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CAL STAC
California State Threat Assessment Center
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The California State Threat Assessment Center (STAC) is the centerpiece of the State's information sharing environment (ISE), and provides for the State's subsequent ability to maintain situational awareness over its broad threat domains in an effort to prevent and mitigate the threats against the lives and property of its citizens. The STAC provides strategic intelligence analysis to statewide leadership, policy makers and private sector partners. The analysis is focused on the terrorist and extremist threats to the public, critical infrastructure, and key resources; and criminal threats to the public welfare from drug trafficking organizations, human smugglers and traffickers, and street gangs.
Privacy and Civil Liberty Protection
Vitally important to the success of the STAC and its mission is its ability to protect and preserve the integrity of the privacy rights and civil liberties of the people of the State of California. To that end, all STAC activities are informed by, and guided through, strict adherence to all applicable state and federal laws, information sharing guidelines, policies and regulations.
California's fusion center system was built as a direct result of the events of 9/11, and the national information sharing deficiencies preceding it. In 2004, the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), formerly the Governor's Office of Homeland Security (OHS) developed a plan, as a part of its homeland security strategy, to establish four regional, locally owned and operated fusion centers - ultimately resulting in the current State Threat Assessment System (STAS) - of which the STAC serves as the State level partner.
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Arts & Humanities /
English Literature /
Novels & Short Stories /
Franny And Zooey
Author: Salinger, J. D.
Publisher: WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
Quick overview Salinger in 1919, Penguin reissues all four of his books in beautiful commemorative hardback editions - with artwork and text based on the very first Salinger editions published in the 1950s and 1960s. SalingerA novel in two halves, Franny and Zooey brilliantly captures the emotional strains and traumas of entering adulthood.
In honour of the centennial of the birth of J. D. Salinger in 1919, Penguin reissues all four of his books in beautiful commemorative hardback editions - with artwork and text based on the very first Salinger editions published in the 1950s and 1960s.
`Franny came out in the New Yorker in 1955, and was swiftly followed, in 1957, by Zooey. Both stories are early, critical entries in a narrative series I'm doing about a family of settlers in twentieth-century New York, the Glasses. I love working on these Glass stories, I've been waiting for them most of my life.' - J. D. Salinger
A novel in two halves, Franny and Zooey brilliantly captures the emotional strains and traumas of entering adulthood. It is a gleaming example of the wit, precision and poignancy that have made J.D. Salinger one of the most beloved American novelists of the twentieth century.
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ActionAdventureScience FictionFantasy
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Synopsis: Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.
Kylo Ren / Ben Solo
General Leia Organa
Writers: J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan
Release Date: Dec 14th, 2015
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-Ray - An accidental review
Unless you’re one of those people that doesn’t like Star Wars and prefers mature things like buying garden pots and dying of old age, you’re probably pretty excited about the... Read More
Star Wars The Force Awakens Hits $2 Billion Worldwide
The Force Awakens crossed another important milestone at the global box office this weekend and has now amassed more than $2 billion worldwide. Star Wars has become the third movie in... Read More
The Star Wars Canon
I've given you all a month to enjoy The Force Awakens and while this isn't a review it will contain spoilers. Today I'll be talking about the Canon works in... Read More
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Featurette: Dressing The Galaxy
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Teaming Up' Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens S2E02 'Back To Work' Clip
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Featurette: Blood Effects
Star Wars: The Force Awakens S6E02 'Hubbedy Bubby' Promo
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Dreams' Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Season 3 'Boom, Boom, BOOM!' Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Season 3 Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Season 6 Sneak Peak
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-Ray Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Score' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens VFX Reel
Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot: The Magic Is Back
Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot: Calling
Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot: The World Has Awakened
Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot: Reviews
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Shooting In Abu Dhabi' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'We Love BB-8' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Stunts' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Story' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'The Women of Star Wars' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Get Ready' TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'The Wait Is Over' TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Rhythm' TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Kylo Ren' Promo Clip
Star Wars: The Force Awakens IMAX Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Chinese Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Industry Trust' UK Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot: I Can Handle Myself
Star Wars: The Force Awakens International TV Spot #15
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Evolution of the Lightsaber' Featurette | ES
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Legacy' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Extended TV Spot 2
Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot 6
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Generation' TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Extended TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Awakens International Trailer 2
Star Wars: The Force Awakens S2E20 'Chapter Forty-Two' Clip
Star Wars: The Force Awakens S7E21 'Requim for a Dream' Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens S7E20 'Kill 'Em All' Clip
Star Wars: The Force Awakens S2E05 'Untimely Resurrection' Trailer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Teaser
Star Wars: The Force Awakens International TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Comic-Con 2015 Sizzle Reel
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Behind the Scenes' Featurette
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer 2
Star Wars: The Force Awakens S2E03 'Last Call' Promo
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'Force for Change' Greeting
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy
The Square Peg
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Defence canteen, India's No. 1 retailer, to take the online route
The objective is to make sure cardholders get the latest range of white goods to choose from, which is not the case today
Namrata Singh
August 16, 2017, 09:13 IST
Updated: August 16, 2017, 09:19 IST
The Canteen Stores Department (CSD) — which supplies goods at concessional rates to defence personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force — is undergoing a makeover. CSD, which is facing unusual criticism with regard to alleged restrictions being imposed on products, is not only looking at expanding its depots but is also putting in place systems to ensure its 1.2 crore customers get to purchase the latest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) off CSD’s Unit Retail Canteen (URC) shelves, as do their civilian counterparts from the various modern retailers and kirana stores.
