost of living in Honolulu is 65.8 percent higher than the national average, closely following San Francisco. While its housing costs are below that of San Francisco, Honolulu's five other categories -- its grocery items, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services -- were higher than in San Francisco.
San Jose may be a world away from San Francisco in terms of urban and suburban aesthetics, but it is just a one-hour drive to the south in good traffic. The heart of Silicon Valley had higher costs than San Francisco, according to the index, in the categories of utilities, transportation and healthcare.
Stamford, Conn.
A suburb of New York, Stamford has a cost of living 47.4 percent higher than the national average. Though finance professionals have been known to escape to Stamford for lower costs and more real estate space, the index indicates utilities costs higher in Stamford than in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Queens (New York), N.Y.
The largest New York City borough by area, Queens is an expensive real estate market. Though housing prices are lower than in Brooklyn, Queens had higher costs than Brooklyn for grocery items, utilities, transportation and health care.
Orange County, Calif.
Encompassing the metropolitan area of Santa Ana, Anaheim and Irvine, Orange County's housing costs were higher than in Queens, New York. However, its utilities and healthcare costs were lower than those of Queens. Lacking an efficient public transit system, Orange County had transportation costs higher than those of Queens, San Francisco and San Jose.
Washington, D.C./Arlington/Alexandria, Va.
In previous years, Washington D.C. was not on the top ten list, but has become one of the most expensive cities in recent years, Frutiger said.
"The housing market in D.C. has remained very strong, unlike the rest of country," Frutiger said. "Housing can drive the index very easily."
Housing costs in Washington, D.C. were higher than in Orange County, but were lower than in the other cities of the top nine.
Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 4:58PM by Carmen Cox Permalink
tagged American Cities, Most Expensive, United States in Business General, Economy, Real Estate/Housing Market
Divorcing Wife Sues Billionaire Over $88M NY Penthouse
Hemera/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Dmitry Rybolovlev, the billionaire who purchased the most expensive property in New York City, is facing a lawsuit from his wife Elena Rybolovleva. She claims he purchased the $88 million penthouse to hide his assets as the couple endures a divorce.
On March 14, Rybolovleva sued her billionaire husband alleging that he “fraudulently transferred property acquired during his marriage,” violating a Swiss Court order. The suit also alleges that he used the property to purchase the penthouse at 15 Central Park West, which once belonged to former Citibank CEO Sandy Weill, for his own personal use.
The couple is currently in the middle of divorce filed in December of 2008, which should have prevented the purchase of the property.
A spokesperson for Crowe Horwath, which is listed as the company in care of the company that owns 15 Central Park West, told ABC News, "many clients use our address and client matters are confidential.”
David B. Newman, an attorney for wife Rybolovleva, told ABC News, ”Mr. Rybolovlev has taken assets that were acquired during the marriage and has moved them to places to make them unavailable to the wife.”
“Mr. Rybolovlev has lots and lots of assets and they’re all over the world and we’re trying to do what we can in regards to the assets in the United States,” said Newman.
According to the lawsuit, Rybolovlev allegedly “formed a sham entity for the sole purpose and with the specific intent of hiding and diverting his personal interest in the property.”
The New York City property came with a hefty price tag of 66 percent more than previous record sale, according to The Wall Street Journal. The sale of the home with wraparound terrace brought in city and state taxes of around $2.5 million, according to WSJ.
Why the $88 million home? The two allegedly looked at the home before divorce proceedings but the Weills were not looking to sell, according to Rybololeva’s attorney.
“If you look at these Russian oligarch, they want to buy the biggest and best and most expensive,” said Newman. Another example is the $95 million mansion purchased from Donald Trump in Florida.
Rybolovlev’s attorney in the Florida dispute could not comment on the New York state lawsuit.
He continued, “if you look at someone like that they’re very ego driven. They want to get the biggest and the best, and that appears to be what he wants to do.”
The fertilizer billionaire with an estimated net worth of $9 billion is expected to contest the suit.
Rybolovleva is asking the court for a “constructive trust” over the multi-million dollar property and the trust company so that it “cannot be alienated, conveyed, encumbered, transferred or wasted” pending the ruling of the Swiss court and an award of costs and attorney fees.
Friday, March 16, 2012 at 4:04PM by Carmen Cox Permalink
tagged Divorce, Lawsuit, Most Expensive, New York City, Property, Real Estate in Business General
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Kolton Lee is a former Editor of The Voice, the UK’s biggest black newspaper, and is the first black News Editor of a national tabloid, The News On Sunday.
After a short stint at the BBC, he went on to study at the National Film and Television School, before making his mark writing scripts for the top-rating soap opera Eastenders, and the drama series Byker Grove and Brothers and Sisters.
Working with Lenny Henry’s Crucial Films, he wrote and directed the short films A Chance To Dance, Phoenix, The Arrival Of Brighteye and Serpent’s Tooth. After a brief period in the US, where he wrote and directed the cult short film American Mod (which features the last ever screen performance of gay icon Quentin Crisp), he returned to the UK to set up his own production company, Prophet Pictures.
Titles by Kolton Lee
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Our Team //
Andrew joined Action Planning in 2012 after developing marketing programmes at a number of leading non-profit organisations including the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Cancer Research UK (CR-UK) and The Central Office of Information (COI). He has over 15 years experience across sectors, with a unique blend of marketing, brand building, fundraising, strategy and innovation.
Andrew joined Action Planning in 2012 after developing marketing programmes at a number of leading non-profit organisations including the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Cancer Research UK (CR-UK) and The Central Office of Information (COI), the government’s communications agency. He has over 15 years experience across the voluntary, public and commercial sectors, with a unique offering across marketing, brand building, fundraising, strategy and innovation.
As Head of Special Projects at the BHF, Andrew led the planning and delivery of a number of integrated campaigns across fundraising, social marketing and cause-related marketing. His broad experience ranged from brand development for fundraising, creating experiential marketing campaigns targeting some of the UK’s most deprived areas and developing membership programmes for individuals and workplaces to encourage people to look after their heart. He also led the cause-related marketing team at BHF working with high profile partners including FMCG brands Flora, Shredded Wheat, Tetley and Weight Watchers to raise over £2.5m per year.
Andrew also has experience in delivering private and public phase planning for major Appeals. At the BHF, he launched the public phase of the BHF’s most ambitious project to date, The Mending Broken Hearts Appeal in 2011 and led the BHF’s Fashion Board to create unique events to raise funds for the Appeal. At CR-UK, Andrew set up a new campaign management function to provide a lead on campaign project management, campaign communication strategy and delivery, and planning and delivery of campaign events.
At COI, Andrew developed the partnership marketing department and delivered strategic partnerships, sponsorship and PR campaigns for government departments. Acting in the unique position of both client and agency, to manage and implement major government communication campaigns.
Andrew is passionate about innovation and encouraging non-profit organisations to think differently about how their fundraising and service teams work together to drive loyalty and support – led by customer insight and need.
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Hamptons Life
Jun 14, 2019 12:15 PMPublication: The East Hampton Press & The Southampton Press
Let's Talk Arts: Jill Eikenberry Sings At Bay Street's 'Music Mondays'
By Annette Hinkle
Bay Street Theater’s “Music Mondays” summer concert series returns on July 1 with “Here I Go Again!” a performance by Golden Globe winner Jill Eikenberry and her husband Michael Tucker. Ms. Eikenberry and Mr. Tucker were last seen at Bay Street in “Enter Laughing, the Musical” and they return this time with songs from life and career. The couple also appeared together on NBC’s long-running hit series “LA Law,” and recently, Ms. Eikenberry talked about the upcoming Bay Street show and the joys of working with her husband.
Q: Do you think of yourself primarily as an actress or a singer? Do you enjoy performing as one over the other?
I’m an actress who loves to sing. I mostly choose songs that have wonderful lyrics and good acting opportunities. Singing makes me so happy. There’s nothing like it. But I also love to immerse myself in a character in a play or a movie and live there for awhile. So I can’t really choose one over the other. They both teach me a lot about myself.
Q: How did “Here I Go Again!” come about?
My husband Mike Tucker and I put together a cabaret act together 10 years ago, and performed around the country, but we never did it in New York. It was really something Mike did for me because he was never that into it. Then, in January of 2017 I decided to celebrate my 70th birthday by doing my own cabaret show at Feinstein’s 54/Below in Manhattan. I thought it would be one night only. It was terrifying and totally exhilarating. So when they asked me to do an encore performance a few months later I agreed. Then, this year Feinstein’s asked again and I created a new show to perform there in January and March. Hence the title: “Here I Go Again!” It’s also the first line of “Taking a Chance on Love” which is my first song. And Mike will sing a few tunes with me after all.
Q: Were the songs in the program selected by theme or because they have special personal meaning for you?
Both. My theme is “love” because that’s what I like to sing about and because I think we need as much love as we can get these days. But each of these songs has a personal connection for me. Some are songs that I sang in musicals, some are favorite songs from my life, and some are songs I’ve always wanted to sing. The composers include Joni Mitchell, Janis Ian, Randy Newman, Kurt Weill, Antonio Carlos Jobim and John Kander. And I’ve invited my friend David Rasche to sing two of his original songs in the show. David is a song writer of note (with songs on the radio) and he’s preparing his own show for 54/Below. So this will be a sneak preview.
Q: I love that you and Michael have worked together so much on television, stage and now, here you are again in concert. How unusual is it for theatrical spouses to be able to work together? What’s the secret of your working relationship?
We have a really good marriage. We’ve been together for 46 years and it just keeps getting better. We both do a lot of work on ourselves to keep evolving and getting to know ourselves better as individuals—and that’s really the key. But sometimes—no matter how good the marriage is—couples don’t like working together. We’re lucky that way. We’ve always loved to act and perform together. We feel it makes us braver. And we’re both excited by change. We love to explore new territory.
In the last 20 years Mike has written and published four books. And in recent years he has become a wonderful playwright. His most recent play, “Fern Hill” will have its New York premiere this fall at 59 E 59th Street Theater. I’ll be in it with five amazing actors, (including David Rasche who plays my husband). We couldn’t be more excited! And I feel so smart because at my age the parts keep getting smaller and less interesting. But now my husband is writing me leading roles. And the one in “Fern Hill” is one of the best parts I’ve ever had!
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your connection to the area? Do you have a home here or visit frequently?
We love visiting Sag Harbor and have wonderful friends in the area. Also—we had the time of our lives in Sag Harbor in the summer of 2011 when we did “Enter Laughing, the Musical” at Bay Street Theater. It’s one of the best memories we have of working together. The audiences were fantastic!
“Here I Go Again!” with Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker is Monday, July 1, 8 p.m. at Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor. Joining Ms. Eikenberry and Mr. Tucker on stage will be special guest David Rasche. Tickets are from $69 to $89 at baystreet.org or 631-725-9500.
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Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show
friarboy
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Jul 28, 2014 7:58:32 GMT -5 doofus67 likes this
Post by friarboy on Jul 28, 2014 7:58:32 GMT -5
60s Satellite Survey host and 60s on 6 PD Lou Simon is hosting a new music talk show, called "Talk Talk" every Sunday night at 11 PM ET on Sirius XM 60s on 6. In true SXM fashion, there's nothing about it on the channel's web page, and only a very short blurb when you click it on the schedule grid. I don't know what channels they're promoting it on, but they're not doing a very good job of promotion on the website.
I recall that some of you listen to the 60s survey, and so far the talk show is just as good. He doesn't limit it to 60s music and has had several good guests on in the first few weeks. I called last night with a question about Tommy James. The time's not great for me since I have to get up for work on Mondays but it's also available on demand- unless I want to call in.
Lou Simon seems to be an extremely knowledgeable, very personable guy and I think it's a great show.
Last Edit: Jul 28, 2014 8:00:28 GMT -5 by friarboy
lowbasso
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Feb 9, 2016 12:28:29 GMT -5
Post by lowbasso on Feb 9, 2016 12:28:29 GMT -5
So Lou; On Sunday night's show (2/7);
Name two people who appeared on a Beatles song and also on all four Beatles solo projects as well -
I got one with Eric Clapton. Didn't hear who the second one was.
If the other wasn't Billy Preston, then was it George Martin?
Feb 9, 2016 12:28:29 GMT -5 lowbasso said:
Nicky Hopkins!!
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Mar 5, 2017 11:22:27 GMT -5 via mobile
Post by doofus67 on Mar 5, 2017 11:22:27 GMT -5
There are some significant changes to "Talk Talk."
-- The show is now called "The Diner."
-- It's been moved from 60s on 6 to the new music-related talk channel, Volume, SXM channel 106.
-- The start time is now an hour earlier, 10 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Pacific.
-- And the show runs for two hours instead of one.
You'll still get all the fun discussion topics, all the great trivia, and you'll always learn something new, guaranteed.
For instance, what songs took 15 weeks to reach #1 once they debuted in the top 40? There were four of them altogether.
Check it out tonight. Lou often says you can never have too many music nerds!
(By the way, I don't work for SiriusXM. I'm not selling or promoting anything. I'm just a highly devoted listener. For any regulars out there, I'm Mike in Riverside.)
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Aug 5, 2017 2:52:45 GMT -5 via mobile
I came up with this next question and e-mailed it in to Lou, as I have done with many other things over the three years this show has been on. It had all the listeners, and Lou, stumped.
But I know that this forum is a whole different crowd. At least one member will know this answer right off the top.
What do these eight artists have in common?
Sly & the Family Stone
The Spice Girls
To follow up on a great Diner chart trivia question from a few months back...
The four records that needed 15 or more weeks to get to #1 once they were played by Casey for the first time:
"Sad Eyes"
"Please Don't Go"
"Do That to Me One More Time"
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Aug 5, 2017 3:00:19 GMT -5 doofus67 likes this
Post by slf on Aug 5, 2017 3:00:19 GMT -5
Aug 5, 2017 2:52:45 GMT -5 doofus67 said:
I think I got the answer. All these acts had at least one Top 40 hit in which the act's name, or part of the name, was in the title of the song.
EW&F's "Serpentine Fire" and Queen's "Killer Queen".
Aug 5, 2017 3:00:19 GMT -5 slf said:
Such quickness! Can you put the songs with the other six acts?
You must be out here on the West Coast with me. I figured I had the forum to myself.
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Aug 5, 2017 16:07:53 GMT -5 doofus67 likes this
Post by slf on Aug 5, 2017 16:07:53 GMT -5
Here are the other six examples:
"Human" (The Human League)
"Family Affair" (Sly & The Family Stone)
"Spice Up Your Life" (The Spice Girls)
"Stray Cat Strut" (The Stray Cats)
"Ice Ice Baby" (Vanilla Ice)
"Who Are You" (The Who)
Oh, and no, I'm not from the West Coast; I'm from the Indianapolis metro area, in the Eastern Time Zone. I would usually be in deep REM sleep at the time I posted, but I had to get up early for mandatory 6 AM Saturday overtime at my warehouse job.
Post by djjoe1960 on Aug 5, 2017 16:43:01 GMT -5
Aug 5, 2017 16:07:53 GMT -5 slf said:
By the way, I'm guessing stuff like The Beach Boys Medley and The Beatles Movie Medley, don't qualify .
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Aug 26, 2017 23:51:04 GMT -5
Post by doofus67 on Aug 26, 2017 23:51:04 GMT -5
One of the more popular "diner topics" of late has been different songs with the same title. This has coincided with an equally popular thread on this forum, "Same Title - But Definitely Not the Same Song!" After some listeners submitted good examples, Lou suggested that we narrow it down to titles that have been shared by three or more different top-ten records. Again, folks were writing and calling in with correct answers. Then, in true chart hound fashion, I stepped up and compiled this complete list.
Overall, there are 23 titles that have been shared by at least three different top-ten songs. The all-time champs are "Forever", "Lady," and "Stay." Each has been the title of FIVE different top-ten records!
By the way, if any of you would like to submit chart trivia or chart-related topics, or anything music-related, to this show, the e-mail address is TheDiner@siriusxm.com.
"Angel" Madonna (#5, 1985); Aerosmith (#3, 1988); Sarah McLachlan (#4, 1999); Shaggy w/ Rayvon (#1, 2001)
"Cherish" The Association (#1, 1966) and David Cassidy (#9, 1972); Kool & the Gang (#2, 1985); Madonna (#2, 1989)
"Crazy" Patsy Cline (#9, 1961); Seal (#7, 1991); Gnarls Barkley (#2, 2006)
"Dance with Me" Orleans (#6, 1975); Peter Brown (#8, 1978); Debelah Morgan (#8, 2001)
"Fire" Crazy World of Arthur Brown (#2, 1968); Ohio Players (#1, 1975); Pointer Sisters (#2, 1979)
"Forever" Little Dippers (#9, 1960); KISS (#8, 1990); Mariah Carey (#9, 1996); Chris Brown (#2, 2008); Drake (#8, 2009)
"Girlfriend" Pebbles (#5, 1988); NSYNC w/ Nelly (#5, 2002); Avril Lavigne (#1, 2007)
"Hero" Mariah Carey (#1, 1993); Enrique Iglesias (#3, 2001); Chad Kroeger (#3, 2002)
"Jump" Van Halen (#1, 1984); Pointer Sisters w/ subtitle "For My Love" added for single release (#3, 1984); Kris Kross (#1, 1992)
"Lady" Styx (#6, 1975); Little River Band (#10, 1979); Kenny Rogers (#1, 1980); Commodores w/ subtitle "You Bring Me Up" (#8, 1981); D'Angelo (#10, 1996)
"Love Song" The Cure (#2, 1989); Tesla (#10, 1990); Sara Bareilles (#4, 2008)
"Magic" Pilot (#5, 1975); Olivia Newton-John (#1, 1980); B.o.B (#10, 2010)
"Missing You" John Waite (#1, 1984); Diana Ross (#10, 1985); Case (#4, 2001)
"My Love" Petula Clark (#1, 1966); Paul McCartney & Wings (#1, 1973); Lionel Richie (#5, 1983); Justin Timberlake w/ T.I. (#1, 2006)
"One" Three Dog Night (#5, 1969); Bee Gees (#7, 1989); U2 (#10, 1992)
"Real Love" Doobie Brothers (#5, 1980); Jody Watley (#2, 1989); Mary J. Blige (#7, 1992)
"Someday" Glass Tiger (#7, 1987); Mariah Carey (#1, 1991); Sugar Ray (#7, 1999); Nickelback (#7, 2004)
"Stay" Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs (#1, 1960); Shakespear's Sister (#4, 1992); Lisa Loeb w/ subtitle "I Missed You" (#1, 1994); Rihanna (#3, 2013); Zedd w/ Alessia Cara (#7, 2017)
"Sweet Dreams" Air Supply (#5, 1982); Eurythmics w/ subtitle "Are Made of This" (#1, 1983); Beyoncé (#10, 2009)
"Thank You" Sly & the Family Stone w/ subtitle "Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin" (#1, 1970); Alanis Morissette, spelled "Thank U" (#2, 1998); Dido, spelled "Thankyou" (#3, 2001)
"Tonight" Ferrante & Teicher (#8, 1961); New Kids on the Block (#7, 1990); Jonas Brothers (#8, 2008); Enrique Iglesias w/ subtitle "I'm Lovin' You" (#10, 2010)
"Touch Me" Doors (#3, 1969); Samantha Fox w/ subtitle "I Want Your Body" (#4, 1987); Cathy Dennis w/ subtitle "All Night Long" (#2, 1991)
"Without You" Johnny Tillotson (#7, 1961); Nilsson (#1, 1972) and Mariah Carey (#3, 1994); Motley Crue (#8, 1990); David Guetta w/ Usher (#4, 2012)
vondes
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Sept 27, 2017 1:37:21 GMT -5
Post by vondes on Sept 27, 2017 1:37:21 GMT -5
Can i record music with mobile-phone-tracker.org mobile recorder on Android?
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Feb 6, 2018 13:17:27 GMT -5 via mobile OnWithTheCountdown likes this
Post by doofus67 on Feb 6, 2018 13:17:27 GMT -5
Here's a chart hound "assignment" I completed for this week's show. A regular listener called in with the question: How many artists scored at least three top-ten hits as a member of a group, then at least three more as a solo act?
Using the first Hot 100 in 1958 as my starting point, I came up with 22 artists altogether.
(* To get Kenny and Belinda onto the list, I tweaked things a little. The First Edition had a record that peaked at #11 in BB, but did make the top ten in CB. Same thing for the Go-Go's.)
Jerry Butler...3 top-tens with the Impressions, 3 solo.
Diana Ross...18 with the Supremes, 12 solo.
George Harrison...33 with the Beatles, 5 solo.
Paul McCartney...33 with the Beatles, 22 solo.
Ringo Starr...33 with the Beatles, 7 solo.
Donny Osmond...4 with the Osmonds, 6 solo.
John Lennon...33 with the Beatles, 8 solo.
Michael Jackson...8 with the Jackson 5, 3 with the Jacksons, 29 solo.
* Kenny Rogers...3 with the First Edition, 9 solo.
Smokey Robinson...7 with the Miracles, 4 solo.
Lionel Richie...9 with the Commodores, 14 solo.
Stevie Nicks...9 with Fleetwood Mac, 4 solo.
Phil Collins...6 with Genesis, 14 solo.
Sting...6 with the Police, 5 solo.
* Belinda Carlisle...3 with the Go-Go's, 4 solo.
Peter Cetera...15 with Chicago, 5 solo.
Bobby Brown...4 with New Edition, 9 solo.
Justin Timberlake...6 with NSYNC, 11 solo, 6 as a featured artist.
Beyonce...9 with Destiny's Child, 15 solo.
Gwen Stefani...3 with No Doubt, 4 solo.
Fergie...10 with Black Eyed Peas, 5 solo.
*** SHAMELESS PLOY TO RECRUIT CHART HOUNDS FOR THE DINER!!!
If any of you have some cool chart trivia, or anything music-related you would like to share with The Diner family, feel free to e-mail Lou Simon. It's thediner@siriusxm.com.
Mike from Riverside
Last Edit: Sept 13, 2018 1:08:38 GMT -5 by doofus67
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Aug 6, 2018 1:05:56 GMT -5
Tonight's edition of The Diner was all about the charts! Lou's special guest was the author of The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, et al., Fred Bronson. It was a two-hour celebration of the hallowed Billboard Hot 100. Lou and Fred chatted between themselves, took phone calls from loyal listeners who had some chart trivia stumpers of their own, and Lou read e-mails.
At one point, on behalf of one such loyal listener, Lou called on me to dig down deep and provide an answer to a long-running chart trivia question. I was surprised but more than happy to go into my own e-mail archives. I found it under October, 2016, and re-sent it to Lou. It was the one about visually challenged artists in the top 40. So much fun, and educational too!
Then Fred whipped out some #1 hits trivia. Most of the questions were no-brainers. But one was a bit of a poser: Name the first three Canadian artists to make it to #1. I thought of Percy Faith right away, should have thought of Paul Anka, and forgot about Lorne Greene!
Some of you have SiriusXM but, for some reason, you can't listen to The Diner live (Sunday nights, 10 pm to midnight Eastern). You can catch it on demand using SiriusXM's app or web site. And if you would like to submit any cool chart trivia -- or anything music-related -- to be read and discussed on the show, don't hesitate to drop Lou a line at TheDiner@siriusxm.com.
Lou Simon's new SiriusXM Music Talk Show Sept 13, 2018 1:07:30 GMT -5 via mobile
Post by doofus67 on Sept 13, 2018 1:07:30 GMT -5
Drawing an analogy from his favorite sport, Lou often talks about the Cal Ripken Effect. You can guess what he means. He hasn't missed a show since Talk Talk debuted on Father's Day, 2014.
He's proud, and rightly so, of having soldiered on through nights without a phone line, nights without e-mail access, nights without music, and even one night without a voice, almost.
But this past Sunday night, Lou did something unprecedented, even for him and even for Talk Talk / The Diner: He broadcast live from a SigAlert. (It's a SoCal thing. Look it up.)
He takes the freeway from his home to SiriusXM's L.A. studios. On the hillside near this freeway, there was a huge brush fire. It tied up traffic so badly that he probably could have made it to work faster on foot.
Instead, he created a makeshift studio on four wheels. He hooked up the ol' Bluetooth, and -- in the words of regular listener and friend of mine Joanne from San Jose -- "literally phoned it in." He went so far as to give out his personal e-mail address, so people could submit material to him as he crawled along. It's great radio anyway, folks, but especially so on this night.
I asked Lou once, in one of our frequent e-mail exchanges, "Do you ever consider taking a vacation?" He said, "Nope. Keep swimming or you'll get eaten." Even if your musical tastes or interests don't jibe with his, try tuning in just to show your appreciation for the man's undying passion and devotion!
And, if you have any trivia, stories, opinions, anything you want to share with other listeners, the regular e-mail address is TheDiner@SiriusXM.com.
Last Edit: Jan 12, 2019 19:49:11 GMT -5 by doofus67
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Parliamentary Elections of 2019
Electoral processes monitoring
Media Behaviour Monitoring
Advocacy for Inclusive Elections
Chisinau New Local Elections 2018
September, 5th, 2010
Media Monitoring, September 5th, 2010
Declarations and Press Releases, July 29th, 2009
Elections observations July 29th, 2009
Media Monitoring, July 29th, 2009
Elections observations April 5th, 2009
Media Monitoring, April 5th, 2009
About Coalition
Coalition Members
Coalition’s Regulation
Charter of Free and Fair Elections
HomeParliamentary Elections of 2019Advocacy for Inclusive ElectionsDECLARATION ON THE MAIN FINDINGS BEFORE ELECTIONS
DECLARATION ON THE MAIN FINDINGS BEFORE ELECTIONS
The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections launched a Declaration presenting the most relevant findings before the parliamentary elections of February 24, 2019. The highlighted findings show that the electoral process takes place with the violation of standards for a free and fair electoral process. In these circumstances, the Coalition appeals to the state institutions, electoral bodies and electoral candidates to make efforts to ensure that the voting and tabulation of the results takes place in a fair, without violations manner, so that the citizen’s choice is correctly reflected in the new legislation.
Acting jointly in order to contribute to the development of democracy in the Republic of Moldova by promoting free and fair elections in accordance with the standards of ODIHR (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the specialized institutions affiliated to it, the Coalition presents the main findings on the conduct of election process for the parliamentary elections of February 24, 2019:
Change of the game rules just before the elections. In the electoral year of 2018, several changes in the legal framework that are contrary to the good electoral practice were made. These amendments were implemented in an opaque and rushed manner, ignoring the provisions of the legislation on transparency of the decision-making process. Allowing an advisory referendum on the day of the parliamentary elections that will take place in a new electoral system will induce confusion and difficulties to voters in exercising their right to vote;
Maintaining the high ceilings for donations made to parties. The Parliament failed to adjust the legislation to recommendations of the Venice Commission and GRECO on the funding of political parties and electoral campaigns. Although in 2017 the ceiling for financing of electoral campaigns has been reduced to 50 and 100 average monthly salaries for individuals and for legal entities, respectively, the donation limit remains above the one recommended by GRECO of 20 and 40 average monthly salaries in the economy, respectively.
Use of administrative resources during the electoral period. Numerous cases of use of administrative resources by parties that are represented in elective bodies have been reported. Cases of budget review and increase of various financial allocations, increases in salary, pensions and allowances before the beginning of the electoral campaign were highlighted, even though these increases have not been planned in the initially approved state budget. Similarly, during the pre-election and election period, there were observed many cases of organizing meetings with voters, usually employees of public institutions, state and / or budgetary structures, during the working hours, involvement in the electoral campaign of State Secretaries and heads of public authorities who are presumed to be apolitical, the use of LPA in promotional activities, signature gathering activities, involvement of the presidency in the electoral campaign, the Parliament session whose mandate has expired and the assumption of responsibility by the Government for organic laws drafts in order to meet the governing party’s electoral promises, involvement of government employees in online misinformation activities.
Corruption of voters. The pre-election and election period has been marked by corruption activities of voters, including through charitable foundations affiliated to political parties and by offering illegal gifts. These situations have not been investigated and countered in any way by the responsible authorities.
Limitation of the right to vote. Moldovan citizens from abroad are restricted in their right to vote on the basis of the identity card – a mandatory document. The limitation of the right to vote of Moldovan citizens from abroad as a result of the unequal application of the voting practice based on expired passports is also observed. Although the Supreme Court of Justice has established in 2014 the legality of the CEC’s decision to allow voting with expired identity documents, the CEC has not issued a similar decision in the 2019 parliamentary elections.
● Deficiencies and errors in the State Electoral Register (SER) and electoral rolls. Multiple cases where the SER data and electoral rolls were found to be imperfect have been reported and recorded. The presence in the electoral rolls of deceased persons, address errors or even the unevenly compilation of electoral rolls within one and the same administrative-territorial unit (according to the address or according to the alphabet) have been reported. We note cases of artificial migration of voters from one uninominal constituency to another.
● The uneven resolution of disputes and electoral conflicts. We note cases of uneven application of the legislation regarding the settlement of electoral disputes by the electoral bodies and the courts, and also the issuance of uneven decisions on seemingly identical cases.
● Politically controlled media. Most media institutions reflect the electoral campaign in a biased manner, thus treating the electoral competitors in a discriminating and unequivocal way. Several electoral competitors benefit of a massive presence and on an exclusively positive tone on some monitored TV stations, and their political opponents are only reflected in a negative context. Some TV stations organize electoral debates not during the peak audience hours, but early in the morning when the audience is minimal.
● Women, youth, people with disabilities and Roma people continue to be under-represented. Although the 40% share of women’s representation on party lists in the national constituency is respected, an undermining of the principle of equal opportunities for men and women is attested. Most women and young people continue to be placed in the less eligible places for the mandate of deputy in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. The interests and needs of youth and people with disabilities are rarely included in the electoral platforms of competing formations.
● Intimidation of electoral contestants and voters. Multiple cases where citizens / sympathizers of certain political parties have caused verbal and physical altercations in order to thwart the meetings with voters have been publicly reported, while the reaction of law enforcement officials has been late or even absent.
● Intimidation of national observers and attempts to compromise civic education campaigns. For the first time since 2009, representatives of the Promo-LEX National Observation Mission have been subject to unfounded allegations by the CEC members, as well as to public intimidations and pressures from representatives of certain electoral contestants, representatives of law enforcement bodies and LPAs. Cases were reported where regular campaigns of civic and apolitical education held by non-governmental organizations were unfairly qualified as electioneering campaigns in favour of some electoral contestants.
Civic Coalition Declaration before 2019 parliamentary elections
Filename : civic-coalition-declaration-bef-2019-parl-elections.pdf (619 KB)
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Filename : declaratia-calc-inainte-de-alegeri-2019_rus.pdf (192 KB)
Filename : declaratia-calc-inainte-de-alegeri-2019.pdf (199 KB)
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The Leaders Of Sofar Sounds St. Louis Are Doing Big Things
St. Louis could be the next full time Sofar Sounds city.
Home / Culture / The Leaders Of Sofar Sounds St. Louis Are Doing Big Things
In Culture, Interviews
The Leaders Of Sofar Sounds St. Louis Are Doing Big Things2016-10-282016-10-28http://www.alivemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/logo_header.pngAlivehttp://alivemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_3648-e1477669382877.jpg200px200px
Sofar Sounds is a global company bringing music to artists and music lovers in an intimate, raw setting—“the best way to experience music,” Sofar St. Louis leader Chris DiGiacomo says. In 279 cities worldwide, Sofar Sounds is continually growing, bringing in leaders from each city to scope venues, book acts and welcome guests who are lucky enough to “get in.”
St. Louis has been put on the Sofar map by a couple of music lovers living in South City, Chris Digiacomo and Myranda Lee. While DiGiacomo was working in ticket sales at MetroTix, he explains, “I saw a [Sofar} video of Leon Bridges, and I was super moved by it. I looked into Sofar Sounds, and I found out that there had been some people who tried to start it here in St. Louis. They had one show, but nothing really happened after that, so I reached out to them,” DiGiacomo says. “I kind of took over.”
Chris DiGiacomo, Audrey Scherer and Myranda Lee | Photo by Cory Miller
DiGiacomo met his partner, Myranda Lee, during an internship at the Luminary on Cherokee Street. Lee is a working nanny, and has been a volunteer at the Luminary for about six years. Their love of music, volunteer work and local business brought them together, and they have been happily living together for the past three years, working to bring Sofar Sounds St. Louis to life.
So what does it take to “get into” a Sofar Sounds event? “Obviously we can only fill a venue with as much space as possible. With 150 [people] applying per month, we try to never have more than 125 [people per] show because the whole idea is intimacy,” DiGiacomo explains. As far as the application process goes, you are more likely to get an invite if you write in a comment; let them know you want to be there. “Someone wrote a haiku for us, someone else had said they missed the last one and they really wanted to be there,” Lee says, “Also, one thing that helps is if you haven’t been to a show.” The idea is to get new people every time to experience a Sofar show. When you are accepted, you have the option of bringing a plus one, so the team has to keep in mind their invite list may double.
The location of the show is top secret. Each venue is unique to the city. DiGiacomo and Lee carefully curate each show by picking potential venues in different areas in the city. People can also apply to become a “host” for a show, which the Sofar team then decides if the space will work or not.
“What we do with host and seeking host, we try to find a new neighborhood every time,” DiGiacomo says, “We are looking for more people to apply, too. A lot of people are residential, and it ends up being too small. We hate to have a show that we can’t invite more than 50 people. We do want to have more residential shows, it’s just finding the right space.” Past locations include, Style House on Cherokee Street, Climb so iLL in Lafayette Square, and Tech Artista in Central West End.
Animal Children (from St Louis) performs at Climb So iLL (July 2016) | Photo by A. Gillardi Photography
“Everyone we’ve worked with has been very incredible. One Space Architecture in the Grove had a show inside their office. They design any super cool, modern building around town,” DiGiacomo says. (Using the Rooster on South Grand as an example.) About 24 hours before the show, invited guests will receive an email with an address to the location. Everything else is left up to surprise.
Artists are chosen through an application process, as well. Anywhere from 15 to 30 bands apply per month. The Sofar St. Louis team picks from the applicants, creating a nice mix of local and traveling artists. “Sofar Sounds has a music submission online, and you can submit to any city. We look for a lot of things, but mostly we look for unique personality and stage presence,” DiGiacomo explains. “We reach out if we think it’s the right fit. A lot of it has to do with word of mouth.”
Usually hosting between two to four acts, each plays a short, four song set to ensure full audience engagement. “It’s bite size, which draws you in even more. It’s always better to say, ‘I wish they played one more,’” DiGiacomo says. Artists are paid in the form of cash or video—because having a quality video, especially a Sofar video, can be worth much, much more. Past acts include, American Wrestlers, Javier Mendoza, Monkh, Deartick, Ricky Sampson from Foxing and Saputo.
New Schematics (from Nashville) perform at a backyard in the Benton Park area (July 2016) | Photo by Cory Miller
“One thing I think is very unique and proves how much we care about the artists, we don’t sell merchandise ourselves,” DiGiacomo explains. “The only thing for sale is the artist’s merchandise. Sometimes there are drinks for sale before or after the show, but never during. Also, the connections made at shows— it’s a great place to find a date.” Lee comments, “someone went on their first date to a Sofar show in Istanbul. Three years later they got married at a Sofar show in Italy.”
As ambassadors for Sofar St. Louis, DiGiacomo and Lee, along with their team of about 12 core members, work unpaid. “We started in August at one show per month. Since April we’ve been doing two shows per month due to a lot more interest. Where we are standing globally, there are about eight cities that are full time Sofar Sound cities, meaning 10 or more shows a month,” DiGiacomo explains. If interest in Sofar St. Louis continues to increase we could be up there with London, Dallas, San Francisco and other major cities bringing in huge acts like Karen O, Hozier, and not to mention Robert Pattinson—the very first Sofar performer.
DiGiacomo and Lee put a lot of time into making sure the Sofar community in St. Louis exists. They traveled to San Francisco and met with some of the Sofar founders just after San Francisco became a full time city. “It’s this huge community, but it feels so small,” Lee comments, “Everyone feels that magical connection. It sounds so corny, but having this passion for music brings us all together.”
Keep up with Sofar Sounds St. Louis on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Apply to perform, attend or host the next Sofar Sounds event on their website.
Cool, Music, St. Louis
Kafka’s ‘Burrow’ Closes This Weekend At The Centene Center For The Arts In St. LouisCulture, Feature
Immersive Theatre Project Presents “Hamlet: See What I See”Culture, Sponsored
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Overview for Jake Jones
Jake Jones
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On a sleepy Sunday morning in December as children played and families prayed, squadrons of Japanese war planes screamed across the skies of a Hawaiian paradise and launched a surprise attack on the U.S. armed forces at Pearl Harbor--the infamous day that jolted America from peaceful isolationism to total war and altered the course of world history. The story focuses on the life changing events surrounding December 7, 1941 and the war''s devastating impact on two daring young pilots--one from the U.S. Army Air Corps, the other from the British Royal Air Force--and a beautiful dedicated nurse, with whom both of them fall in love. It is a tale of catastrophic defeat, heroic victory, personal courage and overwhelming love set against a backdrop of wartime action.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The curmudgeonly recluse Grinch, who hates Christmas, becomes annoyed with the out-of-control Christmas festivities in Whoville, the town lying below his cave dwelling on Mt. Crumpit. But after the Grinch conspires to deprive the Who's of their favorite holiday by sneaking into town on Christmas eve
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Based on the George S. Kaufman-Edna Ferber play and the 1933 MGM screenplay of the same title. Individuals from various strata of New York society are invited to a dinner party. A rash of cancellations and unexpected events turn the soiree into a disaster.
Long Way Home, A (1981)
Timothy Hutton is a married teenager obsessed with finding his long-lost brother and sister years after all three, as youngsters, had been placed with different families following their abandonment by their migrant worker parents. Brenda Vaccaro is the compassionate social worker who at first reluct
Portrait of a Rebel: Margaret Sanger (1980)
A fact-based story about that controversial crusader for women's rights.
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Overview for +ric Gautier
+ric Gautier
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In 1962 Hitchcock and Truffaut locked themselves away in Hollywood for a week to excavate the secrets behind the mise-en-scène in cinema. Based on the original recordings of this meeting-used to produce the mythical book Hitchcock/Truffaut-this film illustrates the greatest cinema lesson of all time
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Jose is sent by a temp agency to work as an extra on a New Year's Eve TV special in mid-August. For a week and a half, hundreds of people like him have been shut indoors while they pretend to laugh, mock celebrating the arrival of the New Year. Is there place for love amid the uncontrollable chaos?
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Thirteen actors, each playing fictionalized versions of themselves, are called to the home of deceased playwright Antoine d'Anthac for the reading of his will. Once assembled the actors, all of whom have performed in d'Anthac's "Euridyce" at some point in their careers, are invited to critique a rec
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Porte plumes, Le (1988) as Cinematographer
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The Uniformity of Nature
In their deployment of the “transcendental argument for the existence of God,” presuppositionalists often raise the problem of induction as a debating point and demand that non-Christian opponents provide an “account for” the uniformity of nature. The presumption of this strategy is that induction presupposes the uniformity of nature, and its intent is to expose a non-Christian’s failure to provide an “account for” this vital presupposition necessary for inductive reasoning.
The Meaning of “Account For”
Now it is not always clear what exactly the presuppositionalist is looking for when he requires that a non-believer provide an “account for” the uniformity of nature. Some presuppositionalists have indicated that in this context an “account” for something is a logical proof. But in the case of the uniformity of nature, this seems quite an odd thing to expect from anyone, since it can be reasonably held that proof as such presupposes the uniformity of nature. To categorize a line of inference as a “proof” suggests that it is a proof on every day of the week, not just on Tuesdays which happen to fall on a holiday in Laos. Any proof given to satisfy the apologist’s line of inquiry could feasibly be rejected for assuming what is supposed to be proved.
It may be that the apologist is asking the non-believer to identify the cause of nature’s uniformity. But here again, pointing to any specific cause which makes nature uniform would be vulnerable to the charge of circularity, since it could reasonably be postulated that causation as such presupposes the uniformity of nature. If the non-believer were to attempt an answer to the presuppositionalist’s inquiry by pointing to something which causes nature to be uniform, he could again be charged with circular reasoning for appealing to a law whose persistence itself requires the very thing he’s been called to provide an “account for.” If an “account” is understood in this way, it seems unreasonable to require it from anyone, regardless of his stance on theism.
Alternatively, presuppositionalists may characterize the challenge to “account for” the uniformity of nature as a request to present a “logical warrant” or “rational justification” for assuming that nature is uniform, thus presumably broadening the challenge beyond the need to present a formal proof or identify the cause of nature’s uniformity. Of course, this would in turn broaden the range of viable candidates which can satisfy the challenge, which may in turn pose certain subsequent challenges for the apologist. By expanding the latitude of the meaning of “account” in such a manner, the apologist widens the possibilities of acceptable contenders. But with this broadening may also come ambiguity which, it seems, needs some tightening down in order to clarify what exactly is being requested of the non-Christian, and to make clear at the outset what validly constitutes an “account for” the uniformity of nature, and what could not. After all, it is clear from the context of the controversy which the presuppositionalist intends to stoke, that appeals to an invisible magic being constitute, in his mind, a valid approach to settling the matter.
Then again, as we venture into this matter, it may be wise to bear in mind the possibility that presuppositionalism is essentially geared toward entrapping non-Christians, perhaps in the hopes of scoring a debating point rather than clarifying some genuinely mysterious philosophical issue. It should be no secret that presuppositionalism has a predatory agenda. It may seem to be the case, and possibly for good reason, that the apologist is deliberately seeking to corner the non-Christian into producing a question-begging “account” so that the apologist can say “Ah ha! Gotcha!” The situation grows even more suspect when we remember that presuppositionalists themselves “prefer to reason in a circle to not reasoning at all” (Cornelius Van Til, A Survey of Christian Epistemology, p. 12), suggesting that there really is no alternative to tail-chasing petitios. Apologists of this school seem, however, to reserve this excuse exclusively for themselves, while citing circularity as a fatal error for their opponents’ position if and when they are charged with this.
Uniformity and Metaphysical Primacy
Because the issue of metaphysical primacy is the most fundamental concern in all philosophy, the first item to address in considering the question of how one “accounts for” the uniformity of nature is not whether or not nature’s uniformity entails theism or atheism per se, nor would I say that trifling over what exactly the presuppositionalist means by “account for” will be very productive (good luck getting him to commit to a clear meaning here). Rather, the controversy here first needs to be understood in terms of metaphysical primacy. Specifically, if it is agreed that nature is in fact uniform, does the uniformity of nature presuppose the primacy of existence, or does it presuppose the primacy of consciousness? Is nature uniform independent of anyone’s thoughts, feelings, wishes, commands or temper tantrums? Or, does the fact that nature is uniform depend on some form of conscious activity?
This is the central question to be considered before all others: is consciousness involved in “making” nature uniform, or is nature uniform on its own, regardless of what consciousness does?
As an Objectivist, my answer to this question is that nature is uniform on its own, independent of anyone’s conscious activity. A person can deny the uniformity of nature, but nature remains uniform all the same, in spite of such denials. This means that if no consciousness exists, the entities which do exist still act according to their natures. This is the view consistent with the axioms “existence exists,” ”to exist is to be something” (i.e., to have identity), and “entities act according to their natures” independent of consciousness.
In his discussion on the problem of induction, presuppositionalist Brian Knapp speaks of the need to have a “logical justification for doing something” (“Induction and the Unbeliever,” The Portable Presuppositionalist, p. 124), including presumably assuming that nature is uniform, and asks “Why do you believe nature is uniform, and how is that belief rationally justified?” (Ibid.). But to speak of rationally justifying a position, what can one mean other than justifying that position in accordance to reason? Reason is the faculty by which an individual identifies and integrates the objects of his perception. This faculty presupposes the metaphysical primacy of existence – i.e., the view that the objects of one’s consciousness exist and are what they are independent of the conscious activity by which he is aware of them.
But this does not seem at all consistent with what presuppositionalism affirms.
The Presuppositionalist Approach
The standard presuppositionalist “justification” for the premise that nature is uniform is quite different from the Objectivist view that nature is inherently uniform independent of conscious activity. While presuppositional apologists often make a big deal about “accounting for” the uniformity of nature, they exhibit no concern for the issue of metaphysical primacy. On the contrary, presuppositionalism is exclusively concerned with advancing the view that the uniformity of nature is theistically caused. Specifically, it affirms the existence of a supernatural conscious being
who has created the universe in which we live (Gen. 1:1, Col. 1:16), and who sovereignly maintains it as we find it to be (Heb. 1:3)… This God has a plan for his creation (Eph. 1:11), not the least part of which is revealing himself to it (Rom. 1:19-20). Part of this revelation involves creating and sustaining the universe in such a way that his creatures are able to learn about it and function within it (Gen. 8:22). (Brian Knapp, “Induction and the Unbeliever,” The Portable Presuppositionalist, p. 132)
Although presuppositionalists can be expected to insist that this “account for” the uniformity of nature has not “simply ‘moved the problem’ by introducing God into the equation” (Ibid., p. 135), it seems that this is precisely all that such appeals ultimately accomplish. The claim that a being “has created the universe in which we live… and… sovereignly maintains it as we find it to be,” amounts to the view that the uniformity of nature is a product of some prior cause. This assumes the continuity of any causal process by which said being allegedly accomplishes these tasks. In other words, the “justification” for the premise that nature is uniform proposed by presuppositionalism assumes the uniformity of nature from the get go.
It is unhelpful to the presuppositionalist case for apologists to seek exemption from the applicability of a law of nature – and therefore, by implication, the uniformity of nature – in their proposed solution by pointing to their god’s “supernatural” character, for however they wish to conceive of their god, they are unable to escape the causal implications embedded in their proposed justification. Essentially they are saying that their god causes nature to be uniform, and are thus invoking a natural law – namely the law of causality - even if they wish to refer to it by some other name. The presuppositionalist appeal to theism, then, to “account for” the uniformity of nature, assumes the very thing that this appeal is supposed to explain, and is thus an instance of reasoning in a circle. As Brian Knapp himself explains:
To reason in a circle is to assume the very thing you are attempting to demonstrate. (Ibid., p. 126)
Knapp holds that circular reasoning “is just as devastating as the arbitrariness of one who has no answer at all” (Ibid., p. 125), and thus any explanation of the uniformity of nature which incorporates such fallacy is to be rejected.
In order to maintain a theistic “account for” the uniformity of nature here, the only alternative to circular reasoning would be to commit the fallacy of the stolen concept. This would be the case if the presuppositionalist denies that his proposed explanation of the uniformity of nature is circular on the grounds that his god’s creation of the universe and maintenance of its consistent functioning is in effect causeless, in an attempt to avoid invoking a law of nature – namely causality - as the mechanism by which his god allegedly accomplishes its feat of sovereignty over the universe. But this too is a dead end for the presuppositionalist, for he is still affirming that the uniformity of nature throughout the universe is the result of some action taken on the part of his god, and causality is essentially the identity of action. The dead give-away here is that the presuppositionalist is in fact naming the actions of his god – specifically “creating” and “maintaining” its creation – which result in nature being uniform. This would-be rebuttal, then, would in effect affirm acts of creation and maintenance (i.e., actions which have identity) while denying their genetic root, namely causality, of which the actions which presuppositionalists attribute to their god are merely species. Causality, it should be noted, is essentially “the law of identity applied to action” (Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, Galt’s Speech). To name an action (as the presuppositionalist does in his “account”) is to acknowledge that the action in question does in fact have identity.
Now the presuppositionalist may object to any of this by insisting that the causality by which his god affects uniformity in nature is not natural causality, but rather “supernatural causality,” and therefore that appeals to “supernatural causality” do not presuppose or depend on the uniformity of nature as necessary precondition. This maneuver assumes that there is, between causality as we know it (that is, causality as a natural law – as “the law of identity applied to action”) and so-called “supernatural causality,” some distinction which relevantly bears on the issue at hand in a manner that is sufficient to alleviate the tensions exposed above. It is thus incumbent upon the apologist who invokes this disclaimer to explain this supposed distinction and make the case for immunity to the charges of circular reasoning and/or the stolen concept fallacy. Indeed, what exactly is “supernatural causality,” and how is it different from natural causality? If causality is essentially the law of identity applied to action, and the presuppositionalist implicitly acknowledges that the actions he attributes to his god (“creates” and “maintains”) in fact have identity (which he does simply by naming them), how are these actions beyond the scope of natural law if by natural law we ultimately mean that the law of identity applies? Blank out.
As suspected above, the solution which presuppositionalism proposes does in fact seem to accomplish nothing more than to move the problem back a step rather than actually addressing it (insofar as it can be said that there is a problem here in the first place). By referencing “supernatural causality” as opposed to “natural causality” as the means by which his god allegedly created and maintains the order of the universe in a uniform manner, the presuppositionalist is implying a uniformity of “super-nature,” especially in the claim that his god “maintains” (or “sustains”) the order of the universe, as this action would be continuous (even if not eternal), rather than merely a single gesture. The apologist is essentially saying that “supernatural causality” is today as it has been in the past and will be in the future, thus presupposing a principle of uniformity prior to nature. But what accounts for this uniformity of “super-nature” which underlies the presuppositionalist’s appeal to a god in order to “account for” the uniformity of nature? Where is the presuppositionalist’s “justification” for this principle of uniformity on which his justification for order in the universe relies and without which his “account” could have no philosophical substance?