The country’s largest retail network, which closed the fiscal year 2016-17 with a turnover of Rs 17,000 crore, is also working with partner companies on a model that would reduce the time lag and inconvenience involved in the purchase of white goods. The objective is to make sure cardholders get the latest range of white goods to choose from, which is not the case today.
Spearheading these changes is Air Vice-Marshal M Baladitya, chairman, board of administration and general manager of CSD, who is hopeful of executing these plans by Diwali this year. “We want our customers to get the option of buying a product from our URCs the same day when the product is launched in the market. At present, products are made available with a lag effect, which can even extend to a year. We are working on shortening the time taken to launch new products. So instead of two board meetings in a year, we will now meet six times for faster clearance of new product introductions. We are already in talks with leading FMCG companies like Hindustan Unilever and Procter & Gamble to ensure our customers get to sample their products as soon as they are launched,” Baladitya told TOI in an exclusive interview.
On white goods, CSD is talking to leading consumer durable makers to smoothen the process. Today, it’s a long-drawn process which results in a lag effect.
CSD plans to ensure documents are transmitted online and, once the depot issues an authority letter, the consumer can pick up the white goods from the nearest dealer anywhere in the country. Most white goods companies have dealer outlets across major cities and towns, which covers 80% of CSD’s customer base.
“We want to make the entire range of white goods brands available online on the CSD website. Customers can choose what they want to buy and make an online payment directly to the white goods company via internet banking. We are talking to all leading consumer durable companies to facilitate the same. Most of them have agreed to come on board,” said Baladitya.
Between Leh and Port Blair, CSD currently has 34 depots and 4,500 outlets, reaching out to jawans even in the most difficult terrains. CSD is now looking at adding depots in places like Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Danapar (Bihar) and Himachal Pradesh, where none exist.
CSD was first started in 1921 for British troops. From a turnover of Rs 48 lakh in 1948, when India gained independence, to Rs 17,000 crore today, CSD has certainly come a long way. So when CSD was blamed for the volume decline at some of the FMCG companies for the pre-GST June quarter this year, it came as a setback. “CSD deals with 5,500 stock keeping units (SKUs). At any given time, we hold one month’s inventory which we had to sell before we could buy fresh stocks under new GST prices. If we didn’t wait, it would have resulted in dual-priced products. We started working on GST four months ahead of the rollout. In 10 days since the launch of GST, our operations attained normalcy. We are telling companies not to look at small blips, look at annual trends. By the end of the year, CSD sales would only rise to contribute to these companies’ volumes,” said Baladitya.
Major contributors to CSD’s sales are toiletries (around Rs 4,500 crore), white goods and cars (around Rs 4,000 crore), packaged foods and supplements (Rs 3,500 crore), liquor (Rs 3,000 crore) and other household goods & luggage (around Rs 3,000 crore).
Baladitya denied any plan whatsoever to impose restrictions on products. He said CSD is merely working on belt-tightening measures against misuse of entitlements. “Necessary changes have been brought about to ensure nobody’s entitlement is affected,” he added. In keeping with the times, the government retailer, which operates under the defence ministry, is also eyeing an app-based e-commerce model in the future. Talks are currently on with external experts on drafting a plan.
Defence canteen
canteen stores department
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Enjoy life Stay curious
Be present in the moment. Practice acceptance, gratefulness and kindness. There you have it – the skin-and-bones formula for happiness.
by Rick Adelman
Be present in the moment. Practice acceptance, gratefulness and kindness. There you have it – the skin-and-bones formula for happiness – according to the philosophical deep thinkers and psychological experts who study such matters. Sounds so simple, yet is so elusive.
Happiness is so important to human beings that in 2011, the prime minister of Bhutan, a tiny kingdom in the Himalayas, proposed a global day of happiness to the United Nations. Since 2012, March 20 has been designated as World Happiness Day. According to the World Happiness Report for 2017, Norway is the world’s happiest country, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and Finland. The United States ranked 14th with the UK 19th.
The true essence of happiness boils down to the ability to appreciate what you have
Yes, the report cited seven primary factors that bolster happiness: caring, freedom, generosity, good governance, honesty, health and income. But the true essence of happiness boils down to the ability to appreciate what you have, to find joy in life and your outlook toward others. How else can you explain the optimism of those who seemingly lack life’s basic necessities? Or the crusty, negative attitude of those who have all the material Advantages?
“Every moment is a given moment,” says David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, in his video on getAbstract, Want to Be Happy? Be Grateful. “You haven’t earned it. You haven’t brought it about in any way. You have no way of assuring that there will be another moment given to you. And yet that’s the most valuable thing that can ever be given to us – this moment, with all the opportunity that it contains.”
In his 2014 book, Serve to be Great, author Matt Tenney tells an amazing story about his ability to practice mindfulness while serving a 5-1/2-year prison sentence. Tenney learned to focus only on the present and not be distracted by random thoughts. He attained peace of mind in the moment – as long as he didn’t compare being in jail with his past life or focus on thoughts about the future.
Though it’s virtually impossible to be happy all of the time, contentment is always within reach. Getting worked up over a traffic jam or a long line in the supermarket is useless; acceptance of the situation mitigates anger and teaches patience.
Happiness leads to success – not the other way around
In her 2016 book, The Happiness Track, author Emma Seppala maintains that stressed-out employees conditioned to believe that multi-tasking is essential for success will experience physical and psychological distress.
Achieving your goals does not guarantee happiness. In fact, she writes, happiness leads to success – not the other way around.
Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Failure is a learning opportunity, not a label.
Behavioral science professor Paul Dolan, author of Happiness by Design, writes, “It’s actually quite easy to be miserable when our beliefs and behavior conflict, when we set lofty expectations about ourselves, or when we can’t even accept ourselves in the first place. You are happiest when you have a balance between pleasure and purpose.”
Purpose is key
Indeed, “purpose” is a key element of being a happy employee, according to a survey of more than 2,500 employees in Denmark conducted by the Happiness Research Institute, the trade union Krifa and TNS Gallup.
The report, Job Satisfaction Index 2016, available on getAbstract, examines a country in which an astounding 94% of employees consider themselves satisfied with their jobs. And their happiness has little to do with salaries and perks.
“It is not happiness that makes you grateful,” says Steindl-Rast. “It’s gratefulness that makes you happy.”
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The protection of Stonehenge – 1927. Historical news
Discovered this old image of Stonehenge in my archive and had to share it with you. I also managed to find this very old article about saving Stonehenge.
An appeal
This is the text of the historic appeal launched by the Stonehenge Protection Committee and the National Trust in the 1920s to save Stonehenge. Please note that this is not an ongoing appeal. The Stonehenge Alliance will be very pleased to hear from you if you’d like to make a donation towards their current campaign to protect the monument. Click here for more details.
Note: We have added the bold emphasis to draw attention to inconsistencies between the National Trust’s highly commendable attitude 80 years ago and the British government’s determination to bulldoze a road through the World Heritage Site today. We have added the strike through emphasis to stop people accidentally donating money by mistake.
OVER £14,000 has been raised in three months for the Protection of Stonehenge. More is urgently needed.
In the first week of August 1927 the following letter appeared in the leading London and provincial newspapers. The signature of Mr. Lloyd George, who was travelling, arrived after the letter had been published:
A Stonehenge Protection Committee has been formed, the object of which is indicated by its title. We desire earnestly to support its appeal to the public for funds.
It is now nine years since Sir Cecil Chubb made the nation the magnificent present of the Stonehenge circle itself; and the great stones are safely in the charge of the Commissioners of Works. The land of the Plain around them, however, is still private property. So long as it remains in private hands, there is an obvious danger that the setting of Stonehenge may be ruined and the stones dwarfed by the erection of unsightly buildings on the Plain.