Of course, since the presuppositionalist appeals to a god as both the creator of the universe and as the sustainer of uniformity in nature, he likely means by “supernatural causality” (or whatever motor he has in mind behind the creating and sustaining his god is allegedly responsible for) some form of conscious activity to make these things happen, as if by wishing. At the very least, the presuppositionalist should make it explicitly clear whether or not he thinks that his god creates and sustains by means of an act of consciousness, and if so, how we can distinguish this act of consciousness from something akin to mere wishing. In other words, the presuppositionalist needs to come clean about his position’s commitment to the primacy of consciousness in his “account for” the uniformity of nature. Since an appeal to theism in order to account for the uniformity of nature essentially signifies the view that the uniformity of nature rests on the primacy of consciousness, it is this presupposition which the presuppositionalist needs to justify. But this would entail arguing for the view that the uniformity of nature finds its basis in subjectivism: the uniformity of nature is the result of some conscious action (see here and here).
Some direct questions may help eliminate some of the presuppositionalist’s standard obfuscations:
1. Is nature uniform? (Yes or no)
2. If no, we would likely have an instance of the fallacy of the stolen concept, for a denial of the uniformity of nature would have to assume that nature is uniform in order for that denial to make sense.
3. If yes , is nature uniform independent of consciousness, or is nature’s uniformity a product of conscious activity?
4. If nature is uniform independent of consciousness, the uniformity of nature cannot imply theism.
5. If it is thought that nature’s uniformity is a product of conscious activity, why suppose that such an overt appeal to subjectivism is at all philosophically impressive?
Involved with the presuppositionalist strategy is the tacit assumption that the principle of the uniformity of nature is the end-all and be-all of induction, that the uniformity of nature is equivalent to the so-called “inductive principle.” (This habit is common outside of presuppositionalist circles as well, which is probably where presuppositionalists get it in the first place.) If it can be proven that nature is uniform, so the implicit reasoning goes, then induction is justified. Of course, this approach takes for granted – and leaves completely uninvestigated – all the activity which the human mind performs in the activity we call inductive reasoning. It rests all of induction’s validity on whether or not nature is uniform and how one “accounts for” this. This tendency fails to recognize that while the uniformity of nature is a metaphysical concern, the justification of induction is an epistemological issue. Sadly, those who take the presuppositionalist approach are missing much of the story.
Often coupled with this gaff is the inclination to think of natural laws as phenomena that are in some way independent of the universe and to which the universe must somehow adhere or conform in order for those laws to apply within the universe and thereby serve as reliable principles upon which our reasoning rests. This understanding itself has no objective basis, and in fact invites the fallacies which typically accompany the primacy of consciousness. Implicit in this view may be, for instance, the notion that the laws existed first, then the contents of the universe, and then the contents of the universe (which on their own would be utterly mired in chaos) are compelled by some external force to comply with those laws. Presuppositional apologetics seeks to exploit such assumptions by making the laws of nature extra-universal, otherworldly, indeed “supernatural.” For instance, observe the following statement by Brian Knapp:
In the Christian’s worldview, at least from the Reformed perspective, laws are not so much “natural” as they are “supernatural”. They are an expression of the way in which God providentially orders his creation, rather than something that is “built-in” which operate on their own and independent from God. [sic] (“Induction and the Unbeliever,” The Portable Presuppositionalist, p. 121n.4)
On Knapp’s view, the natural laws describe “the way in which God providentially orders his creation.” But how would anyone be able to acquire knowledge of “the way in which God providentially orders his creation,” if said “God” is a mind distinct from the believer’s own mind? As the believer imagines his god, his mind departs from reality in radical fashion. When he ascribes the course of nature to the handling of a being which he can only imagine, the believer ignores the constraints of rational epistemology (which addresses the how of his knowledge), because he is no longer speaking from knowledge, but from imagination. This is why the believer can speak of “the way in which God providentially orders his creation” as if he were intimately familiar with the universe of details which such cosmic handling of the contents of the universe would entail. It essentially represents the believer attributing what he takes completely for granted (and does not understand philosophically) to the activity of a being which resides only in his own imagination.
Objectivism does not share the view expressed by Knapp as it (Objectivism) does not grant the assumption that the laws of nature are somehow independent of the universe. I have already discussed at length the Objectivist axioms and their role in anchoring human cognition to reality (see for instance my essay The Axioms and the Primacy of Existence). But it may still be unclear how they relate to the laws of nature.
Nor does Objectivism grant objective validity to the notion of the “supernatural” (see here). The laws of nature are not divine commands on the contents of the universe, nor are they rules which the objects literally obey in an effort to remain in good standing with “the Lord.” On the contrary, the laws of nature are conceptual integrations, and as such they are general identifications based on perceptual input (as all concepts are ultimately). They represent discoveries of facts which are integrated into open-ended principles which can be applied to all particulars of a certain class. They do not originate from outside the universe, for they are based on facts which obtain within the universe and which are discovered and integrated by minds which also exist in the universe. There is no “outside the universe” to begin with. There is the universe (the sum total of all that exists), and there is what we imagine.
The Meaning of “the Uniformity of Nature”
But what specifically do we mean by the term “uniformity of nature”? Not all conceptions of the uniformity of nature are created equal. Presuppositional apologist Greg Bahnsen tends to conceive of the uniformity of nature as “the resemblance between events that we have experienced and events that we have not experience” (Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings & Analysis, p. 342n.167), thus holding to an “event-based” model in which “resemblance” (presumably, how something appears to an observer) conjoins that which has been experienced with that which has not been experienced.
On the one hand, Bahnsen’s conception of the uniformity of nature, given the central role he gives to “resemblance” and “experience,” does not lend itself very well to the supposition that nature is uniform independent of conscious activity. The viewpoint of the observer seems to have a lot of sway in the matter, and it needs to be clarified whether uniformity in nature obtains independent of consciousness, or if conscious activity is a preconditional consideration. Of course, this does not concern Bahnsen, and making such clarifications would likely be counterproductive to his apologetic ambitions.
On the other hand, Bahnsen’s view seems conspicuously well geared toward positioning apologists in the vantage of criticizing opponents. For how can two things be said to share a “resemblance” unless (and until) they can be compared side by side? And how can two “events” be compared side by side unless they have both already occurred? But isn’t that the whole point behind the principle of the uniformity of nature – namely to provide an objective basis for expecting that things which are not available to be compared to what has already been experienced, will operate in a manner similar to what has been experienced?
Brian Knapp presents a somewhat different rendering:
Nature must proceed to operate according to the same laws it has operated according to in the past – laws which determine the effects which arise from a given cause or set of causes. (Op. cit., p. 121)
Here we see the implicit notion that the contents of the universe “obey” (either volitionally or by some means of compulsion) the laws of nature, since it is “laws which determine the effects which arise from a given cause or set of causes.” If this is stated metaphorically, then it may not be problematic. But if it is understood literally, it invites the primacy of consciousness. Again, it is unclear on this conception whether or not the uniformity of nature is understood to obtain independently of consciousness, or if it is supposed to be something which is put into place by means of conscious activity.
What’s also noticeable in Knapp’s statement here is that it seems absolute: “Nature must proceed to operate according to the same laws it has operated to in the past…” The way that it is stated here does not seem to allow for exceptions. This, we will find, is not what Christianity really teaches when it comes to the uniformity of nature.
Both Bahnsen and Knapp ultimately agree, however, that the Christian god is the proper (or “only”) answer to the question “How do you account for the uniformity of nature?” But in pointing to the Christian god, believers are, in terms of essentials, claiming that the uniformity of nature is a product of conscious activity. It seems, however, that by supposing there is a consciousness which has the power to cause nature to be uniform, they are also granting that said consciousness also has the power to cause (or “allow”) nature to be chaotic. Since “God controls whatsoever comes to pass” (Van Til, The Defense of the Faith, p. 160), Christianity puts everything which takes place within nature entirely in the hands of a supernatural mind which is imagined to be completely free from the constraints of nature. Indeed, as the Christian worldview itself explicitly teaches, miracles can and sometimes do happen. The water in your drinking glass can be water one moment, and then magically transformed into merlot the next (cf. John 2:1-11). In the final analysis, since everything that happens is up to the will of an invisible magic being, predictable outcomes are as much a crap shoot as are miracles. As Knapp puts it, “In a very real sense, all events in the universe are ultimately supernatural events as God is personally behind each and every one of them” (Op. cit., p. 139). The believer, then, is to imagine that his god is “personally behind each and every” event which occurs in the universe, which can only mean – in the context of a worldview which takes such imaginations seriously – that the uniformity of nature (to the extent that nature is at all uniform in the first place) is the result of conscious activity. In other words, the uniformity of nature, on the Christian view, presupposes the primacy of consciousness.
Knapp’s response to the objection that on the Christian view nature could be chaotic as much as it is uniform, is that such objection could be “sound only if [Christian theism] assumes that nature is absolutely uniform, which it does not” (The Portable Presuppositionalist, p. 140). Indeed, by conceding that, on the Christian view, nature is not absolutely uniform, then nature might as well not be supposed to be uniform at all (since exceptions to uniformity are granted as legitimate possibilities), and consequently all bets are off: there is no reliable basis for expecting future events to “resemble” those of the past (which is the presuppositionalist’s own measure for understanding whether or not nature is uniform). The ruling consciousness can make it such that glass shatters into dozens of broken shards when struck with a hammer one moment, and that it turns into a flock of geese under the same conditions the next. What Christian would deny its god the power to bring about such outcomes? Indeed, they claim that their god is omnipotent and can bring about any imaginable outcome. But how does this “account for” the uniformity in nature which we observe on a constant basis? Blank out.
Once nature’s “behavior” is placed in the hands of a consciousness which is supposed to possess the power to “control whatsoever comes to pass,” anything can happen. Uniformity is a once-in-a-million chance. The fact that nature is uniform, only demonstrates that there is no rational basis to put any stock in the presuppositionalist’s “account for” the uniformity of nature which is clearly observed.
As one non-Christian succinctly put it:
I believe that there is consistency in the universe because there is no god that has the power to mess with it. (See The Contra-Pike Files, May 10, 2003)
Indeed, if there is no invisible magic being which has the ability to manipulate the objects populating the universe according to its will, the objects in the universe can be reasonably expected to behave in a manner consistent with their own natures. In this way, the uniformity of nature logically implies an alternative which is not theistic in nature.
The Objective Alternative
On the Objectivist view, the notion of the uniformity of nature seems to be unnecessarily redundant.
Peikoff explains what is meant by the concept ‘nature’ as follows:
What is nature? Nature is existence—the sum of that which is. It is usually called “nature” when we think of it as a system of interconnected, interacting entities governed by law. So “nature” really means the universe of entities acting and interacting in accordance with their identities. (The Philosophy of Objectivism, (1976) Lecture 2)
“Nature is existence,” says Peikoff. And he is right to say this. The uniformity of nature, then, is existence being itself. As Rand succinctly put it, “Existence is Identity” (Atlas Shrugged, Galt’s Speech). Nature is uniform with itself, since to exist is for something to be itself. If A exists, it must be A.
The uniformity of nature, then, is essentially the applicability of the axiom of existence to all of reality and the absolute (i.e., exceptionless) concurrence of identity with existence. Both of these aspects of the uniformity of nature are undeniable – that is, they cannot be denied without self-contradiction. Since reality is the realm of existence, the axiom of existence necessarily applies to all of reality. Since reality is the realm of existence, existence and reality are concurrent absolutely - i.e., without exception.
In this way we can confidently say that nature is inherently uniform (since existence exists, to exist is to be something, and nature, since it exists, is therefore itself), and that it is such independent of consciousness. Uniformity is not a property which consciousness injects into nature, nor is it the manner in which consciousness regulates nature since:
a) consciousness does not regulate nature (the primacy of existence is true), and
b) nature is self-regulating (per the law of identity).
Since nature is uniform independent of consciousness (the primacy of existence tells us this), nature is uniform independent of any particular being’s consciousness. This means that, if consciousness is to know that nature is uniform, it must discover this fact, not “create” or “cause” it. Uniformity is not a property which consciousness gives to nature, nor is it something consciousness causes in nature.
Moreover, since discovery is a process which begins with perception (i.e., with direct awareness of objects which exist), one must discover the fact that nature is uniform through experience. Man discovered, at least on an implicit level, that nature is uniform long before he wrote any storybooks or mused about what lies beyond the universe. Such activities presuppose the uniformity of nature. So we need not consult some storybook to learn, even on the level of implicit knowledge, that nature is uniform. This knowledge would be accessible to us, even if we had no access to any storybooks. Reading the bible, then, is no precondition for recognizing that nature is uniform with itself.
Notice that this conception of the uniformity of nature is immune to the charge of circular reasoning. For one, it is not an attempt to prove that nature is uniform as the conclusion to an argument. Also, this conception of the uniformity of nature does not make it dependent upon experience. Rather, it’s the other way around: experience depends on the uniformity of nature (since experience, as the actual relation between a subject and the objects of its awareness, exists and is therefore a part of nature, and thus has identity), since experience is processional over time. It is not an appeal to experience, but rather to the preconditions of experience as such.
Moreover, this conception of the uniformity of nature is impervious to the standard attacks, common among presuppositional apologists, which seek to defuse attempted justification of induction by assuming that future experience will be like (or will “resemble”) past experience by appealing to past experiences. For one, it is forthrightly acknowledged that this conception of the uniformity of nature does not tell the whole story behind induction. The uniformity of nature is merely one of several factors involved in induction. Also, the uniformity of nature is a precondition not only of experience (as we saw above) but also of concepts designating temporal categories (such as ‘past’ vs. ‘future’). The fact of existence is timeless, and consequently, so is identity.
Note that the Objectivist conception of the uniformity of nature is not an appeal to “experience,” but rather to the preconditions of any experience, namely those facts named explicitly by the axioms, facts without which no experience could be possible. Even to dispute the premise that nature is uniform, itself requires the uniformity of nature in order to make sense of the dispute in the first place.
Is the Uniformity of Nature a Matter of Faith?
As mentioned in the beginning of this blog, the uniformity of nature is not itself subject to proof, for proof presupposes the uniformity of nature. Attempts to prove the uniformity of nature would commit either the fallacy of begging the question (by assuming the truth of what is to be proven) or the fallacy of the stolen concept (by placing proof prior to its genetic roots). This of course does not mean that one must accept the uniformity of nature on faith. To suppose as much is to accept as false dichotomy: a claim can only be accepted on the basis of proof, or on the basis of faith. This is not the first time I’ve seen this bifurcation. In his review of John Robbins’ critique of Objectivism, philosopher Bryan Register encounters this same mistake and offers an eloquent correction:
Robbins asserts that reason always relies on faith: "Reason can never cease to be the handmaid of faith: All thought must start somewhere, and that initial postulate is unproved, by definition... . The only question that remains is, Which faith-which axiom-shall reason serve?" Since Objectivism is grounded on a set of axioms, which are by definition unprovable, Robbins concludes that Objectivism rests on an act of faith in those axioms. But this assumes that there are only two kinds of claims: those one proves and those which one takes on faith. In fact, as the Objectivist literature makes clear, there is a third type of claim: one which is valid because it formulates a fact that is directly perceived. Such are the most fundamental perceptual judgments and such are the axioms.
Uniformity, then, is not something we merely expect, as if we had no rational basis, but something we actually observe. However, it is typically when our expectations of certain outcomes are thwarted that we question the validity of those expectations. But the cause for questioning our expectations turns out not to be a cause for questioning the uniformity of nature, not simply because investigating why our expectations were thwarted uncovers factors which we were not aware of (and thus could not factor into our expectations), but also (and primarily) because existence holds metaphysical primacy. The recognition that factors which we did not know had an influence on what actually happened, only confirms the more fundamental recognition that nature is uniform independent of consciousness: those factors exist and had their influence on the given state of affairs, even though we were not aware of them. They had a causal impact on what occurred, and the very concept ‘cause’ presupposes the law of identity (since, as pointed out above, causality is the law of identity applied to action). So merely because our expectations did not pan out, is not an indictment on the uniformity of nature, nor on the objective understanding of the uniformity of nature.
Confusion in Presuppositionalism
Presuppositionalism essentially tells us that we cannot know that nature is uniform (even though we observe a uniform nature directly whenever we perceive it), but that we do and cannot fail to know a god which allegedly lies behind the question mark which our worldview allegedly produces when it comes to “accounting for” the uniformity of nature. On this view, I can observe the uniformity of nature firsthand, and cannot know that nature is uniform, while I cannot observe a supernatural deity, but allegedly cannot escape the knowledge that it surely exists. This reversal of reality creates a most hideous carnival out of man’s epistemology.
But the confusion does not stop there.
Upon examination, it is difficult to see how Knapp’s proposed solution to the problem of induction actually solves it. In fact, it is unclear exactly how appealing to the Christian god can serve as a serious proposal in the interest of “accounting for” or providing a “logical justification” of the uniformity of nature.
Knapp claims that the universe in which we live was created by a supernatural conscious being, and that this supernatural conscious being “maintains it as we find it to be” (The Portable Presuppositionalist, p. 132). Even if one believes this, it in no way indicates that the universe is being maintained in a uniform manner. It would only tell us that, however the universe behaves, it is controlled by a supernatural conscious being. When it is admitted that this same supernatural conscious being is capable of, and known for, performing miracles - events which often (and overtly) go against the standard understanding of uniformity in nature – it can only undermine this approach as a means of “accounting for” uniformity: it guarantees no uniformity whatsoever! On this view, any uniformity which happens to obtain, is a fluke. Indeed, it is for this very reason that, after all his promoting of Christian theism as the solution to the problem of induction, Knapp concedes that Christian theism does not hold that nature is “absolutely uniform” (p. 140).
To make matters even worse, the individual who “finds” the universe to be a certain way when he observes and interacts with it, is dealing with only a minuscule portion of the universe. On the Christian view, inferring that all of the universe is “maintained” in a uniform manner is a wild overgeneralization, an extravagant leap of faith which Christian theism itself does not afford any believer. If, for instance, the believer happens to find that the tiny part of the universe with which he is familiar behaves in a uniform manner, this in no way tells him that his god is maintaining the rest of the universe in a uniform manner, or that any hypothetical uniformity in other parts of the universe are uniform with the uniformity with which he is familiar in his particular location. Given the premise that everything is controlled by a supernatural being, it may be the case that in the believer’s part of the universe, balls uniformly roll over plane surfaces, while in another part of the universe balls uniformly turn into marching bands upon impact with plane surfaces. How would the believer in such a being know? Knapp gives no indication of how the epistemological feats needed here might proceed.
But in spite of the self-undermining factors inherent in Christian doctrine, as well as Knapp’s own damning admission, he still thinks that the Christian metaphysics of a universe-creating, reality-ruling consciousness address’s Hume’s philosophical conundrum, even though he points to additional weaknesses native to his worldview which undermine inductive reasoning even further. He writes:
As simple as this solution seems, it contains all the necessary elements to solve the problem. The areas in which mankind fall short are all “made up for” in God. Man does not have exhaustive knowledge of how the universe operates; God does. Man does not know whether the features of the universe will continue to be as they are at present; God does. Man can be mistaken in what he experiences and how he reasons from those experiences; God is never wrong. (“Induction and the Unbeliever,” The Portable Presuppositionalist, p. 134)
Contrary to what he intends, Knapp is simply giving us reasons why Christianity cannot give us any confidence in the presupposition that nature is uniform throughout the universe. He has in effect abandoned the problem of induction, which is ostensibly the topic of his essay, and moved on to a new problem, namely that of how one can know what a supernatural conscious being knows. It is of no epistemological value for man to list things that he does not know, and then point to a supernatural being which does have knowledge on these things. This does not tell man how he can know what he needs to know in order to live. It is epistemological self-deception to concede, on the one hand, that one does not know something, only to claim, on the other, that this ignorance is “made up for” by an imaginary friend which is said to know everything. When it comes to the uniformity of nature, Knapp demonstrates only that, on the Christian worldview, one could have no confidence that nature is uniform. Everything is “whatever God wills,” and unless the believer is identical to his god, he would have no way of knowing what his god wills from moment to moment.
Moreover, on the points which he mentions, Knapp does not even tell us what specifically his god supposedly knows about these matters. When Knapp states that “Man does not know whether the features of the universe will continue to be as they are in the present,” but figures that the assertion “God does” somehow makes up for this shortcoming, what exactly does his god know, and what good does that do for man in his inductive investigation of the universe if he cannot know it? Blank out. For all Knapp knows, his god could know that the universe will turn inside out in the next second. But since Knapp’s mind is not identical to his god’s mind, simply saying that his god knows something that he does not know, is of no use to him or to anyone else, particularly when it comes to answering Hume. On the contrary, Knapp’s attempted “solution” fully concedes that Christianity has no genuine solution, not only because he fails to question Hume’s own premises, but also because he fails, due to his allegiance to a subjective worldview, to adopt an objective approach to the matter in the first place. If Knapp proves anything, he proves that Christianity can only intensify the epistemological darkness which Hume’s skepticism brought to the world.
The presuppositionalist “account for” the uniformity of nature is a consummate dead end. It seeks to premise the uniformity of nature on the primacy of consciousness, which is a false metaphysics. Given this, it is incompatible with the objective account of the uniformity of nature, which recognizes that nature is uniform independent of conscious activity. Furthermore, the presuppositionalist analysis is insufficient to overcome the destructive implications which Christianity, with its doctrine of a supernatural being controlling the events of the universe, the doctrine of miracles, its blinding absence of a serious epistemology, etc., poses for the recognition that nature is uniform. By aligning the uniformity of nature with the Christian worldview, presuppositionalism essentially signs its own death warrant as a viable contender in providing an “account for” the one of the fundamental pillars of a scientific understanding of the universe.
Posted by Bahnsen Burner at 7:37 PM 5 comments: Links to this post
Labels: Induction, Presuppositional Gimmickry, Primacy of Existence
How Theism Violates the Primacy of Existence
Recognizing the antithesis between the primacy of existence and the primacy of consciousness is a virtue for which only Objectivism seems prepared to equip a person, while other philosophies tend to ignore or evade the matter. Objectivism is the only philosophy that I know of which not only identifies the primacy of existence explicitly as a fundamental philosophical concern, but which also purposefully develops its metaphysics, epistemology, morality and politics in a manner consistent with the primacy of existence as an ultimate guiding principle.
Occasionally I am asked, by atheists and theists alike, why I would say that theism violates the primacy of existence. That theism does in fact violate the primacy of existence is so obvious to me that it is puzzling that anyone would need to have it explained. But then I realize that, for many years now, I’ve understood the issue of metaphysical primacy and its implications for theism and every other position under the sun, and not everyone else benefits from this understanding. It is this understanding that I wish to share with my readers.
To understand why theism violates the primacy of existence, we must first understand what is meant by the primacy of existence. And in order to appreciate fully what the primacy of existence means, we must understand the issue of metaphysical primacy.
The Issue of Metaphysical Primacy
The issue of metaphysical primacy has to do with the relationship between consciousness and its objects. Since all philosophy involves consciousness relating to objects (either real or imagined), the issue of metaphysical primacy bears on all philosophical principles, viewpoints and initiatives. Because consciousness is involved throughout the establishment and development of philosophical principles, the relationship between consciousness and its objects is not some sidebar distraction or marginal curiosity of trivial interest. Ignoring the relationship between consciousness is not an option for serious thinkers, especially once the question of the proper orientation of this relationship has been raised.
Essentially, the issue of metaphysical primacy asks:
What holds metaphysical primacy in the relationship between a consciousness and its objects: the subject of consciousness, or the objects of consciousness?
For a moment, some may entertain the notion that this question is fallaciously complex, perhaps supposing that it assumes a false dichotomy. Why suppose that either the subject of consciousness or its objects must hold metaphysical primacy? Can’t both be metaphysical equals? Can’t both the subject of consciousness and its objects enjoy metaphysical primacy, just as two individuals taking a test can both score 100% on it?
Such questions may imply that the subject of consciousness and its objects are locked in some sort of contest, with one side vying against the other, and that the issue of metaphysical primacy is an attempt to pick a winner among the two contestants arbitrarily. Either that, or they simply ignore the root of the matter that the issue of metaphysical primacy is getting at, namely identifying the proper relationship between a subject and its objects.
It is an undeniable fact that a subject is distinct from the objects of its awareness: a subject and its objects are not one and the same – the two are engaged in a relationship. Consciousness is consciousness of an object. Also, a subject does not switch sides with the objects of its awareness, as if they could trade places at will and reverse the natural orientation between the one and the other. When you perceive a rock, a chair, or the Golden Gate Bridge, you cannot suddenly become that rock or chair or bridge and look back at yourself as a perceiver. Consciousness is consciousness of an object(s), and the orientation between consciousness and its object(s) is uni-directional, and there’s no reversing this orientation. A person cannot transfer his consciousness to his objects, such that he becomes the object of his consciousness, and the subject of his consciousness is now what used to be its object. The relationship between a subject and its objects is contextually static.
Additionally, the relationship between a subject and its objects is not a relationship of equals. The subject is distinct from its objects, and the subject has certain abilities and capacities which its objects qua objects do not have in the context of their relationship together, even if some of those objects happen to be other conscious individuals (i.e., other persons). When you perceive a mountain or pair of scissors, it is you as the subject who is perceiving these objects. In the context of this relationship, the subject attends to its objects.
Another option, chosen (albeit implicitly) by most philosophies, is to suppose that the subject of consciousness holds metaphysical primacy over its objects. This is known as the primacy of consciousness, or as the primacy of the subject metaphysics, since it grants metaphysical primacy to the subject of consciousness over its objects. This is the view that the objects of consciousness conform to the subject of consciousness, that the subject of consciousness holds the “upper hand” in its relationship with the objects of its awareness. The primacy of consciousness entails that the objects of one’s awareness depend in some way on the subject of awareness, either for their very existence (e.g., the subject of consciousness creates them, either from existing material or “ex nihilo”), for their identity (e.g., the subject of consciousness makes its objects of its awareness what they are), and/or for their capacity to act (e.g., the subject of consciousness controls what its objects do or can do). An attempt to apply the primacy of consciousness consistently would involve all three aspects, holding that objects are created by an act of consciousness, that their identities are assigned to them based on choices made by the creating consciousness, and that the abilities or “potentialities” possessed by objects are given to those objects by a ruling consciousness. (Sound familar?)
The final option (as if it were avertible) is the primacy of existence. Where the primacy of consciousness holds that the subject of consciousness calls all the shots with respect to the existence, identity and/or causal potentiality of its objects, the primacy of existence is the recognition that existence exists independent of consciousness, that the objects of one’s consciousness are what they are independent of conscious activity, that the task of consciousness is neither to create the objects of its awareness, assign identities to them, nor dictate what they can or cannot do, but to perceive and identify its objects. While the primacy of consciousness holds that the objects conform to consciousness, the primacy of existence is the recognition that objects do not conform to consciousness. The primacy of existence is the recognition that the objects of one’s awareness exist independent of one’s awareness of them, that the things one perceives are what they are regardless of what he would prefer or wish them to be.
I agree entirely with Porter when he states:
I think the primacy of existence is the most important issue in philosophy. I think it’s the real axiom of Objectivism. (Ayn Rand’s Theory of Knowledge, p. 198)
The difference between the primacy of existence and the primacy of consciousness, is the difference between objectivity and subjectivism. The primacy of existence is the recognition that the objects of consciousness exist and are what they are independent of the conscious activity by which the subject is aware of them, and thus represents the objective orientation between a subject and its objects. The primacy of consciousness is essentially a fantasy which seeks to reverse the proper orientation between a subject and its objects, attributing to the subject the power to conform its objects to its intentions, either for their very existence (the subject “creates” its own objects), for their natures (the subject “assigns” its objects their identity), and/or for their activity (the subject “controls” what its objects do). This represents the subjective orientation between a subject and its objects.
Theism and Metaphysical Primacy
One of my readers asked the following:
I understand the primacy of existence as objects of consciousness hold primacy over the subjects and the primacy of consciousness affirming the opposite. But I do not see the problem in affirming that existence exists, existence has metaphysical primacy and that God exists. Where lies the violation in asserting that existence exists and so does God?
Questions such as this suggest to me that the one posing it either does not really grasp what the issue of metaphysical primacy deals with, or that he is not integrating what the issue of metaphysical primacy addresses with what theism entails.
Even though many theists do not explicitly identify consciousness as one of the primary characteristics which they attribute to their god (many defenders of theism gravitate to higher abstractions when speaking of their god, such as aseity, cotermineity of their god’s being with its self-consciousness, immutability, infinity, unity, etc.), it is clear from what they say about their god that they do in fact hold it to be a conscious being. In fact, they typically tend to take the assumption that their god is conscious completely for granted, for it is vital to just about everything else they claim about their god. According to what theists say, their god knows, sees, judges, gets angry, expresses joy, loves, commands, plans, determines, experiences pleasure, wishes, etc. All these actions are actions requiring consciousness. Indeed, it would be quite unusual if a theist were to affirm a god which performs all these actions but which is not at the same time conscious of anything. Christian apologists of the Vantillian tradition emphatically dismiss rival religions for not consistently embracing what they call a “personal” deity, i.e., a deity which is self-aware. A non-conscious deity would be what they call an “impersonal” being (cf. John Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God, p. 34f).
Since theism entails belief in a deity which is conscious, the question raised by the issue of metaphysical primacy has us focus on the relationship between the deity as a conscious subject, and any objects it is said to be conscious of (either by perception or by some other means). When we consider the orientation which theism attributes to the relationship between its god as a conscious subject and any objects it is said to be conscious of, the question becomes:
Does this relationship resemble the primacy of existence, or the primacy of consciousness?
Simply stating that the deity in question possesses consciousness, is not enough to answer this question. We need more information. We need to know more about what theists say about their god. Statements like the following indicate in no uncertain way the orientation which theists have in mind for their god in its relationship as a subject of consciousness to any objects it is supposedly aware of:
Christianity holds that God is the creator of every fact... God’s thought is placed back of every fact. (Cornelius Van Til, Christian Theistic-Evidences, p. 88; quoted in Bahnsen, Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings & Analysis, p. 378)
God wills, that is, creates the universe. God wills, that is, by his providence controls the course of development of the created universe and brings it to its climax. (Cornelius Van Til, “Apologetics,” 1959)
We now know that the world exists simply because God wills it. (Cornelius Van Til, “The Election of All Men in Christ,” The Great Debate Today, 1970)
Fact: God willed the universe into being. Fact: He willed the universe into being by simply speaking it into existence instantaneously. References: Psalm 33:6,9 Psalm 148:5 Hebrews 11:3 Thought: He did not have to speak in order to create, but He did. God could have just thought the universe into being. Instead, He spoke it into being. He used His word to create. (Lesson 6: The Seven Days of Creation: A Deeper Study of Gen. 1:1 to 2:3)
God is Creator of everything, this vast universe. All was created by His Word. He spoke it into being. It is written: (Genesis 1:3) And God said... and it was so. His Word is powerful... God's Word spoke the universe into being. His Word is powerful beyond our comprehension. (Terrell Smith, What Do Christians Believe?)
All things came into being through the will of God. It was God's pleasure that the universe and everything in it be created. (Mike Scott, Can you explain why God created the universe?)
God's will is the final and exclusively determinative power of whatsoever comes to pass. The nature of any created thing is what it is because of an act of determination in relation to it on the part of God. (Jack Cottrell, Sovereignty and Free Will)
God is active in history by definition of who He is, He has created everything and is present with it, controls it, and exercises authority over it to reveal Himself to the praise of His glorious grace. Every fact, and therefore every fact of history, is a fact created by Christ for Christ. (Chris Bolt, “Redemption in Apologetics,” The Portable Presuppositionalist, p. 180)
Every fact is what it is because God has said it is what it is. (Ibid., p. 162)
Clearly, not only is the “God” characterized by these and similar statements supposed to be a conscious being (possessing a will, capable of thought, able to speak, etc.), these descriptions unmistakably grant metaphysical primacy to the consciousness of “God” over any objects it is said to be aware of. It “creates” its objects by simply willing them into existence, its “thought” is “placed back of every fact,” its intentions “control” everything it is conscious of, etc.
"Dude, Where’s the Violation?"
I'll show you.
Since any claim about reality implicitly affirms the primacy of existence (the recognition that existence exists independent of consciousness), any assertion that a god exists performatively contradicts itself by virtue of its implicit affirmation of the primacy of existence on the one hand (as a precondition for intelligibly making any statement about reality) and the primacy of consciousness on the other (as the fundamental orientation entailed by theism in the subject-object relationship).
In response to the question “Where lies the violation in asserting that existence exists and so does God?”, recall the the point I made in my blog The Axioms and the Primacy of Existence, namely that the axiom of existence ("existence exists") is "not the only axiom, that it is not a recognition that remains isolated from other recognitions." To say "existence exists" implies the axiom of consciousness, for one would have to be conscious in order to say this. Affirming both the axiom of existence and the axiom of consciousness in turn implicitly affirms the primacy of existence: Existence exists independent of consciousness.
So in making the statement “existence exists and so does God,” one is in fact declaring “existence exists independent of consciousness, and so does this consciousness upon which existence depends,” which is a direct self-contradiction. It affirms on the one hand, explicitly, that existence exists independent of consciousness (of any consciousness), and on the other – in the very same breath – it affirms the existence of a consciousness on which existence depends. For as we saw in the quotes above, “God” is characterized as a consciousness which creates all existence distinct from itself by an act of will. Thus not only does this position affirm a contradiction at the level of metaphysical primacy, it also leads to the irresolvable problem of divine lonesomeness.
Theists who resist this criticism can test it for themselves. Let them ask themselves the following question:
When you affirm that your god exists, are you presupposing that your god exists independent of your own consciousness? Or, are you saying that your god exists only as a feature of your own psychology, as a figment of your imagination, that the existence of “God” ultimately depends on your own consciousness?
Typically theists can be expected to affirm the former of the two: that their god is an independently existing being, that its existence does not depend on the theist’s or any other “creature’s” awareness, knowledge, feelings, imagination, that it has its own will and makes its own choices, etc. In this way, theists are making use of the primacy of existence in the very affirmation of their god’s existence: they are attempting to make a statement about reality which supposedly obtains independent of their own conscious activity. Thus they implicitly assume the primacy of existence by simply affirming the alleged truth of their god-belief.
But what is it that they are affirming? They are affirming the existence of a consciousness upon which existence depends. In other words, in the very content of the god-belief claims which they assert, they are affirming the primacy of consciousness – the very opposite of the primacy of existence, a principle which they need in order to make their god-belief claims sensible by any measure.
In this way, theists are directly contradicting themselves whenever they affirm their god’s existence. They implicitly affirm the primacy of existence in the very act of asserting their god-belief claims, and they expressly affirm the primacy of consciousness in the very content of their god-belief claims.
The Book of Evasions
In an exchange between myself and presuppositionalist Chris Bolt (see the comments section of my blog Can the Water in My Drinking Glass Turn into Merlot?), I had asked him if he disputes the truth of the Objectivist axioms, which I listed specifically for him to see.
In contemplating the axiom of existence, Bolt stated:
Do I believe that something exists? Yes, God exists, for example.
When I wrote in my blog Chris Bolt on Hume and Induction in response to Bolt’s statement, pointing out that
just by saying ‘God exists,’ Bolt performatively contradicts himself. He makes use of the primacy of existence while affirming a claim which denies the primacy of existence.
Bolt responded in a comment accusing me of “begging the question with respect to the truth of the Objectivist worldview.”
But Bolt is mistaken here. As I explained, I am simply being consistent with the Objectivist worldview, noting that “the only alternative to Objectivism, is some sort of subjectivism.” I cited presuppositionalism’s own champion, Greg Bahnsen, to help him understand. Bahnsen states:
”Circularity” in one’s philosophical system is just another name for “consistency” in outlook throughout one’s system. That is, one’s starting point and final conclusion cohere with each other. (Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings & Analysis, p. 170n.42)
I do not expect that Bolt would disagree here, and in his comments, he expressed no disagreement with this so far as I could see. Certainly I don’t think he would think that I should be inconsistent with my position. Indeed, if I had stated that Bolt was not performatively contradicting himself when he says “God exists,” he could then legitimately accuse me of being inconsistent with my worldview’s fundamentals. But in stating this recognition, I am in no way “begging the question,” as should be clear from the points which I have presented above.
Bolt did give a reason why he thinks I am wrong to point out the self-contradiction in the claim “God exists.” Indeed, he stated that my objection
takes the ‘primacy of existence’ and attempts to apply it to a foreign worldview.
But this, too, is mistaken. Bolt seeks to evade my critique of theism from the primacy of existence by arguing that the concept of the primacy of existence is “foreign” to Christianity. While it is true that the primacy of existence is “foreign” to Christian thought (indeed, this is a significant admission on Bolt's part), this fact by itself does nothing to diminish the pertinence of my critique. Even Bolt must realize that consciousness is real and that there is a relationship between consciousness and its objects, regardless of the specifics of one’s particular belief system. A belief system is something one holds in his consciousness. So just by acknowledging that one has a belief system, he is admitting to the fact that he possesses the faculty of consciousness.
As we saw above, the issue of metaphysical primacy seeks to identify the proper orientation between the subject of consciousness and its objects. Unless Bolt denies the reality of consciousness, he must surely recognize that there is a relationship between consciousness and its objects, since consciousness is consciousness of some thing, whether he believes in a god or not. Belief in the Christian god – since it requires consciousness (belief being an activity performed by consciousness) – does not exempt one’s consciousness from its need for an object, nor does it provide an escape from the fact that consciousness implies a relationship between itself and its objects.
So the “you’re arguing from a foreign worldview” objection fails, since there is no such thing as a consciousness without anything to be conscious of. As Ayn Rand pointed out:
a consciousness with nothing to be conscious of is a contradiction in terms. (Atlas Shrugged, Galt’s Speech)
Unless Mr. Bolt wants to embrace a contradiction in terms, he must acknowledge that consciousness naturally has an object. And if he acknowledges that consciousness has an object, then he must acknowledge that there is a relationship between consciousness and its object – that consciousness is consciousness of an object. And if he acknowledges this, he must acknowledge that there is a proper orientation between consciousness and its objects, that since consciousness is consciousness of an object, the object of consciousness holds metaphysical primacy over consciousness: it is what it is independent of conscious activity. A rock is what it is independent of one’s knowledge of it; an event occurred even if someone does not know about it; a person is who he is regardless of how others judge him. Even a Christian would say that his god exists even if no one believes in it, wouldn’t he?
That’s the primacy of existence. By supposing that something exists and is what it is even if people don’t believe it, an individual is informing his supposition with the primacy of existence.
There is no escape from this, because there is no escape in human cognition from the facts that consciousness is consciousness of an object and that there is a relationship between consciousness and its objects. The “foreign worldview” retort is a dodge that simply does not and cannot succeed. To invoke it is to assume the truth of the primacy of existence: it is an attempt to identify the state of affairs as they are supposed to exist independent of anyone’s wishing, emotions, protestations, errors in judgment, evasions, etc. The retort itself makes use of the very principle it is trying to dismiss.
Bolt also stated:
Perhaps more importantly, there is no explanation here of how affirming that God exists denies the primacy of existence.
Apparently Bolt had not availed himself to any of the items in the reading list which I provide below (all of which had been written and posted either to my blog or to my website well before he made his comment). He also now has the points which I made above to help him understand.
The Primacy of Existence: A Validation
The Axioms and the Primacy of Existence
Theism and Subjective Metaphysics
The Inherent Subjectivism of God-Belief
A Reply to Tenant on Theistic Foundationalism vs. the Objectivist Axioms
Dodging the Subject-Object Relationship
Confessions of a Vantillian Subjectivist
God and Square Circles
Bahnsen on “Knowing the Supernatural”
The Argument from Metaphysical Primacy: A Debate
Posted by Bahnsen Burner at 11:15 PM 26 comments: Links to this post
Labels: Fundamentals, Metaphysics, Objectivism, Primacy of Existence
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Wikileaks Principles are "Those of the American Revolution"
So claims its leader. One reason why we spend so much time at American Creation discussing the Founding is people value the American Founding. Folks make an argument -- perhaps logically fallacious -- of appeal to the authority of the American Founding. It's like the argument ad populum. It may be logically fallacious, but in a democracy it has some value to it.
Interestingly, there are some conservatives who might agree with Assange's claim. The American Revolution was, after all, a revolution. Revolutions by nature defy prevailing political authorities.
Those conservatives who want to value the Founding but not revolutions, get around that by arguing, perhaps correctly, that the US Constitution, NOT the Declaration of Independence is what governs America.
The Origins of the Ideas That Positioned America to Launch the Modern World
In light of Jon's request for more posts, and my insane lack of time lately, I decided to post this from my Real Estate blog where I write about innovation a great deal. My interest in this topic started here at American Creation when I first started posting on the origin of ideas that lead to America that can be seen in my post about Alvin Toffler's Third Wave and Jack Goldstone's posts on what launched modernity. The focus on this post is not modern political squabbles. It is to open up our discussions to the right historical frame. So please no political hand grenades.
Here is the post:
Those of us who blog about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the power of great ideas have to be encouraged that this was the theme of a large part of The State of the Union speech last night.
Here is an excerpt from the speech with some thoughts of mine below the fold:
"The future is ours to win. But to get there, we can’t just stand still. As Robert Kennedy told us, “The future is not a gift. It is an achievement.” Sustaining the American Dream has never been about standing pat. It has required each generation to sacrifice, and struggle, and meet the demands of a new age.
And now it’s our turn. We know what it takes to compete for the jobs and industries of our time. We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. (Applause.) We have to make America the best place on Earth to do business. We need to take responsibility for our deficit and reform our government. That’s how our people will prosper. That’s how we’ll win the future. (Applause.) And tonight, I’d like to talk about how we get there.
The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation.
None of us can predict with certainty what the next big industry will be or where the new jobs will come from. Thirty years ago, we couldn’t know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution. What we can do -- what America does better than anyone else -- is spark the creativity and imagination of our people. We’re the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives. It is how we make our living. (Applause.)
Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation. But because it’s not always profitable for companies to invest in basic research, throughout our history, our government has provided cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the support that they need. That’s what planted the seeds for the Internet. That’s what helped make possible things like computer chips and GPS. Just think of all the good jobs -- from manufacturing to retail -- that have come from these breakthroughs.
Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik, we had no idea how we would beat them to the moon. The science wasn’t even there yet. NASA didn’t exist. But after investing in better research and education, we didn’t just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs.
This is our generation’s Sputnik moment.
Leaving all politics and the debates over the different avenues to bring the picture that President Obama is trying to paint here to fruition, I have to say that I whole heartedly agree with every word stated above. In fact, I am inspired. Nonetheless, I think Umair Haque hit the nail on the head when he tweeted, "'We need to think bigger'". Exactly. WAY bigger than Obama's thinking now. Like reimagining GDP, corps, bottom lines, jobs, etc..."
Again I am not going to delve into the politics and solutions today. My goal with this post is a Socratic one of making sure we are asking the right questions before we start looking for answers. With that said, I think the question we need to ask ourselves as a nation is what magnitude of a moment are we going to need to keep our preeminent place in the world today? Or perhaps more importantly the preeminent place that our ancestors that helped form the Western World handed to us?
I dare to say that challenging us to rise to the task of "Our Sputnik" not only lessens the magnitude of the moment at hand but leaves us sorely lacking a true understanding of what is really needed to forcefully take hold of it. I hate to keep going back to my Columbus analogy but I think it perfectly captures both aspects alluded to in the last sentence. Just like in his time, there is something truly transcendent hanging out there just beyond the horizon that will shape the next 500 years the same way he helped shape the last. I think the President missed his "moment" last night by appealing to generational change at the expense of the larger trends of history before us.
In short, We are not just transitioning from one generation to another but from one era of History to another. It is my contention that Columbus was the catalyst to the 2ndWAVE and it is going to take a generation looking for CHANGE beyond the horizon to catch the 3rdWAVE currently forming to take us there...
Posted by King of Ireland at 7:21 PM 1 comment: Links to this post
Another Recycled Post on John Adams' Unitarianism
I know this is a little low-brow but it's fun.
It's strange, you mention the term "Unitarian" and everyone assumes today's Unitarian-Universalist church. The term simply means denial of the Trinity. America's key Founders and today's UUs are "unitarians" according to a genus that also captures, among others, the Jehovah's Witnesses who believe in an odd version of the Arian hersey.
So when I said "John Adams was a Unitarian," the pious Reverend who responded to me immediately thought I was arguing JA was like today's UUs, not a claim I was making.
Over the next few months I want to further explore the "Christian-unitarian-universalism" (what Gregg Frazer terms "theistic rationalism") of the folks who influenced the "key Founders." Yes, we've explored the beliefs of the key Founders to death (and we will continue to beat the dead horse). But there are still things that, for instance, Samuel Clarke or Isaac Newton (and many others) said that we haven't explored. Those men were "Christian-unitarian-universalists." Does that term work? Can we hear that term without thinking it a contradiction in terms? When we say "they were 'Christian unitarian-universalists'" can we imagine that term without imagining Clarke, Newton, et al. joining a present day UU church? Or would they have indeed joined today's UUs, were they alive?
That said, on to my recycled post:
It's funny. See this thread on worldmagblog, which illustrates that stubbornness is intractable in human nature. Someone possesses an erroneous assumption. They are given more than adequate evidence refuting the assumption. Yet, they stubbornly refuse to let go of their error.
In this case, it's a fellow named Joel Mark who assumed that John Adams was an orthodox Christian, and not a Unitarian, was shown overwhelming evidence to the contrary, complete with references to primary sources, yet still refuses to let go of the notion that Adams was a traditional minded Christian. In one comment directed at me, he wrote:
Jon Rowe,
You are flat out wrong....John Adams was NOT a Unitarian. That was never how he identified himself or was identified and the Unitarians were not even around in Massachusetts or America in his prime years.
You are unreliable on this matter. maybe its just that your sources are poor. But you are wrong.
He further asks for "smoking gun" evidence demonstrating that Adams identified himself as a Unitarian. Ye ask, and ye shall receive. Here is Adams himself on the matter:
I thank you for your favour of the 10th and the pamphlet enclosed, "American Unitarianism." I have turned over its leaves and have found nothing that was not familiarly known to me.
In the preface Unitarianism is represented as only thirty years old in New England. I can testify as a Witness to its old age. Sixty five years ago my own minister the Reverend Samuel Bryant, Dr. Johnathan Mayhew of the west Church in Boston, the Reverend Mr. Shute of Hingham, the Reverend John Brown of Cohasset & perhaps equal to all if not above all the Reverend Mr. Gay of Hingham were Unitarians. Among the Laity how many could I name, Lawyers, Physicians, Tradesman, farmers!
-- John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, May 15, 1815. Adams Papers (microfilm), reel 122, Library of Congress.
We Unitarians, one of whom I have had the Honour to be, for more than sixty Years, do not indulge our Malignity in profane Cursing and Swearing, against you Calvinists; one of whom I know not how long you have been. You and I, once saw Calvin and Arius, on the Plafond of the Cathedral of St. John the Second in Spain roasting in the Flames of Hell. We Unitarians do not delight in thinking that Plato and Cicero, Tacitus Quintilian Plyny and even Diderot, are sweltering under the scalding drops of divine Vengeance, for all Eternity.
-- John Adams to John Quincy Adams, March 28, 1816, Ibid, reel 430.
These quotations are featured in James H. Hutson's fine book of quotations, pp. 220-221.
James Madison and Samuel Clarke
Yes I know this is a recycled post. But American Creation is suffering from a dearth of posts, which is the DEATH of blogs.
Bloggers, like academics with their (our) lectures and ministers with their sermons, can recycle their posts. With that, on to James Madison's creed.
While very reticent to give the personal details of his creed, his most explicit discussion on the matter comes from his letter TO FREDERICK BEASLEY, November 20, 1825. Madison noted that in order to fully do justice to a theological work he'd have to "resort to the celebrated work of Dr. Clarke," which he "read fifty years ago...." Madison's philosophical argument for God is as follows:
The finiteness of the human understanding betrays itself on all subjects, but more especially when it contemplates such as involve infinity. What may safely be said seems to be, that the infinity of time & space forces itself on our conception, a limitation of either being inconceivable; that the mind prefers at once the idea of a self-existing cause to that of an infinite series of cause & effect, which augments, instead of avoiding the difficulty; and that it finds more facility in assenting to the self-existence of an invisible cause possessing infinite power, wisdom & goodness, than to the self-existence of the universe, visibly destitute of those attributes, and which may be the effect of them. In this comparative facility of conception & belief, all philosophical Reasoning on the subject must perhaps terminate.
Even at an old age, his mind is still very lucid. Though he read it 50 years prior, he still follows Clarke's argument quite closely. From Stanford's Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
The main lines of Clarke's argument are as follows. Since something exists now, something has always existed, otherwise nothing would exist now because nothing comes from nothing. What has existed from eternity can only be either an independent being, that is, one having in itself the reason of its existence, or an infinite series of dependent beings. However, such a series cannot be the being that has existed from eternity because by hypothesis it can have no external cause, and no internal cause (no dependent being in it) can cause the whole series. Hence, an independent being exists.
Clarke was an Anglican Divine, an Arian heretic, and a philosophical rationalist. Here is the Encyclopedia on his Arian heresy:
In 1712, apparently against the advice of some of Queen Anne's ministers, Clarke published The Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity, which was accused of Arianism, the view that Christ is divine but created. The ensuing controversy culminated two years later in his humiliating promise to the Upper House of Convocation not to preach or write on the topic any longer. However, this act of submission did not silence the correct rumors that he, like Newton himself, was still an Arian. How much these suspicions of heterodoxy damaged his ecclesiastical career is unclear. However, Voltaire reports that Bishop Gibson effectively prevented Clarke's elevation to the see of Canterbury by pointing out that Clarke was indeed the most learned and honest man in the kingdom, but had one defect: he was not a Christian.
I should note too that John Witherspoon, though a Calvinist/orthodox Christian, actually introduced Madison and his other students to Samuel Clarke's work at Princeton. Witherspoon was greatly influenced by Locke and the religious rationalists of the Enlightenment who were disproportionately non-Trinitarians. Witherspoon was not, contrary to misperceptions, teaching his students to be good orthodox Trinitarian Christians at Princeton, though that is what he preached from the pulpit. On matters of government, Witherspoon, first and foremost, taught his students to be good Whig-republicans.
Oprah Winfrey, "Christian"?
From the Immanent Frame. Though, they don't squarely address the issue.
Posted by Jonathan Rowe at 6:34 PM No comments: Links to this post
At American Creation we've discussed what terms mean. "Christian," "Catholic," "Protestant," "Enlightenment," "Unitarian," etc. There are some irresolvable differences in understanding here; so it's better to clarify -- put on the table what we mean by these terms. Does "Protestantism," for instance, mean simply freedom from the Roman Catholic Church's Magesterium and the supposed "errors" of Rome? If so, those who believe in theological unitarianism, universalism, indeed even Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses could qualify as "Protestant Christians." (I'm not sure whether Mormons or JWs identify as "Protestants" as they DO identify as "Christians." I know theological unitarians and universalists, historically, have identified as "Protestant Christians.") Does Protestantism mean Sola Scriptura? Are doctrines like Trinity, Incarnation, Atonement, Eternal Damnation non-negotiables to the label "Protestant Christian"? (If so that would exclude our Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and theological unitarians and universalists.)
I found the following video from EWTN very informative. It discusses how many of today's evangelicals think of themselves as "born-again" Christians. In John 3, Jesus instructs Nicodemus on the necessity of being "born again" in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet the Bible is one thick ass book and there, all sorts of things are said by Jesus and OTHER "inspired" writers and speakers on requirements for entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
For instance, in Matthew 18:3, Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Yet, there is no "become like children-Christian" movement like there is a "born-again Christian" movement. Yet, there is the same TEXTUAL support for BOTH kinds of Christianities. In, say, the year 2500, one could imagine such a movement.
Apparently Luther and Calvin, though they were "Protestant," "Reformed," "orthodox-Trinitarian," were not "born-again Christians," at least they did not preach being "born again" as an ELEMENT for when one becomes a "real" or "regenerate" Christian. Rather, they held to infant-baptismal regeneration, like the Roman Catholics.
Update: At my home blog my friend Ron comments:
Jon, although I no longer consider myself a Christian (in any conventional sense), as a Unitarian Universalist I've always identified with the term "radical protestant." To me, it represents a shift of authority (in assessment of truth) from a "top down" model (whether an infallible Church or State or infallible scripture) to more of a "bottom-up" paradigm of ultimate self-discernment of truth and meaning.
To me, being part of this "radically left wing of the Protestant Reformation" tradition in religion means that my spiritual ancestors were so stubbornly protestant that they increasingly refused to let anyone else (in any age, no matter how highly esteemed) do their thinking for them. It means that I can draw an identifiable line from the Minor Reformed Church of Poland (Socinians) to kindred spirits of freedom-inspired religion in the present day (whatever the title).
I would suggest that, to us, the term protestant is more about methodology than theology, not so much about particular beliefs as the approach used to determining those beliefs. (As I've commented elsewhere, if the name hadn't already been taken, UU's could have been called "methodists" in reference to their stubbornly protestant attitude applied even to matters of religion.)
John Murray's Trial in Massachusetts
I know we discussed the Dedham decision in Massachusetts which ultimately resulted in that state's religious establishment ending in 1833. Long story short: The Mass. Supreme Court, staffed by some Unitarians at that time, held Unitarians were a "Christian" sect eligible for state establishment aid which pissed the orthodox off so much so that they pushed for disestablishment.
But apparently, in 1783 the Universalist John Murray was involved in a similar set of court cases, where the "heterodox" side also won. Murray's and the Dedham decision could be viewed as bookend cases in favor of a heterodox, heretical "Christian" establishment in Founding era Mass. That state is, as I have come to learn, a "book end" on Founding era establishment policy. On one end we have "Virginia" represented by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson which not only disestablished but also (in Jefferson's 1786 Statute on Religious Liberty) separated church and state to some significant degree. On the other, Mass., which enacted a mild "Christian" establishment, consistent with "liberty of conscience."
As it turned out, however, such establishment encompassed heterodoxy and heresy, incompatible with what CS Lewis would later term "mere Christianity." The evangelical Baptists of that day embraced Jefferson and Madison's Virginia view that more separated church and state. After reading these cases I understand why.
Indeed, I wonder whether John Murray's cases influenced Madison's notes for his Remonstrance that cautioned against courts, with their recognized common law powers of filling in gaps in the law, deciding what constitutes "Christianity" eligible for state establishment aid.
What happened? Because John Murray preached Christianity, properly understood, taught ALL MEN will eventually be saved, more "orthodox" types argued he should be disqualified from receiving state establishment aid.
As Thomas Whittemore's 1830 book on Universalist history notes (paragraph breaks added for clarity):
At the close of the last chapter we left Mr. Murray in Gloucester, surrounded by a few steadfast friends, who had erected a Meeting House, and seemed to be enjoying a brief respite from persecution. ... At the time this society came into being, the Constitution of Massachusetts had not been drawn up, the United States were involved in the war of the Revolution, and there seems to have been no regularly prescribed method for the formation of societies distinct from the original parishes.
The Universalists in Gloucester therefore, considered themselves as constituted a christian society, by framing and subscribing articles of association, and by electing their religious teacher.
In the summer of 1780, the new constitution for the state went into effect, in which it was provided "that the several towns, parishes, precincts, and other bodies-politic, or religious societies, shall at all times have the exclusive right of electing their public teachers and of contracting with them for their support and maintenance.
"And all moneys paid by the subject to the support of public worship and of the public teachers aforesaid shall, if he require it, be uniformly applied to the support of the public teacher or teachers of his own religious sect or denomination, provided there be any on whose instructions he attends; otherwise it may be paid toward the support of the teacher or teachers of the parish or precinct in which the said moneys are raised.
"And every denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably and as good subjects of the commonwealth, shall be equally under the protection of the law; and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law."
Not withstanding the association of the Universalists in Gloucester into a religious society, they were taxed to defray the expenses of the old parish. A demand which seemed to them so unreasonable, they refused to satisfy; and thereupon their goods were seized by an officer and sold at auction. An action was instituted for the recovery of the property; and, after great solicitation, Mr. Murray consented that it should be brought in his name, he had hitherto refused any stipulated salary; but his friends being assured by their attornies that their case was hopeless, unless Mr. Murray became the plaintiff, he, at last, with great reluctance permitted it.
The question now to be decided was one of great importance; it was the first of the kind which had occurred under the new Constitution. Whether a society could be known in law, unless it were a body corporate, and what shall constitute a teacher of piety, morality and religion, were questions the decision of which affected not Universalists alone, but all other sects which dissented from the original parish.
The Universalists in Gloucester saw clearly the importance of the case to be decided, as it affected the interests of the various denominations in the commonwealth; and, advised by counsel of the highest standing, they moved forward with a firm and steady step.
VI. The case came on for trial in the year 1783. The ground taken by Mr. Murray's opponents was, that no teacher could have a right to recover the money paid by his sect, unless the person demanding it is the teacher of a town, parish, precinct, or a society legally organized, and vested with civil and corporate powers. It was furthermore objected, that Mr. Murray's followers had no name or appellation of Protestant Christians, and were not known in the country as a sect; and that Mr. Murray did not come within the meaning of the law, as he was not a teacher of piety, religion and morality. (Bold mine -> JR.)
"We beg leave to ask," said his opponents, "can a man who publicly discards the doctrine of God's moral government, of future rewards and punishments, urge, with a good face, or with any hope of success, the practice of morality? Can he consistently preach up morality, when he at the same time saps its very foundation, and cuts the nerves of Christian piety, by blending all characters together, and by making all equally holy, because equally united to Christ in his incarnation?"9
In reply the Universalists said, "whether he is a teacher of piety, religion and morality, cannot be determined from a revision of the motives he offers as to the rewards and the punishments which are to be bestowed or inflicted in another world. We believe that the question must be decided by the evidence of his urging the people to piety and morality, as the foundation of the greatest good which their natures are capable of, and as a compliance with the will of their Almighty Creator and Preserver, without going into an inquiry of his opinion respecting the quantity of punishment in a future state.
"That God will punish men for sin, in such a manner as will far overbalance the pleasures which can be derived from vice in this world, is so clearly pointed out in the gospel, that we are compelled to believe it; but whether the opinion of some learned and good men, who imagine that the wicked will be annihilated; or whether that of the learned Dr. Chauncy, Dr. Priestly, and many others, who believe that there is a temporary hell prepared for the ungodly, which is another state of probation, or any other opinion respecting that subject is best, every one must determine for himself. Neither statutes, penalties or rewards, can force, or allure, a man to consent to the truth of a proposition, without sufficient evidence received by a mind capable of examining, and applying of it.
"The idea, that it is necessary to the good order of civil government, that the teachers of religion should thunder out the doctrine of everlasting punishment, to deter men from atrocious crimes, which they may otherwise commit in secret, has long been hackneyed in the hands of men in power; but without any warrant from reason, or revelation for doing of it; for reason itself, without the aid of revelation, gave no intimation of a state of retribution; it was the Gospel which brought life, and immortality to light. God, in the civil constitution which he was pleased to form for the Jews, strongly prohibited murder, perjury, adultery, and many other crimes which men might then commit in secret; but in no one instance, gave an intimation, that the Jews should be punished in another world for their crimes in this. Had a threatening of that nature been necessary to the support of civil government, we might with propriety look for it there. It was not till the Christian Church was illegally weded to state policy, that men in power dared to hurl the thunders of the Most High at those who offended against government; and even then modesty forbade it, only as they arrogantly pretended to do it for the honor of God, and the advantage of religion."0
This case was kept in court for a long time. Trial succeeded trial, and review followed review, at Salem and at Ipswich, in 1783, 1784, and 1785. In the fall of the latter year a writ of review was again served, but the final decision was deferred until June, 1786, when a verdict was given in favor of Mr. Murray. The conduct of Judge Dana attracted particular notice. The view he had taken of the case in former trials was unfavorable to the plaintiff; but a revolution had passed in his mind. When he noticed that article in the Constitution which directs that monies may be applied by each person to teachers of his own religious sect, he said the whole cause depended upon the construction of that clause. He had before been of opinion it meant teachers of bodies corporate; he then thought otherwise; as the Constitution was meant for a liberal purpose, its construction should be of a most liberal kind; it meant, in this instance, teachers of any persuasion whatever, Jew or Mahometan.
It would be for the Jury to determine, if Mr. Murray was a teacher of piety, religion and morality; that matter, he said, had in his opinion been fully proved. The only question, therefore, before them was, if Mr. Murray came within the description of the Constitution, and had a right to require the money. "It is my opinion," he declared, "that Mr. Murray comes within the description of the Constitution, and has a right to require the money." Having been out all night, the jury returned a verdict in the morning in favor of the plaintiff.
VII. Thus protected in the enjoyment of their religious rights by the decision of the highest judicial tribunal in the commonwealth, and by the verdict of an impartial jury, the Universalists in Gloucester went fearlessly on; rejoicing that it fell to their lot to resist the beginnings of oppression under the new Constitution, and to test, at so early a period, its liberal provision in favor of the freest toleration. Additions were made to their number; Mr. Murray was their most constant preacher, and they were occasionally visited by other public laborers of kindred views; success, above their highest anticipations, crowned their exertions. ... (pp. 351-57.)
Very interesting. On the one hand we have folks arguing that those who deny eternal damnation are not "Protestant Christians," therefore, not "protected" under the state religion clause, and the other, a judge, apparently (I'm going to look this one up) who held Jews and Muslims are included under Massachusetts' mild religious establishment.
1830 Book On Universalism
I found this via googlebooks. It examines universalism in Christendom in the modern era (modern for 1830). I plan on excerpting much more from this book. One thing that stood out was theological developments in Germany that seemed to parallel those in America and England -- what influenced America's "key" Founders.
We've heard the terms "theistic rationalism," "Christian-Deism," "Christian-unitarian-universalism," "rational Christianity" -- the mean between orthodox Christianity and Deism. The expositors of which combined both natural and revealed religion (Reason and the Bible) to arrive at this theology.
This passage on pp. 129-31 describes it in Germany along with a host of names of German theologians of whom I've never heard who believed in this:
In the latter part of this century the controversy took a still wider range. Disgusted at the errors, bigotry and arrogance of Catholics, Lutherans, and the Reformed, many of the learned in Germany turned from them in disgust: some, sickening at the name of Religion, became Atheists; others, charging upon Christianity the errors of men, took refuge in the comfortless speculations of Deism; but a third class, possessing the prudence to examine the Divine Word for themselves, saw clearly the distinction between the real and the alleged doctrines of Revelation, and asserted and maintained, with vigor and discretion, the purer system of Jesus Christ. The three principal and popular errors, which they opposed, were the doctrines of the Trinity, Atonement and Eternal Punishment.
VIII. Among these may be reckoned Gruner, Eberhard, Steinbart, Damm, Fuller, and the immortal Semler. Steinbart was teacher of divinity at Frankfort, on the Oder, and his sentiment was, to use his own words, "God can never punish any, more than is necessary for his reformation. He cannot mistake in the choice of his means, and must always reach his end. He would appear less lovely, if one creature should be forever miserable."9 He published at Zullichan the "Christian Doctrine of Happiness," in which, says the orthodox Erskine, "the unscriptural sentiments which have appeared in German books and journals, as to the divinity and atonement of Christ, are reduced to a system, with several additions of his own." Gruner, divinity-professor at Hall, in a compound of divinity, published in 1777, argues against the divinity and atonement of Christ, and the eternity of hell torments.1
This emphasis was mine. It's this "third class" which America's key Founders and the theologians and philosophers they followed could be placed in.
Update: The book is from 1830, NOT 1822 as was originally reported and the error has been corrected.
Francis Salvador: Forgotten (or Perhaps Never Known) American Hero
Just off of Highway 52 in Charleston, South Carolina rests the beautiful and famous Washington Park. Along with being a popular location for weddings and other social gatherings, Washington Park also serves as the location for several historical monuments, including statues of George Washington, memorials for the southern Confederacy, and plaques dedicated to the memory of local and national heroes.
Amongst these various plaques, tucked away in an obscure corner of the park, resides an obscure memorial to one Francis Salvador:
The plague reads:
Francis Salvador
First Jew in South Carolina to hold public office
To Die for American Independence
He came to Charles Town from his native London in 1773 to develop extensive family landholdings in the frontier district of ninety six. As a deputy to the provincial congresses of South Carolina, 1775 and 1776, he served with distinction in the creation of this state and nation, participating as a volunteer in an expedition against Indians and Tories, he was killed from ambush near the Keowee river, August 1, 1776.
Born an aristocrat, he became a democrat, an Englishman, he cast his lot with America.
True to his ancient faith, he gave his life for new hopes of human liberty and understanding.
Erected at the time of the Bicentennial celebration of the Jewish community of Charleston.
Approved by the historical commission of Charleston SC
Chances are that most Americans have never heard of Francis Salvador. If I am being honest, I can't recall ever hearing about him until graduate school, and even then it was only in passing. In reality, Salvador's story isn't all that dramatic, which is probably one of the many reasons he goes relatively unrecognized. Yet despite his historical obscurity, Salvador's story is worthy of our attention, for it is a story of faith, patriotism and sacrifice.
Born in 1747, Salvador was the fortunate decedent of the very successful Joseph Salvador: businessman and leader of the Portuguese Sephardic Jewish community in Britain. Thanks to his sharp business instincts, Joseph Salvador had gained incredible wealth and prestige, which made him the natural choice to become the head of the British East India Company. In addition, Joseph Salvador also became an advocate for impoverished Jews living in Britain, whom he aided by assisting in their settlement in Georgia (a difficult prospect, since Jews were a relatively unwelcome group in the "New World").
Thanks to his family's success, Francis Salvador's early years were spent in luxury. But as is often the case with life, the storms of economic and world turmoil caused the Salvador family to lose much of its wealth and prestige. After the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 destroyed their Portuguese property and the East India Company collapsed, draining the family's resources, the Salvador family was left with only one prospect: immigrate to the American colonies (where they held property) and start anew.
Francis Salvador arrived alone at South Carolina in 1773. His hope was to establish himself on his family's land and then send for his wife (Sarah) and their three children. The timing of his arrival, however, brought a new set of unanticipated challenges that eventually pulled Salvador in a different direction. The fires of the American Revolution, which were blazing hotter with each passing day, led Salvador to become a passionate and vocal voice for American independence. Within a year of his arrival, Salvador won a seat in the South Carolina General Assembly. In 1774, South Carolinians elected Salvador to the Revolutionary Provincial Congress, which began to meet in January 1775, and in which Salvador regularly revealed his passion for the cause of independence.
In addition to his political service to South Carolina, Salvador also fought in the South Carolina Militia, where he earned the nickname, "Southern Paul Revere" for his brave late night ride to warn the countryside of an impending Cherokee attack. And though his service in both the militia and the elected assembly were, by all accounts, exemplary, Salvador's service to the cause of liberty was short-lived. During a military engagement on July 31st, 1776, Salvador was shot and later scapled by a group of hostile Cherokee Indians and local Loyalists. And though he lived long enough to see the militia defeat the Cherokee/Loyalist attack, Salvador eventually succumbed to his wounds and died at the tender age of 29.
The response to Salvador's death was felt throughout the colony. As historian Michael Feldberg points out in his book, Blessings of Freedom:
A Friend, Henry Laurens, reported that Salvador's death was "Universally regretted", while William Henry Drayton, later chief justice of South Carolina, stated that Salvador had "sacrificed his life in the service of his adopted country." Dead at twenty-nine, never again seeing his wife and children after leaving England, Salvador was the first Jew to die in the American Revolution. Ironically, because he was fighting on the frontier, Salvador probably never received the news that the Continental Congress in Philadelphia had, as he urged, adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Francis Salvador's legacy is usually nothing more than a side note in the history books. For the most part, Salvador is remembered for being the first Jew killed in the American Revolution and little more. And though his death is noteworthy, the life of Francis Salvador is deserving of much more than a simple side note or an obscure memorial. In reality, Salvador is the embodiment of what made the American Revolution special. He was a foreigner, a Jew and a wealthy English aristocrat who became a trusted comrade alongside his fellow native, Christian American revolutionaries.
Perhaps the words of his Washington Park memorial capture the true legacy of Francis Salvador best:
Born an aristocrat, he became a democrat; An Englishman, he cast his lot with the Americans; True to his ancient faith, he gave his life; For new hopes of human liberty and understanding.
***Interesting Side note: Despite Salvador's incredible service, the South Carolina Constitution of 1776 prohibited anyone not of the Christian faith from being elected to office. Interesting that the very state, which benefited from Salvador's impeccable service, would prohibit those of his faith from following in his footsteps.***
Posted by Unknown at 5:03 PM 4 comments: Links to this post
Primary Source From Elihu Palmer on Deism
He seems to describe a phenomenon of sectarian diversity within Christianity leading to an evolution towards Deism. A shorter way of describing it: Christianity rationalizes towards Deism.
A taste:
Another consideration still more powerful, accelerated the progress of moral improvement, and constantly diminished the force of attachment toward the Christian system. Every new sect discarded some of the absurdities of that from which it had separated, and passed a general sentiment of condemnation upon all those who were in the rear of this long and religious train. Luther and Calvin hurled their religious thunderbolts against the power and absurd tenets of the Church of Rome, and especially against the Pope, by whom this Church was governed. The Armenians, the Arians, the Socinians, and the Universalists, successively followed, with a purifying hand of reason, pruning and lopping off the decayed branches of the old theological tree, approaching still nearer to the source and principles of nature, till at length, by regular progression, the human mind discovered, that moral principle was placed upon a more solid foundation than the reveries of sectarian fanaticism. It has been in this manner that some portion of society has once more obtained a true idea of the religion of nature, or of that which may be denominated pure and simple Deism.
It is this religion which, at the present period of the world, creates, such frightful apprehensions in the household of faith, and threatens to shake to the centre the chief corner stone on which the Church is built. These apprehensions are daily disclosed by Christian professors, and they depict in such strong colours the fatal effects of Deism, that ignorant fanaticism believes it to be an immoral monster, stalking with gigantic strides over the whole civilized world, for the detestable purpose of producing universal disorder, and subverting all the sound principles of social and intelligent existence. Such are the horrid ideas which the enemies of this pure and holy religion are every where propagating amongst their credulous and deluded followers. This circumstance renders it necessary, that the true idea of Deism be fairly stated, that it may be clearly understood by those whose minds have hitherto been darkened by the mysteries of faith.
Deism declares to intelligent man the existence of one perfect God, Creator and Preserver of the Universe ; that the laws by which he governs the world are like himself immutable, and, of course, that violations of these laws, or miraculous interference in the movements of nature, must be necessarily excluded from the grand system of universal existence; that the Creator is justly entitled to the adoration of every intellectual agent throughout the regions of infinite space ; and that he alone is entitled to it, having no co-partners who have a right to share with him the homage of the intelligent world. Deism also declares, - that the practice of a pure, natural, and uncorrupted virtue, is the essential duty, and constitutes the highest dignity of man; that the powers of man are competent to all the great purposes of human existence; that science, virtue, and happiness, are the great objects which ought to awake the mental energies, and draw forth the moral affections of the human race.
I'm of the mind that Elihu Palmer, Thomas Paine, and Ethan Allen are the notable "Deists" of the American Founding; but none of them was a "key Founder." Likewise there were orthodox Christians among the Founders; but the "key Founders" (the first four Presidents, Ben Franklin and a few others) were neither strict Deists nor orthodox Christians, but something in the middle.
Biblical and Republican Rhetoric
This afternoon I delivered a benediction for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration of our local NAACP. Thinking of what to say, I was reminded of how Martin managed to weave together the Republican and Biblical strands of our history, as in his 1963 “Dream” speech.
This may be the sign of great public rhetoric in America. Lincoln was a master at combining the two, and the Founding generation employed this technique skillfully, so that even Deists like Thomas Paine could invoke a divine blessing on the Revolution and its outcome, as in his pamphlet The Crisis:
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war.
The Biblical vocabulary lifts the people’s struggle for freedom above the plane of a naked collision of self-interest, endowing their aspirations for independence with ultimate significance. At the same time, the Republican strain, skeptical and plainspoken, demands that policy choices (war or no war, for instance) have some down-to-earth, secular justification. “Thus sayeth the Lord” is not an argument likely to carry much weight in a pluralistic public square.
Well, with these ruminations in mind, here’s the brief blessing I gave at today’s event:
Grateful for the labors of those past, giants like Martin and Rosa,
Let us be thankful too for the work still to be done,
Grateful that we have an opportunity to serve, to make a difference,
To bring release to the captives and good news to the poor,
To proclaim liberty throughout the land and to build a more perfect union,
A union where every child will have an equal start in life,
A union that invests more in people than in weapons of war,
Where hate has no place
And the scales of justice do not discriminate,
Where those whose sweat and toil built this great land can share equitably in the abundance they helped create,
Where the dreams of the fathers become the children’s realities.
May God bless us in this task and bless the nation this was meant to be.
More From Benjamin Rush on Trinitarian Universalism
The Trinitarian case for Universalism takes a piece from Arminian logic on the atonement, a piece from Calvinism (indeed a reductio against universal atonement) and puts them together to teach that result. Arminianism teaches Christ made a universal atonement, as opposed to a limited one. Calvinism says Christ died for His Elect only, else His blood would be wasted on the unsaved. Arminianism teaches Christ died for the unsaved too; they just reject His grace. The Trinitarian Universalists seemed to argue that 1) Christ made a universal, not limited atonement. And 2) indeed, His blood WOULD be wasted if even one single soul for whom He died was not saved. Hence, everyone is saved eventually.
I found a source of more letters from Benjamin Rush explaining the case for Trinitarian Universalism, in particular letters of his to Universalist guru, Rev. Elhanan Winchester.
Your funeral sermon for Mr. John Wesley does honor to the philanthropy of your universal principles. I admire and honor that great man above any man that has lived since the time of the Apostles: his writings will ere long revive in support of our doctrine---for if Christ died for all, as Mr. Wesley always taught, it will soon appear a necessary consequence that all shall be saved.
-- To ELHANAN WINCHESTER, November 12, 1791.
Religion and the Presidency: Early Presidents
CSPAN has a done a great job updating its archives. I remember watching this when it came out in 2004. It was the first time I heard the term/paradigm "theistic rationalism." It was Gary Scott Smith of Grove City College who introduced that theory in a comprehensive discussion of George Washington's faith. Phillip Munoz also speaks (on Madison). And others.
Posted by Jonathan Rowe at 8:02 AM No comments: Links to this post
New Connecticut (Vermont) Declares Independence
On this day in 1777, the great state of Vermont decided to declare its independence not only from Great Britain but from the neighboring state of New York as well. For years, the settlers in the Vermont area had been asserting their right to break from New York, but were unable to do so. Thanks in part to the efforts of Ethan Allen and his "Green Mountain Boys," Vermont was able to finally able to gain its independence and maintain a relatively neutral stance during the American Revolution.
Origionally named New Connecticut, the state's delegates chose to adopt the new name of Vermont, which is an inaccurate translation of the French phrase "green mountain."
Vermont was also the first state to draft an official constitution. Its constitution was one of the most radical to say the least. It guaranteed every male (reguardless of property status) the right to vote, it abolished slavery (making Vermont the first state to do so), and it gave some rights (mostly property rights) to women. Despite their incredible efforts to gain independence, Vermont was finally incorporated into the United States in 1792, making it the first state outside of the original thirteen colonies to join the union.
The origional flag of Vermont was the same flag that was used by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys (a picture of the flag is posted at the beginning of this article). The flag has 13 stars in a scattared pattern, which was to represent the scattered and unsettled nature of the early United States. The green color is, of course, representative of the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Rick Warren and America's Founders Had no Problem With the Swedenborgs
WorldNetDaily differs with America's Founders on this issue.
As they write:
But critics point out the physicians who crafted the program apparently don't share the church's professed evangelical beliefs, espousing instead various forms of Eastern mysticism and the tenets of a Christian cult, Swedenborgism.
Oz, host of the Emmy-winning "Dr. Oz Show" and professor of surgery at Columbia University, says he is inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century cult founder who taught that all religions lead to God and denied orthodox Christian beliefs such at the atonement of Christ for sin, the trinity and the deity of the Holy Spirit.
McConkey pointed out the followers of what is called Swedenborgianism believe all religions lead to God and that Christianity must go through a rebirth. The group also denies the existence of a personal devil and believes the Bible is not inspired. When people die, the followers believe, they become an angel or an evil spirit.
Emanuel Swedenborg said he had a vision in 1745 in which he saw creatures crawling on walls. He asserted God then appeared to him as a man and told him to promote the new teachings to the world.
Check out my post from a few weeks ago at Dispatches From the Culture Wars on George Washington's friendliness to the Swedenborgians.
Thomas Jefferson, in fact, invited them to preach in the Capitol. Here is Rev. John Hargrove's sermon.
Oh and here Victoria Jackson says the following about Mormons:
On my first cruise, I'm meeting strangers who will be friends for life. One is Jerry Johnson. ... Jerry brings up Glenn Beck's Mormonism and I start to realize that the god Glenn Beck has been praying to for the healing of our land is not the God I've been praying to. I've had a fuzzy understanding of Mormonism, but, in a quest for truth, I listen to the facts Jerry is sharing with me and decide Beck has the freedom to worship any god he chooses, but he and Mitt Romney cannot accurately call themselves "Christians." I now realize why the 8/28 event had a strange element with the ecumenical lineup Beck brought onstage with him. Praying to "any" god is not what 2 Chronicles 7:14 meant.
Once again we see the dynamic of folks calling themselves "Christians" but, not being so, accordingly. The Declaration of Independence -- which was designed to foster such political theological communion between orthodox Christians and "others" like Mormons (or back then, Swedenborgs), Jews, unitarians, universalists, Providential Nature only believing deists -- should not resonate with Ms. Jackson and those who believe in her theology.
That is IF they understand what the DOI means. Sadly, they don't.
WorldNetDaily Has Thing For "The Shack."
Over at my personal blog here. I discuss WorldNetDaily's problem with The Shack's universalism and their seemingly inapt invocation of CS Lewis.
Here is a passage which relates to American Creation's mission:
The article describes Lewis as an "evangelical." Arguably, that errs. Lewis was an orthodox Anglican. Indeed he famously articulated the notion of "mere Christianity" that united Protestants, Roman Catholics, Anglicans and capital O Orthodox Christians along a common ground of Nicene orthodoxy. If you didn't believe in Nicene Trinitarianism, you were not a "mere Christian," whatever you may have called yourself. That means among others, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, probably George Washington, James Madison, John Locke, Isaac Newton and even John Milton himself were not "Christians" even though they all in some sense considered themselves to be.
Posted by Jonathan Rowe at 12:23 PM 1 comment: Links to this post
Mark David Hall on American Political Theology
Mark David Hall delivers to Heritage. This is good. I watched the whole thing and wanted to do it justice with a line by line commentary. But I've waited too long, after Dr. Hall graciously sent the link to me, so I reproduce it now.
Dr. Hall's perspective is more sympathetic to a "Christian America" reading than mine. He does outstanding work and understands the right questions (along with blogfellows Tom Van Dyke, John Fea and others).
What Will Happen First?
1. Hal Lindsey who predicted the Rapture would happen in his lifetime will die of old age/natural causes (he's 81)?
2. Jesus will return?
3. Christian Americanists will stop citing David Barton's phony quotations.
The below video was from the end of the year 2010.
First Amendment/Religious Liberty as a Protestant Document/Concept
I want to make some points that clarify my American Creation co-blogger's valuable contribution to the American Founding/religion debate.
The First Amendment was meant, as Justice Joseph Story says, to level all Protestant religions with each other, but not to equalize Christianity with Judaism and Islam. Alternatively, it did level all religions, even Judaism and Islam. But either way, it was only on the federal level.
First Joseph Story may have been an authority; but he was not *the* authoritative source for the First Amendment. He had nothing to do with its drafting and ratification. My friend Phillip Munoz of Notre Dame (and Princeton), who is about as authoritative a modern scholar of the F.A. as it gets, compared Joseph Story's commentaries to the actual sources of the drafting and ratification of the First Amendment and concluded Story misreads the Founding record. Similar to how scholars sympathetic to the secular left "read in" Jefferson's and Madison's "Virginia view" to define the meaning of the religion clauses, Story unfairly reads in the "Massachusetts' view."
Now, Story's quotation about the First Amendment being concerned, generally, with Christianity, not other religions, may shed light on the underlying aim of its religion clauses (which, in turn, may have had multiple underlying aims). However, it still cannot trump the TEXT of the Constitution, which uses the term "religion" not "Christianity."
This is an aside: I want to make sure we don't fall into the Christian Nationalist trap of concluding the First Amendment somehow was meant to cover, privilege or establish "Christianity generally," but not other religions. We all agree that, as originally conceived, the FA applied to the Federal government only. Whether the EC can be "incorporated" demands synthesizing evidence from the framing of the original bill of rights (late 18th Cen.) with the 14th Amendment (mid 19th Cen.). Munoz has concluded that, unlike the Free Exercise Clause, the Establishment Clause is impossible to incorporate. He may be right; however, as Akhil Amar argued, the original Equal Protection Clause -- which would demand government treat Christianity equal with Islam, Judaism, and other religions -- could do quite a bit of what SCOTUS currently has the Establish Clause doing.
Next, I want to clarify what it means to say the F.A. is undergirded by "Protestant Christianity." I argue that a "Protestantism" but not necessarily "Christianity" undergirds the notion of religious liberty. Protestantism meaning "to protest" or "dissent." The idea of freedom from ecclesiastical, authoritative interpretations of the Bible, most notably freedom from the Magisterium, but also freedom from non-Roman ecclesiastical authoritative teachings. Taken to its extremes -- which America's Founders did -- this means freedom from the very creeds that define the essence of what it means (historically, to many folks) to be a "mere Christian."
I wrote about this implicit Protestant establishment here. I quoted Nathan Hatch, president of Wake Forest University and one of the premier scholars of Religion and the Founding Era, describing the theology of Charles Chauncy, a key theological influence on the American Founding:
Charles Chauncy, pastor of Boston’s First Church for sixty years (1727-1787), is the most prominent example of an exclusive appeal to Biblical authority in order to unravel theological orthodoxy. Chauncy was persuaded to emphasize Bible study by reading the works of English divines, such as Samuel Clarke’s The Scripture-Doctrine of the Trinity (London, 1712) and John Taylor’s The Scripture-Doctrine of Original Sin (London, 1740). Both authors used a “free, impartial and diligent” method of examining Scripture to JETTISON, respectively, the doctrines of the Trinity and of Original Sin. [8]
During the 1750s, after the Great Awakening, Charles Chauncy spent seven years engaged in the approach to Bible study expounded by these English authors. In the spring of 1754 he wrote to a friend,
“I have made the Scriptures my sole study for about two years; and I think I have attained to a clearer understanding of them than I ever had before.”
His studies led him to draft a lengthy manuscript in which he REJECTED the idea of eternal punishment and embraced universalism.
Now, I point this out because terms need precise meaning. Perhaps I am being pedantic in claiming a "Protestant" but not necessarily "Christian" political-theology; but when some/many folks see terms like "Protestant Christian" or "reformed Christian" they sometimes improperly "load" or "read in" things. If "Protestant Christianity" can unite a Chauncy with a Calvin against Rome's monopoly on biblical interpretation, then the term is apt. However, to some/many, "Protestant Christianity" excludes Chauncy. And that's not what America's Founding political theology was all about. Perhaps I attack strawmen here. But my co-blogger to whom I respond has cited American Vision authoritatively. And it's precisely these folks who engage in such a misreading of the American Founding's political theology.
To them "reformed Protestantism" means Sola Scriptura, orthodox Trinitarianism, and TULIP. The "political Protestantism" of the American Founding does not necessarily include any of this. Again, it's something that can unite a Chauncy with a Cavlin, a Jefferson with a Henry (both Anglicans), the unitarian John Adams with his trinitarian cousin Sam (both Congregationalists).
Indeed even Joseph Story who seems a key figure for the "Christian Americanists'" attempt to read in a common law "general Christianity" to the American Founding was a biblical unitarian-universalist, and hence "not a Christian" according to minimums that "Christian Americanists" adhere to for what it means to be a "Christian."
And that highlights the problem with trying to argue some kind of "Christianity generally" was to be privileged by the American Founding. In order to privilege "Christianity generally" you had to agree on certain minimums of what it meant to be a "mere Christian" eligible for such privilege. As James Madison argued in his notes for the Memorial and Remonstrance, that was a task impossible for politics.
Finally, I note the idea of religious and political liberty as authentically reformed Protestantism is debatable. Calvin had Servetus put to death for denying the Trinity. The Puritans certainly didn't recognize religious liberty, but rather enacted a theocratic code that demanded the death penalty for, among other things, worshipping false gods. And when the proto-Baptist Roger Williams articulated his novel ideas on liberty of conscience, the dominant view of reformed Protestants/Calvinists reacted to Williams' ideas like Dracula does to a cross.
Gordon Wood Faults Historian Jill Lepore or being (wait for it) . . . a historian!
David Sehat puzzles over Gordon Wood's negative review of Jill Lepore's The Whites of Their Eyes…
Enter Lepore. The Whites of their Eyes is, as much of anything, a meditation of the uses of history and an objection to the uses to which the Tea Party movement has put the American past. Lepore objects to their "antihistory" that conflates the past with the present and ultimately leads to "historical fundamentalism." This, I think, is the ultimate source of conflict between Lepore and Wood. Lepore spends most of the book offering various stories of the late eighteenth century that undermine a triumphant view of the period--the ways in which slaves, women, the insane, and the poor struggled in a frankly illiberal era--in order to show the strangeness of the past and the limitations that that strangeness imposes when trying to put the past to work in a nationalist celebration or a political movement. But Wood is, in fact, engaged in the nationalist celebration as a central component of his intellectual project. He believes that the United States is in some sense unique in providing a model of liberty for the world, and he looks to the founding moment, much as the Tea Partiers do, in a way that Smith calls "transhistorical."
His review bears out this tension. Wood begins by claiming that "Americans seem to have a special need for these authentic historical figures [such as Washington or Jefferson] in the here and now." But instead of taking this need seriously, Wood complains that Lepore, "an expert at mocking," does what academic historians do by "making fun of the Tea party." In her criticism of the movement's historical malapropisms and strained political gestures, Wood suggests that the book's implicit question is: "Don't these people realize just how silly they are?" This academic elitism further suggests to Wood a misunderstanding of history for "ordinary Americans" that someone like Lepore just can't seem to get.
This is where his review gets really weird. He never quite admits that the Tea Party's history is bad, or that their stance toward it is wrong-headed. Instead, Wood shifts into a discussion of memory, as opposed to history, and the emotional requirement of memory for, again, "ordinary Americans." As opposed to critical history, Wood asserts that ordinary Americans need a variety of mythical interpretations by which "humans have sought to sanctify their societies, buttress their institutions, and invest their lives and their nations with a sense of destiny." At one point Wood suggests that "Lepore is correct in believing that historians have a professional obligation to dispel myths and legends," but then he spends the next eight paragraphs trying to show the emotional thinness of critical history, which seems to suggest that professional obligations run contrary to human need--a somewhat bizarre stance for an intellectual and an educator. Since I've just published a book that seeks to dispel a myth (The Myth of Religious Freedom) I read this section of the review with great interest, but the more I think about it, the less it makes sense. It seems to be nothing so much as an intellectual defense of anti-intellectualism. He seems, against all protestations to the contrary, to be faulting the historian Jill Lepore for being (wait for it) . . . a historian!
Text emphasis my doing…
Posted by Naum at 10:12 AM 10 comments: Links to this post
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The First Amendment: A Christian Document
The First Amendment was meant, as Justice Joseph Story says, to level all Protestant religions with each other, but not to equalize Christianity with Judaism and Islam. Alternatively, it did level all religions, even Judaism and Islam. But either way, it was only on the federal level. The real purpose of that amendment was merely to protect the state established churches from federal interference. Thomas Jefferson's letter of 23 January 1808 to Samuel Miller evinces a similar view. Therefore, the notion of incorporating the First Amendment onto states is absurd. Some of the men who ratified the First Amendment, actually believed in full religious liberty. Others, however, were merely jealous for their state established churches. So how the hell do you incorporate that into the states via the 14th Amendment?
Now then, if you read works of those who believed in full religious liberty (as opposed to merely jealously protecting the state church), works like John Locke's "A Letter Concerning Toleration," James Madison's "Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments," Thomas Jefferson's The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom", Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia (s. v. "Query XVII"), and John Leland's The Rights of Conscience Inalienable; and therefore Religious Opinions not cognizable by Law: Or, The high-flying Churchman, stript of his legal Robe, appears a Yahoo, you'll see the following: that the justification for all these men, was based on the principles of Protestant Christianity. The underlying principle among them all, is that religion is within the jurisdiction and sovereignty of God alone, that no man on earth (whether pope or government official) has the authority to make laws regarding religion. Every man has the freedom to believe whatever he wants, and no man has the right to force him otherwise. The intent of religious liberty, according to these men, is to give all men the ability to worship God freely. In fact, John Locke and James Madison even say that an atheist has no right to religious freedom, because he doesn't believe in the God who granted that freedom in the first place. Similarly, Thomas Jefferson said elsewhere, "God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed their only sure basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that those liberties are the gift of God?" For all these men, religious liberty was a Protestant Christian principle, viz. the opposition to popery, and the freedom of every man to read the Bible for himself and come to his own conclusion. If the First Amendment enshrines religious liberty (which is doubtful, as I show above, regarding states v. the federal government), then the First Amendment is itself a Christian document.
(In my humble opinion, if we extrapolate, we'll see that the concern of being allowed to worship God freely, applies to other areas of life as well, besides religion. If men must be free to worship God, without being compelled to join foreign religious and perform strange rituals not to their liking, does this not also mean that men must not be compelled to believe in or practice other ideologies, such as communism? The Framers spoke of religion alone, merely because religion was the ideology, par excellence. But if you read their concerns, you'll see that their concerns apply generally to all ideologies, not only religious ones. Why should I be forced to subsidize (with my taxes) a public school that teaches doctrines not to my liking? How is that different than forcing me to subsidize a church not to my liking?)
Returning to religious liberty being a Christian concept, in fact, James Madison explicitly credits Martin Luther in his letter of 3 December 1821. Madison is referring to Martin Luther's doctrine of the two kingdoms, in which the state possesses a temporal sword to punish crime and violence, and the church possesses a spiritual sword to punish heresy and inculcate orthodoxy, and neither may infringe on the other's jurisdiction. Both, however, are subordinate to God. Therefore, under Luther's doctrine, the state is separate from the church, but is still subordinate to God and subject to His commands. Christianity is binding on the state no less than on the church, only a different subset of the laws of Christianity is applicable to each, according to the station assigned by God. (Similarly, the fact that only kohanim (priests) can offer qorbanot (sacrifices), does not mean that everyone else is "secular.")
(In my humble opinion, when Locke, Madison, Jefferson, and Leland say that the state can have no jurisdiction over religion because men have not delegated to the state that power under the social contract, and that furthermore, they cannot, as religion belongs to God alone and cannot be delegated to anyone else (nemo potest dare quod non habet - one cannot give that which he does not have), it seems to me that what they are doing is, is giving a justification for Luther's doctrine. Luther distinguishes between the two kingdoms, but Locke et. al. are, I believe, offering a social contract theory-based justification for Luther. Given that it was Reformed Christians who are largely responsible for the invention of social contract theory, in the form of federalism, it seems fitting that Luther be justified based on a secular offshoot of Calvinism.)
So in fact, according to Madison, the morality of the United States's laws was to be a Christian morality. Again, the First Amendment was merely meant to equalize all Protestant sects with each other, but Christianity in the abstract was still to be supreme. The morality of the laws was to be an exclusively Christian one. There was to be no established church, enforcing dogma and ritual, but the state was still to enforce Christian morality. In fact, the First Amendment is very precise, speaking of a religious "establishment," and Jefferson speaks of the separation of "church" and state; the words "establishment" and "church" (as opposed to "religion") are chosen very deliberately, to refer not to religion or Christianity in the abstract, but rather, to concrete entities, to structured organizations. The First Amendment forbids the favoring of a church establishment (Baptist, Anglican, Congregationalist, Presbyterian), but not the favoring of Christianity in the abstract. No wonder that James Madison said, in a letter of 1833 to Jasper Adams, "I must admit...that it may not be easy, in every possible case, to trace the line of separation, between the rights of the religious and civil authority, with such distinctness, as to avoid collisions and doubts on unessential points." (Quoted in John Eidsmoe, Christianity and the Constitution: The Faith of our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 110.) That's why even people like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison could issue Christian thanksgiving proclamations, calling for repentance and prayer to God. (Clarification: As Jefferson shows, in letter to Samuel Miller, he did not issue thanksgiving day proclamations as President of the United States. However, as Governor of Virginia, he did issue such proclamations. Evidently, Jefferson considered the First Amendment merely a technical legal impediment, but still felt that theoretically, the issuing of religious proclamations was legitimate for the government. On the state level, where no legal restriction existed, he was free to pursue this. This is all the more interesting, given that Jefferson himself authored the "The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom." Now, that act was not yet in effect when Jefferson was governor, but presumably, he still believed in its tenets. So apparently, Jefferson felt that while the First Amendment forbade the issuing of thanksgiving proclamations, by contrast, the not-yet-legislated "The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom," authored by him himself, no less, did not. So it is difficult to imagine how on earth we could incorporate the First Amendment via the Fourteenth, when apparently, the First Amendment was of such a peculiar character, limited to the federal government, and intended, according to some, to merely protect the state established churches from federal interference, and intended, according to Jefferson, to be legally more onerous and restrictive than what was morally necessary and proper for the states. Oh, and on the same day that Jefferson and Madison submitted their "The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom" - which Jefferson authored, and which Madison defended and advocated for with his "Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments," the two being partners in the endeavor - James Madison also submitted a "Bill for Punishing Disturbers of Religious Worship and Sabbath Breakers." Just as Jefferson felt there was nothing wrong with issuing religious proclamations, Madison thought there was nothing wrong with punishing Shabbat desecrators. )
Thomas Jefferson, in his famous letter to the Danbury Baptists, speaks of the "wall of separation between Church & State." Now, writing to the Baptists, it makes sense that Jefferson made a reference to Roger Williams, who said, "...when they have opened a gap in the hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the church and the wilderness of the world, God hath ever broke down the wall itself, removed the candlestick, and made His garden a wilderness, as at this day. And that therefore if He will eer please to restore His garden and paradise again, it must of necessity be walled in peculiarly unto Himself from the world..." We should notice three things: (1) Jefferson is relying on Roger Williams, so Jefferson's doctrine of the separation of church and state is obviously a Christian one; (2) the purpose of the wall is to protect the garden of the church from the wilderness of the state, with the threat being not that the church will corrupt the state, but the opposite, that the state will corrupt the church; (3) the church is to be kept peculiarly unto God, which is the same concern we saw earlier, that religion is something that only God, not the state, has jurisdiction over.
In my opinion, the Framers' political philosophy, regarding religious liberty, tended towards libertarianism, but their moral philosophy was always a Christian one. Libertarianism is merely a political philosophy, and can be paired with any moral philosophy. Ayn Rand chose Objectivism to accompany her libertarianism, while the Framers chose Christianity. Myself, I am a libertarian and tends towards the most separatist and radical view of separation, that the state should have nothing whatsoever at all to do with religion, believing that the truth is strong enough on its own, and believing that the state has no jurisdiction in such areas. (I also believe that public schooling is unconstitutional and illegal.) But the First Amendment means what it means, whether I like it or not.
Posted by Mikewind Dale (Michael Makovi) at 1:46 AM 71 comments: Links to this post
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Slacktivist on The Godless Constitution
I was very pleased to see the authors give Roger Williams his due as an essential American advocate of the Baptist principle of separation of church and state. Kramnick & Moore provide a fine overview of that doctrine, which is the central distinguishing tenet of Baptist Christianity. Actually, it's the only distinguishing tenet of Baptist Christianity. It's what "Baptist" means, with everything else Baptists tend to believe flowing from that (including the unwieldy individual freedom of conscience that allows us only to speak of what Baptists "tend" to believe). The teaching about voluntary, adult believer's baptism developed as a rebuke and rejection of mandatory state-church baptism as a rite of citizenship.
But what is most valuable to me in this unfailingly interesting book is the collection of voices from the opponents of America's "Godless Constitution." I had read most of the other side of this argument -- the side that won the argument because it was right. But I hadn't previously read the vehement objections of the losing side.
The viewpoint of that side is echoed today in the voices of the evangelical right calling for religious hegemony. Then, as now, the argument was that such hegemony was necessary to provide social order and a basis for morality without which the nation would be ungovernable. Then, as now, the advocates of a sectarian Constitution believed that only sectarian religion could provide a basis for such morality. And only their own sectarian religion at that.
So for the sectarian opponents of the Godless Constitution, then as now, the stakes were enormously high. The Constitution proposed by the framers in 1789, they said, was a form of national suicide. That Godless document -- with its separation of church and state, its disregard for the overarching sovereignty of God, its absolute prohibition against religious tests for public office and against the establishment or privileging of any official sect -- would bring rapid calamity and doom. Their warnings of the consequences of such a Constitution were dire, apocalyptic and unambiguous. If the Constitution did not establish an official sectarian Christian religion, they believed, then Christians would find themselves subjugated to some other established sect.
Pastor Rutherford Apologizes
Last week I posted my review of a video on the history of the Star-Spangled Banner. In the video, Pastor Dudley Rutherford of Shepherd of the Hills Church in California shares a story on the origins of our national anthem that wasn't completely historically accurate. The day after posting my review, Pastor Rutherford contacted me via email and shared his regret that some of the points in his video were a bit misleading.
Well, yesterday Pastor Rutherford posted a new video in which he expresses his regret and apologizes for his video on the Star-Spangled Banner. Take a look:
First, let me say how refreshing it is to see somebody who is sincerely interested in historical integrity. Pastor Rutherford, who is not a professional historian, has more "True Grit" (an excellent movie that you should see, BTW) than many professionals in the historical community. I personally know several historians who could NEVER admit when they had made a mistake because their pride, ego and Ph.D. get in the way. I hope that I can follow Pastor Rutherford's example when I get my history wrong in the future.
Let's be clear here, there are no winners or losers in this debate. Nobody has been proven wrong and nobody is keeping score. This is history, not hockey. Pastor Rutherford's apology is not an admission of guilt but rather a determination to get the history right. And as a result, he comes off the victor. Like I said, I sincerely hope that all of us here at American Creation (and the historical community in general) can learn for Pastor Rutherford's brilliant example. Admitting error leads to growth, persisting in one's mistake only makes the individual look like a fool.
Pastor Dudley Rutherford is no fool.
Posted by Unknown at 3:21 PM 10 comments: Links to this post
Quote of the day: virtue, happiness and the foundation of government
"All sober inquirers after truth, ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue. Confucius, Zo-roaster, Socrates, Mahomet, not to mention authorities really sacred, have agreed in this.
If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote the general happiness than any other form?"
- John Adams (1735-1826), Thoughts on Government (April 1776).
Posted by Mark D. at 2:47 AM No comments: Links to this post
Charles J. Reid on Brian Tierney Part 3
Hello My Name Is Gratian And I Think I Might Have Something To Add To This Discussion
Hello again American Creation family! I hope you all remember me in that I do not think I have posted here since Summer. This was due to the time consuming re-launching of my real estate business after it turned out that the oil had not ruined the part of the Gulf Coast I live in forever after all. Anyway, I am going to dive in and pick up right where I left off: Charles J. Reid's review of Brian Tierney's book, The Idea of Natural Rights: Studies on Natural Rights, Natural Law, and Church Law 1150 to 1625. Before doing so, I think it wise to summarize where we were in the discussion 4 months ago, the first two parts in this series, and the concept of a "zone of autonomy" being at the core of the Christian argument for natural rights.