Any visitor to Stonehenge may at this moment form a notion as to what, if steps are not at once taken, may happen to the Stonehenge section of the Plain. During the war the military authorities found it necessary to erect an aerodrome and rows of huts very near the circle. These have reverted to the owner of the land, but they are still standing. In recent months an enterprising restaurateur has built a bungalow, the Stonehenge Cafe, within hail of the stones, though happily just out of sight of them. The conditions of modern transport make it extremely likely that this structure, if no preven- tive measures be adopted, will be the first of many, and that the monoliths will in time be surrounded by all the accessories of a popular holiday resort. The Stonehenge ring, as every British child has learnt to picture it from his earliest years, will no longer exist.
The solitude of Stonehenge should be restored, and precautions taken to ensure that our posterity will see it against the sky in the lonely majesty before which our ancestors have stood in awe throughout all our recorded history.
We are glad to be able to state that options have just been secured for the purchase of an area of the Plain which includes the whole of what may be called “the Stonehenge sky-line.” Should the purchases be effected, the Air Force buildings will be removed, further building will be prevented, and the valuable archeological remains of the site permanently protected from the plough.
The land purchased will be placed under the guardianship of the National Trust; and part at least of the revenues derived from rents for grazing, etc., will it is hoped, be available for the further protection of the archaeological treasures and amenities of Salisbury Plain.
The total area under consideration is 1,444 acres; the sum aimed at is about £35,000. The sum is small compared with several amounts recently raised for the preservation of great national monuments; and here we have a monument unique in its fame and significance. A substantial beginning has already been made; and a first sub- scription. list is appended to this letter. The need is urgent. Projects are already in existence which would involve extensive building and the laying of water mains; and one important option to purchase expires at the end of August. Cheques should be made out to the National Trust (Stonehenge Fund), and crossed Barclay�s Bank, and sent to the Secretary, 7 Buckingham Palace Gardens, S.W.1.
J. RAMSAY MACDONALD
CRAWFORD & BALCARRES (President of the Society of Antiquaries)
GREY OF FALLODON (Vice-President of the National Trust)
RADNOR (Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire)
As a result of this appeal, and the enthusiastic labour of a Committee including representatives of the National Trust, the Wiltshire Archaeological Society, the Society of Antiquaries, acting with the cordial approval of the Office of Works, half the area in question is already secure. The position may be briefly explained.
THE THREE PLOTS
Short options were, in August, secured by the Committee on three plots which include areas Of 389 acres, 404 acres, and 650 acres respectively.
PLOT A
This plot is that to the south and south-east of the stones, which has for years been defaced by the derelict aerodromes and hutments. The cost of this was £8,000. The money was secured before the end of October. PLOT A IS SECURE IN THE NATIONAL POSSESSION FOR EVER, AND THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDINGS HAS ALREADY BEGUN.
PLOT B
This part of the Stonehenge area lies towards Amesbury, and the threat of building from that quarter is serious. The purchase price is £8,ooo. OWING TO A NOBLE DONATION OF £5,000 BY AN ANONYMOUS LADY WHO HAD ALREADY SUBSCRIBED £1,000, AND A TIMELY GIFT OF £500 FROM THE GOLDSMITHS� COMPANY, THE PURCHASE OF THIS PLOT HAS ALSO BEEN COMPLETED.
PLOT C
There remains, therefore, the third plot: 650 acres to the north of the Devizes Road. This tract, which includes the southward-facing road frontage immediately opposite the stones, is in obvious and immediate danger of building, and the price asked is £16,000. UNLESS IT IS SAVED THE WHOLE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE SUBSCRIBERS WILL HAVE BEEN IN VAIN) AND STONEHENGE WILL HAVE A SOLITUDE TO THE SOUTH AND A STREET TO THE NORTH.
THE HEART OF ENGLAND
That the leaders of all political parties should unite in appealing for such a cause is not surprising. Salisbury Plain is the greatest of our archeological sites, and Stonehenge, a mysterious legacy from the dim beginnings of our civilization many centuries before the Romans came, is the heart of the Plain. Causes-and good causes- are appealed for every day, and it is evident that not everything worth “saving” can be “saved.” But we have not two Stonehenges, and our generation will be vilified by all posterity if we allow the surroundings of this monument, the frontispiece to English history, to be ruined beyond repair.