Four months ago we were involved in a debate over my challenge to the idea articulated by Ed Brayton, Gregg Frazer, and Jon Rowe that, "that the Bible nowhere speaks to the concept of unalienable rights, especially an unalienable right to religious and political liberty." I pointed to the work of Brian Tierney and his contention that the pre-Aquinas development of Canon Law heavily impacted the evolution of the Western Legal Tradition which in turn had great influence on our founding era idea of natural rights. Then I followed that general overview of Reid's book review with a post that began to sort through some of the details. I started with Reid's brief summary of the contributions of Justian, Gratian, and the "decretists" as he follows Tieney's account of the evolution of the idea of natural rights.
The "decretists" were the Canonists that sifted through the works of Gratian per Justinian and attempted to address some of the inherent contradictions they saw in his work. In the process they began to articulate a coherent case for natural rights that I think is summed up best by Rufius,
Rufinus began, "'a certain force instilled in every human creature by nature to do good and avoid the opposite.' ' This force, he continued, "'consists in three things, commands, prohibitions, and demonstrations. . . . It cannot be detracted from at all as regards the commands and prohibitions . .. but it can be as regards the demonstrations, which nature not command or forbid but shows to be good."'
The "demonstrations" alluded to above are actions that the Bible neither commands nor prohibits and leaves to each man's own discretion as to whether "nature" shows it to be "good". It is my contention that our discussions of the differences between "Classically Conservative" vs. "Classically Liberal", "Enlightenment" vs. "Christendom", and "French Revolution" vs. "American Revolution" should all start with the question of, "Liberty" or "License" per Locke via Hooker.
Thus, my question to Brayton, Rowe, Frazer, is how we can even begin to have this conversation about the "Christian" idea of rights until we enlarge the historical discussion to include the men I have mentioned above and their contributions to the Western Legal Tradition?
WorldNetDaily Looks Forward to John Fea's Book
Fea's book, from the advanced look I got it, is going to be a great read. Here is Jim Fletcher.
In our country, publishers (and documentary producers) are able to produce material, led by conscience. We might disagree on various views, but we are free to produce, distribute and discuss those views.
A new book (one we'll review in the coming weeks) is John Fea's "Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction."
This subject settled in my mind recently as I saw a promotion of Fea's book from Publishers Weekly. It brought to mind the polar opposite views about our Founding Fathers that have filled bookshelves and DVD players for some time.
Personally, I am in the middle of my investigation into just what the Founding Fathers believed. The question first became fascinating to me more than a decade ago, during the events at Mount Vernon in 1999, the bicentennial of George Washington's death. Previously a guide had pointed to a spot along the banks of the Potomac, where in early December 1799, Washington had been marking trees to be cut. He fell ill shortly after and died before Christmas.
The subject of Washington's religious faith has been debated ever since. I found it interesting at Mount Vernon that of 100 or more titles about Washington in the gift shop, only one addressed his faith. The guides made no mention of it, and so I got an education into the extent of the sanitizing of such subjects from America's power centers today. The National Parks Service is not going to chip away at the wall of separation between church and state that … oh well, that's a subject for another day.
I did find it quite interesting that just outside the tomb of George and Martha Washington (moved to a spot closer to the house some decades after their deaths), stand stone pillars with Scripture chiseled into the stone. Some even speak of the resurrection, which I'd think would be a clue to Washington's real feelings about Christianity.
But then again, perhaps not.
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Hockey Books
I'm Joe Pelletier, freelance hockey journalist and the Hockey History Blogger! Why I created this website
Blog content © Joe Pelletier
Charlie Gardiner
Charlie Gardiner was Chicago's first hockey superstar. He led them to the top of the league and eventually their first Stanley Cup in 1934 and put hockey on the map in the Windy City.
Born in Scotland in 1904, the Gardiner family moved to Winnipeg when Charlie was 7. It was in Winnipeg where he discovered two sports that loved - hockey and trap shooting. While playing with the amateur Winnipeg Maroons, the Chicago Black Hawks, who were the League's cellar-dwellers, found the goalie that would turn them into champions.
Though Gardiner's play was spectacular, the turnaround was far from immediate. In his rookie campaign, 1927-28, Chicago finished dead last and Gardiner led the league in losses with 32. As a sophomore Gardiner lost a league high 29 games despite a 1.93 GAA. The Hawks won only 7 games. But Gardiner continued to play with unbreakable spirit, and earning high praise despite the statistics. The great Howie Morenz once claimed "Bonnie Prince Charlie" was the toughest goalie to score upon.
The Hawks continued to struggle as the 1930s progressed, but Gardiner emerged to become what many people feel was the best goalie of his day. He posted 42 shutouts and 2.02 GAA in 7 seasons. He won the Vezina Trophy in 1932 and 1934 and was named to 4 All Star Teams. He played with a team that offered very little offensive support (the whole team scored only 33 goals in 44 games in 1928-29). But Gardiner's play, much like that of Dominik Hasek years later with Buffalo, made the team a contender to reckon with.
Gardiner's finest moment came in the 1934 playoffs, as "Smiling Charlie" advanced the Hawks to the Stanley Cup Finals against Detroit. This despite the fact that Gardiner was feeling quite ill at the time. Unbeknownst to him or his doctors, Gardiner had long suffered from a chronic tonsil infection. The disease had spread and had begun to cause uremia convulsions. Undaunted, Gardiner pressed on as winning the Stanley Cup had become an obsession with him. Though playing in body-numbing pain, the Hawks prevailed over the Wings. He permitted only 12 goals in 8 playoff games - a 1.50 GAA.
A well liked and jovial fellow, Gardiner served as the Blackhawks captain, a rarity for a goalie even when it was allowed. Before the decisive 4th game, the "Roving Scotsman" showed his leadership and reportedly told his teammates that they would only need to score one goal that night. Sure enough, the game had gone into double overtime at a 0-0 tie. Suffering from growing fatigue, Gardiner was weakening considerably as the game went on. But he managed to hold the Red Wings scoreless until Chicago's Mush March finally scored.
The Hawks hoisted their first Stanley Cup, but Gardiner, the only goalie to captain a Cup champion, was just as happy he could escape the ice and collapse in the dressing room. A few weeks later Gardiner underwent brain surgery after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage. Unfortunately complications from the surgery would cost him his life on June 13, 1934.
Had Gardiner been healthy enough to continue his career, he undoubtedly would be looked upon as one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history. As it is, he persevered with an incredibly weak team and, with championship effort, he led them to the Stanley Cup in his short 7 year career.
That championship effort landed Gardiner into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945.
Posted by Joe Pelletier at 6:07 PM
Labels: Charlie Gardiner
Anonymous, 7:52 PM
Unfortunate that he died so young as he was one of the truly great goaltenders of hockeys early age. A legend in his time he inspired other players such as Bill Durnan to become goaltenders. Considered by many to be one of the greatest of all time.
There's a good book out there about Charlie. It's called "Before the Echoes Fade."
Derek, 9:44 AM
Greatest goalie in the game at the time of his death -- No denying that.
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Valkyrie makes preliminary GB women’s flag team!
April 5, 2017 December 11, 2017
Saturday 1st April saw almost a 100 women from all over the UK travel to Northampton to take part in the open trials for the GB women’s flag team, as they look to continue their preparations for the forthcoming European championships later this year. The trial was aimed at adding successful players to the existing GB squad ready for training camps over the summer, after which the final team will be announced.
Three Valkyries took part in the trials. For two of them this was something completely new, having only joined the team in January and having no previous Flag Football experience. However, with the Summer Series tournament coming up followed by the National Flag tournament in October it was a great opportunity to learn the game from some of the best coaches – and players – in the country.
As Mandy, one of these new players, notes:
During the lead up to GB Flag trials I started thinking “why did I say I’d go to this?” I’d only been playing tackle American Football since the beginning of the year and had not even played Flag yet. But then I thought what have I got to lose? I decided if I went there and just learned one thing that would help me progress as a player, then it would’ve been worth it.
For Holly, our other new starter, this drive to learn the game and challenge herself was at the heart of it:
I’ve been playing football for two minutes. Okay, so it’s actually been two months but that only equates to eight or nine weeks, a handful of practices and a few tournament games. When I arrived at the GB trials I did so with zero expectations and every possibility that I would fall on my face. After all, I might have grown up watching the Super Bowl every year or playing touch football at brownie camp but flag? What even is flag football? So you’re probably thinking, uh why go? And honestly I asked myself that a few times as well but it all came back to the same thing for me. This has been a year of trying new things and pushing my personal fitness. With the end of Sapphire quickly approaching I wanted to get a feel for what football meant without contact and how I could possibly fit into that picture.
While the prospect of attending a GB trial may sound scary, and out of reach, the structure of it is very supportive and players are supported through every step. As Emma, the veteran of the group having played in the previous Opal Series, explains:
The GB coaches made the day run very smoothly as it was very well structured making it easy and fuss free for every player attending. Anything you needed then you’d just ask.
The day itself was broken down into two sections. First the morning focussed on various drills designed to showcase the talents of those participating. Then, in the afternoon, it was time for a series of game situations.
We then were placed into 8 teams where we would have fun in-game situations on the field. Each team had a coach that was there if needed for assistance but we were able to make our own decisions about our game plan and strategies which was really fun and you could get creative with it.
For Mandy, this meant undertaking lots of different things and gaining lots of new experiences:
Throughout the afternoon I played different positions, ones that I am really not used to playing. However, this gives you greater insight into the game as a whole rather than solely on your position. During the trials, I bumped into players from teams I’ve played against and found myself playing on their side. It was an amazing experience to see new and familiar faces and to train together.
The afternoon session was also one that Emma enjoyed:
This was the part of the day that I felt benefited me most… learning new terminology with people who I had never played with before, differences of opinion, and understanding each other. All in all, it was a fantastic day.
Overall Holly sums up the feeling of the players perfectly, and the overall ethos of the club, to try new things and to constantly challenge themselves:
An amazing experience that I will always remember. Playing on the field with girls who are so talented and at different stages in their personal journeys was really inspiring. And for me? A massive sense of achievement for having done something I never would have dreamed of two months ago because not all of us have to make the team but why not put ourselves out there and make the effort.
And that is where they thought it would end. However, for Emma, there would be some amazing news to follow.
After a strong Opal performance, which earned her the Valkyries Defensive MVP award, Emma had already started to catch the eye of scouts. Demonstrating a mixture of athleticism and a natural instinct for the ball, Emma put in a great performance at the trials leading to some great feedback from coaches and staff. The effort was duly rewarded when the full 24 player roster was announced and Emma’s name was there!
When the finalists came in for the 24 person preliminary trials, I was in utter shock and I felt sick momentarily, but soon after I was on a high all day. I’m pretty sure I was the last to know on my team – sneaky devils! The support I received from my coach and teammates beforehand and after were phenomenal and I am very thankful to each and every one of them.
It is truly an amazing achievement by Emma, and serves to show just what opportunities there are for players to aim at. Just a few years ago, there was no women’s football at all in the UK. Before February 2016 there was no women’s team in Wales. Now we have players successfully competing on National level. Hopefully Emma is the first of many to progress to the GB squads, but for now we are all routing for her to go all the way and make the final squad.
So, after reading this you may be thinking “what is Flag Football?” While American Football is usually associated with players in the full gear making big tackles, Flag Football is the fast paced, non-contact variant. Played between two teams of 5 players it can serve as a great way to experience the sport. The Valkyries are keen to ensure that anyone wanting to play this game has the opportunity to do so and for us it serves as a great way to learn our schemes and plays before progressing to the full tackle version – if you wish.
As a result, the team undertook various Flag tournaments and friendlies through the previous year. These included:
Opal Series (the formal ranking National tournament)
Marcus Price Memorial Tournament
Additional friendlies against local teams such as Cardiff Hurricanes and Cardiff Cobras
It is planned to continue these games as well as also competing in the upcoming Summer Series this June. If you want to join the club and experience the game then please check out our trial day on the 29th April – click here if you’re interested!
Valkyrie earns Silver Lions call…
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September Giveaway for Readers
Each month this year I’m giving away two books to reading friends who are subscribers to my author email newsletter. To enter the giveaway please sign up for my email newsletter in the box on the right at the top, and then leave a comment below. If you are already a subscriber, just mention that in your comment.
This month I’m giving away my newest release, Mountain Christmas Brides, a nine-novella collection by various authors and Room for Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Both are inspirational, historical, and set in the US. To learn more about these stories and their authors just click on the cover below. Because of mailing cost, US entries only.
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading!
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Thanks, Joanne!
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Hi Sara, that’s so fun to hear. Thank you for recommending my books to family and friends. I appreciate your encouraging words too! Blessings and Happy Reading!
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Already a subscruber, but apparently a procrastinator when it comes to commenting on here. Would love to win either book, as they are on my tbr list, but I don’t own either yet. What’s not to love? One is a longer book, and the other is full of quick little novellas to read, especially since one is written by you!
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« Anybody Out There?
Cross Post: Ig Nobel Prize Winner: Why I Lived Like a Badger, an Otter, a Deer… »
Cross Post: What do sugar and climate change have in common? Misplaced scepticism of the science
Published October 3, 2016 | By admin
Written by Professor Neil Levy, Senior Research Fellow, Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford
This article was originally published on The Conversation
Erosion of the case against sugar. Shutterstock
Why do we think that climate sceptics are irrational? A major reason is that almost none of them have any genuine expertise in climate science (most have no scientific expertise at all), yet they’re confident that they know better than the scientists. Science is hard. Seeing patterns in noisy data requires statistical expertise, for instance. Climate data is very noisy: we shouldn’t rely on common sense to analyse it. We are instead forced to use the assessment of experts.
So we think that experts should have much greater standing on these questions than non-experts. And we think that a consensus of experts is particularly good evidence for a claim. Famously, there is a near consensus among (relevant) experts about climate. The exact numbers have altered from study to study, but there is a consensus on the consensus: about 97% of climate scientists agree that the world is warming and that our emissions are largely to blame.
In response, climate sceptics sometimes argue there is no consensus, citing, for instance, an infamous petition allegedly signed by thousands of scientists rejecting the claims of man-made global warming. Even if the signatories to the petition are all genuine, and all have credentials in science (both claims are hard to verify), few have expertise in climate science: so the petition is entirely consistent with the 97% consensus claim.
The other favourite response from sceptics is to claim that the consensus reflects not a disinterested search for truth, but the influence of money. Climate scientists dare not dissent, because if they do, they will not receive funding from the granting agencies.
There is certainly evidence that money can corrupt science. A recent paper documents a case of this occurring. In the 1960s, the sugar industry paid Harvard scientists to carry out a piece of research that reached a predetermined conclusion: that fat, and not sugar, was responsible for heart disease. The resulting “research”, a literature review that claimed that the studies suggesting sugar was responsible had methodological flaws, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. At the time, the journal did not require authors to declare conflicts of interests, and they didn’t.
Of course, it is not news that industry attempts to influence scientific findings. The case of sugar versus fat is an interesting one, because the industry was so successful in establishing a consensus. That fat is the main cause of heart disease, not sugar, became accepted by medical scientists. Publishing review papers in high profile journals is a good way to sway debates and establish claims. Once the claim was established securely in the minds of scientists, those who challenged it were dismissed as cranks. Might something similar be occurring in the case of climate change?
Parallels and differences
There are important differences between the case of sugar and that of climate change. The most important is the source of the funds: the money came from industry, which had a vested interest in the findings, not from granting agencies (whose reviewers have, at most, a commitment to validating knowledge, not a financial interest in it). That is not to say that these commitments cannot bias reviewers: they surely can. But the effect is likely weaker.
Watering down the evidence. Shutterstock
While there is extensive evidence for all sorts of cognitive biases, we remain capable of recognising the stronger argument and rejecting the weaker. Our biases are decisive only when the evidence is relatively evenly balanced and even then, we usually come round with the passing of time. When someone cynically manipulates data, though, they can bring all their intelligence and skill to presenting their case. The biased salesperson is a threat to our capacity to make good choices, but we should beware the conman much more.
The other difference is that in the case of climate change, there are buckets of money available to those who want to put forward a contrarian position. Scientists want to do science; that’s why they apply to granting agencies to fund them. But if they want to make real money and don’t care about the science then they should look elsewhere.
In fact, there are good grounds for thinking that the sugar case and the climate change case are parallel, not because in both cases money distorts the science by establishing a narrative, but because in both industry money distorts what the public believe. In the first case, industry money helped produce the scientific consensus, which was then disseminated to the public; in the second, industry money largely leaves the science unaffected but distorts public perceptions via other channels.
This is not to deny that the existence of a scientific consensus mightn’t make it more difficult for dissent to be heard. Scientists are human beings, and they are influenced by the need for respect from peers and their own biases. All scientific claims need to be subjected to searching scrutiny to avoid complacency. With regard to climate change, though, the scrutiny from dissenters has been constant and ongoing, and the science has emerged strengthened.
Posted in Cross Post, Neil Levy's Posts | Tagged bias, climate, environment, public discourse, research ethics, science
164 Responses to Cross Post: What do sugar and climate change have in common? Misplaced scepticism of the science
Geoff Chambers says:
You say: “almost none of [the climate sceptics] have any genuine expertise in climate science (most have no scientific expertise at all)”
Except e.g. Richard Lindzen, Professor or Meteorology at MIT, and Roy Spencer and John Christy of the University of Huntsville Alabama, who run the NASA satellite global temperature programme. Lindzen expects temperature rise of approximately 1°C this century, consistent with the IPCC lower climate sensitivity estimate. The satellite data suggest something similar. There are plenty of others of course, but that’s enough to disprove your assertion.
You say: “Seeing patterns in noisy data requires statistical expertise, for instance. Climate data is very noisy: we shouldn’t rely on common sense to analyse it. We are instead forced to use the assessment of experts.”
…which is precisely what palaeo-climatologist Michael Mann failed to do in constructing his famous “hockey stick” graph. Professional statistician Steve McIntyre deconstructed the hockey stick, and the official Wegman Report criticised Mann and his colleagues precisely for failing to seek expert statistical help. We non-experts are perfectly capable of judging the arguments from experts on both sides in this case, and in many others.
You say: “Famously, there is a near consensus among (relevant) experts about climate.”
Famously, all the studies regularly quoted in support of this statement used different methods, asked different questions using different definitions, and committed so many outrages on logic and scientific method as to be useless.
You say: “…experts should have much greater standing on these questions than non-experts. And we think that a consensus of experts is particularly good evidence for a claim. Famously, there is a near consensus among (relevant) experts about climate. The exact numbers have altered from study to study, but there is a consensus on the consensus”
And the experts you quote in support of that claim? Cook et al: i.e. a blogger and his mates, including a professor of psychology, an astrophysician, a historian and a former police officer. That’s your source for the consensus on the consensus. My judgement of them is no doubt biased by the fact that four of them have lied about me and defamed me in blogs and newspaper articles, but that needn’t concern a researcher in practical ethics, since defaming a simple blogger has absolutely no practical ethical effects.
John Shade says:
This essay is rightly shown up by Geoff Chambers to be something of a blinkered apologia for what might be called the CO2 Alarm Sounders and their associated support-base in various science departments in universities and in state-funded research centres. The Climategate revelations pointed quite clearly to a culture of schemers and plotters intent on protecting their pet theories and projects. Mere ‘human beings’ perhaps but unedifying all the same. Interested readers passing this way might like to Google NIPCC to get links to a great deal of scientific analysis that undermines pet, and often dramatically promoted, theories and projects in the now very broad and prosperous area of ‘climate science’.
Neil Levy says:
I’m afraid you dont understand how evidence works in science. Asking the same question in different ways, using different methodologies, is what good scientists do. The gold standard in science is convergence. A claim is supposed by convergent evidence when it is supported by different kinds of evidence. So, for instance, a claim about the mind might be supported by genetic evidence, neuroimaging, behavioral tasks and evolutionary evidence.
You say: “I’m afraid you dont understand how evidence works in science.”
I’m afraid I do. And we’re not talking about science, but (in the case of Doran & Zimmerman) about opinion research, and in the case of Oreskes, Anderegg and Cook, about simple opinion. Doran sent out thirty thousand questionnaires, received ten thousand replies, wittled them down to 78, and came up with the figure of 97%. Cook announced to his collaborators before the research that 97% would be a good result and that’s what they got.
I am not a scientist, but I once practised opinion research for a living (I have a medal from the British Market Research Society to prove it – something I’ve never admitted to anyone) and Doran and Zimmerman is what we call in the business pure shit (an opinion with which Zimmerman concurs, in politer terms.)
Cook is a liar. He lied to me in a private email at the same time he was collecting quotes from me on blogs to be used in a peer-reviewed article (since retracted) which accused me of feelings of persecution and being incapable of rational thought. Anyone quoting him lays himself open to accusations of extreme naïveté, to say the least.
You say: ”Asking the same question in different ways, using different methodologies, is what good scientists do.”
And listing the sources of different studies, using different methodologies, asking different questions, as independent evidence for the same conclusion is what charlatans do. Whenever I see Cook, Anderegg, Oreskes, Doran etc. cited together, I reach for my keyboard, because I know I’m being had, and often by someone who doesn’t realise that he also is being had.
You say: “ “The gold standard in science is convergence.”
When I google “gold standard in science” I get, not “convergence”, but “peer review”. We don’t know who peer-reviewed the Cook articles you cite, but we know that another article coauthored by Cook (the retracted one) was peer-reviewed by one Sirven Swami, an expert (i.e. author of a peer-reviewed article) on: the appreciation of female bottoms. But his peer-reviewed research diverged from the existing literature to such an extent that he is now a full professor.
The gold standard in science is creating a buzz. You have done that at the Conversation. Congratulations.
Thanks, but the congratulations is entirely undeserved. The majority of the comments have come from the self-reinforcing world of the denialist echo chamber. I don’t think that attracting the usual suspects with the usual talking points and unsupported assertions counts as “creating a buzz”.
“The majority of the comments have come from the self-reinforcing world of the denialist echo chamber.”
No they haven’t. They’ve comed from the rational folk who gather at cliscep dot com, plus one or two others, whom we have welcomed into the fold. None of us has any connection with the fantasy world described by Oreskes, Cook and co. of recipients of the billions of dollars imagined by Brulle whom you quote. Do you realise how closely these lies mirror the far right fantasies of Moscow gold and Zionist conspiracies of yesteryear? Do you have any idea where you’re heading, ideologically?
I don’t think that attracting the usual suspects with the usual talking points and unsupported assertions counts as “creating a buzz”.
I do object to being referred to as “the usual suspects.” Do you know the origin of the reference? In the film “Casablanca” it refers to the Arabs (understood: sub-humans) who can be rounded up and accused of anything because they have no rights. In fact, applied to us climate sceptics, it’s quite appropriate. But you can change that, by agreeing to a discussion between equals (all non-experts) on the most pressing subject of the moment (according to our political masters) at Practical Ethics – viz. Climate science.
Jon Anderson says:
I’m sorry Neil but I find it extremely difficult to believe that you’ve actually read, let alone
understood, what any of the consensus ‘studies’ you quote actually say. You use of the
term ‘denialist’ then removes any doubt as to your motivation.
Ben Pile says:
It’s an interesting point. The ethicist seems to make an ethic out of not understanding a debate, and its scientific, moral, and political dimensions.
We know they must be wrong because everybody else says they must be wrong, and so we don’t need to know what they say.
Socrates without his interlocutors. Hegel without his antithesis. The interlocutors com from bad money, and the antithesis is just corporate PR. Philosophical debates that have run for thousands of years are now resolved! We just have to see what the money says, and take the opposite view.
It is thus the terminal point for philosophy, amongst other fields.
Which is why it interests us. You don’t even have to deny that climate change is happening to wonder what is going on with the academy’s regression.
It’s okay though. Society doesn’t need philosophers, and philosophy doesn’t need universities. As academic philosophy turns itself into a policeman, so it will deprive itself.
Paul Matthews says:
Over at the so-called “Conversation”, the moderators have started deleting comments, including two of mine that exposed the absurdity of the claims in this article. I think I may have a copy so I may be able to copy them here later, and we will see whether the standards of Practical Ethics are any higher here than at the Conversation.
As an issue of Practical Ethics, I feel I should alert you to the fact that I wrote an article criticising this piece, “Buckets of money are available” at a blog called cliscep dot com (your link-disabling policy does not allow a direct link). You would be very welcome to join the discussion over there. I understand that some members of your group encourage inter-group communication as a means of reducing inter-group conflict, an idea that Geoff and I are all in favour of.
Professor Levy
In a reply to Robin Guenier at the Conversation you say:
“The people who should care what the consensus is are those who are not expert enough themselves to assess the science for themselves. That’s almost all of us (including most scientists).”
Much of the “science” you quote is by one John Cook, who, at the time he wrote his papers, was not a scientist but (like me) an unemployed illustrator with a blog. He is the third most frequent contributor on climate change at the Conversation with 30 articles, while in second position is his doctorate supervisor Stephan Lewandowsky with 41. As psychologists, neither can claim any superior expertise over me or any other commenter when it comes to assessing climate science.
You go on to say: “..in science if you’re not publishing in peer reviewed journals, you are almost certainly not an expert”, which is not to say that if you are publishing in peer reviewed journals, then you almost certainly are an expert.
Cook is an expert in nothing except pro-consensus propaganda. It was Professor Lewandowsky, his co-author on “the Debunker’s Handbook” and later his doctorate supervisor, who pointed out that belief in the existence of a consensus provided a strong incentive for belief in the subject of the consensus, which prompted Cook to emulate Doran and Zimmermann in their establishment of a 97% consensus (on a sample of 78, after 99% of the original sample had been weeded out. Have you read what Ms Zimmerman has to say about the quality of the article that got her her PhD? You should).
And you continue: “Interestingly, the ‘sceptics’ apparently care about whether there is a consensus. Almost every comment on this article was prompted by an organized effort to ensure that the denialist voice is the loudest.”
What is your evidence for “an organised effort?” Are you suggesting the existence of a conspiracy? It’s true that Paul Matthews, John Shade and I are all associated with the climate sceptic blog cliscep dot com. We’re all keen readers of the Conversation because we share a distaste for government-sponsored propaganda and censorship of opposing views. Otherwise our political views are as disparate as could be.
Excuse the length of this comment, which would be at the Conversation, except that they’ve banned me from commenting. Coming from an organisation financed by my old university, that rankles. My granddaughter is currently at Oxford where you are a senior research fellow. I wouldn’t like her to be ashamed in later life of having attended a seat of learning which was complicit in the suppression of free discussion. Alas, all the British universities which finance the Conversation are currently in that case.
What’s the relevance of the fact that Cook is not a climate scientist? Whether he’s qualified to do climate science is surely irrelevant to whether he’s qualified to survey the opinions of climate scientists.
“Whether [Cook] is qualified to do climate science is surely irrelevant to whether he’s qualified to survey the opinions of climate scientists.”
Agreed. And the same goes for me, and your other interlocutors here. Which is why we at Cliscep dot com have been proposing for ages a discussion about the opinions of climate scientists, to be conducted by those who are qualified to survey their opinions, i.e. everyone, but more especially – why not – between us at cliscep dot com who are particularly keen on such a discussion, and you at Practical Ethics, for whom such questions (of life and death, or climate change) are your bread and butter?
Ready when you are.
...and Then There's Physics says:
Geoff,
Of course anyone can undertake a piece of research to – for example – survey the opinions of climate scientists (assuming that they also abide by whatever research guidelines might apply). What you can’t do is insist that it is published in a specific peer-reviewed journal, or insist that people take your study seriously. What John Cook and Stephan Lewandowsky have done is actually undertake research, have actually published their results, and – based on citations – it seems to be being taken seriously by some at least. If you really think there is something worth researching, you should – IMO – just get out there and do it.
As far as collaborating with those associated with cliscep.com is concerned, I would seriously suggest anyone considering doing so read the posts and the comments before deciding whether or not to actually do so.
;;and then There’s Physics is a co-author of Cook and Lewandowsky under the name of Ken Rice. I would not seriously suggest reading his comments at cliscep, except perhaps to get an idea of what the defence of” the science” looks like.
I was tempted to point out who I was and acknowledge an association with Cook and Lewandowsky, but I was confident that you would do so for me 🙂
I wasn’t suggesting reading my comments on cliscep; I was suggesting reading the posts and – in particular – the comments of those associated with the site, before making any decisions about whether or not to collaborate.
You still haven’t really responded to what I was getting at, though. If you really think that there is some piece of research that is worth doing, then you should just get out there, do it, publish it, and see how it is received. There’s nothing fundamentally stopping you from doing so. You can criticise the credentials of others as much as you like, but at the end of the day, they will probably be judged by what they actually do, not by their underlying credentials.
I don’t think it’s necessary to go clisep to make an informed decision on whether a collaboration is warranted. I think there’s sufficient evidence available right here.
Indeed, but I’m always in favour of collecting as much evidence as possible 🙂
See previous comment, Jaime, Barry and Geoff.
There are so many ironies here I don’t have time to point them all out. But here’s one.
We have a senior member of an Institute for Ethics casually smearing people who disagree with him and point out his errors as “denialists”.
The only person here with any proven financial links to climate denialist organisations is Neil Levy himself, having taken money from the Templeton Foundation, one of those organisations clearly identified by Brulle as funding the climate change countermovement.
I suggest you read over your previous comments before you accuse others of engaging in ad hominems, Paul. In case you’re interested, I settled on ‘denialist’ after some thought. I don’t think delusional is appropriate, because I think the cognitive processes of denialists are working as they’re designed to; they’re just instances of the confirmation bias gone to extremes. I know you prefer “sceptic”, to clothe yourself in the respectability of its connotations. “Denialist” seems a reasonably neutral alternative. After all, you take yourself to be denying a claim- or a number of claims – that many people espouse.
Do honestly consider yourself objective? in any way? at all?
You don’t think ‘denialist’ is a pejorative (thus an ad hom. in the context of a supposedly rational debate)?
I have a degree in Oceanography and a masters degree (with distinction) in geoscience. I consider myself
more expert than you (having at least studied meteorology, glacial environments and oceanic circulation).
Can you elaborate what it is you think I’m ‘denying’?
In fact, I’d challenge you to present a coherent position on what ‘The Consensus’ actually *is*based on
the references you cite. I’ll even give you a clue, if you think they support the position that man is causing
more than 50% of the observed temperature increase in the metrological record you’d be wrong.
I was not accusing you of engaging in ad hominems. I was pointing out the irony of a supposed institute for Ethics indulging in this sort of smear campaign. I am not the one speaking from an ethics institute.
I am quite happy engaging in ad hominems, as you have observed, particularly with regard to ignorant and hypocritical political activists with no sense of self-awareness.
You seem to be suggesting that someone who is associated with an Ethics Institute is somehow obliged to behave more ethically than someone, for example, associated with a Mathematics Department (or, equivalently, that someone from – for example – a Mathematics Department is somehow allowed to behave less ethically than someone from an Ethics Institute). Our research interests don’t define, or set, our public conduct. If you think that it’s acceptable for you to enage in ad hominens and to insult and smear others with whom you disagree (which appears to be the case) then you should regard it as acceptable for others to do the same.
Jaime Jessop says:
“You seem to be suggesting that someone who is associated with an Ethics Institute is somehow obliged to behave more ethically than someone, for example, associated with a Mathematics Department”.
That’s hilarious Ken. Can you not see your comparison is not like for like? You might expect a professor of Ethics to be rather more aware of ethical and non-ethical behaviour than your average Joe Public (or Maths Professor). You might expect that an Ethics Professor would be more acutely aware of his or her own behaviour with regard to ethics and therefore tread more carefully when debating in public. On the other hand, whilst you would expect an academic trained in mathematics to be passingly familiar with . . . . mathematics (surprise!), it would be odd to expect said person to be any more ‘ethically aware’ than anyone else.
Jaime,
I didn’t refer to awareness, I referred to obligation. There’s no reason why we should expect an ethics researcher to behave in a more ethical manner than, for example, a Mathematician. Or, equivalently, excuse – for example – a Mathematics researcher’s lack of ethical conduct on the basis of their understanding being less than that of an ethics researcher (we should all be perfectly capable of understanding what is appropriate conduct – we don’t need to research ethics to do so). Also, you seem to be suggesting that researchers should not simply be objective observers, but should – instead – conduct themselves in some manner that is guided by their understanding of their research topic.
We live in the real world Ken. The world where people see ‘mathematics’ in somebody’s title and expect them to be better at maths than we are; the world where people see ‘ethics’ in the title of a person or organisation and expect that person or organisation to ‘do’ ethics just a little bit better than your average person. Of course there is no ‘obligation’ as such, beyond perhaps a commitment to uphold the reputation of one’s academic institute or whatever. Also we must be careful not to confuse ‘ethical behaviour’ with accepted norms of polite behaviour between say, academic professionals.
Barry Woods says:
Hi Nick –
I’m afraid you must be very new to (and almost completely ignorant) of) the climate debate to think ‘denialist is a neutral phrase to describe a group of people and at this point it is totally polarising.
As “climate change denier”, “climate deniabilist” has been used to equate skeptics as the moral equivalence of holocaust deniers, (not exclusively, also used to equate them with creationists, and aids deniers and anything else derogatory)
to quote Professor Lewandowsky and Dr John Cook’s latest paper (about sceptics contradicting themselves)-
“We use denial as a noun that describes a political or discursive activity but we avoid labels such as “denier” or “denialist” that categorize people.” -Lewandowsky,Cook, Lloyd
It was rather amusing, that they then contradicted themselves by doing just that,catergorising people, in the very same paper..
“…views in the “community” of denialists…”
“No such corrective processes can be observed in denialist discourse…”
“…incoherencies manifest in denialist discourse…”
Mark Lynas, George Monbiot, and Johna Hari seemed top have started the equating climate sceptics with holocaust deniers – around 2005/2006 – in the main stream media – as this was around the time of the David Irving trial, it no doubt seemed like a convenient metaphor to equate climate sceptics with views beneath the pale..
Dr John Cook – also observed this issue in 2007, at the same time as he was starting his Skeptical Science website (sceptical of climate sceptics)
“I’ve been following the global warming argument closely of late and I’ve noticed both sides often fulfill Godwin’s Law. Global warming advocates liken skeptics to Holocaust deniers (akin to a Nazi). Skeptics compare Al Gore’s public awareness campaign to Nazi-like propoganda. It’s lazy debating – why discuss the issues with facts and logic when you can easily write off your opponent with a derogatory label?” – John Cook – 2007
“The climate-change deniers are rapidly ending up with as much intellectual credibility as creationists and Flat Earthers. …they are nudging close to having the moral credibility of Holocaust deniers.”
– Johann Hari, The Independent (2005)
“I wonder what sentences judges might hand down at future international criminal tribunals on those who will be partially but directly responsible for millions of deaths from starvation, famine and disease in decades ahead. I put this in a similar moral category to Holocaust denial.”
– Mark Lynas, Environmental Activist (2006)
“Almost everywhere, climate change denial now looks as stupid and as unacceptable as Holocaust denial.”
– George Monbiot, The Guardian (2006)
“The obvious reductio ad absurdum is Holocaust deniers: Should their perspective be provided, for “balance,” any time someone writes about the Holocaust?”
– Chris Mooney, The Intersection (2006)
So when you say – “I settled on ‘denialist’ after some thought.” – it seems it was in complete ignorance of the last decade highly polarised climatedebate –
even the Guardian had a long debate init style guide about how useful the phrase denier had and it’s connotations.
This was SIX years ago:Guardian
“We have been discussing such terminology, and some of my colleagues have suggested that Guardian style might be amended to stop referring to “climate change deniers” in favour of, perhaps, “climate sceptics”.
The editor of our environment website explains: “The former has nasty connotations with Holocaust denial and tends to polarise debate. On the other hand there are some who are literally in denial about the evidence. Also, some are reluctant to lend the honourable tradition of scepticism to people who may not be truly ‘sceptical’ about the science.” We might help to promote a more constructive debate, however, by being “as explicit as possible about what we are talking about when we use the term sceptic”.
Most if not all of the environment team – who, after all, are the ones at the sharp end – now favour stopping the use of denier or denialist (which is not, in fact, a word) in news stories, if not opinion pieces.
The Guardian’s environment editor argues: “Sceptics have valid points and we should take them seriously and respect them.” To call such people deniers “is just demeaning and builds differences”. One of his colleagues says he generally favours sceptic for news stories, “but let people use ‘deniers’ in comment pieces should they see fit. The ‘sceptics’ label is almost too generous a badge as very few are genuinely sceptical about the science but I think we have to accept the name is now common parlance.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary to go clisep [sic] to make an informed decision on whether a collaboration is warranted. I think there’s sufficient evidence available right here.”
Then your decision is not informed, obviously, and your assertion that it is appropriate and ‘neutral’ to label climate change sceptics as ‘denialists’ is entirely contradictory. Please present yourself to Messrs Cook and Lewandowsy for analysis.
Hi Nick – take a look at this comment of yours..
“I know you prefer “sceptic”, to clothe yourself in the respectability”
do you know anything about Paul Matthews?
Excellent research Barry, but his name is Neil.
Yes indeed Geoff; whereas denialist (like denier) is a definite ad hom, Barry mistakenly addressing Neil as Nick, would appear to be just an innocent ad nom. 🙂
So maybe not completely excellent, then?
There’s also the little fact that a good half of the quotes support the use of denialist.
I will leave you guys to play by yourselves now. I will only respond if someone has a substantive point to make (where asserting that I’m wrong, or stupid, or playing gotcha don’t count as substantive, by my lights). Have fun.
/golf clap
You have completely missed the point of Barry’s excellent comment (the typos are his trademark by the way).
Allow me to spell it out so that even you can understand it.
The quotes from Hari, Lynas, Monbiot and Mooney circa 2006 make it clear that the intent of the “denialist” label is to smear by association with holocaust deniers. This shows that your description of it as “reasonably neutral” is completely false.
The more recent and thoughtful statement from the Guardian circa 2010 shows that they had realised the falsehood of your statement by that time.
As Barry points out, this shows that not only do you have very little understanding of climate science itself, you also have virtually no understanding of the human and ethical aspects climate debate. Yet you blunder into it, writing an article about it at the Conversation and here.
I believe the appropriate term is the Dunning–Kruger effect.
Well at least we all seem to agree that debating sugar is not very interesting. To get back to the subject of Neil Levy’s article: his first substantive statement about sceptics, in paragraphs three and four, is wrong. We hardly ever discuss the “infamous” petition or the influence of money. What we discuss is the rotten science and the even rottener propaganda that surrounds it, much of it passed off as science in peer-reviewed papers. Professor Levy won’t defend it because he can’t.
His second error is the buckets of money of course, which is based on the Brulle argument that because billions of dollars passed from A to B, and that B once gave an unknown sum to C, therefore C is receiving billions. It’s the Moscow Gold argument, isn’t it? What next? The Protocols of the Elders of Heartland?
At least we can agree with his statement in the last paragraph that “all scientific claims need to be subjected to searching scrutiny to avoid complacency” and that “with regard to climate change …the scrutiny from dissenters has been constant and ongoing.” But he spoils it by adding: “… and the science has emerged strengthened.” Strengthened? How? Forty years ago scientists were saying they thought climate sensitivity to a doubling of CO2 (plus feedbacks) was somewhere between 1.5°C and 4°C, maybe a bit more or a bit less. And a couple of years ago the IPCC said exactly the same. That’s not strengthening, it’s admitting ignorance, always a good first step in science.
Neil Levy: “There’s also the little fact that a good half of the quotes support the use of denialist.”
That’s because they’re from different people who are having a debate. You are here committing the Lewandowsky Fallacy (see his latest paper attacking denialists – whoops I mean skeptics. No I don’t. I’ll keep on saying nig… oh, never mind) of thinking that if a group of people (in this case Guardian journalists) say different things, they’re incoherent. Lewandowsky applied it to us denialists, but it works just as well here, doesn’t it? “Some Guardian journalists said something different from what some other Guardian journalists said; therefore Barry Woods is wrong.”
Thanks for the philosophy lesson.
Substantive points having been made and not replied to substantively. Nothing to see here. Move on.
Tim Roberts says:
Quite.
Neil, you ask, Why do we think that climate sceptics are irrational? and posit the answer that almost none of them have any genuine expertise in climate science (most have no scientific expertise at all), yet they’re confident that they know better than the scientists.
The main problem would seem to me that, as far as I can tell, you don’t have any background in climate science yourself, so you defer to approximations of the consensus position.
This is, of course, not unlike pointing to the hitherto consensus on fat, which you rightly point out was mistaken. So you go on to try to make a distinction between the two consensuses.
You say that the consensus on fat was the result of ‘money’ coming from ‘industry’, and that this makes the difference between the consensus on fat and the consensus on climate. It would be interesting to see both quantitative and qualitative and research on this, such that a meaningful comparison of the production of knowledge on fat and climate can be made. But I suspect it may not exist, and that your argument is premature.
As it happens, we can see by looking at financial statements and funding data for UK research, that there is a great deal of private funding of climate research. Indeed, a number of research outfits in the UK which emphasise environmental science and governance bear the name of their super-wealthy benefactors. Just up the road from you are the Smith and Martin schools at Oxford, for instance, the latter now occupying the Old Indian Institute on Broad Street… One doesn’t set up in such a building if you’re scratching around for a living. And that is at just one University amongst the UK’s 100 or so, many of which have one or more public and/or privately funded department or school.
So the notion that ‘money’ can explain the fact of a false scientific consensus on one case is more than a little vulgar. If we do the sums, we find quite a lot of green stacked up behind the green scientific agenda. Even outfits like the Tyndall Centre have been funded by oil companies, yet it is not possible to detect a whiff of denial from its branches at UEA, Oxford, Sussex, Manchester, Newcastle, Cambridge or Southampton. Ditto, in spite of a large part of Jeremy Grantham’s $mllions having been realised from investments in oil companies, we can find the research institutions that bear his name now making very angry statements about the companies he had shares in. He may well have disposed of those shares since establishing that institution, but we cannot be sure, can we — on your own argument — that his investments in environmental research and policy-making don’t reflect the interests of his new portfolio. A full account of the ‘industry money’ behind climate research would take many many pages to complete. Suffice it to say that if the consideration of ethical philosophers on the question of trust in scientific consensus reduces to nothing more than ‘follow the money’, then every bloke at the pub is a philosopher.
And perhaps that is one reason why sceptics don’t believe the ‘consensus’ is rational. It seems to be doing more than simply summarising the science. It seems also to be doing the heavy lifting for philosophers, as well as politicians. Moreover, far from being ‘confident that they know better than the scientists’, many sceptics point out that what is passed off as ‘consensus’ doesn’t in fact reflect scientific understanding. For example, one climate scientist said in response to the 97% survey you cite,
The “97% consensus” article is poorly conceived, poorly designed and poorly executed. It obscures the complexities of the climate issue and it is a sign of the desperately poor level of public and policy debate in this country that the energy minister should cite it. It offers a similar depiction of the world into categories of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ to that adopted in Anderegg et al.’s 2010 equally poor study in PNAS: dividing publishing climate scientists into ‘believers’ and ‘non-believers’. It seems to me that these people are still living (or wishing to live) in the pre-2009 world of climate change discourse. Haven’t they noticed that public understanding of the climate issue has moved on?
Links are prohibited here, but you can find that statement by searching for my name, and the title ‘what’s behind the battle of received wisdoms’ and ‘nottingham’ and ‘making science public’, where I observe that the ‘consensus’ has become hollow, and is used in arguments as a battle of received wisdom, at the expense of understanding what is actually being debated. That it so say that deference to the consensus isn’t obviously deference to expertise, as much as it is obedience to a political cause and that the polarisation of the debate into ‘scientists’ vs ‘deniers’ occurs before the debate. It is only the enforcement of consensus that sustains the understanding of the debate as two, counterposed sides, of goodies and baddies, right and wrong, rational and irrational. You may wish to paint complex debates as stark, black and white moral tales, but that would surely lump together deeply irrational deep ecologists and climate scientists, whose views are otherwise irreconcilable.
Finally, you claim that the climate consensus is different because “industry money largely leaves the science unaffected but distorts public perceptions via other channels”.
We’re left wondering, where these ‘buckets’ of money are, how much money is in them, how much money does this compare to, and what these ‘other channels’ are, how they work, and what they exist in contrast to. You seem all very sure of it, but not fluent in the substance of the debates you comment on. As the expert, I’m sure you deserve the deference you expect. But the unanswered questions just rattle together like so many empty buckets. They seem like more than sufficient reason to question just how rational your own perspective is, and what might be driving it. It doesn’t look much like the work of any ethical philosopher I’ve ever read. And this only leads to more questions. Is it ‘irrational’ to find your argument so unconvincing, and to ask the questions it seems to raise?
By your logic Neil.. labour party activists – calling out tory scum. Red tories. Tory vermin. Is evidence of support of those phrases.. when the topic was whether or not the phrase was neutral.. and non counter productive.. not offensive
Do you still consider ‘denialist’ neutral… is my question to you.
Well, here is a sorry pass indeed. A professor, at Oxford no less, posts his article here on a site whose purpose is to ‘promote dialogue and debate’, and then fails to participate for very long in either when confronted with penetrating criticisms of said article. He completes the pantomime by flouncing off his own stage with this jejune remark: ‘I will leave you guys to play by yourselves now.’ This is all somewhat unimpressive.
I am reminded of once when at a football match, and a chap beside was roaring out about how great his team was – ‘the best’, and so on. In a pause, I pointed out that they had lost more games than they had won in the season so far and so ‘best’ was pushing it a bit. He looked at me askance and moved away to continue, a short time later, his jubilant support for his team. I guess Prof Levy was just doing something similar for the side he supports in the climate game – making a display of loyalty and encouragement despite his side’s dire track record on the science side. And now he’s gone away too.
But maybe just for his version of Bovril and a mince pie, and we might get him back again when he’s feeling sufficiently refreshed. I hope so. He needs help.
John Shade
Barry Woods and I were once explaining patiently and fairly politely exactly what was wrong with the Cook/Lewandowsky kind of science under an article in the Conversation and a professor of philosophy popped up and replied: “Oh, I see.”
I admired him for that. Humility doesn’t come easily to anyone, least of all to philosophy professors, I imagine, and I do realise how insufferably know-it-all we must sound.
What’s that about Bovril and mince pies?
A cup of Bovril and a mince pie (using minced mutton) are classic dishes for consumption at half-time during football matches in Scotland. They go well together on a cold day. I don’t get out to football very often, perhaps twice a year or so, and I look forward to the culinary stuff as well as to the games.
Not so sure about the ‘know-it-all’ impression. If true, it would be very vexatious for readers such as Prof Levy, and he would have my sympathy. I prefer to see myself merely as ‘unconvinced’ by the scares which have been raised about airborne CO2, and as being very much open to being persuaded otherwise. But with the models running hot, despite all the pampering they get (or perhaps because of it), and with the climate system doing a pretty good impression of business-as-usual, I think it is a hard task to claim a dominating role for CO2 which it has never seemed to have displayed in the past, let alone the present. The future is all they have, the alarm-sounders, but they have a poor record when it comes to prediction of anything we have been able to verify.
David Walker says:
It strikes me Professor Levy subscribes to the same type of ‘ethics’ as Peter Gleick.
Oxford University seems to have changed very considerably in the past half-century…
But hey, when you’re “Saving the World™”, it seems anything goes…
clovis marcus says:
To demonstrate whether denier is appropriate I would simply ask what you think deniers are supposed to deny?
That there is a climate?
That the climate changes?
Humans change the environment?
That there is an global temperature?
That CO2 is one of the drivers of global temperature?
That science, particularly science based on modelling chaos, is infallible?
I think the gap between the deniers and the real scientists (as opposed to activists) is narrower than you think. Except in subjective areas around the nature of the (non)-catastrophe and how much benefit would come from a radical rethink of industrial society both of which are outside the realm of Hypothesis-Experiment-Result science and are surely worth challenging debate.
Oddly enough, I’m not at all concerned with living up to a notion of ethics as defined by the majority of commentators here. Weird, huh?
So much for ‘ethics’, then. And ‘philosophy’.
I suggest that you move on now to a campaign to get mathematicians and engineers to round pi down to 3.
I’m happy to move on. But I’m not sure I’d move on having understood your analogy. It’s you, not I, trying to say that one can form an approximate understanding of a debate without engaging in it, but by understanding it in relation to others — I’m asking for more precision, not less.
I don’t think one needs to actually participate in a public debate to draw conclusions about it. For example, it wouldn’t take much to establish that if you have a discussion with Ben Pile and largely disagree with his position about this topic that he will probably call you a pr*ck and/or compare you to a mass murderer, while also complaining about the state of the public debate.
Gosh. I’m rather concerned that you may be stalking me, Ken. Which is why it may be that I have lost my temper with you. You do seem to be absolutely everywhere I read and write. And you do seem to be so very very cross all the time, and determined to continue discussions that were had, years ago, and which you don’t seem able to contribute to. Others might suggest I take it less personally, and that you’re trying to control the entire debate, popping up in every forum. I’m not sure that’s any better.
Stalking? Everywhere you read and write? Cross? Trying to control the debate? Are you sure you mean “years ago”? Amazing. Anyway, apologies, I keep forgetting how sensitive some can be.
What’s weird is that you think the majority of people commenting here seem to have defined their own unique notion of what ethics is, whereas I suspect that the notion of ethics and ethical behaviour shared by commenters here is probably very similar to that shared by the populace in general.
No doubt you have survey evidence to back up your claim about what most people believe? After all, you hold the very highest standards concerning claims about a consensus.