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Education, Sponsor a child, Uganda, Unbound
February 8, 2016 Unbound Feb 8 2016
“I can only go further”
Simon proudly displays some of his art.
By Regina Mburu, communications liaison for Unbound in Africa
Regina Mburu, the communications liaison for Unbound in Africa, recently visited sponsored friends and families served through our Kampala, Uganda office. One of the young men she interviewed is 24-year-old Simon, a sponsored youth currently pursuing his higher education goals.
Simon lives in a one-room house. A small window on one side of the room makes sure that the room is well lit, the rays of sun bringing in warmth.
I settle down and sit on the clean floor, with my notebook and pen in hand, ready for the interview. I know that this will be an interesting one; Simon’s smile and warm welcome show that he is ready to talk to me and let me in to the story that is his life.
“I am 24 years old,” Simon said. “I come from a large family. I have 18 siblings.”
Simon had the opportunity to become part of the Unbound program when he was sponsored by Darla from Minnesota in 1999. Through sponsorship, Simon now had the resources to go to school. The sponsorship program helped covered his school tuition and supplies.
“That was the turning point in my life,” Simon said. “I knew there and then that I had to work hard and make my dreams come true.”
With so many children to take care of, Simon’s father was not in a position to offer them education. Food was a huge problem, not to mention having a house that would comfortably accommodate all of them.
“I took my studies seriously and excelled every step of the way,” Simon said. “I am now a second year student at the university, taking a Bachelor’s course in industrial art and design.”
To compliment the support he receives from Unbound, Simon decided to put his talent in art and his knowledge of multimedia craft and weaving to good use. Since the lecturers at his university didn’t teach him how to weave, he decided to be spending some of his free time by the market and learn from those who were doing it. Within a short time, he was able to do it as perfectly as they were doing it.
Simon makes a pair of sandals to sell to support his education costs.
“For the last year, I have been making beaded sandals, necklaces, bags, table clothes and paintings,” Simon said. “I sell these items and make some money that I use for my upkeep. I also send my mother some money.”
During the interview, my eyes are drawn to the beautiful sandals that are on display in one corner of his room. Next to the sandals are beautiful, eye-catching bags. One look at these pieces of art, and my admiration for Simon wells up.
This young man did not let circumstances weigh him down; he put into use what he had to make more. As the saying goes, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
“In the future, I will own an art studio. I will brand it Symo Art Studio,” Simon shared.
Sometimes all it takes to change your life is passion and the will to do it. Simon’s passion for art and his creativity helps puts a meal on his table at the end of his day and pays for the roof over his head. His positive outlook toward life is the first step to a great future.
I ask him to give advice to his peers and those who will read this article, and he looks through the window, his eyes gazing at the skies as though saying, “The sky is the limit.”
“I would like to encourage my peers to work hard and be creative. They should be ready to explore their talents.”
As I slowly rise from the floor where I was sitting, my thoughts are on Simon’s words, about being positive in everything you do. I feel renewed in thought. Sometimes when visiting with our families and beneficiaries, one walks away with some bit of wisdom. This is one of those interviews that will linger in my mind long after this day.
As he sees me off, he looks at me and says, “I have come this far, and I can only go further.”
Help a young person go further. Sponsor today.
3 thoughts on ““I can only go further””
Teddy Naluwu says:
Indeed, the Sky is the limit
Unbound Hooray!!!!!!
Kathy Christie says:
What a beautiful story. He is on track. Regina God bless you. You are always in my heart. Grandma.
Christine Naluyima says:
Waaooooo………what a wonderful story it is?
Go forward , i wish you all the best in life
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> AFRICAN-AMERICAN FINE ART
> Lot 164
Apr 4, 2019 | African-American Fine Art
Sale 2504 | Lot 164
Price Realized: $40,000 With Buyer's Premium
Sale 2504 Lot 164
MARY LOVELACE O'NEAL (1942 - )
Running Freed More Slaves Than Lincoln Ever Did.
Oil and mixed media on cotton canvas, 1995. 2134x1524 mm; 84x60 inches.
Provenance: acquired directly from the artist; private collection, Virginia.
Illustrated: St. James Guide to Black Artists, p. 402.
We believe this impressive, expressive painting is the first significant work of this contemporary painter, printmaker and art educator to come to auction. Mary Lovelace O'Neal is known for large daring abstractions, works that balance Abstract Expressionism with a social and political consciousness. Her provocative titles announce her interests extend beyond formal concerns - a 1993 lithograph is entitled Racism is like Rain, Either It's Raining or It's Gathering Somewhere.