Neil Levy
“I’m not at all concerned with living up to a notion of ethics as defined by the majority of commentators here.”
What about living up to normal debating ethics and engaging with people who make substantive (and so far unchallenged) points against your argument? That might mean admitting where you’re wrong (e.g. in recommending blind faith in the word of the likes of John Cook) and then moving on to explain where you disagree with us.
It was not a claim which would require evidence; I merely said I suspected that was probably the case. More a common sense observation really. Why should our (i.e. sceptics, or denialists if you prefer) notion of ethics differ significantly from the majority of people? Your apparent opinion that the notion of ethics shared by most commenters here is unique in some way puts you at odds with this assumption, which might in itself require some form of evidence. That is all.
Okay, this will be my last word on the matter. Here’s the thesis of the OP: if you are not genuinely an expert on a topic, you should accept the testimony of the experts. That principle holds ceteris paribus; it may be defeated in particular cases. In general, though, your credence in an expert view should be proportional to expert credence, which in turn is a function of expert confidence and inter-expert agreement. I talked only about the latter, but nothing changes in this case if we add in the latter (just eyeballing the Bayesian equation, maybe it would reduce the posterior probability by a fraction of a percent).
Many commentators on this post reject this claim. They may rationally do so is they are themselves experts (it’s an important question what weight an expert should give to the views of another expert, but that’s not my question – in any case, not as much weight as a non-expert should). You don’t fall within the scope of the principle if you’re an expert in climate science or in the methodology of measuring a consensus. So who is an expert? Everyone has a tendency to have higher confidence in their own expertise than is warranted. That is seen in the Dunning-Kruger effect, but it’s true of all of us. So you’ll forgive me if I don’t take your word for it that you’re an expert. And you should be wary of your own confidence, too. Given our tendecy to exaggerate our own expertise, we need evidence of our own expertise just as much as others do.
Several people commenting have rejected the consensus claim. Well, fine. Demonstrate your expertise and you’ll qualify as having a basis for doing so. Don’t run through some claims which establish to your own satisfaction and that of people who are like-minded (remember the confirmation bias) that you’re right. Prove it yourself and others by getting your claims published in a proper peer-reviewd journal. You can either conduct your own survey to show that the consensus has been exaggerated, or publish a methodological critique (there are several journals that would be good venues for such a critique). In the meantime, don’t expect me to bow to your self-proclaimed expertise. Nor is your capacity to beat me in a debate (should you have that capacity) relevant (unless the debate is about philosophy); remember I’m not an expert on climate science or the methodology of surveys. Until you produce the peer-reviewd evidence, I will be sceptical. And you should be much less certain yourselves.
No, no, a thousand times no to this assertion: ‘ if you are not genuinely an expert on a topic, you should accept the testimony of the experts.’
It is hard to think of a topic for which no ‘experts’ can be found. As well as scientific endeavours, we have flower-arranging, cars, washing-machines, art, music, politics, fashion, journalism, etc etc etc. Are we to kneel before them all, and quietly accept their views? Even when, as in the case of the CO2 Alarm folks, they intrude in aggressive ways into our lives?
No thank you. I will continue the struggle of trying to think for myself, and to challenge notions and assertions (such as that of the CO2-driven catastrophe heading our way) of any expert who wishes to tell me what to do and what to think – especially when they insist there is no alternative, and a fortiori when the case they make is a feeble one.
Your article above is a feeble one, and your decision not to defend it in any substantial way to the reasonable challenges made in these comments is also feeble. You thereby provide us with a case study of why we should not regard ‘experts’ as infallible.
Neil – f you are not genuinely an expert on a topic, you should accept the testimony of the experts.
This is interesting. A’s expertise seemingly creates an imperative for B, but not for A, though it is A who is the special case. B is only allowed to challenge A if B can demonstrate — ‘in the peer-reviewed literature’, etc — that his understanding is equivalent to A’s. ‘Ethically’ I think this is weak. The virtue of expertise is surely the ability to explain, not to command obedience, other than in certain circumstances in which the expertise is in exactly commanding. Moreover, the imperative reduces to ‘put up or shut up’, which would merely sustain the deficit between A and B, B’s challenge to A being the possibility of learning from A. Moreover, I think this ‘ethic’ speaks to a historical transformation, in which speaking truth to power has become speaking truth for power… The expert has become a policeman, not of the established classes, but the unruly masses. Indeed the formation of ‘consensus’ might be merely the fruit of a Gramscian war of position — the end of a long march, rather than a scientific discovery… The anointment of experts is an institutional process, as is the publication of articles. Thus the deference to expertise is deference to a particular political order, and its emphasis comes at a particular moment in history, which the exploration of the ‘ethics’ of deference to expertise of has no grasp of, and no incentive to take account of.
And the argument is weak philosophically, too. The object of sceptics’ criticism is less often the substance of the consensus than the second hand understanding of the consensus. You admit yourself, Neil, that you don’t understand the consensus, and that you therefore defer to it. But you seem to want to sustain your cake and eat it here. The consensus seems to mean whatever you want it to mean, but when sceptics point out that your understanding of the consensus doesn’t correspond to anything that might be found within the substance of the consensus, you claim they’re taking issue with the consensus, not your own argument. The most visible example of this was the event organised by the Climate Camp a few years ago. The protesters turned a report from the Tyndall Centre into gloves that they work and held above their heads, under a banner that proclaimed “we are armed… only with peer-reviewed science”. But the paper was not science, it was a policy paper on a zero carbon UK, commissioned by the Cooperative Bank and FoE. And it was not Peer Reviewed. Pointing it out to the protesters would have made little difference. Science it seems, doesn’t count for very much, after all.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is often posited, but I find it unconvincing. Firstly, no matter how good or bad my own estimation of my comprehension of The Science is, I have no difficulty observing the concern that science is experiencing a crisis, particularly within medicine and cognitive science, those fields having no equivalent of ‘five-sigma’ measure of confidence. On your own argument, I should take that growing concern that ‘as much as half’ of published research is wrong at face value. The Dunning-Kruger effect, then, might be something that afflicts experts much more than lay folk, who seem far less prone to hyperbole, in fact, than their intellectual betters. Indeed, it is the soft sciences which seem to generate the most political capital, promising as they do, encompassing frameworks of explanation, and interventions which do not seem to survive tests of history. And it is not as if the environmental and biological sciences lack spectacular historical failures. Second, the Dunning-Kruger effect can be shown to be bunk by my own estimation of my ability to recreate the banjo-guitar duel in the film, Deliverance. It looks like a lot of fun, but I can play neither instrument. According to Dunning-Kruger, then, I should have a high estimation of my ability to reproduce the performance. Yet, I know that it would offend my own ears. If confidence is inversely proportional to ignorance, nobody would ever have developed the inclination to advance their understanding. There would be no experts.
Finally, you say, “Prove it yourself and others by getting your claims published in a proper peer-reviewd journal.”
I do not want to write an article, much less seek an academic publisher for an article pointing out that Neil Levy is wrong, doesn’t understand the consensus, and whose ideas about the ethics of expertise are misplaced. I can point it out here, albeit informally. The article above, isn’t published in a peer reviewed journal — it’s published on this blog and at the conversation. So why should answers to it have to go through the ‘proper channels’? It it possible that you’re using process to defend your argument here? It is surely within your capacity to defend your argument here. Yet you seem reluctant. And this seems to be the tendency of many who wish to defend the virtues of consensus, but who also seem not to have a grasp on the substance of that consensus. This, I would suggest is a far more interesting phenomenon, worthy of academic research, than half-baked speculation about what motivates rejection of the ‘consensus’.
You demand that Jaime produce survey evidence to back up her claim about what most people believe, yet your article is full of such unsubstantiated claims: “…we think that climate sceptics are irrational … we think that experts should have much greater standing on these questions than non-experts…” (I assume the “we” in these quotes is inclusive and doesn’t just refer to fellows of the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics.)
Normal debating practice would be to accept provisionally her very reasonable premiss and then deal with her substantive points.
Ben Pile in a comment further up calls your method “Socrates without the interlocutors”, but it’s worse than that. It’s Socrates starting a debate (That’s the point of putting up an article here, isn’t it?) and then walking away when he doesn’t agree with his interlocutors. But Socrates never agreed with his interlocutors. That was the whole point of the dialogues, and arguably the starting point of Western thought.
A good starting point for a debate might be Richard Feynman’s famous dictum that science is the belief in the ignorance of experts. Your whole article is a dispute with Feynman.
See previous comment, Geoff.
Your previous comment is doesn’t answer my point. How could it? We’re asking you to engage in debate. We have given many reasons why your chosen experts are not to be trusted. The debate is not about climate but about the epistemological status of statements about climate. There are no recognised experts in this field. Lewandowsky and Cook set themselves up as such and failed. Lewandowsky’s Moon Hoax article was demolished by a peer-reviewed (as if that mattered) reply in Psychological Science by Dixon and Jones. Lewandowsky and Cook’s follow up article was twice withdrawn and revised before being retracted. All this is well known. The field is open for anyone to establish himself as the go-to expert on the philosophy of climate denial. But you have to debate first.
But your “debate” is largely based on assessments of the characters of those involved, rather than on the substance of what they present. Yes, an article was retracted. There are, however, arguments – that you may dismiss – that this was due to pressure from those who objected to what the article said, rather than because of anything substantive wrong with the article. Yes, there is a peer-reviewed response to another article, but that does not mean that the article has been demolished. You argue that Cook and Lewandowksy have failed to become “recognised experts” and yet they are well-published, well-cited, and both employed to carry out this type of research. One reason one might chose not to debate is because of the certainty with which you express your views; there’s not much point in a debate with someone who has already made up their mind. Additionally, many researchers regard “debate” as the wrong manner in which to conduct such discussions. This isn’t about winning, or losing, it’s about gaining/developing understanding. Again, discussions with those who views are largely settled is unlikely to productive in that regard.
Geoff, I think “See previous comment” refers to the fact that he’s thrown in the towel, realising that he is completely out of his depth. At least he turned up to the debate, even though he had nothing to say and no answers to any of the points raised.
Richard Feynman was of course himself an expert, but I don’t recommend you pursue that line. Your argument for faith in experts is of course a reputable one, going back to Plato of the Republic and Statesman. Post-Popper it’s a little – odd.
Same old, same old. Person/organisation not expert in climate science dismisses rational criticism of climate science by (last) resort to belief in the authority of an exaggerated consensus of ‘experts’ in climate science. Not only dismisses rational criticism but impugns the motives of said critics of climate science and/or attributes rational criticism of climate science to a mental defect or defects. Conclusion: Leo di Caprio and Neil Levy have a lot in common.
Hi Neil (sorry about using Nick earlier, mixed your name up with a friend)
Many climate scientist have criticized the Cook paper, for being a poor paper. And the concern is the way it’s findings are misrepresented – Obama added 97% of scientists say ‘dangerous’ linking to that paper. Prof Richard Betts (Head of Climate Impacts, UK Met Office) said the paper said no such thing. Cook did not respond to this misrepresentation of the papers findings
Please don’t get caught up in thinking the issue is black/white.. and a choice of being either on one side or the other
An example. Professor Mike Hulme was very critical of both the Cook methodology AND how it was used in communicating the issue.
Prof Mike Hulme is the founding director of the Tyndall Centre of climate change, and was one of the scientists that had their emails leaked from UEA several years ago. He received an awful lot of criticism from ‘climate sceptics’ not least for his emails to try and influence the BBC’s Roger Harrabin to keep climate sceptics scientists off the BBC and in his letter, in conjunction with the WWF trying to get scientist to be signatories to influence the Kyoto agreement (a senior colleague, if you are interested utterly condemned this, and if ethics are your thing, Tom Wigleys criticism goes to the heart of scientific ethics. (can’t add the url, sorry)
so not a climate sceptic(denier or denialist). Mike Hulme said of Cook’s 97% paper..(and other consensus papers)
And he expanded further, when asked to clarify:
“Steve – my point is that the Cook et al. study is hopelessly confused as well as being largely irrelevant to the complex questions that are raised by the idea of (human-caused) climate change. As to being confused, in one place the paper claims to be e”xploring “the level of scientific consensus that human activity is very likely causing most of the current GW” and yet the headline conclusion is based on rating abstracts according to whether “humans are causing global warming”. These are two entirely different judgements. The irrelevance is because none of the most contentious policy responses to climate change are resolved *even if* we accept that 97.1% of climate scientists believe that “human activity is very likely causing most of the current GW” (which of course is not what the study has shown). And more broadly, the sprawling scientific knowledge about climate and its changes cannot helpfully be reduced to a single consensus statement, however carefully worded. The various studies – such as Cook et al – that try to enumerate the climate change consensus pretend it can and that is why I find them unhelpful – and, in the sprit of this blog, I would suggest too that they are not helpful for our fellow citizens. Mike” – Prof Mike Hulme
Neil – What do you think the consensus is? not the how many scientists agree (the 97%) but what the actual object of the consensus is. What (very specifically) do you think they agree about?
All he papers mentioned, have merely the low bar of humans are a cause of global warming – no quantification to how much. Cook himself has acknowledged this, when pushed on the issue
as an aside, Paul Matthews is a mathematician at Nottingham University, so the rounding down pi to 3 comment, look like a very cheap shot and a cheap shot to try associate comments here (and the people making them), with something stupid
Yes, some scientists don’t like consensus studies. So what? They don’t have a mandate to decide what others should research and – as far as I’m aware – do not dispute the existence of a consensus. Yes, Barack Obama did include the word “dangerous” in his tweet. Yes, he has not been publicly criticised by the authors of the consensus studies, but do you really expect PhD students from Australia, who get their papers mentioned by Barack Obama’s twitter feed, to suddenly feel obliged to criticise the president of the USA if he doesn’t get it completely correct? AFAIA, they have indeed publicly stated that their papers do not mention whether or not AGW is dangerous; they simply quantify the consensus with respect to it being caused by us, so they have – I think – publicly clarified this, even if they have not publicly criticised Obama. Yes, Mike Hulme has also publicly criticised the consensus project. Again, so what? There are plenty of equally well-credentialled people who quote it favourably.
If you regard Neil suggesting rounding down pi to 3 as a cheap shot, how would regard Paul Matthews accusing him of suffering from Dunning-Kruger effect?
“Dunning Kruger is certainly something that regularly comes to mind.” – ATTP/wottts
google site:wottsupwiththatblog.wordpress.com dunning
and used quite often on your new blog about people , without comment by you.
What’s it got to do with me? You were the one complaining about a cheap shot.
>and used quite often on your new blog about people , without comment by you.
I don’t think it is used “quite often” and I don’t think it has ever been directed to someone else commenting on my blog without me intervening. Feel free to prove me wrong, though, I certainly don’t remember all of what has happened on my blog.
The usual apologist piffle from ATTP who is seemingly willing to forgive any lapse in
ethical standards if it’s for what he clearly perceives as the greater good.
I doubt that ATTP will have seen this over at Brandon’s blog.
ATTP has been taken to the cleaners too many times by Brandon.
The tweet wasn’t from Obama. JC and the SKS crew were super psyched about Obama’s
tweet; this is well documented. i.e. The Sydney Morning Herald carried this snippet:
> “It was pretty cool news,” said Mr Cook, a fellow at the University of Queensland’s Global
> Change Institute and founder of the website skepticalscience.com. “It was out of our expectations.”
Pity he also didn’t point out that it was a complete mischaracterisation of what his study is even
purported to show.
Brandon Shellenberger says:
Jon Anderson, it is interesting you say you doubt Anders “will have seen this.” I’ve discussed the fact neither President Obama nor his staff sent that tweet on my site a number of times, and I can state with certainty Anders has seen such discussion on at least one occasion. I can’t say if he actually read any such discussion, as perhaps he simply looked at it and didn’t bother to read it, but he did certainly look at it. Given that, it is strange for him to say:
Yes, Barack Obama did include the word “dangerous” in his tweet. Yes, he has not been publicly criticised by the authors of the consensus studies, but do you really expect PhD students from Australia, who get their papers mentioned by Barack Obama’s twitter feed, to suddenly feel obliged to criticise the president of the USA if he doesn’t get it completely correct?
As he is aware or should be aware Obama did not tweet anything about this paper. That, of course, undercuts his argument as nobody would be criticizing the President of the United States for getting this wrong as he had nothing to do with the tweet. The tweet came from a political advocacy group.
That said, to answer the appropriate question… why not? If you’re going to frequently refer to and promote a tweet, you are obliged to point out if the tweet misrepresents your work. Failing to do so helps mislead people about what your work says. You don’t have to criticize the President or anyone else, but you should certainly correct them when they misrepresent your work in material you’re telling people to look at.
Neil has indicated his intention not to engage in substantive debate with us here and that is his right. Geoff, Barry, John, Ben have said more than enough to substantially challenge Neil’s views expressed on this post but Neil stubbornly maintains that, in the final analysis, non-experts in climate science are not qualified per se to challenge the conclusions of ‘experts’ in climate science. This is why I much prefer to debate aspects of the actual science with those willing to engage in such debate because (a) it proves that you do not always need to be a professional scientist to engage in substantive debate about climate science and (b) there can be no resort to authority where data is concerned. Hence the tropical mid-tropospheric hotspot is either there or it is not (unlike Schrodinger’s Cat), and most available data tends to point to the fact that it is not. Fait accompli.
Apologies to Paul for inadvertently leaving him out of that list!
There was an excellent, thoughtful, and penetrating series of posts here on this site several years by Nicholas Shackel of Cardiff University on the nature of the knowledge claimed or display by climate scientists intent on alarming us about CO2.
The first of this series of 6 posts begins as follows:
‘Global warming hawks claim the moral high-ground, claim to speak for what is right against grubby self-interest. It behooves those who take the high ground to behave well themselves. Do they?’
Data and email exchanges between climate scientists have been stolen from the servers at University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit and published online. Whether the data or content of these emails tell us anything about global warming is not an issue I am concerned with. Nor, for that matter, am I concerned with bad behaviour in the sense of global warming hawks being rude about global warming skeptics. The bad behaviour of interest is epistemic bad behaviour, and on this matter I think the emails tell us quite a lot. Furthermore, the Climatic Research Unit is one of the world’s leading players and so the behaviour of its members tells us something about the epistemic state of climate science.
On the whole I would have to say that the attitude of the hawks towards the lay public has been high handed. They do not think we can be trusted to form our own opinions about what is happening and what should be done about it, and they think this despite the very great success they have had in convincing us that the climate is warming and that humans have caused it. One must wonder, therefore, why they have this attitude.
Part of the answer is that they are, in a certain limited respect, right. Climate scientists are experts and we should rightly give greater weight to their testimony within the realm of their expertise. But that is only the beginning of the matter. We are not required simply to submit to experts, nor can experts expect us to become experts before we can have a view and even disagree with them. There are significant constraints on the weight we should give to expert testimony that depend on our assessment of their testimonial reliability, and since we can’t assess them on the content of their testimony we must make use of other information: information about their epistemic character and information about how reliable expertise is in particular and in general.’
I commend that entire set of six posts to readers here. Since I cannot give links, I suggest the posts be found by using the Authors / Select Author facility on the right-hand bar, and scroll down his posts to reach those of 2009 and 2010.
In Part 6, you will find this amongst his conclusions:
‘The evidence I have summarised is, I believe, sufficient to conclude that climate science has fallen prey to a corruption of its epistemic character. Not only did the individuals fail in various epistemic duties; they did not regard their faults as vices, but rather, as virtues, and knew that their activities were quite acceptable with the field. The individuals concerned are eminent in the field and the institution is a central one within climate science. The same faults have been manifested by other climate scientists in other circumstances. So this is not a matter of individual human foible and weakness. The epistemic virtues of science, when practised, are sufficient to protect science from those. No. The defects are sufficiently severe and pervasive to have resulted in epistemic corruption.’
Yes, I recall reading that series a while back. Well worth it regardless of whether you ‘believe’
in CAGW or not.
I’m not interested in the great deal of verbiage above, as it appears nobody is doing a reasonable job of communicating with one another, but I feel one aspect of this post merits some attention. The post says:
And in a later comment Neil Levy says:
I’m not going to argue anything about the latter quote. Whether or not one agrees with what is said in it, its application to this post hinges upon the claim “there is a consensus on the consensus.” That claim is false. While Neil Levy may trust the authors of the paper he relies upon to give an accurate representation of work on a subject, that trust would be misplaced. The reality is the paper he relies upon is grossly misleading.
Before anyone brings up the question of whether or not I am an “expert” on this subject, let me point out many errors require no expertise to identify. It is often enough to possess basic reading skills. That is the case here. This paper contains gross distortions and depends entirely upon cherry-picking results. There are too many examples to cover here, so I’ll stick with the central one.
This paper claims the degree of consensus increases with expertise, providing a figure which claims to demonstrate this. In media articles, the authors even draw a line ostensibly showing this relation. This relationship is purely an invention of the authors. For this figure, they assigned expertise levels to various “consensus estimates” they took from papers while failing to include other “consensus estimates” those papers contained in what amounts to blatant cherry-picking. There were no guidelines for how these expertise levels were assigned, no rubric explaining the choices and no explanation justifying them. The choices of what data to use and what categories to place them in was purely arbitrary.
Once these “consensus estimates” were assigned their arbitrary expertise levels, there were five categories. Categories 1 and 2 each had two values. Category 3 has three values. Category 5 had nine values. Category 4 wasn’t used. The natural way to display these results would be to show each of the five categories as its own column (perhaps excluding Category 4). The authors chose not to do this. Instead, they displayed each data point as its own column, with the X-axis labeled as “Expertise” without the category numbers being displayed.
The result of this was 16 columns, more than half of which belonged to the same category, all being placed side-by-side. This, combined with the arbitrary ordering of display within each category created the illusion of a smooth curve solely by displaying the data in a misleading way. If the data had been properly grouped by category, the smooth curve the authors promote would disappear.
There is much more to say about the paper (and that figure), particularly in how the authors conveniently ignored many “consensus estimates” provided in the papers they discuss. It is too much for a comment on a blog though. The point is anyone who applies even the slightest critical thinking/examination to the paper this post’s author relies upon would realize the paper is grossly misleading.
Perhaps we should normally trust what experts believe on a subject. However, we should not assume experts believe something just because a handful of people (whose self-interests may depend upon the answer) say experts believe something. That’s not trusting experts. That’s just being lazy and accepting whatever you’re told.
Brandon Shollenberger’s critique of the Cook “Consensus on the Consensus” paper above can be repeated for every single article you cite. The first one which you cite in your second paragraph (Anderegg 2010) says in its abstract: “A broad analysis of the climate scientist community itself, the distribution of credibility of dissenting researchers relative to agreeing researchers, and the level of agreement among top climate experts has not been conducted.” and this is still true, as Robin Guenier pointed out to you in comments at the Conversation.
What Anderegg did was to rank reasearchers’ expertise using numbers of publications and citations, and divide them into “convinced” or “unconvinced” by the evidence according to their apparent agreement or not with the opinions of the IPCC. The reasoning is perfectly circular, since IPCC authors (convinced, one assumes, by their own evidence) tend to cite researchers whose views reflect their own (they’re often the same people.) And we know from Climategate the lengths they’d go to to keep contradictory evidence out of the IPCC reports, or even journals.
I’ve already pointed out that the Doran paper got its 97% consensus by whittling ten thousand respondents down to 78. If a market researcher did that in order to prove that 97% of cats preferred Whiskas he’d be sacked. Explain to us why Doran is different.
But what should interest a philosopher is this. It shouldn’t be necessary to point out (but apparently it is, so I will) that a statement such as “the world is getting warmer and humans are at least partly responsible for the warming” is not a scientific statement. It’s not a theory or a hypothesis or a statement of observable facts. The first part is compatible with “there has ben no warming for 20 years” or “it’s colder than it was in the Plasticene” or a million other factual statements about global temperature, and the second has been trivially true since man first struck sparks from a flint. It’s an opinion, and it was as such that it was the subject of the papers you rely on.
I think it was Plato who pointed out that opinions are like immortal souls – everybody has one.
A.N.T. Physics says:
…your “debate” is largely based on assessments of the characters of those involved, rather than on the substance of what they present.
My assessment of their characters is based entirely on the substance of what they present. What else could it be based on? They lied to me about one paper, and then they lied about me in another.
Yes, an article was retracted. There are, however, arguments – that you may dismiss – that this was due to pressure from those who objected to what the article said, rather than because of anything substantive wrong with the article.
Of course it was due to pressure from me and others who wrote “a small number” of letters of complaint. Our letters detailed what was substantively wrong with the article. That’s why the editors described them as “cogent and well argued” and retracted the article. Then the authors and their colleagues at SkepticalScience (in blogs, neswspaper articles and a peer reviewed paper) falsely accused us of “bullying” and “harrassment”and of making legal threats. Any more false dichotomies?
You make one good point when you say:
One reason one might chose not to debate is because of the certainty with which you express your views;
This is because of the necessary brevity and ephemerality of blog comments. Granted, it’s not good debating tactics to play your best card first, but look what happens to comments like the estimably polite ones by clovis marcus (October 4, 2016 at 4:03 pm) or Jon Anderson (October 4, 2016 at 9:29 am). Be polite and tentative and you’ll be politely ignored. Not that my policy of pointing out incontrovertible facts has ever had the slightest success with the various professors of ethics and related subjects with whom I’ve attempted to hold conversations at the Conversation. Opinions are their thing. Facts make them nervous.
That still doesn’t change that your “debate” involves discussing the characters of other researchers, rather than the subtance of their research. Most researchers are more interested in the substance of the research than being involved in public character assassinations of other researchers.
…and Then There’s Physics
your “debate” involves discussing the characters of other researchers, rather than the subtance of their research.
I’m in danger of having a Ben Pile moment here.
My arguments are based entirely on the substance of what these researchers present. I don’t normally give my character assessments of the rascals on blogs like this one (but I will in a moment.) My assertion that John Cook is a liar and an incompetent researcher whose defamatory errors led to a paper he worked on being twice withdrawn, corrected, and finally retracted is a simple statement of fact which anyone can verify.
Here’s my character assessment of John Cook (for the first time in print).
Anyone who’s glanced at the Treehut Files – the secret discussions between Cook and his fellow plotters at SkepticalScience, available at Brandon Shollenberger’s excellent blog – will be struck by the fact that he is highly intelligent, a fluent writer and an excellent organiser, (except when it comes to protecting his confidential data) with a keen sense of tactics (unlike us climate sceptics who are basically an unorganised rabble, but we like it that way.) Then you find him making enormous, suicidal errors, like failing to put his hero Prof Lewandowsky’s survey request up on his blog after promising to do so; lying to Lewandowsky about it; screwing up catastrophically when Lewandowsky (inexplicably) put him in charge of data collection for his sceptic hit job paper, and finally, leaving a photo of himself in Nazi uniform around on his blog for someone to find. Why?
Cook, in an interview in the Guardian with Graham Wayne, (his number one fan and first co-author on SkepticalScience, though we didn’t know that at the time) attributed his motivation to his Christian beliefs. Now it’s not difficult to see that he might be feeling some fairly stiff unconscious tension between certain propositions in the Sermon on the Mount and the scientific methods he espouses.
Cook’s scientific oeuvre is one giant Freudian Slip up.
Anders:
I won’t speak for Geoff, but I feel it is worth pointing out one can both discuss people’s character and discuss the substance of their work. For instance, when one sees an author write something you know they know isn’t true, you can explain how it isn’t true, explain how you can know they know it isn’t true and draw the conclusion they are a liar. That’s true even if you dislike people labeling others liars.
For instance, in a recent “consensus” paper on which Stephan Lewandowsky and John Cook were co-authors, we see this:
Current atmospheric CO2 levels are higher than at any time since at least 2.6 million years ago (Masson-Delmotte et al. 2013, Fig. 5.2), and the consensus position that global warming is happening, is human caused, and presents a global problem is shared by more than 95 % of domain experts and more than 95 % of relevant articles in the peer-reviewed literature (Anderegg et al. 2010; Cook et al. 2013, 2016; Doran and Zimmerman 2009; Oreskes 2004; Shwed and Bearman 2010).
Even though the paper you co-authored with with both of these authors about the “consensus on consensus” makes it clear both Cook and Lewandowsky know the papers they cite do not support this claim. That’s true even though Cook and Lewandowsky cite that very paper (Cok et al. 2016), a paper which claims to lay out the consensus positions of consensus studies – listing not a single one of them as saying global warming ‘presents a global problem.”
While a person could limit themselves to pointing out the cited sources not only fail to demonstrate what the authors claim but directly show it to be false, it is perfectly reasonable to add the conclusion, “So they’re lying.”
This was meant to be a response to this comment. I’m not sure how I misplaced it.
Raff says:
Are you serious Brandon Shellenberger. That the lack of explicit text saying GW “presents a global problem” amounts to ‘lying’? I know accusations of ‘lying’ are the stock in trade of “sceptics” but that is weak even by their standards.
You may find this difficult to believe Raff, but in normal science, you do not get to publish papers claiming work has shown things it has not shown. The consensus studies so far have (mostly) asked specific questions, usually via surveys in which the questions were explicitly laid out. You may find it convenient to take the answers given to these surveys as being answers to questions which were never asked, but that’s not how science works.
None of the cited studies sought to determine if anyone believes global warming is a problem. Both Stephan Lewandowsky and John Cook showed they know this by co-authoring papers in which they discussed what the results of these studies are, without saying a single word to indicate the results show anyone believes global warming is a problem.
Put simply, Lewandowsky and Cook knowingly claimed papers demonstrated things those papers did not show. That is lying. It remains lying even if you are okay with it.
“The consensus studies so far have (mostly) asked specific questions, usually via surveys in which the questions were explicitly laid out.”
It’s worth pointing out that of the 6 “consensus” papers cited by Lewandowsky and Cook in the passage you quote in your previous comment, only one, Doran and Zimmerman, actually asked any questions at all, and they were so vague that most if not all “denialists” might count themselves among the 97%. The others sorted papers and scientists into heaps variously defined according to the whims of the researchers. I don’t know what Shwed and Bearman 2010 did, but in their abstract they don’t mention climate scepticism at all.
Geoff, that’s fair. I would clarify that while Cook et al. 2016 (the main paper of my focus) didn’t involve asking questions of people directly, it was portrayed as a meta-study covering all the studies which had done such surveys. The reason the other cited studies don’t involve surveys is Cook et al. 2016 covers all of them.
Actually, maybe that’s not true. Anderegg 2010, Oreskes 2004, Cook et al. 2013 and Doran and Zimmerman 2009 were all included in Cook et al. 2016’s database (Shwed and Bearman 2010 were cited in the discussion). Given that, I’m not sure why they’d be cited separately while others were not. It can’t be that they were the most recent studies because Cook et al. 2016 cites a number of more recent ones. I wonder why the authors chose those papers to cite rather than any others.
By the way, Shwed and Bearman (2010) did a citation analysis. Basically, what they did was search for papers on topics (global warming was just one) and look for patterns in how they cited and are cited by other papers. It’s an interesting form of analysis that’s been applied to a number of fields. It’s also prone to several types of over-interpretation, something a number people who use this sort of analysis have pointed out. What’s most interesting about this particular use of it isn’t about that though. What’s most interesting is Shwed and Bearman conclude a consensus on global warming farmed ~1992, strengthened in 1995 and remained nearly constant since then. This is interesting given the massive changes in the “consensus position” since 1992.
One might wonder how a “consensus” would be reached in ~1992 yet “consensus position” change a great deal over the next two decades.
Thanks Brandon. One is always in danger of being proven wrong in a situation like this, where the speed and necessary brevity of blog comments can cause silly mistakes.
On the question of the consensus since 1992, though the certainty of the IPCC with respect to anthropogenic attribution of global warming has evolved over the years, their estimate of climate sensitivity has apparently remained practically stable at 1.5-4°C since 1976 (!) (according to a comment at our blog by Catweazle). A “consensus” about a future temperature rise over the next century or so somewhere between unnoticeable and potentially catastrophic is of course an absurdity. As our colleague Ben Pile has pointed out, it’s a consensus with no object.
We’re not quite finished.
In his “last word on the matter” (October 5, 2016 at 7:47 am) Neil Levy says [my bold]:
“..if you are not genuinely an expert on a topic, you shouldaccept the testimony of the experts […] Many commentators on this post reject this claim. They may rationally do so is they are themselves experts..”
Note that the words “should” and “may” seem to imply that we non-experts have a moral duty to accept the testimony of experts, and are morally banned from (rationally) holding views contrary to those of the experts.
It is trivially true that experts are sometimes wrong (think pollsters). Presumably this is why he adds: “That principle holds ceteris paribus; it may be defeated in particular cases.” – the “particular cases” being those where the experts happen to be wrong and the non-experts right. But how are we to know which cases these are?
And he adds:
“Several people commenting have rejected the consensus claim. Well, fine. Demonstrate your expertise and you’ll qualify as having a basis for doing so. […] Prove it yourself and others by getting your claims published in a proper peer-reviewed journal.”
Taken literally, this seems to mean that being “published in a proper peer-reviewed journal” is proof of truth, which is clearly not possible since contradictory hypotheses are frequently published in peer-reviewed journals. So let’s interpret “being published in a proper peer-reviewed journal” more loosely as meaning “demonstrat[ing] your expertise”. But that can’t count as a necessary condition for being qualified to reject the consensus, because it’s already been admitted that experts may sometimes be wrong and non-experts right.
There is therefore no logical basis for stating that non-experts should accept the testimony of experts.
Levy continues:
“Nor is your capacity to beat me in a debate (should you have that capacity) relevant (unless the debate is about philosophy)..”
But it is about philosophy. It’s about (among other things) whose word should we trust? Socrates and his disciple Plato (who is almost our only source for Socrates’ beliefs) held diametrically opposing views. Sir Karl Popper famously re-opened the debate in the 20th century, linking his analysis in “the Open Society and Its Enemies” to the great twentieth century tragedies of Nazism and Stalinism.
Neil Levy’s last quoted remark implies that such a debate is relevant. Leonardo di Caprio, standing next to a silent Barack Obama, has just suggested that climate sceptics should be deprived of government employment. That happened of course in the fifties to Americans judged guilty of “un-American activities”.
It is difficult to imagine a subject on which the advice of philosophers specialising in practical ethics is more relevant and necessary. Will Professor Levy forgive us for our somewhat brusque and uncouth manners and participate in debate?
Correction: for “necessary condition” in para.6 above (the one beginning “Taken literally…”) please read “sufficient condition.”
Paul Treanor says:
Some scientific expertise is certainly missing here: that of political scientists and sociologists. I don’t claim to speak for them, and many would be unwilling to get embroiled in the climate change controversy. However, it is clear that climate change has ceased to be a ‘scientific controversy’, and has become a political issue, reflecting underlying social trends. The recent Brexit referendum is a reminder that political elites cannot ignore these trends for ever, and that sooner or later they will impact on the mainstream political process.
Climate scepticism must be seen in the light of other sceptical positions, such as vaccine scepticism, opposition to smoking bans, and opposition to political correctness. As a movement, however loose, climate skepticism is classically populist. It positions itself as opposition to a malicious and powerful elite, and as representing the ‘ordinary people’ (who pay the price for the misguided policies of that elite). We can expect that its adherents tend to support populist parties, and you can certainly find individual examples, although apparently there are no major surveys yet.
The political impact depends to some extent on national politics. Two-party systems tend to make dissident minorities less visible, although that barrier is itself collapsing, as mainstream parties weaken. In the UK, I would expect climate sceptics to be UKIP voters, often former Conservative voters. I would expect climate scepticism to correlate with Euroscepticism, opposition to immigration, and hostile attitudes to Islam. In the Netherlands, I would expect climate sceptics to support primarily Geert Wilders’ PVV, and to defend traditional national culture against real or perceived political correctness. This is a section of the population which is constantly battered by attacks on their few remaining certainties: it is constantly on the defensive. The left-wing elite destroyed their communities and filled them with immigrants, gave their jobs to Turks and Poles, banned smoking in their pubs and bars, banned Christmas and Zwarte Piet, banned cheap lightbulbs, and now it is going to take away their car (which they can barely afford to run anyway), to promote some useless climate theory.
Like many other academics, Neil Levy makes no attempt to understand the bitterness and frustration of these people. In fact, their bitterness and alienation is constantly reinforced, by elite contempt for them and their views. We have to recognise that people at the bottom of the social ladder – the ones who never stood a chance of going to university – are not simply passively suffering victims. They can, and do, turn against the elite which despises them. And populist hostility is no longer confined to the lowest decile, but is increasingly visible in the middle class as well. Climate scepticism is almost certainly driven more by social and political resentment, rather than pure disagreement on scientific theory. Nevertheless, once such a position is established, it must be taken seriously, as with opposition to immigration, and euroscepticism.
These are not pleasant issues to discuss, and academics tend to avoid them for that reason. A case in point is the recent controversy in the UK Labour Party about antisemitic comments by black activists. Like it or not, many Afro-Americans and Afro-Caribbeans in the US and Europe do believe that Jews were responsible for the Slave Trade. That too is classic populism. The political elite, however, despises their views. It reacts with repressive measures, reinforcing the activists’ perception that black people just don’t stand a chance in white institutions. More polarisation results: a vicious circle with no apparent exit.
Is there anything that can be done? I think there is a lot that can be done, but it requires a major and painful reassessment by the elite. The very first step, for Neil Levy and his fellow debunkers, is to shut up. Stop arguing. Stop complaining. You don’t walk into a mosque shouting that Mohammed was wrong, so stop telling climate sceptics that they are wrong. Accept their beliefs as fully valid.
That’s the first step: the willingness of the elite to abandon its contempt. Once past that stage, we can think about how state and society should be ordered, so as to accommodate both climate scepticism and climate change policy. That’s probably quite possible, but we can’t get to that point, unless and until the elite is willing to do so.
Paul Treanor
There’s lots to agree with in your sociological analysis. Certainly there’s a correlation between climate septicism, Brexit, and populism. The fact that some of the research which shows this is conducted in order to denigrate sceptics doesn’t make it false. There’s no great mystery about this overlap. People who don’t like big government (in Brussels or elsewhere) won’t like being told to limit their carbon footprint.
But it is a mistake to identify the significant proportion of the population of the western world who are sceptical about man-made global warming, who are numbered in hundreds of millions, with us self-identified climate sceptics – a few thousand individuals who are sufficiently obsessed and well-informed to express our views coherently on internet blogs. Of course we are technically part of the first group, but we constitute a mere pimple on the Venn diagram of “denialism”.
I do object to your comparison of Dr Levy’s behaviour to insulting Mohammed in a mosque. We are not a religious sect. We won’t issue a fatwah. We expect a philosopher who writes an article denigrating people for their beliefs at an academic site called the Conversation to be willing to take part in conversation with those people. Not to do so is a dereliction of his duty as a publicly funded academic. I admit we have sometimes been a bit rude, particularly about him entering a debate evidently ill-prepared, and I apologise for that. He could apologise for his unsupported claim that we are irrational and financed by sinister forces. Then a discussion could begin.
Why does he have this’duty’, Geoff Chambers? If he’d written denigrating anti-vaxers or moon hoax folk or other more objectionable groups, would he have a duty to discuss their obsession too?
If anti-vaxers or moon hoax folk turned up asking for a discussion – yes, of course. But they never do. We do. Always. Everywhere. It’s one of the clearest signs that we hae nothing to do with the groups you mention.
No, I didn’t say you have any connection to other groups. I imagine they turn up at other places, so if you wrote for example on cliscep (where I seem to be blocked now) that the anti-vax position is unscientific tosh, would you feel a *duty* to engage with each and every anti-vaxer who turned up to dispute that?
So why do you say Levy has a duty to engage with (debate, discuss with, etc) you?
Raff,
Indeed, I would quite like to see an answer to this question too. Based on what I’ve seen said on cliscep and here, the view seems to be that Neil has “run away” because the arguments being made are so devastating that he can’t confront them. An alternative view (which I think should be considered, even if it is not the case) is that the arguments are so inane that he really can’t be bothered wasting his time engaging with them. My own – admittedly limited – experience is that public pronuncements of having made a devastating argument is a reasonable predictor for inanity (that may, of course, not be the case here).
By the way, are you now actually banned on cliscep?
You can’t quite decide whether the Cliscep members’ arguments put forward here are so devastating to Levy’s argument that he’s ‘run away’ or so inane that he can’t be bothered to reply. You seemingly cannot look at the actual substance of those arguments and even make an educated guess? Instead, you rely upon an anecdotal rule of thumb whose provenance is not made clear that “public pronuncements of having made a devastating argument is a reasonable predictor for inanity”! Give us a break Ken. Why have you got this seemingly pathological aversion to expressing a clear and precise opinion and backing it up with a logical argument or facts/evidence to support you opinion? Do you, or do you not think that Barry, Paul, Geoff and others have made substantive arguments here which seriously challenge Levy’s point of view?
I think I’ve made my views pretty clear on many occasions.
Do you, or do you not think that Barry, Paul, Geoff and others have made substantive arguments here which seriously challenge Levy’s point of view?
No, I do not think that they have made substantive arguments here which seriously challenge Neil Levy’s point of view.
Well thank you. We’re half-way there! Perhaps you will feel inclined (or not) to give us some indication of why you don’t think that Barry etc. have effectively challenged Neil Levy’s viewpoint.
You appear to be missing the point of my earlier comment. Those who are suggesting that there have been substantive arguments that seriously challenge Neil Levy’s point of view are either those who made the arguments, or their associates. My suggestion is that self-professed claims of brilliance are potentially an indicator of over-confidence and a lack of self-scepticism. They may also be an indicator that one is dealing with a group who are unwilling to consider flaws in their own arguments, which may be another reason for a lack of willingness to engage. Therefore, claims that Neil has “run away” because he can’t deal with your devastating arguments might be missing alternative explanations that are equally – or possibly more – plausible.
It seems that I am indeed blocked (as my posts no longer appear) if not actually ‘banned’.
When Geoff answered ‘No’ yesterday I thought he might be an exception among ‘skeptics’ and that he was about to explain how he had changed his mind and that Levey didn’t actually have a duty to reply. Today I see no evidence of that, yet, but I remain hopeful that he might be “the one” – the real skeptic among ‘skeptics’.
I haven’t tried commenting since yesterday, so there’s always a chance I’ve been blocked too. Here’s hoping.
Ian Woolley says:
Raff, are you saying Professor Levy is ‘denigrating’ climate sceptics?
No, Geoff did
Well, actually, you did too. It’s a notable slip.
And by slip, I mean, admission.
Paul Treanor,
“However, it is clear that climate change has ceased to be a ‘scientific controversy’, and has become a political issue, reflecting underlying social trends.”
Climate change has indeed become a deeply political issue, however the scientific controversy remains. There is still much that is not ‘settled’ in climate science.
“Climate scepticism must be seen in the light of other sceptical positions, such as vaccine scepticism, opposition to smoking bans, and opposition to political correctness.”
Poor analogies, particularly the last two.
“As a movement, however loose, climate skepticism is classically populist. It positions itself as opposition to a malicious and powerful elite, and as representing the ‘ordinary people’ (who pay the price for the misguided policies of that elite)”.
Scepticism of climate change is not, and never has been, a political movement. It is, in essence still, rooted in scepticism of the science that says man-made climate change is real and significant and even dangerous. The politics arises from secondary disgruntlement at climate change mitigation, seen as (a) unjustified by the weight of so-called ‘evidence’ for man-made climate change, and (b) ridiculously ineffective, very costly, even (as we have seen) a threat to energy security and/or detrimental to the environment and wildlife.
“Climate scepticism is almost certainly driven more by social and political resentment, rather than pure disagreement on scientific theory.”
I disagree. Spend some time on climate sceptic blogs and I do not think you will be able to endorse this opinion.
“You don’t walk into a mosque shouting that Mohammed was wrong, so stop telling climate sceptics that they are wrong. Accept their beliefs as fully valid.”
Very poor analogy for reasons which hopefully I do not have to point out.
you quote Paul Treanor saying:
and reply:
My comment above shows why I can agree with both of you. The scepticism Paul is talking about is that found in the general public, as measured by opinion polls which leave the respondents little room to express complex ideas. We sceptic blog commenters are a few thousand slightly weird obsessive individuals whà have noticed the glaring unreality of both the science and the politics of the global warming movement. Unofficial samizdat (i.e. non-peer-reviewed) surveys show us to be highly educated, with a large proportion of engineers and empirical scientists, often outside academia – people who understand how things work. There is no reason to expect any common motivation between the two groups.
I’m not not sure Paul Treanor is talking about the general public, as he prefaces his arguments with so many references to what seems to be a rather well-defined group of people he identifies as climate sceptics. Levy is certainly not talking about the general public. The general public who don’t embrace the global warming message are not really climate sceptics; they are mainly disinterested, but generally sceptical of most attempts by government to interfere in their lives, for whatever reason. There was a recent survey in the States I think which showed climate change came bottom of the list of ‘problems’ which the American public were concerned about. Most people are just not engaged with the climate debate whereas we “slightly weird obsessive individuals” are highly engaged. Global warming activists seem to be concerned about us because of the possible influence we may have upon a non-engaged public who are naturally resistant to the sweeping changes advocated by their governments and by environmental activists. In that sense i guess, ‘climate scepticism’ might become a more widespread ‘populist movement’. I’m not sure that is where we are at this moment; well, certainly not here in the UK.
“Those who are suggesting that there have been substantive arguments that seriously challenge Neil Levy’s point of view are either those who made the arguments, or their associates. My suggestion is that self-professed claims of brilliance are potentially an indicator of over-confidence and a lack of self-scepticism.”
Let’s look at a couple of examples:
Neil Levy says “there are buckets of money available to those who want to put forward a contrarian position.”
Paul Matthews provided several links which demonstrated that this was not the case. So you are dismissing the credibility of his external sources.
“In case you’re interested, I settled on ‘denialist’ after some thought. I don’t think delusional is appropriate, because I think the cognitive processes of denialists are working as they’re designed to; they’re just instances of the confirmation bias gone to extremes. I know you prefer “sceptic”, to clothe yourself in the respectability of its connotations. “Denialist” seems a reasonably neutral alternative.”
Barry replies with a long comment elucidating the murky history of the adjective ‘denier’ and ‘denialist’ and the noun ‘denial’ in the history of the climate debate, illustrating that those terms are anything but neutral. So you are yourself denying this proven history in favour of supporting Neil Levy in his assertion that ‘denialist’ is a technically apt and reasonably neutral term of reference to apply to “sceptics” of climate science who are not considered true sceptics, because that would ‘clothe them in respectability’.
Just two examples of substantive arguments, among others, that you casually dismiss on the basis that the persons making them are likely over-confident and probably lack self-scepticism. Play the ball Ken, not the person.
You seem to want to continue to suggest that the arguments presented were devastating and substantive and – presumably – that that is why Neil Levy has “run away”. My suggestion is simply that there may be alternative explanations which are worth considering, one of which might be that self-professed claims of brilliance might indicate an over-confidence and lack of self-scepticism that would make engaging rather pointless. It’s just a suggestion, mind you.
“an over-confidence and lack of self-scepticism that would make engaging rather pointless”
As you are perhaps the biggest culprit in that department bar none, we’ll bow to your superior knowledge.
Keith Tayler says:
115 posts and counting! Even if CO2 is not responsible for global warming, the heat from the debate must be.
I am inclined to agree in part with Paul Treanor that the verbal conflagration is being fuelled by more than just science. I also agree with his criticism of the ‘elite’. There is an unfortunate tendency by some of the contributors to the Practical Ethics blog to look at the science, technology, politic, ethics and just about everything else that takes their fancy as being only truly understood, and in some cases administered, by experts, among whom of course they count themselves. This is obviously very disturbing when it is applied to ethics. It was not so long ago when philosophy undergraduates could expect to be asked to write an essay with the title ‘Are there moral experts?’ The short answer was no, but you were expected to arrive at this conclusion byway of Kant’s problem with it, or by disputing Peter Singer’s 1972 essay ‘Moral Experts’ (Singer was at Oxford at this time).
When a similar question was asked of science the essay became more difficult. Keeping it short, it is obvious that scientists have what could be described as ‘expert’ knowledge and understanding. However, as Heisenberg put it:
‘The physicist may be satisfied when he has the mathematical scheme and knows how to use it for the interpretation of the experiments. But he has to speak about his results also to nonphysicists who will not be satisfied unless some explanation is given in plain language, understandable to anybody.’ (Physics and Philosophy. 1958.)
The complexity of theory and ontology are at the extreme in physics and quantum mechanics, but many physicists have gone to extraordinary lengths to make their science accessible. In many respects climate science is pretty much child’s play in comparison and there are no excuses for why climate sciences cannot make their research assessable to public scrutiny.
I have read all the UES CRU emails which give a fascinating insight into the minds of climate scientists (they are all at di2{dot}nu/foia/foia{dot}pl, have a search and well worth a read) Although they do in general show nothing more than group of people doing science, they are extremely dismissive of *all* criticism and sceptics. This includes criticism from senior researchers in climate science that seek to advance heretical theories and/or raise issues about published evidence and methodologies e.g. controversies over the ‘hockey stick’, 1940-70 cooling, ‘bucket/intake’, proxy records, oscillation theory, etc. When it comes to communicating with the lay public there is much ridiculing of sceptics and obfuscation. For example, the following is typical.
‘Fortunately in Australia our sceptics are rather scientifically incompetent. It is also easier for us in that we have a policy of providing any complainer with every single station observation when they question our data (this usually snows them) and the Australian data is in pretty good order anyway.’ (Email 3203. From: David Jones to Phil Jones)
Surely you would want them to be competent because if they were they would be more likely to agree with your science if it is competent. Is ‘snowing’ them with data going to improve their science? Are we to assume that other data are not in good order? Could ‘good order’ mean ‘supportive of the theory’? Later we get.
‘Is he saying that if the skeptics realised how fragile the bucket/intake corrections were they could go to town on them? As I understand it, they all stem from Chris and David. Do we need more work to get them on a firmer footing?’ (Email 4875. From Geoff Jenkins to John Mitchell)
This email thread finishes with the Phil Jones informing the chief scientist at the Met Office:
‘By the way, the skeptics may one day realise that the only bias in the surface temperature data that really matters is the bucket/intake one.’ (Phil Jones to John Mitchell)
Okay I am an old cynic, but manipulating data to fit the theory is not good science. Nobody expects scientist to be strict Popperians that are always attempting to falsify their theories and the CRU et al are under extreme criticism much of which is unfounded. Nonetheless, the emails do shake ones confidence in climate science “experts” and their willingness to share their science. I could not give a damn whether there is a consensus of the consensus of climate scientists if I have doubts about the science. I believe that most of it is good, but science that is a curate’s egg is simply not good enough.
Keith, I think you make the most important observation here: “Although they do in general show nothing more than group of people doing science, they are extremely dismissive of *all* criticism and sceptics.”
It seemed to me that what was lacking from Climategate was any comparison with exchanges between others, to establish its distance from the norms of institutional science, in contrast to the celebrated virtues of the scientific method. I’m pretty sure that we’d find no less acrimony, scheming and plotting — small-p and big-P politics — between researchers in other fields, if we were free to poke around in their emails.
It came as a shock to the putative ‘pro-climate’ camp, because that was where the notion was forged of virtuous, hardworking scientists, who were uncontaminated by financial or ideological interests and the such like. That myth of the heroic researcher had been emphasised, to contrast with their binary opposites: the evil, interested, irrational sceptics. Then we discovered that scientists are human, too.
In other words, “science” seemed to rescue from obscurity a vulgar virtue ethics, and the end-of-the-world story stood as a cheap, off-the-shelf moral realism, both coming to the rescue of academics who otherwise could not articulate any vision of the Good Life.
What that remains post-Climategate, then, which I think Neil Levy’s ‘ethics’ precludes an understanding of, is the question about our expectations of science — climate science in particular. Neil instead puts the emphasis on the layperson, who it was incumbent on, as Robert May argued, to ‘Respect the Facts’ — (his translation of ‘nullius in verba’).
In fact, what Climategate revealed is precisely that Levy’s and May’s ethics don’t work — they create expectations of institutional science that it is simply not equal to. We are leery of things political and ideological, and want science to provide unimpeachable, transparent, uncontaminated advice, but institutional science is as riddled with prejudice, vanity, jealousy as any other human enterprise, even if, the properly-applied scientific method gives us unrivalled access to the material world. We want objective answers to solve ethical, political and economic questions. If we didn’t have such expectations, there would have been no significance to Climategate — it would have been run-of-the-mill academic bitchiness.
If climate scientists had any sense about them, they would recognise the expectations, and would not indulge them. But perhaps a nascent science has been flattered by the attention, and has forgotten itself. The curate’s egg promised to be a golden goose only because golden eggs were so desired by so many, and the stakes placed on the egg rose so high. The pressure on science to answer questions outside the scope of its understanding will only be removed when the expectations that Neil has raised as virtues, interrogated. While the scientists in and around UEA are asked to find the basis for the most far-reaching transformation of productive society, the hostile interrogation of scientists seems understandable; people want to hold decision makers and their servants to account. Climate scientists are made into human shields by Neil’s ethics, and so, as much as he appears to elevate and flatter them, they should reject these ‘ethics’.
To clarify the analogy with Islam, I am not suggesting that climate scepticism is a religion, or specifically comparable to Islam. (I noted the overlap with other forms of right-wing populist and culture wars tendencies, and probably climate sceptics are disproportionately anti-Islam, and disproportionately secularist).
What I am suggesting is that liberal-democratic societies, especially the elites, approach climate scepticism using the same template, that they apply to Islam. Partly due to its historical origins, the broad ideology of liberalism has been reluctant to attack religious beliefs. They are considered exempt from the liberal marketplace of ideas, which allegedly sorts good ideas from bad, ruthlessly. This well-known tweet from Richard Dawkins illustrates the issue:
Mehdi Hasan admits to believing Muhamed flew to heaven on a winged horse. And New Statesman sees fit to print him as a serious journalist.
The point is that Dawkins was widely criticised for this attack. Liberal societies tend to see religious beliefs as private, and direct attacks on them as taboo. All religions have quasi-mythical beliefs which will not stand up to scientific examination, such as the Virgin Birth for Catholics. Nevertheless, western liberal societies let people with such views teach at universities, and serve as civil servants and army officers. Often they are allowed to run their own schools and hospitals, among other institutions. Dawkins aggressive atheism would have been more at home in the Soviet Union.
What I suggest is not that climate sceptics are Muslims, but that state and society should treat them like Muslims, or indeed like Catholics. Now it is true that Muslims have a hard time in western societies, but by and large their religion is left alone. The state is circumspect, even if part of the electorate is not. The state does not ridicule belief in winged horses (Buraq), and does not persecute those who hold that belief.
In a similar way, the political and scientific elite should cease to argue with climate sceptics, accept their views as entirely valid, and allow them to propagate those views without opposition. The state should exempt climate sceptics from consequences which do not accord with their belief. For instance, they should not have to pay taxes to fund control of carbon emissions, and should be allowed to burn coal and oil as they please, limited only by the direct impact on others. They should be allowed to live as they might have lived, if there had been no climate controversy, and indeed no climate change.
What Neil Levy is proposing is, in effect, that state and society should behave like Richard Dawkins. Applied to Islam, we would then see that Muslim journalists fired for believing in Buraq, and Muslim Schools closed for teaching about Buraq. No Muslim would get a job in the civil service or police, or serve in the military, because the state would not trust believers in winged horses. Put like that, the consequences are evident: polarisation and violence are inevitable. But if liberal societies shirk from treating their Muslim minorities in this way, then why go to war against climate scepticism?
I don’t think Neil Levy is suggesting anything like what you suggest that he is. Basically, as I understand it, the suggestion is that collectively (i.e., as a society) we should give credence to the views of experts, especially if there is a strong consensus about some issue. That doesn’t mean that all individuals in that society have to accept that consensus position, but does mean that those who make decisions on our behalf should do so. Also, giving credence to experts doesn’t suddenly mean that the experts are making decision or that the consensus position somehow defines the decision that should be made. It simply means that decisions should be evidence-based.
What is the consensus position? It really isn’t clear to me.
If you can clear that up, can you explain how it relates to public policy decisions such
as energy spending and taxation. Thanks.
Paul you raise some interesting points and questions about individual beliefs, and what states should be able to impose on individuals, to the extent that those measures impose on them.
However, isn’t there is a sense in which environmentalism (of which the climate-centric perspective is a part) is also a ‘religion’ — and much more so than its counterpart. For example, green thought offers an encompassing framework, which suggests a theological natural order of things, deviation from which is explained variously as immoral in very much the same terms as Old Testament sin, punishment for which is exacted by Nature Herself, given personality and intentionality. It’s often expressed scientifically, of course, but the underlying myths of ‘balance’ in this natural order is more often presupposed than identified, yet are used very much to put emphasis on the individual to observe as ‘ethics’ — to consider the ‘impact’ of his actions, directly corresponding to original sin and its vices. I could go on, but you get the gist, the point being that there is a great deal of mysticism in contemporary, mainstream and even ‘scientific’ dialogue about the environment.
The problem, I think, is if we start identifying either environmentalists or climate sceptics as religious identities, we exempt anyone with beliefs from the social contract — people just get to pick and choose what obliges them, rather than object through some democratic or political or other formal process. That, I would argue, might be one of the shortcomings of muliculturalism (as in the political doctrine, not the fact of a culturally and racially plural society) and its underpinning relativism. People from different ‘communities’ were understood to have irreconcilably different perspectives and values, and so no process could successfully negotiate those differences. As contemporaneous political ideas, however, environmentalism and multiculturalism might point to a deeper problem of a failure to articulate the social contract, which Neil Levy’s ‘ethics’ of deference to ‘expertise’ also epitomises: do as we say or there will be racial/environmental catastrophe. The experts. Both doctrines do not credit ordinary people with the ability to understand the ‘risks’ they are exposed to, and so do not credit them with the ability to make decisions about governance. This being the tendency of most contemporary political ideas, it’s hard not to see the enumeration of risks (and the consequent elevation of experts) as a ruse. The arrival of ‘ethics’ imploring deference to experts is the consequence of an almost completely depoliticised public sphere — more poison.
Paul Treanor restates the argument in favour of religious freedom of thought which nobody I suspect – not even the right-wing commentators here – would argue against. But that is not the issue with Islam and Muslims who tend to argue for the right to do according to their religious convictions, even if that means transgressing the social norms of the country in which they find themselves, even if that means breaking the laws of the country which they live in. In contrast, climate sceptics are not expecting to be exempt from restrictive lifestyles, carbon taxes etc. etc. if those measures are proven to be necessary and a logical response to a proven threat. And that is the issue. The ‘threat’ is hypothetical and in many cases hyped and the response is illogical and technologically, socially and environmentally inept, even assuming that the threat was real! So choosing the example of Islam to argue the case that climate sceptics should be left alone to do their thing is wholly inappropriate. Sceptics, as Ben points out, view the inconsistencies, irrationality and ideologically driven imperatives associated with climate change activism (argued unconvincingly to be based upon sound scientific evidence) as akin to religious fervour. Hence arguably, it’s the main body of their opponents who are the religionists here, who want to change their way of life and that of everybody else. Sceptics are arguing AGAINST society behaving irrationally by uncritically accepting the supposed imminent threat of ‘dangerous’ climate change, AGAINST the preachers of climate doom continually warning us of Thermageddon if we do not mend our wicked ways, and AGAINST the consensus enforcers who wish to silence and even punish those outspoken heretics who take issue with the exaggerated climate change consensus.
Should we thank you for proposing that “The state should exempt climate sceptics from consequences which do not accord with their belief. For instance, they should not have to pay taxes to fund control of carbon emissions..”? No, I don’t think so, despite the fact that it would immediately raise the number of climate sceptics to well above 97%.
We don’t want to be tolerated, we want to be argued with. We want Neil Levy to come here and justify his baseless accusation that we climate sceptics are irrational. He can call us denialists or whores of rightwing thinktanks if he likes. But he must demonstrate that we are wrong. He’s a professor of Practical Ethics for Gaia’s sake, not some government-funded part-time BBC journalist like Sir Paul Nurse FRS, or a limp-wristed Royal Court thespian like UCL Professor Of Climate Ooohwatchout! Chris Rapley. His speciality is, if not telling people how to behave, at least explaining how to reason about how to behave. Unless he’s some kind of Zen master who believes the profoundest lesson is to sit in silence with his finger up his bum, he needs to come here and discuss.
You certainly do not know how to advance reasoned discourse. Why would Neil or anyone else be interested in debating with you?
Neil Levy has already said he isn’t going to debate. See the beginning of this thread where I politely raised four evidence-based objections to the article. He replied by saying: “I’m afraid you dont understand how evidence works in science.” and challenged the easiest of my points, the one where I didn’t quote evidence since it’s so well-known and life is short and so should be blog comments.
He came back with one sarky comment about “the self-reinforcing world of the denialist echo chamber” one easy question, one refusal to inform himself by going to our blog to find out what scepticism is, and a justification of the use of the term “denialist” as “a neutral term.” When Barry Woods demonstrated that the term “denialist” was deliberately chosen by prominent believers Monbiot and Lynas in order to associate us with holocaust deniers he flounced off.
On another blog on another subject with another type of expert it wouldn’t matter. Moral philosophers are not supposed to do this. It’s in the job description.
And anyway, he started it.
Moral experts do not need to discuss with non-experts; that regrettably is what some moral philosophers believe is in their job description. However, reasoned discursive discourse should always be maintained as not only a means but an end in itself. If the conditions of ‘Discourse Ethics’, which are rooted in discourse and argument theory, are maintained we might gain greater understanding of each other’s position and perhaps reach a consensus. That surely is what is missing in the dispute over the science, policies and ethics of climate change.
Whilst I fundamentally agree with your general point, it ignores some of the unfortunate realities of
the evolution of the climate debate. Points that have already been raised in various responses on
this thread.
We’re in a situation where you are either with ‘The Consensus’ or a ‘denier’. Hence when you
start with the tool of ‘The Consensus’ to separate out the deniers, you are unlikely to get
anything productive. As you can see, it’s not even possible to challenge what ‘The Consensus’
actually is. If you’re not with ‘The Consensus’ then you’re obviously either an uneducated
shill who is ignoring physics (what has physics got to do with ‘The Consenus’ one may rightly
ask) or just an uneducated brexiter with anti-establishment views.
Those of us who want to question the dubious model parameterisations, the curious abuses
of statistics and metrology standards in maintaining temperature records, the dubious
attribution and damage quantification etc. etc. are SOL.
As I have explained above, I wish to question the validity of some of the science and theorising that is done by some climate scientists. I have also spent a considerable amount of time over the last two years trying to stop the erection of onshore wind turbines that have been deliberately made less efficient (‘de-rating’) in order that developers can make obscene profits from government subsidies. (There are numerous other reasons why these machines are useless alternative energy technology, but here is not the place to explain.) I am pleased to say that I and many others throughout the UK have managed to bring a halt to this grubby industry and there will be no more de-rated turbines erected.
I should also make it clear that I do believe there is quite a high probability that most climate warming is anthropogenic. However, I hold this belief in spite of climate science predictions of the last 30 years not because of them. The basic science and theory since Tyndall is pretty sound. The problem is that since the 1980s I have progressively had less respect for the “facts” and virtually none for the policies to combat the “threat”. That puts me in the middle, which I can assure you is more difficult than being a believer in everything the so-called experts hand down to us mortals, or indeed being a non-believer. I am supportive of developing sensible alternative energy technology (by no means just for combating possible global warming problems), but am adamantly opposed to most of it that is presently on offer.
What worries me more than the predicted heat death of the plant, even more than the bad science and technology, is the totally unproductive discourse between the pros and antis. Obviously I agree with you that Neil is very ignorant of the ways of science and technology if he thinks we should quiescently accept everything the so-called experts say. But if Neil does not wish to wake from his
dogmatic slumber, so be it.
If by anthropogenic you mean a man ‘homogenized’ the data then you’ll get no disagreement from me! 🙂
Keith Tayler
“Dogmatic slumber” was a good crack when it was first made, by someone in a different league from any of us, and about himself, what’s more.
Your definition of your “middle” position in the debate is more or less where many of us are. Indeed we’d come within the 97% by many definitions, which is one reason why Neil Levy and those he quotes are so unwilling to provide a definition of the consensus. I get a feeling what it must have been like to be a reasonable ordinary bloke at the Council of Nicaea, if there were any. (History doesn’t record them. It never does.)
My big regret about this thread is that I jumped in at the beginning with four watertight arguments showing that Levy was wrong. If only I’d started with some nice abstract waffle and waited until he was hooked. If only I’d studied law (or angling.)
Yes, I do find that many in the middle or moderate antis are pushed to the edge because the pros are so unreasonable and damn right aggressive. Pro “ethicists” are particularly bad at this because without the big theory much of their fantasising about our responsibilities to future generations would not have a market. Although I am no great fan of Bentham and accept we should give consideration to future generations, I am inclined to repeat his question: ‘Can it be conceived that there are men so absurd as to…prefer the man who is not, to him who is; to torment the living, under pretence of promoting the happiness of those who are not born, and who may never be born?’
As was mentioned by a commenter above, whether there is such a thing as a moral expert is an open question in philosophy. The commenter mentioned Kant, but the debate surely goes back to Socrates.
I do agree though that we should all try and behave in a civilised manner. While I didn’t realise there was a specialised subject called Discourse Ethics, we climate sceptics are all too painfully aware of how sensitive the subject of the tone of discourse can be, and how easily offense can be taken, often as an excuse for not engaging in debate.
Ever since I had a Guardian journalist (and one of John Cook’s co-authors at SkepticalScience) stating on the Guardian’s “CommentisFree” blog that he’d like to bend me over a table and roger me, I’ve not taken too much notice of the niceties of polite discourse, though I do try to adapt my tone to that of others.
I made the analogy with Islam, to propose that the treatment of religions in liberal societies offers a template for the treatment of climate scepticism. That does mean that climate scepticism is a religion, or that climate sceptics are ‘like Muslims’. The question of whether ‘environmentalism’ is also like a religion, is therefore irrelevant.
The template implies that the state would refrain from imposing alternative beliefs on the ‘adherents’ of climate scepticism. It also implies that the elite would refrain from attacks on the beliefs of minorities, and treat them with some deference (not behaving like Richard Dawkins and his supporters). Most importantly, the template implies that there would-be no ‘forced conversion’ – no-one would be told to change their sceptical views on climate change.
The suggestion of exemptions from state policy does go further then this template. The best analogy here is with immigration policy. Although there is widespread hostility to immigration in western Europe, no citizen is ever exempted from immigration. The elite’s insistence that “we must all accept immigrants” has not resulted in acceptance and assimilation, but in an ever more aggressive populist backlash. That backlash also underpinned the Brexit vote in the recent UK referendum.
Ben Pile understands the implications of exemptions:
… if we start identifying either environmentalists or climate sceptics as religious identities, we exempt anyone with beliefs from the social contract — people just get to pick and choose what obliges them, rather than object through some democratic or political or other formal process.
But that is the point: it is time to abandon outdated liberal principles such as the social contract and the democratic process – and the rule of law, and the state monopoly of force, and so on. The liberal utopia is a homogenous society, and liberal state and society are intended to generate centrist homogeneity, by waging war on the extremes. Concessions to minorities undermine that goal, that’s why the present liberal tolerance of religious belief is so notable. (Early liberal regimes were often anti-clerical and secularist). The centrism and uniformitarianism of liberalism facilitated its alliance with nationalism in the 19th century, which in turn gave us the modern liberal-democratic nation-state.
The homogeneity of the liberal utopia is inappropriate for increasingly fragmented and polarised societies. It is only two decades since liberal triumphalism of the 1990’s, the ‘End of History’, and the alleged transition to a post-ideological society, but they seem to have got it wrong. Bitterness, frustration, hostility, anger, polarisation, and resentment, characterise western societies. Climate scepticism is only one example of a much wider phenomenon.
Obviously, the elites in liberal societies are reluctant to abandon their core principles and turn society on its head, but that is how to adapt to polarisation. In the case of climate scepticism and similar movements, that implies abandoning the democratic process, and a policy of full exemption. It is not difficult to put exemption into practice: since climate change policy is recent, the state can simply put the clock back in policy terms, by about 30 years. All climate change treaties and conventions must be abandoned, and all the derived legislation revoked. It is comparable to a rigorous Brexit: the UK would repeal all EU-derived legislation, and return to the 1950’s, as far as policy was concerned.
Similarly, the state must create a society for climate sceptics, which is so far as possible indistinguishable from the hypothetical parallel world, in which there was no climate controversy. Just as Eurosceptic Britons want ‘their country back’, climate sceptics want their society back, as it was before climate change influenced policy. The state should concede their demands, which means abandoning national climate change policy.
Why should the state concede one set of objections and not every other set?
My comment does not say that the state should not concede other objections. It does not use the word ‘objections’ at all. Although that term might be accurate for climate scepticism, other groups may have other political demands such as recognition of identities and values, reform, facilitation of aspirations, and so on. Most of them don’t fit into existing frameworks of political consensus, some are off the political agenda entirely. In an increasingly fragmented society, it would be a good thing if political elites gave this problem some thought.
Whether ‘objections’ to the existing order or ‘demands’ for change, you are suggesting that a few hundred noisy activists be given a veto over national policy. For someone who gives the impression of wanting what he writes to be taken seriously, that nonsense has the opposite impact.
“you are suggesting that a few hundred noisy activists be given a veto over national policy”
Really, RAFF?
Perhaps you should consider the findings of the United Nations ‘My World’ Global survey on attitudes to caused of concern, currently covering 9,730,421 respondents, that shows “Action taken on Climate Change” comes flat last, 16th out of 16 categories.
http colon // data dot myworld2015 dot org/
It’s YOU CAGW quasi-religious fanatics that are in the minority Sunshine, not we AGW sceptics who believe there is little or no cause for concern, certainly not enough to merit seriously damaging the economy of the industrial nations, causing considerable hardship and mortality to much of the Third World by depriving them of clean energy to cook and light their dwellings, causing excess mortality amongst the weak and old in many Western industrial nations due to being forced to choose between eating and heating and covering tens of thousands of square miles of land with worthless, ecologically disastrous “renewable” energy generation.
Mankind can no more significantly alter the Global temperature than significantly alter the time the Sun rises and sets. This is becoming more apparent with every passing year, despite the ever-growing desperation of those who stand to make the greatest profit from promoting the creed of CAGW.
You do understand what significantly means, don’t you? It does NOT mean denying that CO2 slows the transit of certain energy levels of photons from the Earth’s surface to space.
Is that a Spencer-esque religious view about temperature or do you have a reason to heavily constrain sensitivity that doesn’t involve gods.
There is much of interest in this post and thread.
The post begins ‘Why do we think that climate sceptics are irrational?’, a question-begging remark if ever there was one. It seems perfectly clear to me that rationality is a hallmark of the kind of climate sceptics I have come across and associated with, for example at CliScep.
The case for alarm over our impact on the climate system is an extremely weak one, and I continue to be astonished and dismayed at the impact of those who wish to big-up CO2 have had.
I presume our current host, Prof Levy is a trusting soul, or perhaps merely one of the anointed who presumes his own rectitude and competence to go along with the modest clump of scientists who made up the core of the IPCC working groups on causes of climate change. The order of 50 in total? The tiny science of climatology had scarce a tenth of that number before the hoohah got underway, so other scientists either had to give them the benefit of the doubt, or do some investigation and thinking on their own. Others no doubt merely saw political or financial advantage in going with the flow. And what a flow it has been! A torrent of papers, positions, conferences, politics, personalities refreshed by the joys of saving the world, and dollars by the tanker-load, enabled by the supine, positive reactions of governments and other wealthy funders.
But yet, the climate system carries on with business-as-usual, displaying nothing unusual, nothing untoward, and in particular not following the hockey-stick imaginings of the zealots when it comes to temperatures, sea levels, ice melts, hurricanes, rainfall, or indeed anything else meteorological. Each week brings more to confirm the rationality of the climate sceptics. Take hurricanes for example. Read this recent piece of reporting:
‘John Sutter, a CNN columnist who focuses on social justice and climate change in his op-ed essays, claimed a few days earlier that humans, by causing the ocean temperatures to increase, are simultaneously causing hurricanes (or, in this case, tropical storms) to get even more intense than they otherwise would. He called this claim a “truth”, and implored American readers to “rid the economy of fossil fuels” so as to reduce storm intensities.
CNN (John Sutter):
“[T]here’s an uncomfortable truth the rest of us should wrestle with: Hurricane Matthew looks a lot like future climate change. And if we want to stop storms like this from getting even more intense, we need to do everything we can to rid the economy of fossil fuels.”
To garner support for his opinions, Sutter quoted Dr. Michael Mann ‘
But yet, we go on to read:
‘Simply put, the opposite of what Mann (and Sutter) claim to be “truth” about warming ocean temperatures and hurricane intensification is detailed in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Namely, observations indicate that there has been no trend in increased hurricane intensity in recent decades (i.e., Category 3 and up), and many observations even show there has been a slight decline in overall hurricane intensities since the middle of the 20th century. Secondly, the frequency with which hurricanes make landfall have also been declining in recent decades. And finally, it has been determined from paleoclimate analyses that cooler ocean temperatures are associated with more tropical storms and major hurricanes than warmer ocean temperatures. ‘
[For the rest, see the blog No Tricks Zone, and the post ‘scientific-consensus-30-papers-global-warming-leads-to-less-intense-less-frequent-hurricanes’. ]
My goodness, these pesky sceptics are getting everywhere! Coming up with statistics, with trend analyses, with historical research, with theories of their own. None of which are at all alarming, and therefore must be beyond the pale? Are they to be subjected to the condescensions of the ‘Prof Levy’s of the conformist world? Are they forever never to be grist for his feeble mill? I fear so.
But not all observers from outwith the now swollen ranks of climate science have been so trusting as our current host. I have just come across a new book by a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa. Michael Hart is, to put it mildly, not at impressed by the hoohah of CO2 alarmism. I look forward to reading his book (‘Hubris: the troubling science, economics, and politics of climate change’) on a forthcoming trip abroad, but let me just quote the final paragraph:
‘It will be cold comfort to future generations when their leaders finally realize how badly they have been fooled and deeply they have embedded global warming hysteria into their cultural and governing norms, from tax policy to education programs. They will wonder, along with Richard Lindzen, why “the early twenty first century’s developed world went into hysterical panic over a globally averaged temperature increase of a few tenths of a degree, and, on the basic of gross exaggerations of highly uncertain computer projections combined into implausible chains of inference proceeded to contemplate a rollback of the industrial age.” Now is the time for governments to being the painful task of dismantling a movement that they have helped to create and that now threatens much more than the integrity of science.’
Now, I wonder what could have led him to such a conclusion? I will read the book and report back next month if comments are still open here. Oh, and by the way, for those who do not already know, Richard Lindzen is probably the world’s most talented and distinguished atmospheric physicist. Prof Levy would do well to pay him heed, after all he, Prof Levy, feels ‘forced to use the assessment of experts’ and none are more expert here than Prof Lindzen.
Why intelligent people like Neil Levy (not to mention Barak Obama, Noam Chomsky, Vivienne Westwood and Leonardo di Caprio) believe what’s written by environmental journalists and axe-grinding cognitive pasychologists and ignore the opinions of experts like MIT professor Richard Lindzen is indeed one of the biggest mysteries of the whole affair. It’s not as if Dr Levy is the first to have been caught out jumping head first into the controversy without any thought for the precautionary principle. If you look at some of articles at the Conversation (not the ones by big hitters like Cook and Lewandowsky, who never engage with critics, but the one-off articles by philosophers, law professors, media experts etc.) you’ll see time and again their ignorance laid bare by a tiny band of honest folk. I suppose they don’t discuss their humiliation much among their academic colleagues, so it looks as if we’re going to have to pick them off one by one. It’s tiresome.
Simple, honest folk, is that how you see sceptics? That is not my impression from talking with many over the years. But why not do the honest thing and answer my question from above. You said you would not feel a *duty* to engage with each and every anti-vaxer who turned up to dispute what you might write about anti-vaxers, so why did you say Levy has a duty to engage with (debate, discuss with, etc) you?
Strawman. What have anti-vaxers got to do with climate change? Almost as much as the moon landings I
would say.
Hart’s opinion on climate science is almost certainly no more well informed or useful than yours or mine. Who cares what he thinks? As for Lindzen, how on earth do you know whether he is “the world’s most talented and distinguished atmospheric physicist”? How do you measure that? Here’s what another distinguished climate scientist, Ray Perrehumbert, said of Richard Lindzen:
“It’s OK to be wrong, and [Richard] is a smart person, but most people don’t really understand that one way of using your intelligence is to spin ever more clever ways of deceiving yourself. … He has made a career of being wrong in interesting ways about climate science.”
“Who cares what he thinks?”
As the Simon Reisman chair in trade policy at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa, clearly many, many times more people than care what YOU, an anonymous commenter on a blog think, Raff.
So we end up with expert ‘Top Trumps’. Nobody is exempt from being wrong; I’d imagine
both Richard Lindzen and Ray Pierrehumbert have been wrong many times on many things
in the course of their lives. So far, the empirical evidence (observations) favour
Lindzen’s interpretation of things (ECS ~1.2 – 1.6 DEG C).
Feedbacks dear boy. It’s all about the feedbacks. Based on climate history, they must
be net-negative – until SSTs reach boiling point.
My understanding is that climate feedback must be strongly positive in order for the small change in forcing from orbital variations to cause a very large change in global temperature on exit from glaciation periods. Orbital changes are not enough on their own.
My understanding is that climate feedback must be strongly positive
It depends on what you mean by feedbacks. Overall, the net feedback must be negative, given that the system is overall stable. However, this is because of the Planck response being negative and larger, in magnitude, than all the other feedacks (water vapour, lapse rate, clouds, albedo). If you ignore the Planck response (as is normally the case in this context) then the evidence suggests that the feedbacks (non-Planck ones at least) are net positive.
Even the observational evidence supports this. We’ve warmed by around 1C after a change in forcing of just over 2W/m^2 and we still have a positive planetary energy imbalance. If Lindzen were correct, then we should have already warmed sufficiently to retain energy balance. Since we have not, suggests that he is not.
The topic is ‘ethics’.
The climate ‘debate’ descends to ‘science’.
This says it all, really.
And This says it all, really says nothing.
‘Science’ is a fig leaf.
Feedbacks must indeed be net-negative. But as you say, that doesn’t in itself put a cap on sensitivity at Lindzen’s 1.2-1.6C
You’re forgetting about the uncertainty monster ATTP and, no doubt, you are giving too much weight
to the surface temperature records. IMO, the only reasonable way to measure planetary energy
accumulation is OHC. In my view the data available here are not of sufficient coverage (spatially and
temporally) to give any significant insight. Even the ARGO data has been shown to have significant
instrumental drift in some cases. For OHC, we’re talking changes in hundredths of degrees – as a
direct temperature measurement is the only proxy we have for OHC. Ship intake temps/bucket temps
may as well be thrown away as far as OHC is concerned.
I also dispute your statement that all non-Plank feedbacks must be net positive. The behaviour
of clouds is definitely not ‘settled’. It also looks like nobody really understands why the
planetary albedo is what it is either (e.g. across hemispheres). Sulphate aerosol forcings
also don’t seem to be quite so settled as we’re often led to believe.
The above is why I consider myself sceptical; not because I have any particular issue with the
basic physics involved. We all concede we’re talking about coupled non-linear system after all,
which has shown similar historical variations. My principal problems are:
The high degree of precision and certainty which most results appear to be reported with. Almost
all papers I’ve seen ignore systematic error assuming it will average away like a random
error will.
Treating trends of non-deterministic systems as having any predictive power whatsoever. This is
plainly false but is abused (mostly by the MSM to be fair) as a matter of course.
Treating regional climatic phenomena which support ‘Climate Change’ as directly attributable (one needs to
look no further than the reporting around Matthew – even Mann had something to say on Matthew).
Conversely those phenomena that do not are just ‘weather’.
I could go on but I’m irritating myself now…
You’re forgetting about the uncertainty monster ATTP
Not at all. The likely range for ECS is 1.5 to 4.5C so that does include the possibility of it being as low as Lindzen suggests, but indicates that that is regarded as unlikely.
no doubt, you are giving too much weight to the surface temperature records.
No doubt you are a bit too certain about how much is too much.
I also dispute your statement that all non-Plank feedbacks must be net positive.
I didn’t say “all” and I didn’t say “must”. I said “the evidence suggests that the feedbacks (non-Planck ones at least) are net positive.” In other words, given how much we’ve warmed, given the change in forcing, and given that the we still have a positive planetary energy imbalance suggests that the non-Planck feedbacks are net positive. This doesn’t mean that they all – independently – must be positive, just that together they are net positive.
If Lindzen is correct that the ECS is 1.2C (or even lower) then a change in forcing of 2.3W/m^2 should produce an equilibrium change in temperature of around 0.75C. According to the temperature datasets (multiple of them) we have warmed by around 1C and still (from the OHC) have a planetary energy imbalance of something between 0.5W/m^2 and 1W/m^2. There either have to be some very large errors in those datasets, or there has to be some combination of very unlikely events, for what we’ve observed to be consistent with an ECS as low as Lindzen suggests. Nothing is impossible, but some things are unlikely.
The above is why I consider myself sceptical;
I don’t think the correct word is sceptical.
I can see why.
Likely according to whom? the IPCC? remind again how long the ECS estimate has been in that range and what
recent papers using energy balance approaches are saying.
Well, it’s implicitly true as you wouldn’t be able to make the case you are trying to make
without using surface temps. Satellite data do not show that level of warming. Perhaps
you’d prefer to use model output instead? after all, it’s probably the observations that
are wrong.
I won’t bother responding to your entirely circular argument on non-Plank feedbacks.
If you don’t think it’s sceptical then you clearly must think it’s something else. Why don’t
you try, for once, saying what you mean?. I realise it makes it much harder to backpedal
in the future but suggest you give it a try anyway.
Indeed. If only we all had such self-awareness eh?
remind again how long the ECS estimate has been in that range and what recent papers using energy balance approaches are saying.
It’s been in that range (sometimes 2 – 4.5C) for quite some time, but that’s hardly an argument against it. If you mean the work by Nic Lewis then his work suggests a likely range of about 1.2C to 2.4C, and an extremely likely range of around 0.8C to 3.1C. However, there are a number of reasons as to why these may underestimate the ECS (technically the Effective Climate Sensitivity, rather than the Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity). This doesn’t mean that it is too low, but does suggest one should be careful of giving too much weight to these estimates.
Well, it’s implicitly true
That doesn’t imply “too much weight”.
Why don’t you try, for once, saying what you mean?
… you are giving too much weight to the surface temperature records. IMO, the only reasonable way to measure planetary energy accumulation is OHC
Your 1.2-1.6C sensitivity range is not stated in terms of OHC but in surface temperature for a good reason. Energy will stop accumulating only when the surface temperatures reach a level at which outgoing IR offsets incoming energy. That, and the fact the we live on the surface, is why measure of surface temperature dominate discussion.
Then get better temperature records.
Your understanding is wrong.
Climate sceptics are irrational? I just had the most irrational, abusive, self-important, arrogant, ignorant freelance journalist attack me on Twitter, telling me I’m dangerous, that he’s put google alerts on me, but not to worry too much because he doesn’t have an awful lot of time to counter my climate denier propaganda!
John Shade points out the inconvenient scientific literature on hurricane intensity and frequency. There is in fact, if not quite a steady flow, certainly more than a drip drip of inconvenient peer-reviewed scientific research which brings into question the idea of the dominance of man-made climate change in the modern era. Take the Antarctic for instance. Whilst the Arctic has been losing sea-ice over the last 30 odd years, there has been a significant positive trend in southern hemisphere sea-ice extent over the same period, which peaked at a record in 2015. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Now we have a new research paper in Nature:
‘Assessing recent trends in high-latitude Southern Hemisphere surface climate’ – Jones et al
“Over the 36-year satellite era, significant linear trends in annual mean sea-ice extent, surface temperature and sea-level pressure are superimposed on large interannual to decadal variability. Most observed trends, however, are not unusual when compared with Antarctic palaeoclimate records of the past two centuries. With the exception of the positive trend in the Southern Annular Mode, climate model simulations that include anthropogenic forcing are not compatible with the observed trends. This suggests that natural variability overwhelms the forced response in the observations, but the models may not fully represent this natural variability or may overestimate the magnitude of the forced response.”
That’s not really the message which climate change alarmists want the world to hear (and the world generally doesn’t hear about such research because the media almost always ignores it). The IPCC states in a very unscientific manner that most or all of the warming from 1950-2010 is “extremely likely” anthropogenic in origin, but here we have evidence of climate change over much of that same period at the South Pole which is dominated by natural variability.
So high latitude southern hemisphere trends are not compatible with anthropogenic forcings, but the global mean surface temperature trend over the 36 year satellite era and indeed the declining trend in northern hemisphere sea-ice during that time is presumed to be dominated by anthropogenic forcings. Neil Levy effectively says that questioning such inconsistencies and suggesting that perhaps natural forcings may have had a rather more significant part to play in modern climate change is irrational, nay even motivated denial! Paul Treanor says such scepticism is a belief which society should indulge, like it should indulge Islam or Catholicism. Heaven help us. How did we arrive at such a bizarre impasse?
I suggested that the state should concede the political demands of climate sceptics, and abandon national climate change policy. That brought this reaction:
… you are suggesting that a few hundred noisy activists be given a veto over national policy.
I am indeed suggesting that disadvantaged minorities should be given a veto over national policy. A generalised veto is one of several strategies, to transition from the entire ‘national policy’ model, to a post-democratic and post-national alternative.
How do western liberal-democratic nation-states make policy? They take conflicting attitudes, propositions, and values, put them into the democratic process, let it run its course, and at the end, supposedly, we have a consensus which is acceptable to the nation as a whole. We also allegedly get political legitimacy – the willingness of the population to accept laws and government policy, which they as individuals oppose. This is the world view of the broad liberal elite in western countries, and as such the starting point for Neil Levy’s position on climate scepticism.
It ought to be obvious by now, that this model is dysfunctional. The population is no longer willing to subject their values and aspirations to the liberal marketplace of ideas, and then abandon them if they don’t meet general approval. The sense of national unity and community, another pillar of the nation-state, is also visibly eroding. Climate scepticism is just one example of oppositional values and aspirations, that refuse to be blended into centrist uniformity by the democratic process. The rise of populism is the political symptom of the increasing unwillingness to accept the consensus models, which typify the politics of stable nation-states.
The Brexit referendum, a debacle for the liberal elite, shows that elites cannot simply suppress these symptoms, until they go away. At some point, they must take account of fragmentation and polarisation in their societies, and make concessions to those trends.
The issue of immigration is a good example of the necessity of veto in democratic societies, and it has some parallels with climate policy issues. Despite increasingly acrimonious ‘debate’ on immigration (including death threats, murders, and terrorism), elites in western Europe have continued to insist on its benefits. They are unwilling to recognise that some people simply don’t want any immigration, and that consequently every immigrant is a burden on those individuals. The logical option is to give them a veto on immigration: then there won’t be any immigrants, and their burden is gone.
The logical option is also to give feminists a veto on porn, and ban it entirely. The logical option is to give opponents of drinking and smoking a veto on alcohol and tobacco, and ban them entirely. The logical option is to give opponents of Islam a veto on the Koran, and ban it entirely. The logical option is to give Salafists a veto on blasphemy and apostasy, and on Christmas (haram). The logical option is to give conservative Catholics a veto on abortion, and ban it entirely, along with homosexuality.
The state must do this because some people are very, very, angry. They are bitter and frustrated at being forced to live in a society, that is deeply offensive to their values. The fact that their values often contradict each other, in no way diminishes their anger and frustration. This comment on climate policy is illustrative:
… seriously damaging the economy of the industrial nations, causing considerable hardship and mortality to much of the Third World by depriving them of clean energy to cook and light their dwellings, causing excess mortality amongst the weak and old in many Western industrial nations due to being forced to choose between eating and heating and covering tens of thousands of square miles of land with worthless, ecologically disastrous “renewable” energy generation.
What do these diverse angry minorities get from the liberal-democratic elite? The advice to express their views in the democratic process, and passively accept whatever comes out at the end. In any case, the democratic process itself is increasingly inaccessible. The long-term trend to political convergence creates an isolated political class, who have become a de facto governing oligarchy. They become unresponsive to political demands from outside, and that only feeds polarisation and anger.
Systemic change is historically appropriate here. Veto powers are one option, although not the answer to everything. There is a historical precedent, the liberum veto in the early-modern Polish parliament, but predictably it blocked decision-making. Perhaps it is better to see ‘veto’ as a metaphor for a policy of not infringing the core values of minorities. Even in that sense, however, it will not fit inside existing models of liberal democracy.
Those are not “logical options” but just a rag-bag of personal prejudice and intolerance. Banning things practiced or enjoyed by one group at the insistence of another as a way of organising complex societies is the furthest from logic one can imagine.
Back on 10th October I promised I would review Michael Hart’s new book Hubris here, having quoted from it here back then. I am still on my travels, and only halfway through the book. And what a book it is! I am mightily impressed so far, and will do that review next month as promised. But in the meantime, there is a review just published by the GWPF and written by Prof Kelly of Cambridge University. His review includes these words ‘This book should leave any dispassionate reader deeply disturbed. It should be required reading for people in policy and politics who deal with these matters. No thought leader should be ignorant of the contents.’ To which, so far, I say ‘Hear, hear!’. The review can be found at ‘thegwpf’ dot com location.
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Performance by Nam Hong in the context of the 56th Venice Biennale
Studio Abba presented a performance by Nam Hong, “La vie vécue” in the context of the 56th Venice Biennale. Nam Hong participates in Personal Structures - Crossing Borders at Palazzo Mora, premises of the European Cultural Centre. The exhibition will be open for the duration of the Biennale from 9 May to 22 November 2015. Among the artists who are also exhibiting in Personal Structures are Daniel Buren, Yoko Ono, Joseph Kosuth, Karl Stengel and Richard Long.
Nam Hong’s performance reveals the processes that generate a rotational motion. By abolishing the boundaries between art and life, when she is singing, dancing, throwing ink and acrylic, glue, and burned pieces of rice paper on the canvas, dressed in traditional Korean costume, Nam Hong exalts the act of painting. Her whole being, body and soul, is engaged in this act and in turn she invites the viewer to participate in the cycle with her and embrace life and death through the emblematic rose petals. Indeed, in the performance where she starts to add burnt rice paper to the canvas, she summons the distress of death or separation and thus looks back to her childhood but also beyond to new life: the debris and ash from the burnt paper become a new material, a promise of resurrection.
Nam Hong wears traditional Korean costumes that have been reinterpreted in a contemporary manner and that were created especially for her performances by well-known Korean designer André Kim, who has recently passed away.
Beyond the fire and ash, an inner voice has always guided Nam Hong, a voice that comes from a multi-thousand year old rich Korean Shamanic tradition. Nam Hong’s paintings, installations and performances create a bridge between the East and West.
The artist’s recurring themes do not represent the human being, however both her childhood is fundamental for her artistic thought processes (her youth was deeply rooted in a family mystery and the death of her beloved grandmother) as is her own body. In her paintings, she is much more interested in space and nature, in the repetitive cycle of life and death of the trees, the butterflies and birds that attempt to break free from the canvas limits or the physical enormity of space around the mountains, such as in La Montagne. She concentrates, for example, on the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the alternation of the seasons. The images of butterflies, candlelight and paper fragments reduced to ashes such as in Le papillon, reveal the mysterious cycle of life and death, the origins of existence that eventually lead to extinction.
The ancient sounds of the drums during her performances and the fire overlapping objects and destroying the collage, present a contemporary artistic language that also looks at aspects such as the ancient poetry of nature, the painful concern for natural resources and ecological sensitivity. The passion for life and the poetry in the ashes are the only true theatre of existence, while life seems just a dream.
Palazzo Mora, Strada Nuova, 3659, 30121 Venice, 9 May - 22 November, opening hours 10am-6pm, closed Tuesdays.
https://youtu.be/8aTFl7IAyCI
info: Studio Abba +39 055292082 info@studioabba.com
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Pink Ribbons Not Cute When Komen Backs Planned Parenthood
Pink ribbons are cute. They have become very trendy. Everyone has caught on to them, too. A couple of airlines wear pink during October…some yogurt companies have pink ribbons on their merchandise…everyone is doing it. Well, not me.
I hate breast cancer. I REALLY hate it. Breast cancer stole one of the most important people in my life from me… my father’s twin sister… my aunt. Both of my grandmothers had breast cancer. My cousin died of breast cancer. Breast cancer is like a terrible virus that keeps sweeping through my family. And like all viruses, you can’t get rid of them; they keep coming back.
My aunt was an amazing person. She never met a stranger. She loved everyone. And, she was pro-life. She LOVED babies. She was one of the most precious people I have ever known. I watched her battle this terrible disease for 9 years...
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/08/22/pink-ribbons-not-cute-when-komen-ba...
Republicans Urged to Try Again to De-Fund Planned Parenthood
Although President Barack Obama repeatedly refused to allow any provisions de-funding Planned Parenthood and rebuffed Speaker John Boehner’s efforts to do so, one conservative writer hopes Boehner will try again.
Terry Jeffrey, the publisher of the conservative news web site CNS News, is out with a column today at Town Hall urging Boehner to try again. He wants the pro-life House Speaker to exercise the rights of the House of Representatives to take the lead on spending and government funding issues.
“But will the Republican-majority House, led by Boehner, exercise that authority when it enacts the bills to keep the government running after Sept. 30?” he asks...
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/08/17/republicans-urged-to-try-again-to-d...
Jeffrey: Will Boehner's House Fund a Group That Kills 910 Babies Per Day?
By the end of September, when fiscal 2011 ends, House Speaker John Boehner must answer a simple yet profound question: Will he lead a Republican-controlled House of Representatives in enacting government funding bills for fiscal 2012 that allow tax dollars to flow to a group that kills an average of 910 unborn babies per day?
Boehner ought to say: No way. Case closed.
Because Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution says that "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law," a voting majority of the House has veto power over federal spending items...
http://cnsnews.com/commentary/article/terry-jeffrey-will-boehners-hous...
A Politicized Justice Department Strikes Again
The Department of Justice is now prosecuting a 79-year-old grandfather. The reason: Richard Retta walks alongside women on the sidewalk outside a Planned Parenthood abortion facility and offers women hope that they can carry their babies to term.
“They go in and they’re kind of sullen in what they’re doing, and I’m sure there’s a lot of sorrow there,” Retta says in a short video by Pro-Life Unity. “But when they change their mind, most of the times they’re smiling, they’re happy. And they’re willing to talk to us,” he says.
This is the first time, in over a decade of sidewalk counseling, that anyone has sued him for obstruction. (Last month, however, he was pepper-sprayed for his efforts by a woman walking into the clinic who apparently didn’t want him talking to her)...
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/274805/politicized-justice-depa...
Two AmeriCorps Volunteers Reportedly Pulled From Jobs at Planned Parenthood
Federal officials responsible for the nation's volunteer service center reportedly yanked two participants working in a Planned Parenthood of New York City office after determining their activities violated program guidelines.
The two women had been working at the clinic for nine months before attracting attention from the Corporation for National and Community Service, which runs AmeriCorps, over activities they performed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The roles of the women didn't raise red flags because of the abortion services Planned Parenthood provides, the newspaper reported, noting that AmeriCorps bans "providing abortion services or referrals for such services," but because the two may have violated rules on "attempting to influence legislation" and "organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes"...
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/05/30/americorps-volunteers-repor...
Indiana Appeals Ruling Against De-Funding Planned Parenthood
Indiana has appealed a judge’s ruling in June blocking an Indiana law that protects taxpayers from having to fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business with public funds via family planning programs through Medicaid.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt in Indianapolis granted Planned Parenthood’s request for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed after Republican Governor Mitch Daniels signed the law in May. Now, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has filed legal papers with a federal appeals court seeking to lift the injunction so Planned Parenthood can be de-funded while the lawsuit it filed against the state continues.
Indiana filed papers with the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday afternoon responding to the injunction the Planned Parenthood of Indiana and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana received...
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/08/02/indiana-appeals-ruling-against-de-f...
Hillary Clinton Opposes State Dept Bill Over Abortion $ Cuts
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is warning members of the U.S. House that she will personally urge pro-abortion President Barack Obama to veto a State Department funding bill over cuts to groups that perform and promote abortions.
As LifeNews has reported, House Republicans have put forward an appropriations bill that would put the Mexico City Policy back in place. The policy, which President Barack Obama ditched during his first week in office, prevents the funding of groups that promote or perform abortions overseas.
Planned Parenthood is one of the major recipients of millions of dollars through the State Department and the USAID program and the abortion business refused to stop doing abortions or lobbying other nations to change their pro-life laws during the Bush administration so it could receive funds for non-abortion family planning services. The abortion business is lobbying Congress to reject the bill and Clinton took its side today...
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/07/28/hillary-clinton-opposes-state-dept-...
Members of Congress Press for Planned Parenthood Investigation
More members of Congress are pressing for an investigation of the Planned Parenthood abortion business following a new comprehensive report issued by Americans United for Life detailing extensive abuses.
Americans United for Life issued a new report featuring a groundbreaking analysis of the nation’s largest abortion business and saying it has uncovered evidence of systemic financial irregularities within the abortion giant, which receives more than $363 million in federal and state taxpayer funding, and that Congress should investigate.
AUL staff combed through 20 years of Planned Parenthood financial data and the report documents the known and alleged abuses by Planned Parenthood, including the misuse of federal health care and family planning funds, failure to report criminal child sexual abuse, failure to comply with parental involvement laws, assisting those in engaged in prostitution and/or sex trafficking, and dangerous misuse of the abortion drug RU-486...
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/07/13/members-of-congress-press-for-plann...
RU-486
Abortions at Planned Parenthood: Done in Record Numbers
Here are Planned Parenthood’s own numbers. They reflect their activity in the abortion arena. As one can see, they are increasingly invested in performing this gruesome procedure.
Baby Boomers: These are the children who never were born, who will never pay the taxes we’ll need to sustain us in our retirement; these and the others totaling 53 million lost citizens.
And we let it happen. We’ll do well to remember that during euthanasia’s ascendancy...
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/07/11/abortions-at-planned-parenthood-don...
Report: Congress Should Probe Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz
A national pro-life group has issued a new report featuring a groundbreaking analysis of the nation’s largest abortion business Planned Parenthood.
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/07/07/report-congress-should-probe-planne...
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Home>Music> Drake’s “So Far Gone” Birthed A Rap Superstar
Drake’s “So Far Gone” Birthed A Rap Superstar
By Trevor Smith
@trevsmith_
Denise Truscello/Getty Images
10 years later, the OVO rapper's breakthrough mixtape is one of hip-hop's great blueprints.
This week, Toronto’s CN Tower gleamed a golden hue in the frigid Canadian winter night. The change in color scheme came from an unconventional, but at this point, entirely understandable source: an offhand joke from the city’s biggest superstar, Aubrey “Drake” Graham. After winning the award for Best Rap Song at the 2019 Grammys, the rapper, in a visibly loose, celebratory state, told ET, “I want to say the mayor of Toronto needs to turn the CN Tower gold tomorrow — in chrome and gold tomorrow. Are you stupid? Are you dumb?” When his wish was granted the following night, he cut his cockiness with a tone of sincere honor. “I love my city and this is my real sign of love and recognition,” he wrote on Instagram.
This came just after Drake spoke of what artists should view as acknowledgment in his Grammy speech, discouraging musicians from seeking validation from an awards show that has rarely honored those most deserving, particularly in the world of hip-hop. "If you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you're a hero in your hometown, if there's people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain and the snow, spending hard earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don't need this right here," he said. "You already won."
Drake has always found ways to measure his success, and these days, it’s easy to do it with hard numbers. The rapper began this year with confirmation that Scorpion was the biggest streaming album of 2018, and its lead single, “God’s Plan,” the biggest streaming song. It would be easy to rest on being arguably the most popular artist in music, but it seems Drake is looking back to the goals he set at the beginning of his career. As a regular self-mythologizer, it’s not lost on him that his breakthrough project, So Far Gone, turns 10 this week. In fact, he's announced that it will be coming to streaming for the first time this Thursday.
So Far Gone is not Drake’s first mixtape, nor is it his first album, but it is, unquestionably, his true debut. Printed in large type on the cover, the project is presented by October’s Very Own, the partnership founded by Drake and Oliver El-Khatib, both October babies, and is the first time the influence of the collective feels tangible in the music. This is, in part, due to the addition of Noah “40” Shebib, who would later co-found the OVO Sound label, as a guiding hand in the sound of the project. From thereon in, the name Drake meant more than just Aubrey Graham, and marked a decisive move into a lane of his own.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
“Lust For Life,” the project’s opening track, lays out the blueprint for Drake’s career for the next decade. Pivoting away from the backpack rap of Comeback Season, it leans into Drizzy’s R&B influences, as 40 presents an insular, heavily-filtered backdrop that sounds like listening to an Aaliyah session through a studio wall. Within the first few minutes of the project, it’s almost as if Drake is already mapping out his legacy. “I'm tryna do it all tonight, I got plans,” he opens in what reads as necessary posturing to shake off his Degrassi image, adding later, “It's funny when you comin’ in first, but you hope that you last.” In reality, Drake was as far from the number one spot as he was from owning the Phantom he parked around the corner from his mom’s house, but his dreams not only of success, but longevity, have exceeded any expectations he could have had.
“40’s mom always say, ‘Don't ask permission, just ask forgiveness,’” Drake says on “The Calm,” the kind of yearbook quote wisdom that he’d pepper throughout his discography. As a teen soap actor turned Lil Wayne protege, Drizzy was a tough pill to swallow for some rap fans, and in some ways, forced him to adopt a “fake it ‘til you make it” mentality before he would fully embrace self-deprecation and own the goofiness of his primetime roots in videos like “Started From The Bottom” and “I’m Upset.” So Far Gone is Drake deciding that the first step to winning people over was to put out great music, whether the world was ready to hear from him or not.
Maybe the most impressive thing about the project is how many bases its able to cover. The opening suite of R&B-informed confessionals tells the story of the demise of a relationship that runs counter to Drake’s ascent to fame, the couple calling things off (by way of a Peter, Bjorn and John remix) before Drizzy gets his call from Wayne. This ushers in Drake’s then-newfound obsession with Houston, the city he first visited when Weezy flew him out to meet. 40 and Boi-1da are able to meld the syrupy crawl of DJ Screw and Bun B with the hazy melodicism of Drake’s bedroom slow jams, a merger that continues to define his music to this day. Then there’s “Best I Ever Had,” an instant pop-rap classic that brought Drake’s songwriting out of murky R&B and into sharp radio ready hook-writing. It’s the kind of crossover hit-making ability that put him in a league of his own with “Hold On, We’re Going Home” and “Hotline Bling.”
Keep in mind, at this point, Lil Wayne is a year removed from Tha Carter III, the platinum-in-a-week blockbuster that solidified his claims of Best Rapper Alive. His presence across So Far Gone also challenges Drake to grow as a rapper, moving out of more winking backpackerisms (“My delivery got me buzzin’ like the pizzaman”) to pure style and confidence when he’s up against his mentor. (“I done became bigger swerving writing in my peer's lane/Same dudes that used to holler my engineer's name/One touch I could make the drapes and the sheers change/And show me the city that I without fear claim”). At a time where very few rappers could measure up to Wayne, Drake proved himself a worthy apprentice.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
So Far Gone will often be mentioned alongside 808s & Heartbreak as an album that ushered in a more melodic, heart-on-sleeve style of rap. While 808s' direct influence on the project is well-documented (there's a freestyle over "Say You Will," after all), its lasting impact is more tied to R&B. Unlike Kanye, who was looking to T-Pain, Phil Collins and Tears For Fears when making his jump to singing, Drizzy was working with Lloyd, Omarion and Trey Songz on So Far Gone, and the studied R&B leanings of the project helped break ground between rap and its sister genre in a way that’s still being seen today with the likes of The Weeknd, PartyNextDoor, 6lack, and Bryson Tiller.
While Drake’s songwriting has become more refined with time, all of the essential tools he’s used to build one of rap’s longest runs were present in So Far Gone. In that way, it’s one of hip-hop’s great blueprints, and will certainly be something artists continue to reference for years to come. Unfortunately, they don’t have no award for that.
Music News Features Drake so far gone ovo anniversary tenth anniversary Lil Wayne Young Money 10 Years Kanye West Boi-1da
Nick Cannon Rips Kevin Hart: "Nipsey Hussle Look Like Your Pimp"
Zion Williamson Dents Basketball With Super Strength: Twitter Reacts
MUSIC Drake’s “So Far Gone” Birthed A Rap Superstar
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Our law firm can assist foreign nationals in the acquisition or renewal of all kinds of visas before the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation. The immigration services offered are the following:
Acquisition of visas for foreign new hires in the Philippines
A foreign national who desires to work in the Philippines must secure a 9g or work visa from the Bureau of Immigration. Before the process for securing the visa may be commenced, an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) must first be procured, which is a document issued by the Department of Labor and Employment authorizing a foreign national to work in the Philippines.
Our office will help the employers of said foreign nationals to apply for 9g visas and AEP. In addition, we will assist employers to extend or renew working visas for their existing employees or apply for a change of status to a new visa category.
Visa extension for tourist visitors and changing the status of admission
We assist Tourist visitors in extending their stay in the Philippines. Should they wish to change their admission, we also assist in changing the status of their Tourist visa to a different visa such as employment visa, Special Investors Resident Visa, Retirement visa and immigrant visa by reason of marriage to a Filipino.
Obtaining special visas for former Filipino Citizens and reacquisition of Filipino Citizenship
Former Filipino citizens enjoy a privilege under the Balikbayan Program of the Department of Tourism which entitles them to stay in the Philippines for a period of one year without the required monthly extension. Our firm will assist former Filipino citizens to apply under the said program and secure a Balikbayan visa or be recognized as a Filipino.
Our firm is also taking an active role in assisting former Filipino Citizens reacquire their Filipino Citizenship after the passage of Republic Act 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (Dual Citizenship).
Immigration Litigation
We render legal assistance to foreign nationals who are arrested by the operatives of the Bureau of Immigration. Our services include but not limited to the filing a Petition for Bail and Voluntary Deportation or Habeas Corpus. Our concern is for the immediate release of the detainee in the most convenient and expeditious manner.
Lifting of the person’s name in the Bureau’s Blacklist
A person can be blacklisted by the Bureau of Immigration for reasons such as, that: he/she is an undesirable alien; likely to become a public charge; overstaying alien; and other violations of the Philippine Immigration Law. If your name is included in the blacklist, you cannot anymore enter or leave the country. You will be arrested by immigration agents if you attempt to do so. If this unfortunate event does happen, your only remedy is to file a Petition before the Bureau of Immigration that your name be removed from the blacklist.
Our Firm assists foreign nationals whose names were included in the Immigration Black List and those persons who were barred from re-entering the Philippines. We will take advantage of the legal process by filing a Petition to Lift the Order of Black List in order to remedy this situation. Through this legal process, our Firm has already caused the removal of some names of foreign nationals in the bureau’s blacklist. Our Firm has a proven track record on this aspect of immigration litigation and reference of alien nationals who were successfully represented by our Firm can be provided upon request.
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Justin Timberlake to Star as an Alcoholic Food Critic in THE LAST DROP
by Adam Chitwood September 26, 2012
Those holding their breath for another album from Justin Timberlake will likely be waiting for a very long time. Coming off of a fine performance opposite Clint Eastwood in Trouble with the Curve, Timberlake is looking to nab the lead role in the romantic dramedy The Last Drop as his next project. The film centers on a charming alcoholic working as a restaurant critic for New York Magazine who falls for a young woman and realizes he must overcome his addiction in order to have a relationship with her. Variety reports that Timberlake is in talks to star, with Peter Sollett (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist) onboard to direct the Black List script by Brandon and Phil Murphy.
The Last Drop would continue a solid string of varied projects for Timberlake. After his impressive turn in The Social Network, Timberlake landed a starring role in Joel and Ethan Coen’s folk music pic Inside Llewyn Davis and showcased his comedic talents in Friends with Benefits. He’s currently filming the gambling drama Runner Runner opposite Ben Affleck.
First Trailer for Park Chan-wook’s STOKER Starring Nicole Kidman
Disneynature Plots Spring 2014 Release for BEARS
• Brandon Murphy • Entertainment • Justin Timberlake • Movie • Peter Sollett • Phil Murphy • The Last Drop
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The world economic crisis, as well as other events such as the Russian-Georgian war in August 2008 and the change of the American administration, have prompted some analysts to speak about a "paradigm shift" in international relations or the "dismantling of the post-Cold war world order". Indeed, the global order, as well as Georgia's security environment, have become considerably more fluid, uncertain and unpredictable than was the case one year ago. Yet careful analysis shows that the actual changes in global and regional politics do not merit such sweeping generalizations so far.
New trends in relations between Russia and the Western actors (the USA, European Union, and major European nation-states), internal developments in Russia and Ukraine - both of which have been especially hardly hit by the economic crisis - and the efforts of Turkey to enhance its political profile in the Caucasus deserve special attention from the perspective ofGeorgia's security environment. While scenarios for the future - especially if the economic crisis deepens further - may be destabilizing, the fundamentals in these relations have not changed yet.
Consequently, the basic principles of Georgia's foreign political strategy do not require a fundamental overhaul. Some significant readjustments are in order, however. These include:
o Prioritizing long-term foreign policy objectives and incremental steps towards them while quick solutions to the most burning issues of Georgia's security are not available;
o Finding more even balance in relations with NATO and the EU, as well as the USA and European countries;
o Giving greater priority to internal democratic reforms and achieving more stable rules for internal political competition;
o Recognizing that while normalizing relations with Russia is of utmost importance forGeorgia's security, this cannot be achieved if the Russian leadership and its current political priorities remain in place;
o Seizing opportunities for cooperation and dialogue with actors in Abkhazia and South Ossetia while admitting that doing so will not bring any short-term political benefits.
Full text of the Policy Review
By Ghia Nodia
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Sylvan Lake Library
FOSLL
Hogwarts Reading Club
YouthWrite Sponsorship
Equipment Library
Exam Administration
Previous Film Society Movies
Helping You Get the Most Out of Your Library
Program Room Rental
Showing upcoming events for at Sylvan Lake Municipal Library within 25 km within 50 km within 100 km at all regional libraries
Sylvan Lake Municipal Library
Ages 7 to 12 TD Summer Reading Club
Thursdays, 10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Stories, songs, and crafts for ages 7 to 12.
Teens TD Summer Reading Club
Thursdays, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Stop by the library to beat the summertime blues with fun activities for teens.
Ages 2 to 6 TD Summer Reading Club
Fridays, 10:15 - 11:00 a.m.
Stories, songs, finger plays, and crafts for ages 2 to 6.
Canine Assisted Therapy
Families are welcome to attend together at any of three sessions. Registration required.
French Ages 9 and up
Mondays, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Books, stories, and crafts for ages 9 and up. Basic French is required.
French Ages 4 to 8
Books, stories, and crafts for ages 4 to 8. Basic French is required.
Tuesdays, 10:15 - 11:00 a.m.
Tuesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Prism Club
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Drop in.
Group discussions, book clubs, games, art, and safe interaction for LGBTQ youth and adults. Free, drop in.
Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, 10:15 - 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, July 25, 2019, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Free, all ages welcome. Registration required. Food and drink provided.
Cancelled. Library closed for Heritage Day.
All day.
The library will be closed for Heritage Day.
Third Tuesday of the month. Drop in.
Stumped by a question with your computer, tablet, phone, e-reader, or other device? Stop by with your device and questions for assistance.
Drop Everything and Colour
Sundays, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Drop in and colour at the library. Materials provided. Adults and seniors welcome. Free, registration required.
Drop in and colour at the library. Materials provided. Adults and seniors welcome. Free, no registration required.
Labour Day
The library will be closed for Labour Day.
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Drop in.
Celebrate your love of anime and manga at the library. Wednesdays during the school year. Free, drop in.
Teen Takeover
Fridays, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Drop in.
Games, books, movies, art, and fun!
Young Writers
Mondays during the school year, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Drop in.
Engage in creative writing, group activities, and open mic. Ages 8 - 18.
Sensory Story Time
Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Stories, songs, and sensory play for all ages.
Tales for Toddlers
Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Stories, songs and puppet play for ages 3 and under. Older children are welcome to attend.
Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Infant Sensory Play
Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sensory activities and messy play. Registration is limited to 10 infants.
Thurdays, 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m
Footloose Friday
Fridays, 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Dress-up, music, and movement for all ages.
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8:00 PM
A terrific way to expand reading horizons and meet people in the community. New members are welcome!
Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 1A2
Send us suggestions online for new items to add to our collection.
© Sylvan Lake Municipal Library
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Current Issues Lesson 8: Federal Policy and Immigration
Please register to download a PDFs of this resource
Overview: The federal government is in charge of the nation’s policies on immigration. The current proposals before Congress on immigration are examples of the making of public policy.
Public policy consists of laws, rules, regulations, and agreements establishing how the government operates. When Congress passed the U.S.A. Patriot Act in 2001 and put immigration under the control of the Department of Homeland Security, it was establishing public policy. When an executive agency such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services adopts immigration rules, it is setting public policy for all immigrants.
Making and Changing Public Policy
The formation of public policy on immigration can be complex. Congressional policy making is usually done through the lawmaking process. In 2006, immigration proposals in Congress began to take shape after President George W. Bush proposed a guest-worker program to address the issue of unauthorized immigration.
A member of the House of Representatives proposed an immigration bill, starting the lawmaking process. The proposed bill was given a number and referred to the Judiciary Committee. Each committee in the House studies proposed policies. It may hold hearings and call experts to testify about the need for and effects of the new law. Those opposing the bill also might testify. The committee then debates the policy and votes on the bill. If it is approved by a majority of the committee, it is sent to the whole House to consider.
An immigration bill, without a guest-worker program, was approved by a majority of the Judiciary Committee and sent to the floor of the House for debate. Many amendments were proposed to the bill on the floor. Twenty-four were eventually adopted and added to the bill. The House then voted 239 to 182 to pass the bill.
At the same time, an immigration bill was moving through a parallel process in the Senate. The Senate bill differed greatly from the final House bill. For example, it included a guestworker program and a path to citizenship for undocumented workers. When the Senate bill passed with a vote of 62–36, the House and Senate immigration bills could have gone to a Conference Committee made up of senators and members of the House. This committee must compromise and reconcile the differences in the two bills.
The bill can then be passed by both the House and Senate and sent to the president. If signed, the bill becomes a law and a new policy is established. If the president vetoes the bill, Congress might override the veto if two-thirds of both the Senate and House vote to do so. Or Congress might modify the bill to meet the president’s concerns.
Throughout the lawmaking process, the public has opportunities to influence the outcome. With a new immigration bill, advocacy groups such as the National Immigration Forum and the Center for Immigration Studies might track the bill and provide their members with information. Lobbyists might try to sway legislators. Letter-writing campaigns could be organized. The news media—in print, on the radio, on television, and on the Internet—might present editorials, stories, and opinion polls on the proposed policy.
Congress is not the only branch of government that makes policy. Executive agencies of government also make policy. If Congress, for example, were to pass an immigration law with a guestworker program, the law probably would not describe all the details of the program. Included in the law would be "enabling legislation." This is a provision requiring that the appropriate executive agency more clearly define what is required by the law and set policies for putting it into effect. The law would be referred to the Department of Homeland Security, which controls immigration enforcement. The department would work to develop regulations for the guestworker program. This might entail holding public hearings around the nation. Once the regulations were decided on, a document would be produced and sent out for public and expert comment. The final regulations would be subject to congressional oversight.
The Realities of Policy Making
Policy making is not always an easy process. For example, the leadership in the House and Senate decided not to put the two 2006 immigration bills into a Conference Committee. The leadership believed the differences were too great to reconcile. Instead, the House passed a new bill authorizing the building of a 700-mile fence along the almost 2,000-mile Mexican border. The Senate passed a similar bill, and President Bush signed it into law. Comprehensive immigration reform would have to wait.
In making policy, deep disagreements can erupt at almost any stage. Sometimes people disagree about the goals of a proposed policy. Does our society really want to pursue that goal? Other times people agree that the goal of the policy is good, but argue that the proposed policy will not help achieve it.
Sometimes questions arise about the motivations of the policy makers. Are they creating a policy to benefit one segment of society over another? What groups or points of view are influencing their judgment?
All policies have consequences. That is, something will happen as a result of the policy. Who will benefit from the policy? Whose interests might be harmed by the policy? Disagreements can arise about what the consequences will be and who will benefit the most. Others worry that a policy might have consequences that are difficult to predict and might end up doing more harm than good.
On some issues, agreement about policies is difficult or impossible. In the pre-Civil War years, America was deeply divided on the issue of slavery and its expansion into new states and territories. Congress and various presidents all tried to establish policies that would address the issue, but none ultimately succeeded. The differences in values, principles, and interests of those opposing and supporting slavery were too great to overcome. When such a divide exists, it is difficult to create policies to resolve such an issue.
For Discussion
What is public policy? Give an example of a public policy, tell which major groups are interested in it, and explain their positions.
Who makes public policy? Give an example of a process for making it.
How and when can citizens influence the making of public policy?
Why might it be difficult for people to agree on some issues of public policy? Give a modern example of a highly controversial issue of public policy.
Lesson Plan 1 Lesson Handouts 1
Lesson Handouts 2
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Tag: white wives in China
Foreign wives and second marriages: a Chinese perspective
While in Hong Kong I’ve been reading, and really enjoying, Huifeng Shen’s book China’s Left-Behind Wives (NUS Press, Singapore, 2012). The book tells the story of women who stayed in China while their husbands migrated from Fujian province to Southeast Asia between the 1930s and 1950s.
Shen interviewed a number of these left-behind wives, all in their 80s or older, and their oral history testimonies provide a poignant insight into some of the most intimate aspects of their lives — the sorts of things that I struggle to uncover in my own research. Although the women in Shen’s book are from Fujian not Guangdong, and their husbands migrated to Southeast Asia not Australia, her work rings very true with what I know of the lives of wives of Chinese men in Australia. One of the most fascinating things for me, who approaches the subject from an Australian perspective, is seeing the Chinese side of story, particularly where it comes to the question of first and second marriages.
My research has uncovered the unhappiness that many Australian wives felt on discovering that their Chinese husbands had wives, and sometimes children, in China, and the difficulties Australian wives faced when they travelled to China with their husbands. Shen’s research shows that overseas marriages and overseas families created unhappiness, and hardships, for Chinese wives too. Shen notes that — as the result of often long-term separation from their husbands and feelings of fear, jealousy, hurt and betrayal — ‘many fankeshen [left-behind wives] hated the second wives of their husbands, especially the fanpo [‘barbarian’ foreign women], even if they never met them’ (Shen 2012, p. 100).
Some years ago, when I was in a ‘Cuban’ village in southwest Taishan, I was told a story about foreign wives. The story went that foreign wives of Chinese men would give their husbands a dose of poison before they made a return visit to China, a poison that could be reversed only if the man returned overseas to his foreign wife for the antidote within a particular time. My informant stated that this was the cause of the death of his uncle, who had been a laundryman in Cuba in the 1920s and was known to have had a Cuban wife.
I thought this might have been a local fable until I came across an article in the Tung Wah News from 1899 that told a similar story.
I was very interested then to read in China’s Left-Behind Wives that the emigrant communities of Quanzhou, Fujian, also ‘believed that fanpo sometimes … cast spells or hexes on the male migrants who married them’ (Shen 2012, p. 101 n. 58). Furthermore:
Wives who visited their husbands overseas were very careful when they met an overseas wife, believing that the woman might cast spells that would make them sick or insane, or cause them to die. Wives were particularly wary of food and drink provided by an overseas wife, suspecting something harmful might have been added. Hong Q [a left-behind wife interviewed by Shen] said she experienced stomach pain after eating with her husband when she visited him in the Philippines. She did not eat any food prepared by the overseas wife, but she believed that the woman put a spell on her by touching her hand three times (Shen 2012, pp. 100-101).
I came across China’s Left-Behind Wives by accident in the bookshop here in Tsim Sha Tsui, but I’d suggest you seek it out a bit more proactively. As Shen notes in her conclusion, ‘the story of the left-behind wives is not merely an appendix to male migration history but a subject worthy of study in its own right, and an integral part of the history of women, the history of migration, and the history of China’ (Shen 2012, p. 216). Here, here.
China research trip January 2015
Chinese wives
left-behind wives
white wives in China
I’ve just begun writing a book chapter about the travels of white wives of Chinese men from Australia/NZ to China in the period 1880 to 1930. It’s a topic that I’ve been gathering material on for years and years, but now it’s down to actually writing something concrete and (hopefully) intelligent, it’s proving difficult to work out how exactly I’m going to frame their stories.
What’s troubling me most right now is the overwhelmingly depressing tales that emerge from the sources, like this one that I found this morning, titled ‘Harbor Bridge Suicide’ from the Barrier Miner (Broken Hill), 17 January 1933:
Sydney, Tuesday.
At the inquest yesterday into the death of Mary Anne Mee Hing (62), who jumped off the Harbor bridge on January 5, it was stated that she was an Australian woman who had married a Chinese store-keeper with whom she went to China.
Her husband’s people disowned her, and she returned to Australia, where her parents refused to have anything to do with her. She returned to China and found her husband married to a young Chinese girl.
The woman thereupon came back to Australia, where she took to drink and subsequently ended her life.
The coroner returned a verdict of suicide.
I will see if I can get the full records of the inquest, in the hope that there are more subtle shades to the story, but The full records of the coroner’s inquest into Mary Anne’s death no longer exist, and from the other little bits and pieces I’ve found about her, it seems quite possible that Mary Anne’s life was as full of disappointment and heartbreak as this short report suggests. So many reports tell of marriages that have broken down, of women returning to Australia in financial and emotional distress, of illness, death or separation from children. The nature of these sources is something that I’ve tackled before, in my work on Agnes Breuer’s visit to China with her husband in 1933, but as I look over the bits and pieces I’ve assembled I now wonder if I’m wrong in wanting to assert that the difficult and unhappy times related in the sources are not a fair representation of how white wives experienced China.
At the heart of my response to the sources is my own response to life in China, most particularly as part of a Chinese family there. I went to China more or less on a whim, and it overwhelmed my life, both personally (I fell in love and married there – a relationship that, like many of my subjects’, has not endured) and intellectually (it sparked my passion for Chinese Australian history). There were and are aspects of life in China that I love, and aspects that I find so very difficult to deal with. It is a place where I have been both my happiest and my most unhappy.
If you caught me in the right mood I could paint a picture of my time as Chinese wife and daughter-in-law that was as sensational or pathetic as any that appear in my 19th and early 20th century sources. From seemingly small things, like not being allowed to wash my hair on feast days or to use a needle and thread while pregnant, to bigger things, like the idea of letting my parents-in-law raise my baby or meeting women in the village who had effectively been bought by their husbands. There were many things that contradicted my own (university-educated, Western, liberal, feminist) sense of how the world should work and ultimately how I wanted my own life to be.
At the same time though, spending time in China both as an independent entity and as part of a family has brought me a richness of experience and knowledge, a strength of character and sense of self, and many memories and stories that I would never had if I had stayed safely home in Australia. So if you asked me on another day, I might rave about how wonderful China is and how much I miss being there.
Couldn’t this also be the case for my white wives of a century ago? I know of wives who made short uneventful trips (happy holidays, even?) to China with their husbands and children. And I have scant detail about perhaps half a dozen white wives who stayed living in their husbands’ south China villages for long periods, like one who was described by New Zealand Presbyterian missionary Alexander Don as being ‘far more important in [the] Chinese village than she would have been in her own country’ (Otago Witness, 11 April 1906).
I don’t want the focus of this chapter to be on the biases and prejudices of the missionaries, newspaper reporters and government officials who recorded the experiences of my white wives, rather I want to think about the lives of the women themselves. But with a growing amount of evidence to suggest that my sources are going to remain weighted to the negative, I’m going to have to think about how or if it might be possible for them to reveal a more balanced account. If ever were a time for reading ‘against the grain’, I think this might be it.
unhappy marriages
white wives
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CKR: May 2006, Part 1
(Continued from CKR: April 2006...)
Started Chapter 22 today, the one where the main character (a.k.a. protagonist) drives to the concert and gets stopped by the police. I skipped a few chapters because I don’t know anything about radio stations and producing radio programs. My protagonist is a producer/writer and I’d like to include at least one scene where he’s on the job, possibly two, so I sent an email to the general manager of a local radio station, hoping I can at least see what a studio looks like and maybe get some insight as to what the hell my character does for a living. Plus, another interview means another Acknowledgement, which will help promotions once the book’s published.
BOOK NOTES:
A few years ago, I got arrested in Georgia while driving south on I-95. It’s a long story with twists and turns that I won’t bore you with, but the police scene in CKR—despite my changing the charges, the circumstances, and most everything else—hopefully gives an accurate portrayal of the anxiety I felt throughout the strange ordeal of being caught red-handed for something I didn’t mean to do, then discovering my license had been suspended three years earlier for doing something I didn’t know I’d done. Another “fun fact” about this chapter is that it’s the only one in the book that uses actual song lyrics and not merely titles. My thinking was this: If I get permission to use lyrics, I’ll keep them in; if I don’t, I’ll have only one chapter to edit.
The Pens critiqued Chapters 3 and 4 tonight. Everyone’s in agreement that Chapter 3, as it’s written, has to go. It’s the one where the guys get stoned while driving to Orlando on Friday. The dialogue’s good, but there’s not enough action and men simply don’t talk that much—even when they’re high—so I need to break it up a bit, maybe have them pull over somewhere. Or stop for coffee. Or something. Randy’s read through Chapter 10 and he skimmed through the sex scenes. I told him, where the sex is concerned, I’m trying to walk the line between literature and porn. He says it’s a close call. Good! Kid Rock did a thing on the Showbiz Show with David Spade tonight (Comedy Central), but I missed it drinking with the Pens after the meeting. He supposedly spoofed his sex tape. He’s fucking everywhere! And I’m getting pissed that everybody keeps “stealing” my ideas. Like when I started writing Immortal and discovered Deadwood. I’d write a scene & they’d do one just like it. Or the CSI:Miami episode that had someone falling overboard without a trace. I know it’s just the “blue car syndrome,” where it seems like everyone is copying me, but this is getting ridiculous.
I’m still not sleeping well and, although I appreciate this “drive” thing, I don’t see how killing myself is going to help finish this book. After throwing-up my morning coffee (I’m really not healthy these days), I decided to ditch Friday housework & laundry today (say it with me: aaahhhhh) to edit Chapters 5 and 6, revise the strip club scene to change the song and include the second dancer, and put this Diary together. I’ve been racking my brain for weeks trying to think of a “blog” idea to help market and promote my stuff, but I don’t really know what a “blog” is and what the hell do I have to say that anyone else would be interested in? But then, what kind of question is that, considering my plan to write books for a living? Is that hypocritical? Or just fuckin’ stupid?
I was at a dinner party with friends tonight, drinking, laughing, and shooting the shit, when I casually mentioned to our friend Chris that I was working on a book titled Chasing Kid Rock. I didn’t go into detail, but I did mention that, although the storyline has little to do with Kid Rock, I’m hoping, once it’s finished, that I can get the guy to at least read it and maybe endorse it or give me a blurb for the back cover or something. Now, because we’ve known Chris for several years, I forget that he’s an executive editor for a local nightlife magazine. So when he said, “Do you wanna meet him?”—like it’s no big thing to just make a couple calls and go hang out with Kid Rock—I was stunned. If I thought I couldn’t sleep before, it’ll be much worse now, because I’m armed with the knowledge that it really is possible for a housewife in South Florida to get to Kid Rock. What if the book’s not good enough? What if he doesn’t like it? I think I’m going to puke. Again.
Scott and I sat on our patio until 2:30 last night (or would that be this morning?), talking about the book and what I hope to get out of it. Because my husband’s not a big reader—I joke all the time about his reading only Florida Sportsman and Fortune magazines and having zero interest in fiction—the fact that we discussed the book for a couple hours is amazing in and of itself. But he knows me better than anyone (sixteen years of marriage will do that), and, like me, he’s a Kid Rock fan, so he understands how deeply personal this project is and how passionate I am about it. He also knows that I know what I’m capable of. Of course I want a bestseller, what author doesn’t? Of course I want it to be well-written and funny and explicit and controversial and everything that Kid Rock is, but, at the end of the day, this book is really just a big “Thank You” note to express my gratitude for filling the last decade of my life with a kick-ass soundtrack. And for inspiring me to fast-forward through confidence and bravely embrace Cocky, because I know I’m good at what I do and “it ain’t braggin’…if you back it up.” If that makes me a groupie, so be it. And if I sell a million copies, even better. Fuck the critics and the people who will think I only wrote this book to make a buck. They have no idea what it’s like to be not merely inspired but driven. To lose sleep, skip meals, ignore family and friends, and let everything around me go to shit because I believe with everything I am that I can take this book where it needs to go. And, despite the obvious commercial possibilities, I’m doing it for only two people: the man who rattles my car speakers every day and the man who shares my bed every night. I wouldn’t be where I am without either one of them…and it’s payback time.
I guess I was about half-way through the manuscript draft when the first signs of my overactive ego shifted gears, but I only recently noticed. Within my writer’s group, we’ve debated whether or not a big ego is necessary for a writer, and there are people on both sides of the fence. I could blame Kid Rock for showing me how cocky’s done, but then who do I blame for all the times I was full of myself prior to 1998? Besides, I can’t help but think that this book needs a little arrogance in its promotion, maybe even in its creation. Would YOU buy a book titled Chasing Kid Rock if it was written by a housewife? I wouldn’t. That would be boring as hell. So, as I’m writing, I can’t think of myself as a housewife. I have to be a storyteller worthy of the challenge and confident that I can write this book better than anyone else. So, if you spot attitude in the book or in its promotion, now you’ll know why it’s there.
I’ve got some ideas rolling around for two new chapters that would become Chapters 1 and 2 and shift everything else up (which means the chapter numbers I’ve mentioned in this Diary will likely be different when the book’s in print). I need to get the main character’s description in early, plus the reader needs to like him—identify with him—and the way the book starts now, he seems like an ass (see, the Pens were right). I’m also thinking about adding a scene at the end where the protagonist hides in a bathroom and Kid Rock comes in to use the urinal. Just an idea. We’ll see if it flies. And, because I haven’t had the time to really put my writing head on (this wife and mother thing is seriously getting in the way of my writing career), I’ve started working on the book proposal, which consists of the “hook,” the target audience appeal, and a 3-page synopsis. I’m sure it will change when the Pens get hold of it, but here’s what the hook is now:
Despite a weekend full of sex, drugs, and NASCAR, radio show writer and producer Ted Seever can’t stop thinking about his wife’s unexpected request for a divorce. Should he take the advice of his two adulterous best friends and let her go? Or should he tuck his pride between his legs and try to win her back?
With only six chapters to go, I’m also growing more concerned with the publishing issue. I’m bound under contract to give the publisher of my first book the first crack at my next book, but I’m worried the small company won’t have the resources to take CKR where it needs to go. But, since my first priority is to finish the book, I’m trying not to think about it too much.
What the fuck was I thinking? I’m worried about my publisher discovering I have a “next” book that I’m contractually bound to give him, and then I put a diary together to market the book I don’t want him to know about and make plans to publish the diary as a “blog” on the Internet where my publisher can see exactly what I’m doing. God I’m an idiot! So, it’s square-one again. I’ll submit the book like I’m supposed to, see if he wants it, and if he does, then I guess I’ll let him have it. I’ll just make sure the contract allows me to sell the paperback rights in a timely fashion. And then, of course, there’s the movie….? (And I have the perfect opening song: Where U At Rock.) But on a happier note, I spat out the first six pages of the new first chapter. (I’m keeping the first sentence a surprise.)
Finished the new Chapters 1 and 2 today, which introduce the protagonist much better than the originals did. I think the Pens will approve. Unfortunately, adding the chapters at the beginning shifted all the chapters I’ve written up a couple numbers (meaning the old Chapter 1 is now Chapter 3, etc.). It wouldn’t be so bad if each chapter wasn’t a separate file named after the chapter. Once the book’s finished, it’ll all be combined into one file, but, for now, it’s a little confusing. I also counted the number of pages I have so far: 230. I’m shooting for 90,000 words, or roughly 330, double-spaced pages (using Times New Roman 12pt). But if I hit 80,000 words and feel the book’s complete, I’ll be okay with that. I am, after all, writing this for men who don’t read, so what’s a few thousand pages?
When I wrote the first draft of these chapters, I had no idea what the inside of a radio studio looked like, nor did I have a firm grasp of my characters’ responsibilities in his profession. But I plowed ahead, anyway, and will go back and edit after I’ve met with the radio station GM. (One of the benefits of writing a scene before you do an interview is that you’ve got a better idea of what specific questions to ask.)
CHAPTER CLIP:
There’s nothing duller than a fish story.
Lately, I’ve been popping Zantacs like they’re Tic Tacs. My two cats, who usually stick to me like glue, have given up on me and started snuggling with Scott. This can’t be a good sign. But I keep reminding myself it’ll be worth it. Without time for “real” writing, I’ve been working on the Diary and some promotional ideas. I’ve also started making some notes to update my website (http://www.DawnScovill.com), which is about two years old, contains outdated material, and needs a facelift. Plus, I can feel the anxiety kicking in over hurricane season, which begins in only a few weeks.
I very rarely dream, but, last night, I dreamt that I bought two snakes at a pet shop, let them loose in my house, then worried constantly—frantically—that they’d eat my cats. I hate snakes. I woke up in a sweat, asking, “Why would I willingly create such chaos in my own house?” I’m thinking it’s time to take a Kid Rock break.
No writing this Mother’s Day weekend. Scott called me from work yesterday and requested that I stop talking about Kid Rock and the possibility of meeting him. He’s taken his copy of the Live Trucker CD out of his truck. He thinks I’ve become an über-groupie. He has no idea. I tried to explain that I’m not planning to meet the guy. That, once I got my head out of the clouds, I realized all I need to do is get someone to whisper in his ear that this book exists. But Scott cut me off. Of course I’d like to meet my musical idol. Who wouldn’t? But writing is a business: you create a product, market it, and hope it sells. It’s just that this book has so much of Kid Rock in it, it wouldn’t be right—although it’s perfectly legal—to publish it without him seeing it first. I want him to see the book, not me. He’s got enough people climbing on him without some married-with-children Florida transplant from Rochester, Washington (population 1,829), getting in his face.
(to be continued...)
February Means 500 -- Again!
CKR: Nov - Dec 2006
CKR: October 2006
CKR: September 2006
CKR: August 2006
CKR: July 2006
CKR: June 2006
To Blog or Not To Blog ... You Mean There's a Choi...
CKR: April 2006
CKR: March 2006
CKR: February 2006, Part 2
CKR: An Introduction
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Drive 288 Human Interest Piece
November 20, 2017Posted in People of Drive288Written by Marche WarfieldComments Off on Drive 288 Human Interest Piece
Drive288 is committed to communicating progress, construction updates, and other details with the traveling public. As the events of Hurricane Harvey have tested our mettle, we came out not only Texas Strong, but #hoUStonStrong. Our team has rallied together and come out stronger after the hurricane, but we wanted to give you an inside peek at the names and faces that have made us 288Strong.
Meet Greg Snider, Enrique Martin, and Fernando Arranz. These men have the vision that keeps Drive288 moving forward. Greg is the Project Manager of TxDOT, the entity all our construction is housed under, Enrique serves as the CEO of BTG, lead developer of the construction project, and Fernando is the Project Manager of the Almeda-Genoa Constructors, lead contractors.
How did you come to work with the Drive288 project?
Greg: My previous assignment with TxDOT was managing Segments F1, F2, and G of the Grand Parkway, a 38-mile greenfield design-build project on the northwest side of Houston. The project was on the cusp of transitioning into the Operations phase when the SH 288 contract was awarded. During this period, I was asked to manage the Drive288 project.
Enrique: As part of the ACSID organization, I was seconded to this Project in August 2015.
Fernando: I came to work on the Drive288 Project in June 2015 as a Construction Manager. I’ve worked for Dragados my entire career, so the company transferred me from a different highway project. As of June 2017, I have assumed the role of Project Manager with AGC.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work with the Drive288 project?
Greg: I would have to say working with the Drive288 team: my TxDOT staff, BTG, AGC, REL, our Independent Engineer and my GEC. Every day, I am surrounded by knowledgeable and experienced staff excited to work on such a vital corridor, fundamental to the growth and development of this community.
Enrique: One of the best parts has been forming a reliable team of hard workers who manage all aspects and parts of the Drive288 Toll Lanes Construction Project.
Fernando: It’s amazing to see how the construction progresses with the great team of professionals that make up Drive288, as we are really working together as one.
As the project continues, how will your work with the project change?
Greg: Looking forward, I hope to continue to work with our partners in the community and stay focused on minimizing the impacts of the project on the daily commuters and community. In the following years, the project will transition from design & construction work to operation & maintenance. As the progression of these project phases occurs my area of focus will transition as well.
Enrique: Currently we are concentrated on construction, but as the project progresses, there will be a moment close to the substantial completion where everybody will have a look at O&M.
Fernando: More work and less sleep.
How long have you been working in the construction industry?
Greg: Out of my 13 years of experience, about 7 years have been in construction.
Enrique: Around 27 years.
Fernando: It’s been about 18 years now.
What have been some of the difficulties of the project for you, and how have you overcome them?
Greg: At times, working with the various stakeholders has been a challenge. Most of these obstacles can be overcome with proactive communication and forward thinking. Although concerns may arise through the remainder of the project, the level of communication will initiate innovative solutions for a project of this magnitude, as well as our partners.
Enrique: Just the day-to-day workload can be difficult to manage sometimes. Thankfully, we all have a good team right now in BTG.
Fernando: Every day is a challenge for different reasons, so it’s really hard to select just one.
What are you most looking forward to as work on the project continues?
Greg: I’m most looking forward to the day we can all celebrate a ribbon cutting, on time, standing side-by-side with our partners in the community, and the SH 288 team. The experience of being one of the first to drive down the new SH 288 toll lanes will be one I never forget.
Enrique: I’m looking forward to meeting all the deadlines and milestones, and keeping my composure throughout all operations.
Fernando: I am looking forward to opening traffic to our first connector. I can’t wait to see how much the public is going to enjoy the new road.
Women in Construction: Ashley Neighbors-Evans
November 1, 2017Posted in People of Drive288, Women In ConstructionWritten by Marche WarfieldComments Off on Women in Construction: Ashley Neighbors-Evans
“Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”- Michelle Obama
The Drive288 project prides itself on establishing a work environment of diversity and inclusivity, with equal and fair treatment for everyone on the project. Mirroring the unique diversity of Houston, its team of workers come from all walks of life and take pride in the individual challenges and triumphs that brought them to the Drive288 project.
There is one worker in particular who knows a thing or two about overcoming a challenge. Meet Ashley Neighbors-Evans. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Ashley is a traffic engineer and a graduate of Florida A&M University. As a teenager, she slowly developed a passion for the construction field, spending her summers renovating old homes with her uncle. With five years of construction experience under her belt, she has also worked on the massive, $2 billion I35W-I820N North Tarrant Expressway project in Fort Worth—moving up the ranks as a Project Engineer/Project Manager to infrastructure, as a Traffic Coordinator/Traffic Engineer.
“I chose to be an engineer because I knew it would be exciting and challenging,” said Neighbors-Evans. “Engineering is a field that not only solves world problems but also impacts people’s lives.”
Entering a male-dominated industry, the road to Drive288 was not always easy for Ashley. She knew she had hurdles to overcome, but she was more than “up for the challenge.” Fresh out of college, she found herself applying to jobs without receiving any leads in return. Eventually, she took a step of faith and purchased a one-way ticket to Virginia in search of a job. Knocking on door after door aggressively job-hunting, she received her first job offer with a small 8A firm in Washington, D.C.
“Being the only woman in a group of men is a challenge, but it has been important for me to realize that people who do not respect me because I am a female are the exception and not the rule. I honestly embrace those experiences now because they have empowered me to be more assertive and straightforward.”
The Drive288 project is grateful to have workers like Ashley, and she is just as grateful for the cohesive atmosphere on the team.
“I really love the work environment. I like how everyone works together, as a team, coming from all different backgrounds, to get the job done,” she said. “Everyone has been very welcoming and respectful.”
A note from Ashley:
“I would like to thank all the strong women in my lineage who inspired me to be the best I can be, and who also taught us that we could be whoever we wanted to be. Because of you, I am where I am today and I thank you!”
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Difference between revisions of "Duplicating Polygraph"
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''Every invention that saves labour and time merits attention and approbation of the inhabitants of America [...] My desire to promote the manufactory of an invention which promises to become to generally useful, prompts me to superintend a work of machinery to perform several similar movements, which I know must be executed with great accuracy, otherwise the best of intentions might be destroyed or lost to the public, wherefore I have spared neither labour or expense to simplify the machinery'' (qtd. in Bedini 52-53).
Peale employed two cabinet makers to build the machines. While the well-built, carefully tested polygraph was easy to use, because of its meticulous construction, it was not so easy to fix. Heavily invested in their performance, Peale was often on call to fix and improve the machines. The reputation of a burgeoning technology was at stake, and, akin to the signature or the spoken guarantee, Peale's commitment to servicing the machines attached a certain ethos to commerce: "I most certainly prefer their falling into the hands of good men as I wish to work only for such".
Peale employed two cabinet makers to build the machines. While the well-built, carefully tested polygraph was easy to use, because of its meticulous construction, it was not so easy to fix. Heavily invested in their performance, Peale was often on call to fix and improve the machines. The reputation of a burgeoning technology was at stake, and, akin to the signature or the spoken guarantee, Peale's commitment to servicing the machines attached a certain ethos to commerce: "I most certainly prefer their falling into the hands of ''good'' men as I wish to work only for such".
[[Image: peale ad.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Advertisement printed in ''Poulson's American Daily Advertiser'', Jul. 10, 1805.]]
It is no surprise, therefore, that Peale "signed" all of his advertisements by printing his name in italicized letters above or below. It is also telling that signature machines - which conserve both labor and authenticity - are the primary remediation of the polygraph (Bedini 199).
=== Actions and words ===
The polygraph is a machine that shows you how it works. As an article announcing the sale of polygraphs in 1803 describes, the polygraph “is so simple in the construction of its machinery that the movement is perfectly easy; not liable to get out of order; and the knowledge of using it obtained in one minute” (''Salem Gazette'', Massachusetts, Sept. 5, 1803). Though it has many parts and, as the back and forth between Peale and Jefferson suggests, could be endlessly tinkered with, the polygraph’s general mechanism is relatively obvious and simple to operate. Sitting down to write, the two pens, aligned side by side, are the immediate focus: grip one and begin to write, and the other moves right beside one’s original inscription. The device that joins the two pens moves visibly behind the guillotine, connected with the action of writing. Unlike print duplication, the hand plugs directly into and participates as a part of the copying machine. In ''Techniques of the Observer'', Crary observes that “[b]eginning in the nineteenth century, the relation between eye and optical apparatus becomes one of metonymy: both were now operating on the same plane of operation” (Crary 129). As a mechanical extension of handwriting (occupying the interval between the copying press and the typewriter), the polygraph engendered a similarly metonymic relationship between the hand, the inscription, and the copy.
The polygraph is a machine that shows its user how it works. As an article announcing the sale of polygraphs in 1803 describes, the polygraph “is so simple in the construction of its machinery that the movement is perfectly easy; not liable to get out of order; and the knowledge of using it obtained in one minute” (''Salem Gazette'', Massachusetts, Sept. 5, 1803). Though it has many parts and, as the back and forth between Peale and Jefferson suggests, could be endlessly tinkered with, the polygraph’s general mechanism is relatively obvious and simple to operate. Sitting down to write, the two pens, aligned side by side, are the immediate focus: grip one and begin to write, and the other moves right beside one’s original inscription. The device that joins the two pens moves visibly behind the guillotine, connected with the action of writing. Unlike print duplication, the hand plugs directly into and participates as a part of the copying machine. In ''Techniques of the Observer'', Crary observes that “[b]eginning in the nineteenth century, the relation between eye and optical apparatus becomes one of metonymy: both were now operating on the same plane of operation” (Crary 129). As a mechanical extension of handwriting (occupying the interval between the copying press and the typewriter), the polygraph engendered a similarly metonymic relationship between the hand, the inscription, and the copy.
Demonstration was thus an ideal way to introduce the polygraph. The machines were permanently on view at Peale’s museum in Philadelphia (in a room that also housed a mastodon skeleton), and he periodically distributed handbills to the public to come and take a look. Vice President Aaron Burr visited the museum in January of 1804 and purchased a polygraph on the spot (Bedini 59). To prospective buyers further a field, Peale sent copies of letters, noting that they had been written with the polygraph (Bedini 59). These letters were the “hello world” communiqués of handwritten duplications.
[[Image: tontine announcement.jpg|500px|thumb|left|Peale's invitation to "the citizens of New York" printed in the American Citizen, New York, Jul. 6, 1804.]]
In July 1804, Peale traveled to New York City to demonstrate at the Tontine Coffee House for two weeks. He was sure to place announcements in several New York papers, that, as David Henkin writes in his book ''City Reading: Written Words and Public Spaces in Antebellum New York'', “functioned as sites of public opinion and critical discussion of public affairs” at the turn of the nineteenth century. These papers “evoked broad networks of international shipping and commerce and reproduced a mode of discourse associated with the salon,” and the Tontine was “the symbolic center of this world” (Henkin 123). Thus the public space in which Peale chose to demonstrate the polygraph was more accurately a public sphere: an imagined community that corresponded to a certain vision of the polygraph’s market (Henkin 123).
In July 1804, Peale traveled to New York City to demonstrate the polygraph at the Tontine Coffee House for two weeks. He was sure to place announcements in several New York papers, that, as David Henkin writes in his book ''City Reading: Written Words and Public Spaces in Antebellum New York'', “functioned as sites of public opinion and critical discussion of public affairs” at the turn of the nineteenth century. These papers “evoked broad networks of international shipping and commerce and reproduced a mode of discourse associated with the salon,” and the Tontine was “the symbolic center of this world” (Henkin 123). Thus the public space in which Peale chose to demonstrate the polygraph was more accurately a public sphere: an imagined community that corresponded to a certain vision of the polygraph’s market (Henkin 123).
The polygraph caught the attention of Tontine patrons, who, in the spirit of public debate, by turns marveled at the machine and contested that they had seen the same model in France - most likely referring to Brunel's earlier make (Bedini 85-86). When the crowd became too loud, Peale expressed himself by scribbling away with the polygraph. “I very frequently wrote answers to what they were saying—that had to bad effect I could rub those kind of grumbling geniuses pretty hardly without seeming to pay attention to what was said," Peale remarked in his diary, "and all the by standers were continually reading what I wrote” (qtd. in Bedini 86). Peale thus answered the skeptical crowd by performing the functionality of the medium: a copy of a handwritten copy produced simultaneously with the original.
The polygraph caught the attention of Tontine patrons, who, in the spirit of public debate, by turns marveled at the machine and dismissed it, contesting that they had seen the same technology in France - most likely referring to Brunel's earlier model (Bedini 85-86). When the crowd became too loud, Peale expressed himself by scribbling away with the polygraph. “I very frequently wrote answers to what they were saying—that had no bad effect I could rub those kind of grumbling geniuses pretty hardly without seeming to pay attention to what was said," Peale remarked in his diary, "and all the by standers were continually reading what I wrote” (qtd. in Bedini 86). Peale thus answered the skeptical crowd by performing the functionality of the medium: producing a handwritten copy simultaneously with the original.
Peale sold one polygraph during his week-long demonstration at the Tontine, to the diplomat John Armstrong (Bedini 86). This sale, along with continued support from the recently re-elected Jefferson, encouraged Peale to promote polygraphs to government offices. Peale traveled to Washington in December of 1804, and demonstrated the machine to members of Congress. While the statesmen admired the contrivance, Peale sold no polygraphs during his two-week stay (Bedini 101).
[[Image: duel-hamilton-burr.jpg|thumb|right|The duel between Hamilton and Burr, Jul. 11, 1804, Weehawken, New Jersey.]]
[[Image: duel-hamilton-burr.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The duel between Hamilton and Burr, Jul. 11, 1804, Weehawken, New Jersey.]]
Interestingly, Peale’s final announcement for his demonstration at the Tontine on July 14th was printed next to death notice for Alexander Hamilton on the front pages of the ''New-York Gazette'' and the ''Republican Watch-Tower''. Hamilton had been shot two days prior, in a duel with Aaron Burr - the former vice president who bought a polygraph in early 1804. Burr had recently campaigned for governor of New York. During Burr’s unsuccessful run, Hamilton – a political rival – had joined the chorus of insults published in Federalist papers. What ultimately sparked Burr's challenge to Hamilton was a letter written by third-party published in the ''Albany Evening-Post'' which described Hamilton calling Burr "despicable" at a dinner party (Fleming 231).
Interestingly, Peale’s final announcement for his demonstration at the Tontine Coffee House on July 14th was printed next to death notice for the statesman Alexander Hamilton on the front pages of the ''New-York Gazette'' and the ''Republican Watch-Tower''. Hamilton had been shot two days prior, in a duel with Aaron Burr - the former vice president who bought a polygraph in early 1804. Burr had recently campaigned for governor of New York. During Burr’s unsuccessful run, Hamilton – a political rival – had joined the chorus of insults published in Federalist papers. What ultimately sparked Burr's challenge to Hamilton was a letter written by Charles D. Cooper published in the ''Albany Evening-Post'', which described Hamilton calling Burr "despicable" at a dinner party (Fleming 231).
Several days after Hamilton’s death, the controversy between Burr and Hamilton was submitted to the public sphere: the ''Republican Watch-Tower'' printed the correspondence between Burr and Hamilton leading up to the duel. This posthumous expose was not surprising: published letters had sparked the duel and haunted the strained correspondence that proceeded it. As historian Thomas Fleming writes, Hamilton "had no doubt that he wrote a humble apology to Burr, it would appear in the ''Morning Chronicle'' the next day" (Fleming 288).
Several days after Hamilton’s death, the ''Republican Watch-Tower'' publicized the controversy between the two statesmen by printing their private correspondence. This posthumous exposé was not surprising: the publication of Cooper's letter had sparked the duel, and the prospect of publicity strained the communication leading up to it. As historian Thomas Fleming writes, Hamilton "had no doubt that if he wrote a humble apology to Burr, it would appear in the ''Morning Chronicle'' the next day" (Fleming 288).
The following was printed in the ''Republican Watch-Tower'' on July 16, 1804:
The ''Watch-Tower'' even reproduced Hamilton’s will: “In testimony whereof, I have hereto subscribed my hand.”
The discourse of slander, misunderstanding, and authenticity that surrounds the duel is marked by the specter of “the hand” - crucial to this spectacle of man-to-man confrontation, but necessarily excluded from print. As the shared space of the July 14th front page suggests, this discourse also surrounds the polygraph: a technology that, for a moment, established an equivalence between "the essential realm of the hand," to recall Heidegger's words, and mechanical reproduction.
The anxieties of libel and slander and the discourse of authenticity that surround the duel is marked by the specter of “the hand” - crucial to this spectacle of man-to-man confrontation, but necessarily excluded from print. As the shared space of the July 14th front page suggests, this discourse also surrounds the polygraph: a technology that, for a moment, established an equivalence between "the essential realm of the hand," to recall Heidegger's words, and mechanical reproduction.
;References
''American Citizen'', New York, July 6 and July 14, 1804.
Bedini, Silvio A. ''Thomas Jefferson and His Copying Machines.'' Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1984.
Woodcroft, Bennet. ''Titles of Patents of Invention: Chronologically Arranged From March 2, 1617 (14 James I.) to October 1, 1852 (16 Victoria)''. London: 1854.
Crary, Jonathan. ''Techniques of the Observer: On Vision and Modernity in the Nineteenth Century''. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1990.
''Federal Gazette'', Baltimore, June 15, 1804.
Fleming, Thomas. ''Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and the Future of America''. New York: Basic Books, 1999.
Kittler, Friedrich. ''Gramophone, Film, Typewriter''. Trans. Winthrop-Young, Geoffrey and Michael Wutz. Stanford: Stanford UP, 1992.
''Poulson's American Daily Advertiser'', Philadelphia, October 3, 1803 and July 10, 1805.
''Republican Watch-Tower'', New York, July 16, 1804.
''Salem Gazette'', Massachusetts, September 5, 1803.
Vismann, Cornelia. ''Files: Law and Media Technology''. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2008.
[[Category:Dossier]]
[[Category:Spring 2010]]
Hawkins & Peale Patent Polygraph No. 37.
The duplicating polygraph is a mechanical device used for reproducing images and handwriting. The device was most popular in the early 19th century, particularly in the hands of various American statesman. The mechanical logics for the device were based on the pantograph, a 17th century tool created for drafting and image reproduction.
The duplicating polygraph is not to be confused with the contemporary electric polygraph, or "lie detector".
2 "Frame" and "Origins" of the Polygraph
2.1 Pantographic Reproduction
2.2 Polygraphs Proper
2.3 Hawkins' Polygraph
3 Thomas Jefferson and the Polygraph
4 Advertisement and Reception in America
4.1 The hands of good men
4.2 Actions and words
From the Greek, polygraph literally means “many hands” or “many writings” (the suffix -graph implies not simply the hand, but that which is written with or by the hand). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest form of the word is adjectival and dates to the early 18th century, referring to a prolific individual or voluminous book. Instances of the word in the late 18th century refer to “a person who imitates or very closely resembles another; an imitator, an imitation.” Thus, the word (as both a noun, polygraph, and an adjective, polygraphic) initially implied a form of personal mimesis in which one individual adopts the social significations of another. Its usage as a noun in reference to the mechanical device is not recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary until 1803.
"Frame" and "Origins" of the Polygraph
The polygraph emerged in the late 18th century as merely one of a score of instruments designed and patented for the mechanical reproduction of handwriting. It burgeoned from a emerging anxiety regarding the ephemerality of print, as well an increasing socio-political desire to compile information for the benefit of posterity.
Late eighteenth and early nineteenth century inventors employed two methods for overcoming the singularity of handwriting:
1. transferring ink to another sheet of paper or tissue via applied pressure, as seen with James Watts' copying press patented in 1780
2. constructing a device to copy movement of the hand by using the hand itself as a motor, as seen with the pantograph and the polygraph
The copying press was wildly popular in the late 18th and 19th century, and was used by figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson (Bedini 10-3). The difficulty of the copying press, however, was that the inks used could only be transferred to tissues; it could not produce instantly duplicated letters, only referents of the original letter. The handwriting could be duplicated, but not the material letter itself.
Pantographic Reproduction
The pantograph documented by Christoph Scheiner in 1631.
The pantograph offered a means to reproduce the act and moment of inscription itself. The first known accounted pantograph was published by the German Jesuit astronomer Christoph Scheiner in 1631. Composed of four light, sturdy rods jointed to form a parallelogram, with pencils attached at two opposing joints, the pantograph allowed for an image to be traced and reproduced at larger, smaller or exact sizes (Bedini 31).
Devices based on the geometry of the pantograph were initially used for the production and reproduction of drawings, landscapes and miniatures (Bedini 35). Pantographic mechanisms were employed in the service of writing as early as 1648 and throughout the 18th century, but these efforts were cumbersome and impractical. The French artist Cotteneuve produced a pantographic device in 1763, presenting it at the Royal Academy of Sciences, and called it a “polygraphe” or “copiste habile” (skillful copyist) (Bedini 38).
Polygraphs Proper
Patent for Brunel's "Writing and Drawing Machine".
The first popularly used polygraph was developed by Marc Isambard Brunel, an architect and civil engineer from France who escaped to the United States and then settled in England. He was first granted an American patent in January 1799 for a “machine for writing with two pens” (the American patent was lost in the Great Patent Fire of 1836). Brunel's polygraph was a framework device that remediated the pantograph's parallelogram; the writer wields the pen on one side of the device and whatever is inscribed is reproduced by a jointed pen on the other side of the frame. On April 11, 1799, Brunel was granted a patent for the device in England, where it enjoyed some popularity. The patent abstract reads as follows:
Brunel 11th April 1799 2305. A grant unto MARC ISAMBARD BRUNEL, of the parish of St. Mary, Newington, in the county of Surry, gent, for his new invented writing and drawing machine, by which two or more writings or drawings resembling each other may be made by the same person at the same time; to hold to him, his exors, admors, and assigns, within England, Wales, and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed for the term of fourteen years pursuant to the statute; with a clause to inroll the same within one calendar month from the date thereof. W.H.M. at Westm, the 11th day of April, in the year above (Woodcroft 424).
The significance of this invention is located in the notion of "by the same person at the same time." In the case of the polygraph, the moment of composition and the moment of reproduction are temporally condensed into the singular act of an individual's handwriting. The duplicating polygraph should be understood as symptomatic of a particular crisis of the sign in early modernity. As suggested by Jean Baudrillard, modernity is marked by a fracture between social signifiers and their signifieds (Crary 12). In the medieval period, the sign referred specifically to a particular position within a social order: "An interdiction protects the sign and assures them a total clarity; each sign refers unequivocally to a status" (qtd. in Crary 11-2). Alternatively, the mechanical and industrial reproduction inaugurated in early modernity divorces the signifier from the realm of handcraft, and in turn, from its discrete relationship to its signified. The mechanical duplication of signs allows for endless mimetic possibilities, and eventually renders an end to mimesis itself. The crisis of the signs in modernity is that signs, even reproduced, are no longer imitations, but duplications, marked by “equivalence and indifference” (qtd. in Crary 12).
The presence of the hand "at hand" in the polygraph is thus significant. The reproduction of the handwritten at the very moment of the writing itself provides an assurance against Baudrillard's signifiers of "indifference." The temporal suturing of writing, writer and reproduction guarantees a remainder of "essence" attached to the letter itself. In an early modernity under the thrust of a “proliferation of signs on demand”, the presence of handwriting becomes the last vestige of handcraft. Heidegger makes such a relationship explicit in his Parmenides lectures, in which he argues that the hand holds the “essence of man”:
"Man himself acts through the hand; for the hand is, together with the word, the essential distinction of man. Only a being which, like man, 'has' the word, can and must 'have' 'the hand.' Through the hand occur both prayer and murder, greeting and thanks, oath and signal, and also the 'work' of the hand, the 'hand-work,' and the tool. The handshake seals the covenant. The hand brings about the 'work' of destruction. The hand exists as hand only where there is disclosure and concealment. No animal has a hand, and hand never originates from a paw or a claw or a talon. [...] Man does not 'have' hands, but the hand holds the essence of man, because the word as the essential realm of the hand is the ground of the essence of man." (qtd. in Kittler 198)
For Heidegger, it is the typewriter that will later tear writing, and thus the essence of the human, from "the essential realm of the hand" (qtd. in Kittler 198). As an instrument that preserves the presence of the hand at the moment of reproduction, the polygraph assures equivalence without indifference, to turn Baudrillard's phrase back on himself. In this critical and historical context, the polygraph emerges as a medium straddling an anxious historical chasm between free-floating, mechanically-identical signifiers of sameness, and a socio-political desire to guarantee human presence at the moment of writing and reproduction.
Hawkins' Polygraph
Four years later, Brunel's polygraph received challenge from a similar device produced by Philadelphia inventor John Isaac Hawkins. Hawkins' machine was in principle similar to Brunel's machine, with the primary distinction being that the duplication occurred side-by-side in Hawkins device rather than across the frame of the polygraph. The production of the polygraph with done in collaboration with fellow Philadelphia inventor, Charles Willson Peale. Peale offered to prepare a preliminary patent application. At first uncertain about the originality of the invention, they finally determined that Hawkins invention differed significantly from Brunel's.
An American patent was granted May 17, 1803 for the “Improvement in the pentagraph and parallel ruler”. A British patent was granted in September 1803:
Hawkins 24th Sept. 1803 2735 A grant unto ISAAC HAWKINS, of Bordenton, in the Unites States of America, now residing in King Street, Clerkenwell, in the county of Middx, merchant, for his new invented machinery & methods for writing, painting, drawing, ruling lines, & other things, and for applying parts of the aforesaid machinery to other purposes; to hold to him, his exors, admors, and assigns, within England, Wales, & the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed for the term of fourteen years pursuant to the statute; with a clause to inroll the same within one calendar month from the date thereof. W.H.M. at Westminster, the 24th day of September, in the year above (Woodcroft 493).
An anonymous article published in Philadelphia's Salem Gazette in 1803 describes Hawkins' polygraph as a device which "multiplies copies of writing, or rather makes originals." Again, the significance of the device lies in its ability to make multiple originals, rather than imitations or referents of the original.
Thomas Jefferson and the Polygraph
On five months full tryal of the Polygraph with two pens, I can now conscientiously declare it a most precious invention. Its superiority over the copying press is so decided that I have entirely laid that aside; I only regret that it had not been invented 30 years sooner, as it would have enabled me to preserve copies of my letters during the war, which to me would have been a consoling possession.
- Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, August 19, 1804. Later republished as an endorsement in an advertisement for the Polygraph in Poulson’s Daily American Advertiser on December 6, 1804.
One of Jefferson's polygraphs, "Hawkins & Peale Patent Polygraph No. 57".
Thomas Jefferson is perhaps the polygraph’s most famed user and his advice to Charles Willson Peale, the developer of the device in the United States, had a direct impact on the refinement and advancement of the polygraph. This section will elaborate why Jefferson found the polygraph so appealing in his work, the implications of duplication for the maintenance of a government record, and his correspondence with Peale regarding improvements to the machine.
Filing table used by Jefferson to store his correspondence.
Writing letters was an intense preoccupation for Jefferson, an activity that took up half his day and culminated into the production of close to 20,000 letters. 1 He kept the duplicates of these letters, produced by the polygraph, in filing presses, which were organized alphabetically and chronologically in his personal archive in Monticello. 2 His meticulous attention to record keeping has been accredited by some to two experiences in which all of his books and papers were lost. The first was an incident on February 1, 1770, where his family home in Shadwell was burnt to the ground with all of possessions. The second, in 1780, when Benedict Arnold’s raid on Richmond destroyed much of Virginia’s records, which included Jefferson’s personal and public papers (Bedini 1).
Jefferson also had less personal reasons to maintain records of his correspondence. Involved with the creation of the United States during its early, formative period, records were also a means to establish a heritage for a nation with an emerging identity. Jay Fliegelman, in his book Declaring Independence: Jefferson, Natural Language, and the Culture of Performance, argues that the importance of persuasive rhetoric in the United States was especially key in this period, where the orator was to convince the listener not only through coherence but through the usage of expressive emotion. Fliegelman sees this as the origin of a distinct form of independent selfhood, where all expression is a form of self-expression, and takes Jefferson as a primary figure within this rhetorical shift (Fliegelman 2).
One could perhaps extrapolate from this argument that Jefferson was also interested in giving an expressive voice to the new republic through the formation of a record. Cornelia Vismann in Files: Law and Media Technology would not doubt concur: in her discussion of the modernization of Prussia in the early 1800s, she argues that, “By anticipating how it will be viewed by future history, the state becomes a subject of history. Archiving its files amounts to the administration of an estate on a state level...Administrative acts reveal themselves to be historical anticipations” (Vismann 120). Similarly, the United States was developing its identity in Jefferson’s time with an attention towards future historical importance, thus the formation of an archive was closely aligned with the United States as a “subject of history” in Vismann’s terms. The production of documentation and correspondence increased as part of this project, necessitating copy devices. For statesmen, such as Jefferson, the polygraph in particular facilitated copied letters which maintained the imprint of handwriting and the paper weight of the original letter, yielding an air of authority and authenticity. (Stakes that were especially crucial during this period, see Polygraphs Proper 3) Under these circumstances, Jefferson recommended the polygraph heartily to many of his colleagues in government and to governmental representatives from other nations. In the year 1804, chief clerk of the Department of State Jacob Wagner and professional surveyor Isaac Briggs purchased polygraphs on the recommendation of Jefferson (Bedini 87), and Jefferson gave the polygraph as a gift to the Tunisian ambassador Siddi Suliman Mella Menni (Bedini 134) as well as Commodore Edward Preble of Sicily (Bedini 117).
Jefferson's collection of polygraph parts.
Jefferson first encountered the polygraph through friend, engineer and architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Latrobe demonstrated the device to him in 1804 and Jefferson asked to borrow it. Latrobe then ordered one for Jefferson, and Peale decided to present the polygraph as a gift to the president. Peale was to continue to develop customized polygraphs after this initial gift, according to Jefferson’s requests, recommendations and feedback. Jefferson took on an almost informal advisory role in the development of the device, addressing some of the design flaws of the original. Jefferson’s first observation was that the wooden writing surface would become warped over time, and suggested an alternate placement of the wood akin to that of parquet floors (which he had recently installed in his house) that would prevent movement of the wood slab (Bedini 71). Peale considered his idea, until he realized that the warping of the wood was the result of inaccurately drilled holes, which he remedied by improving the drills.
In April, May and August of 1804, Peale was to produce three additional customized polygraphs for the president, according to his specifications. The first, a portable version, had a removable cover, instead of folding up into the appliance, and ink holders at each end, to provide for more ink, both Jefferson’s ideas (Bedini 73). The second was a stationary model, which doubled as a writing desk. Jefferson suggested an extra screw be added to the copying pen, so that it could be adjusted. Peale also added new alterations on his own, providing a lighter pen bar as well as a stay for the pen bar, which was a new modification recently introduced by Hawkins (Bedini 77). The third version was to be a replica of the second, intended for use in Monticello. Jefferson also requested that the inkholders be moved higher and placed in a tray, and the desk portion was to be shallower in this third model (Bedini 80). Both the portable and stationary models were elaborated through an ongoing discussion about the instrument between Peale and Jefferson. Jefferson, in later correspondence with Peale, was also responsible for introducing new inkpots, which were more convenient in shape and size (Bedini 81). Jefferson also complained about the fragility of the pens, an observation that lead Peale to modify their design, making them wider above the point and increasing their concavity to hold more ink. (Bedini, 83)
If Jefferson built up his archive to create a record for the United States as a nation, he succeeded in doing so in large part due to the polygraph. The copies of his correspondence produced through the copying press, from 1785 to the beginning of 1804, used less durable paper and ink, and his letters preserved through this method are now, to a great extent, illegible. (Bedini 204) Letters produced via the polygraph, however, have held up to the pressures of wear and time, and still remain legible today. (Bedini 204) In its ability to produce a longstanding record, Jefferson's "most precious invention", the polygraph, was indeed superior to the copying press.
Advertisement and Reception in America
Despite the enthusiasm of Jefferson and Latrobe, and Peale’s citation of their praises in a host of printed advertisements from 1804 to 1806, the polygraph largely failed to capture the American imagination. While Hawkins sold all of the 150 polygraphs manufactured in England, Peale sold approximately 60 of the 80 polygraphs he produced in the U.S. (Bedini 187). In 1807, advertisements for two-pen polygraphs patented by P.A. Meiser and E. Seargeant appeared in newspapers along the Eastern seaboard. Meiser and Seargeant also advertised "A Polygraphic Book Machine," or a mechanism which allows letters to be copied into a book through carbon copy: the less-expensive method that would surpass the polygraph in popularity, especially when combined with the typewriter. Peale retired in 1810, and by 1809, polygraphs are mentioned in print only as items for sale at auction or in estate sales.
Looking at newspapers from the Early Republic, this section will address the problem of selling the polygraph to the American public. While the polygraph failed to become a technology of litigation, administration or mercantile operation, it spoke to fundamental issues of authenticity and authorship that arose in the 19th Century when, as Jonathan Crary describes (evoking Heidegger), “new technologies and forms of exchange put in question notions of the ‘hand’” (Crary 22).
The hands of good men
As he readied his first polygraphs for sale in America, Peale expressed anxiety over the masses getting a hold of his meticulously constructed machines. “Write to me whether you think anything more is necessary to be done, before we send this the Polygraph into the world amongst fools & knaves,” he asked Latrobe in 1803, “yet I most certainly prefer their falling into the hands of good men as I wish to work only for such” (Bedini 56). While a major selling point of the polygraph was that it saved labor, its manufacture was relatively labor-intensive. As Peale outlines in his first advertisement, published in Poulson's American Daily Advertiser on October 3, 1803:
Every invention that saves labour and time merits attention and approbation of the inhabitants of America [...] My desire to promote the manufactory of an invention which promises to become to generally useful, prompts me to superintend a work of machinery to perform several similar movements, which I know must be executed with great accuracy, otherwise the best of intentions might be destroyed or lost to the public, wherefore I have spared neither labour or expense to simplify the machinery (qtd. in Bedini 52-53).
Advertisement printed in Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, Jul. 10, 1805.
In addition to values accorded to labor and authenticity, price also shaped the polygraph market. Polygraphs were a considerable investment: Peale asked $50 for the two pen model, and $60 for three pens - approximately $955 and $1145 today. [1] The machine was thus lodged in an elite network shaped by literacy and affluence, a network it reinforced by preserving rather disseminating information. The polygraph "is used only by a few litterary [sic] men, who will take pains to save themselves troubles," Latrobe observed in a letter to Jefferson in 1817 (qtd. in Bedini 173). Of the sixty polygraphs sold in the U.S., Latrobe reported, close to forty were sold by his personal recommendation.
As the revenue necessary to support the production of polygraphs failed to materialize, Peale endeavored to extend his business based on the model of handwritten correspondence to a more public market through print ads and demonstrations - to little avail. An advertisement placed by Peale's son Rembrant in the Baltimore Federal Gazette on June 15, 1804 presages Latrobe's observation of polygraphs and "litterary men" (qtd. in Bedini 81-82):
On Writing With Messrs. Peales’ Polygraphs
Twin offspring of th’inventive mind, / Of Hawkins and Peale combin’d, / The first conceiv’d th’ingenious thought, / The last the high perfection wrought; / Pois’d by the spiral chord above, / The obedient pens in concert move. / Triumph of art! amaz’d I view, / A transcript fair of all I drew: / So morning show’rs, and ev’ning dews, / In swelling germs new life infuse, / but if no genial warmth supply, / The verdant buds, inert they lie, / Till rous’d by Sol, and zephyr bland, / The leaves unfold and flowers expand. / Cowper.
Here Rembrant writes in the characteristic lyrical style of the then recently deceased English poet William Cowper, and "signs" the advertisement with the poet's name. It is striking (and indicative of the polygraph's historical moment) that while Rembrant sings the praises of mechanically duplicating hand wrought expression - "The obedient pens in concert move. / Triumph of art! amaz'd I view" - his tactical mimicry hinges on the catoptric, generic nature of type.
Despite his son's poetic enterprise and his own sustained efforts to utilize print advertisement, Peale wrote to Hawkins in 1807, “I cannot make an impression on the public mind to produce a demand for Polygraphs, yet those who look at them always speak with admiration of the ingenious contrivance” (qtd. in Bedini 152). The need to "look at" the polygraph - to see it in person - highlights the difficulty of generating public appeal. Newspapers represented a convenient public forum, but, at this time, had no images. In print, the "ingenious contrivance" was typographically flattened beside ads for salt, the Albion Benevolent Society, a runaway slave named Jim, and patent antiseptic (American Citizen, New York, July 14, 1804).
Actions and words
The polygraph is a machine that shows its user how it works. As an article announcing the sale of polygraphs in 1803 describes, the polygraph “is so simple in the construction of its machinery that the movement is perfectly easy; not liable to get out of order; and the knowledge of using it obtained in one minute” (Salem Gazette, Massachusetts, Sept. 5, 1803). Though it has many parts and, as the back and forth between Peale and Jefferson suggests, could be endlessly tinkered with, the polygraph’s general mechanism is relatively obvious and simple to operate. Sitting down to write, the two pens, aligned side by side, are the immediate focus: grip one and begin to write, and the other moves right beside one’s original inscription. The device that joins the two pens moves visibly behind the guillotine, connected with the action of writing. Unlike print duplication, the hand plugs directly into and participates as a part of the copying machine. In Techniques of the Observer, Crary observes that “[b]eginning in the nineteenth century, the relation between eye and optical apparatus becomes one of metonymy: both were now operating on the same plane of operation” (Crary 129). As a mechanical extension of handwriting (occupying the interval between the copying press and the typewriter), the polygraph engendered a similarly metonymic relationship between the hand, the inscription, and the copy.
Peale's invitation to "the citizens of New York" printed in the American Citizen, New York, Jul. 6, 1804.
In July 1804, Peale traveled to New York City to demonstrate the polygraph at the Tontine Coffee House for two weeks. He was sure to place announcements in several New York papers, that, as David Henkin writes in his book City Reading: Written Words and Public Spaces in Antebellum New York, “functioned as sites of public opinion and critical discussion of public affairs” at the turn of the nineteenth century. These papers “evoked broad networks of international shipping and commerce and reproduced a mode of discourse associated with the salon,” and the Tontine was “the symbolic center of this world” (Henkin 123). Thus the public space in which Peale chose to demonstrate the polygraph was more accurately a public sphere: an imagined community that corresponded to a certain vision of the polygraph’s market (Henkin 123).
The duel between Hamilton and Burr, Jul. 11, 1804, Weehawken, New Jersey.
Interestingly, Peale’s final announcement for his demonstration at the Tontine Coffee House on July 14th was printed next to death notice for the statesman Alexander Hamilton on the front pages of the New-York Gazette and the Republican Watch-Tower. Hamilton had been shot two days prior, in a duel with Aaron Burr - the former vice president who bought a polygraph in early 1804. Burr had recently campaigned for governor of New York. During Burr’s unsuccessful run, Hamilton – a political rival – had joined the chorus of insults published in Federalist papers. What ultimately sparked Burr's challenge to Hamilton was a letter written by Charles D. Cooper published in the Albany Evening-Post, which described Hamilton calling Burr "despicable" at a dinner party (Fleming 231).
Several days after Hamilton’s death, the Republican Watch-Tower publicized the controversy between the two statesmen by printing their private correspondence. This posthumous exposé was not surprising: the publication of Cooper's letter had sparked the duel, and the prospect of publicity strained the communication leading up to it. As historian Thomas Fleming writes, Hamilton "had no doubt that if he wrote a humble apology to Burr, it would appear in the Morning Chronicle the next day" (Fleming 288).
The following was printed in the Republican Watch-Tower on July 16, 1804: TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC: The authenticity of the documents and the accuracy of the information which we have at last obtained, are beyond any question; and must put an end to all mistake or misrepresentation…The following is the correspondence that passed between General Hamilton and Colonel Burr, together with the conduct, motives and views of General Hamilton, written in his own hand.
The Watch-Tower even reproduced Hamilton’s will: “In testimony whereof, I have hereto subscribed my hand.”
American Citizen, New York, July 6 and July 14, 1804.
Bedini, Silvio A. Thomas Jefferson and His Copying Machines. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1984.
Crary, Jonathan. Techniques of the Observer: On Vision and Modernity in the Nineteenth Century. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1990.
Federal Gazette, Baltimore, June 15, 1804.
Fleming, Thomas. Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and the Future of America. New York: Basic Books, 1999.
Fliegelman, Jay. Declaring Independence: Jefferson, Natural Language, and the Culture of Performance. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1993.
Henkin, David M. City Reading: Written Words and Public Spaces in Antebellum New York. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998.
Kittler, Friedrich. Gramophone, Film, Typewriter. Trans. Winthrop-Young, Geoffrey and Michael Wutz. Stanford: Stanford UP, 1992.
Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, October 3, 1803 and July 10, 1805.
Republican Watch-Tower, New York, July 16, 1804.
Salem Gazette, Massachusetts, September 5, 1803.
Vismann, Cornelia. Files: Law and Media Technology. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2008.
Woodcroft, Bennet. Titles of Patents of Invention: Chronologically Arranged From March 2, 1617 (14 James I.) to October 1, 1852 (16 Victoria). London: 1854.
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Difference between revisions of "Enigma machine"
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== Enigma Machine: How it was Used ==
[[Image:Key.jpg|thumb|left|A simple encoding of a message under the standard Kriegsmarine cipher (Mulligan 77). ]]
The Enigma machine was used by the German Navy to disguise their communications as gibberish to avoid allied spies from retrieving sensitive information. The device required an intensely detailed set of actions to be operated properly. This placed heavy importance on the Enigma machine’s instruction manual (which went through several different editions). Without it, the machine was practically useless. The machine was to be kept locked up and separated from the cipher wheels when not in use. The key to the enigma and wheel boxes were to be held by an officer. The uses of the Enigma Machine can be divided into two main categories: Enciphering and Deciphering.
Enciphering involves the actions related to scramble the message. The 1940 Instruction manual, Titled: “The Enigma General Procedure”, explained in detail the intricacies involved in properly enciphering a message. The Germans employed a number of strategies to make it harder to figure out what the messages said. These strategies included: using abbreviations and short hand for standard information such as position, course and speed; repeating important words such as “proper names, unusual geographical terms, words from foreign languages, etc;” (“The Enigma General Procedure” 4) using ‘clarifying tag’ words to distinguish between words that possess multiple meanings (“The Enigma General Procedure” 4); repeating letters to distinguish between service stations with similar names; inserting useless ‘dummy’ letters and irrelevant words throughout the message in order to confuse the enemy; dividing long messages into at least two parts and having the word FORT (short for Fortsetzung= continuation) at the end of each part besides the final installment (“The Enigma General Procedure” 8), as well as other techniques. Messages sent by high officials could only be read and deciphered by officers of equal or higher rank. The Enigma machine would handle the rest of the ciphering process. The cipher wheels would systematically scramble each letter of the message through a three-step process.
===Deciphering===
1 History of the Enigma
2 Enigma Basics
3 Military Necessity
3.1 Pre-WWI Cryptology
3.2 Post-WWI Cryptology
4 Enigma Machine: How it Works
5 Enigma Machine: How it was Used
5.1 Enciphering
5.2 Deciphering
History of the Enigma
The Enigma machine was invented by German electrical engineer and inventor Arthur Scherbius in 1918 in the wake of World War I and the newfound need for cipher machines that made encryption faster and more efficient (Newton 99). Originally intended to be sold commercially, Scherbius’s machine found no market for buyers. He then died in a fatal accident in the late 1920s (Winkel, Deavours, Kan, and Kruh 2-3). It was not until 1926, after several remodels by Scherbius and other German inventors, and the recent awareness that “British intelligence had been reading its code and cipher messages for many years” that the German navy aggressively pursued the machine for its enciphering and deciphering use (Newton 250). By 1928 the German army had adopted the Enigma machine and then in 1935 the German Air Force did so as well (Stripp 83).
The Enigma machine was the German’s secret force during World War II; however, it was the research performed at Bletchley Park that put an end to the technologies use. Bletchley Park, “a country estate used by the British Government Code & Cypher School during World War II,” was home to many brilliant minds during the 1930s and late 1940s. Project ULTRA was developed with the mission of decoding the impossible. This project was successful largely because of Alan Turing with the result being that by 1943 the codebreakers at the British Government Code & Cypher School could intercept and decipher German messages at about speed of the intended recipients (Newton 34). However, one cannot thank Turing without first acknowledging Hans-Thilo Schmidt first. For a long time Schmidt, a German native, had been a spy for the French although his most fruitful betrayal was the information he passed on to the French about the Enigma machine (Newton 251). After the Polish cryptanalysts got hold of the information, which later ended up at the British Government Code & Cypher School, the mystery of the enigma came to an end by as early as 1940.
It was not until 1974 that any of the government knowledge surrounding the enigma machine was released to the general public (Newton 34).
Enigma Basics
The Enigma machine, patented in 1919, displays a keyboard of the twenty-six letters in the pattern of the normal German typewriter, although without numeral or punctuation keys (Stripp 83). It contains three basic parts: “a typewriterlike keyboard on which the plaintext is typed, an internal electromechanical system that converts plaintext to ciphertext, and a display system in which the ciphertext is displayed (Newton 99). The original 1918 Enigma machine contained three rotors, which is the area in charge of transcribing one letter to another and weighed more than one hundred pounds at fifteen inches high. Later editions adopted a more streamline appearance for simpler use and transportation, only weighing fifteen pounds at four inches in height (Newton 100).
Codebreaking and encryption had not been an essential wartime tactic prior to 1914. However, World War I introduced a necessity for cryptology within the military, especially in regards to commands from high generals and other commanders (Kahn 621).
Pre-WWI Cryptology
During the days of the telegraph and radio, an enemy was capable of intercepting messages sent through the wires or airwaves. When messages were encrypted, breaking the code tended to involve a few brilliant men sitting around a table playing with the cryptogram until a message was configured. The most famous of which occurred during the very beginning of World War I with the Zimmerman Telegraph. The message, from Arthur Zimmermann, the German foreign minister, “proposed that Mexico declare war upon the United States, and that, upon victory, she regain the territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona that she had lost in the Mexican-American War of 1846”. Delivered and published to America, the United States government was able to handle the situation before the Axis Power gained another Ally (Kahn 620). However, this system for cryptanalysis was not the best way to decrypt messages. There was no system for breaking codes, no rulebook or textbook to study in order to simply crack a code. As a result, not all codes could be broken in a timely fashion to be effective.
Post-WWI Cryptology
Most codebreaking occurred in such a fashion throughout the Great War. Battles were won and lost at times based solely on intelligence intercepted and decoded in time to be put to use. World War I demonstrated the importance that cryptology would soon serve in times of battle from then on, including present-day warfare. Even during the time of peace that followed the first World War, “many nations…set up permanent agencies for” cryptanalysis. Many nations had some form of an agency, however, not nearly as large as countries, such as Russia, France, and Italy. Germany, Britain, and America, on the other hand, were the only three major countries to not have such an agency before World War I that developed one soon afterwards. World War I also called for fixing the problem of “error-prone” and “time-consuming” cryptology systems done by hand. When the war was over, many cipher machines were invented and came out onto the market. Most were simple, involving pressing letters on a “typewriter-like keyboard, and the machine would automatically encipher the message.” (Winkel, Deavours, Kahn, Kruh 2). Mechanizing the encryption process made encoding messages, as well as decoding them, faster, more accurately, and more efficiently. Going into World War II, a more complicated cipher machine would be found in Arthur Scherbuius’s Enigma machine.
Enigma Machine: How it Works
What made the Enigma machine so ingenious was, perhaps, its ability to deeply encode messages, almost instantaneously. Encoding a message was no more complicated than simply typing a message on a typewriter (Ratcliff 24). The machine enciphered messages electromagnetically (Ratcliff), and was usually powered by a 4.5 volt battery (Stripp 85). The parts of the machine that were used in the encoding process were the rotors, and a plug board on the front of the machine, called the steckerboard. The steckerboard was a simple plug board which could either be used or unused, or unsteckered. The steckerboard had 26 plugs for each letter, which could be connected by cables to couple certain letters (Stripp 85). Anywhere from 0-13 cables could be used for any given setting, however, usually only 10 cables were used, allowing for the maximum number of permutations for the key (Miller). Additionally, there were three out of five different rotors chosen each day, in a specific order. Each of these five different rotors had a different internal wiring that would move the current in a different manner. Each rotor also had 26 different positions from which the encoded message could begin (Stripp 85).
As each of the different letters of a message was pressed, a current would flow first through the steckerboard. Thus for example if ‘a’ was pressed the current would go to ‘a’ on the steckerboard, where, if the letter was not plugged to another, it would remain the same, or if the letter was plugged to another, the current would flow through, to the new letter (Stripp 85). Next, the current would move through the first rotor, where through the rotor’s internal wiring, it would exit at a different point, or letter, from which it entered. The current would do the same six more times, through the additional two rotors, through the reflector rotor (which was differently wired to ensure the letter would always be encoded and decoded the same way), and back through the three rotors again, lighting up a corresponding, coded, letter on the lamp board. Additionally, after any letter was pressed, the first rotor would turn one step to change the path of the current, so that if ‘a’ were pressed multiple times, it would not yield the same encoded letter. After the first rotor made the full trip around, the second rotor would make one turn, and so on (Ratcliff 15).
Due to this vastly advanced encoding system, the numerical possibilities for the different codes was “astronomical.” Although it was not completely random, the near-randomness of the machine ensured that the usual manners for deciphering codes would be useless against the Enigma (Ratcliff 14-16). It is said that the number of possible combinations was 3 x 10^114 (Ratcliff 18). This vast number of various combinations had three different components. First, the steckerboard, which had 0-13 possible connections at a time, to connect different sockets, and connect different letters, each time the machine was set up. Second, was the three rotors, which were chosen and in what order. Finally, was the initial rotational position in which each rotor was set. In each of these combinations, with the rotors turning each time the key was pressed, a key must be pressed 16,900 times before the rotors returned to their original position (Stripp 86). For more on the numerical possibilities in code deviation, see Dr. A. Ray Miller’s “Cryptographic Mathematics of Enigma.”
Each day, the machine would be set up in a different way, which would change the code. The operator would receive orders containing three different essential pieces of information: Which wheels were used and in which order, the ring setting of each of the three wheels, and the steckering. He would then turn the three wheels randomly to a start point. Next, the operator would type out a randomly selected key of three letters, inputted twice, which would give an ‘indicator’ (the letters, as they appeared on the lamp board). He would then set his wheels to the letters typed to yield the lamp board. Each message transmitted would contain the indicator in the beginning to instruct the operator receiving the message in how to set his machine to decipher the message (Stripp 86-87). The receiving operator had his machine set up the same way, as per the daily orders, but he only knew where to start each rotor as per the indicator (Ratcliff 18).
Although the Enigma machine did provide an astronomical number of combinations of codes, there were some limitations. The steckerboard could only connect letters in pairs that denoted the other, thus ‘a’ would be substituted by ‘c’ and vice versa – ‘c’ could not be substituted by anything else in the steckerboard. Additionally, as used by the Nazis, the steckerboard always utilized 10 different connections, not more, and not less. And lastly, the steckers could not link sequential letters, thus ‘a’ could not be linked to ‘b’ and so on. These limitations diminished the number of combinations from 3 x 10^114 to 1 x 10^23.
Enigma Machine: How it was Used
A simple encoding of a message under the standard Kriegsmarine cipher (Mulligan 77).
General Guderian on the Enigma in his general's tank (Kittler 254).
Enciphering
Deciphering
Deciphering involves the actions related to unscramble the message. The process was essentially the inverse of enciphering. A team of usually two people were involved: a cipherer and a copyist. Both the cipherer and the copyist had to read the message. The cipherer keys, the message into the enigma machine, and the copyist writes down the deciphered message on a piece of paper. It was forbidden to dictate the message aloud (“The Enigma General Procedure” 20). Those who are reading the message would have to take into account all of the tricks that were involved in the process of enciphering the message (see Enciphering). The deciphering team will have to consult a cipher table in order to identify “the cipher of the day” which can be identified by the indicator group (which is represented by a three-letter group within the message). Each day, a different set of indicator groups become available so as to make it difficult to decipher. Once the message has been deciphered, it can then be delivered to its proper destination.
The Enigma machine, was, at once the greatest strength as well as the greatest weakness for the Nazis. For a long time during the war, they were able to completely conceal their communications from the Allies. Once the Allies cracked the code, however, the machine became a liability, as due to their hubris, the Nazis were unwilling to face the fact that their code was fallible. This can perhaps be seen by this exchange between two German POW’s, recorded by British interrogators:
Radio operator: We have often cracked the British code, during the Norwegian campaign for example, but they will never crack the code we had in the Navy. It’s absolutely impossible to crack.
Abwehr commando: Everyone says that of their own code.
Radio operator: What! They can’t crack it.
Abwehr commando: There’s only one method that can’t be deciphered and even that can be deciphered by expert mathematicians; I think they can break a code in the course of two years….
Radio operator: No, they can’t crack it.
Abwehr commando: Oh, that’s just one of those sill ideas people have.
Radio operator: No.
(Mulligan 75)
After the code was broken, the Nazis were unwilling to see the evidence of it as a breaking of the code rather, they assumed that the British simply had exceptional spies who were leaking information. Thus they concentrated their efforts on finding these spies, instead of adapting their code further (Hofstadter 2).
Because of the Enigma’s vast number of possible code combinations, the breaking of the code required collaboration between the allies. Most of the efforts were by British and Polish mathematicians at Bletchley Park in England, under the codename Project ULTRA. These mathematicians used both high-speed machine technology as well as hand testing, to crack the code. By the early 1940’s, these mathematicians could already crack the code, however, at first it would take weeks to crack a single message, far too late to be of any help strategically. By 1943, they would be able to decode a message in minutes, and would finally be able to use the information therein. This is essentially the moment that the Enigma machine’s effectiveness was terminated. And in the end, the Nazis insistence on maintaining their use of Enigma may have been what cost them the war.
As Ratcliff posits, “Enigma…demonstrates how a new technology can quickly move from startlingly revolutionary to so familiar that its operators fall into complacency” (12).
Burchard, Hank. "Reading Hitler's Mail." The Washington Post 27 Mar. 1981: W5.
"Codemaking and Breaking: The Enigma Machine." Planet Science / Out There. Planet
Science. 23 Sept. 2008 <http://www.scienceyear.com/outthere/index.html?page=/outthere/spy/index.html>.
"Enigma Exhibit." The Enigma Exhibit. National Security Agency. 23 Sept. 2008 <http://www.nsa.gov/museum/museu00007.cfm>.
Hofstadter, Douglas R. "Mind, Body and Machine." The New York Times 13 Nov. 1983.
Kahn, David. "Codebreaking in World Wars I and II: The Major Successes and Failures, Their Causes and Their Effects." The Historical Journal 23 (1980): 617-39.
Kittler, Friedrich A. Gramophone, Film, Typewriter. Stanford, CA: Stanford UP, 1999.
Miller, A. Ray. The Cryptographic Mathematics of Enigma. Center for Cryptologic
History, NSA, 2001.
Mulligan, Timothy. "The German Navy Evaluates Its Cryptographic Security, October 1941." Military Affairs 49 (1985): 75-79.
Newton, David E. "Bletchley Park." Encyclopedia of Cryptology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio Inc, 1997. 34-35.
Newton, David E. "Enigma." Encyclopedia of Cryptology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio Inc, 1997. 99-100.
Newton, David E. "Scherbius, Arthur." Encyclopedia of Cryptology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio Inc, 1997. 250-251.
Newton, David E. "Schmidt, Hans-Thilo." Encyclopedia of Cryptology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio Inc, 1997. 251.
Pincock, Stephen. Codebreaker : The History of Codes and Ciphers, from the Ancient Pharaohs to Quantum Cryptography. Boston: Walker & Company, 2006. 98-99.
Ratcliff, R. A. Delusions of Intelligence: Enigma, Ultra, and the End of Secure Ciphers.
New York, NY: Cambridge UP, 2006. 11-32.
Rohwer, Jurgen. "Signal Intelligence and World War II: The Unfolding Story." The Journal of Military History 63 (1999): 939-51.
Sale, Tony. "The translated 1940 Enigma General Procedure." The Enigma General
Procedure. 1940. Bletchley Park. 26 Sept. 2008 <http://www.codesandciphers.org.uk/documents/egenproc/eniggnix.htm>.
Scherbius, Arthur. Ciphering Machine. Mesne Assignments, assignee. Patent 1657411. 1923.
Stripp, Alan. "The Enigma Machine: Its mechanism and use." Codebreakers: The Inside Story of Bletchley Park. Ed. F. H. Hinsley and Alan Stripp. Oxford, England: Oxford UP, 1993. 83-88.
Winkel, Brian J., Cipher Deavors, and David Kahn, eds. The German Enigma Cipher Machine. New York: Artech House, Incorporated, 2005.
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Eurovision news :Tel Aviv-Yafo is Ready to Host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest
Written by Silvia G Golan
*The largest Eurovision Village ever *Free public transportation on Shabbat *Special permits for bars and restaurants to enhance nightlife *Extensive city decorations *A new Tel Aviv tourism website *Activities at community centers and schools *Green Eurovision
In one month, Tel Aviv will host the 64th Eurovision Song Contest, the second most-watched live TV program in the world and the cultural event with the highest ratings and largest international coverage to ever take place in Israel.
Over the last few years, the Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo has invested vast resources in developing its facilities and infrastructure in order to become a prime destination for major international conferences and events. These efforts included the recent establishment of the Tel Aviv International Convention Bureau as well as the building of the new pavilion at EXPO Tel Aviv which will host the Eurovision Final and Semifinals.
More specifically in the past months, since Tel Aviv won the bid to host the Eurovision, the Municipality has been working hard in order to create a perfect experience for tourists; from improving the transportation infrastructure to the organization of workshops for hundreds of service providers such as taxi drivers, lifeguards and much more.
Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo: "Eurovision is an opportunity for incredible global exposure. In one month, Tel Aviv will welcome thousands of tourists; will host one-thousand and five hundred journalists; and will be seen by tens of millions of viewers. Netta, in her recent song, talked about two moods: BASSA and SABABA: a bad mood and a good mood. Unlike the song, Tel Aviv has only one mood. We promise, that whomever comes to Tel Aviv in May, will experience one thing: SABABA, SABABA, and more SABABA."
THE LARGEST EUROVISION VILLAGE EVER
The highlight of the Eurovision events in Tel Aviv will be the largest Eurovision Village in the world, overlooking the Mediterranean coastline at Charles Clore Park. The Eurovision Village will be open to the public from May 12-18 from the afternoon until the evening and will showcase performances by Israeli artists such as Static and Ben El, Stephane Legar, and former Eurovision superstars such as Dana International and Izhar Cohen. In addition, the Semi-finals and the Final will be projected on giant screens and visitors will be able to enjoy the sea breeze while sitting at a giant bar overlooking the sea, surrounded by remarkable light compositions, created by the official lighting partner OSRAM.
The annual Tel Aviv Eat Festival will also be happening alongside the Eurovision Village (12-18 May) in a separate and adjacent compound. Visitors will be able to taste some of the most delicious dishes by Tel Aviv’s celebrated chefs. Participating restaurants include Manta Ray, Onza, Messa, The Blue Rooster, and many others.
TEL AVIV WHITE NIGHT
The Tel Aviv White Night will take place on May 16, on the night of the 2nd Semi Final. During the White Night, as the sun goes down, Telavivians and tourists are invited to wander through the many events and exhibitions taking place around the city - from the official Eurovision Village through cultural centers, museums, bars, open spaces, beaches and much more, until the sun rises and shines over the White City. Tel Aviv White Night is one of the biggest events of the year, and the Eurovision week is the ideal time for these celebrations. The events and performances are open to the public, most of them free of charge.
EXPO TEL AVIV
Israel's largest and most technologically-advanced convention center has undergone an 8 million NIS investment over the past few months in order to adhere to the highest standards that the Eurovision demands. Projects included creating a new piazza; hundreds of new signs in English, Hebrew and Arabic; installing hundreds of energy-efficient lighting devices, and more. Currently, over 1500 workers from Israel and from abroad are working around the clock to prepare EXPO to its largest show yet.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO…EXPO TEL AVIV
The Eurovision Song Contest is a huge opportunity for the city to improve its infrastructure for international tourists visiting the city.
During the weekend, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality will offer free shuttles to Expo Tel Aviv. Two shuttles will pick up ticket holders at the Carmelit Terminal and take them to the Expo along two main routes. At the end of the show, buses will be waiting for ticket holders and will bring them back to their hotels. The information regarding the shuttles will be available in English at all stations and on board all buses.
The railway system will be reinforced and will let visitors get off at the Tel Aviv University station near the Expo. In addition, tourist information centers will be placed 24/7 at Ben Gurion International Airport and at Savidor Central Train Station. "Share-Route" taxis (lines 4 and 5) will allow fast and cheap rides and information regarding regular taxis will be more accessible for international tourists.
CITY BRANDING AND TOURIST EXPERIENCE
In recent months, the Municipality has been working hard in order to create a perfect experience for tourists:
A new public transportation map will be distributed
Information signs in English will be placed on the 500 main bus stops in the city.
A tourist information desk will operate in the arrival hall at Ben Gurion International Airport 24/7.
Hundreds of volunteers were recruited to assist tourists during the Eurovision week.
A free pocket guide for tourists and a brand new website will include all the info tourists may need.
Thousands of flowers were planted in the colors of the Eurovision logo around the city.
15 pop-up information booths will be spread across strategic spots in the city.
The lifeguard tower located near the Eurovision Village will be customized especially for the Eurovision.
A GREEN CELEBRATION
The Eurovision Song Contest is a fantastic opportunity to set new green standards and make events in Tel Aviv more ecological. The Municipality has formulated guidelines for the main Eurovision areas concerning waste reduction, efficient energy use, and eco-friendly activities.
During the "Tel Aviv Eat" Festival, the Municipality will encourage chefs to produce "green" dishes, especially vegetarian and vegan, based on local and fresh ingredients and leftovers will be donated to “Leket Israel” – a local charity that specializes in food rescue.
A SEA OF POSSIBILITIES
Throughout the Eurovision week, the beaches will be animated with music events, sporting activities and live screenings of the Eurovision shows. Old Jaffa will host an interactive orchestra installation and in Jaffa Port, a huge radio will play Eurovision classics from previous years. Tel Aviv Port will host a huge Shabbat service, a Dana International exhibition, a vinyl record library and a closing musical show with Anne-Marie David, Loreen and Carola - three Eurovision legends. Amiad Center at Jaffa Flea Market will open DiverCity – an exhibition inspired by Eurovision songs.
WELCOME TO THE NONSTOP CITY
The Municipality has decided to implement a number of temporary policies for business owners and visitors so that they can extend their hours of work and continue to entertain guests even during the late hours of the night.
Bars and restaurants will be allowed to set up large screens to open areas and broadcast the shows. In addition, they will be able to play music until midnight. Together with business owners in the city, The Municipality is promoting the "Tel Aviv for 10 Shekels" campaign – during which visitors will be able to purchase drinks and food for only ten shekels throughout businesses around the city.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS
The Municipality will host the "Kehilavision" ("Eurovision in the Community"): The city’s community centers will each represent a different participating country and will organize a variety of events that will present the country and its culture.
LET US SHOW YOU TEL AVIV
The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality has recruited hundreds of volunteers who will be placed all over the city. The team of volunteers will provide guidance, information and a friendly welcome to tourists and will represent the best that Tel Aviv has to offer
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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