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, O'Neal grew up throughout the segregated South as her father's career as a music professor took her family to various college towns and campuses. O"Neal received a BFA from Howard University in Washington, DC, studying with David Driskell, Loïs Mailou Jones and James A. Porter in 1964, O'Neal then attended Columbia University, studying with Aja Junger, Stephen Greene, Leon Golden and Andra Ratz, and receiving her MFA in 1969. O'Neal was an associate professor of visual art at University of California, Berkeley from 1978-2006 - she was tenured in 1985, and was the Chair of the Department of Art Practice from 1999 until her retirement in 2006. O'Neal has had numerous solo exhibitons, including at the Berkeley Art Center, California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, the de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University, the San Francisco Museum of Art, Howard University, Jackson State University, the Mississippi Museum of Art and the University of Maryland.
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
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Embracing a Learning Mindset
Six steps to better business writing
Writing skills: the role of English grammar
Travel Competition
Leadership Breakfast Series
Science, history & the arts
Art appreciation & creative writing
Science & philosophy
Science, Technology and Public Policy
An Introduction to Science, Technology and Public Policy
Case Study 1: Transformation Potential of Applied Augmented Intelligence
Case Study 2: Data Analytics Case Study on Social Trust, Bias and Ethics
Case Study 3: Environmental Biosecurity In Australia
Case Study 4: Australian Space Agency
Case Study Synthesis 1
ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies
ANU Centre for Social Research & Methods
ANU College of Law
ANU Research School of Humanities and the Arts
ANU School of Culture, History and Language
ANU School of History
PD 2 Go
Booking: - PERS1002: Introductory Persian B - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised PERS2004: Intermediate Persian B - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised PERS3006: Advanced Persian B - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised SKRT3005: Sanskrit 6 - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised HIND3600: Hindi 6 - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised HUMN2001: Digital Humanities: Theories and Projects - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised THAI3008: Thai 6 - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised VIET3003: Vietnamese 6 - 22/7/2019 9:00 at Location to be advised Modern and contemporary philosophy - 22/7/2019 18:00 at Fulton Muir: Room 2 How to create compelling stories and memorable characters - 22/7/2019 18:00 at Fulton Muir: Room 4 Beginning Italian 2 - 23/7/2019 18:00 at Fulton Muir: Room 5 Beginning Indonesian 1 - 23/7/2019 18:00 at Fulton Muir: Room 2 Beginning Spanish 2 - 23/7/2019 18:00 at Fulton Muir: Room 12 Beginning Dutch 1 - 23/7/2019 18:00 at Fulton Muir: Room 3 Beginning Japanese 3 - 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Browse: Home » 2010 » March » Craigslist Wins $1.3M Default Judgment Against Autoposting Facilitator — craigslist v. Naturemarket
Craigslist Wins $1.3M Default Judgment Against Autoposting Facilitator — craigslist v. Naturemarket
March 25, 2010 · by Venkat Balasubramani · in Content Regulation, Copyright, Licensing/Contracts, Spam, Trademark
[Post by Venkat]
craigslist, Inc. v. Naturemarket, Inc., Case No. C 08-05065 PJH (MEJ) (N.D. Cal. March 5, 2010) [scribd] (report and recommendation adopted on February 5, 2010)
Craigslist obtained a 1.3 million dollar default judgment against defendants Naturemarket, Inc. and Igor Gasov.
Naturemarket (doing business as powerpostings.com [typical bad choice of name]) sold software which allowed its customers to automatically post listings to craigslist. As advertised by defendants, the software made “the difficult craigslist posting process child’s play and [helped users] manage and multi-post . . . ads.” Defendants also advertised “posting agent” services where defendants would post ads on behalf of customers. Finally, defendants sold software that scraped email addresses from the craigslist site.
Craigslist sued alleging claims under (1) copyright; (2) DMCA; (3) the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act; (4) trademark; (5) breach of contract/terms of use. Defendants failed to contest the suit. The court granted default judgment against defendants:
Copyright Infringement: Craigslist alleged it registered protectable elements of its site (the “post to classified, account registration and log-in features”) and that defendants copied these elements of the craigslist site when developing, testing, and using their auto-posting software. The court accepted these allegations at face value, notwithstanding questions as to what parts of the craigslist site were copyrightable (minus the listings themselves, obviously), how the copying here was different from search engine copying under an implied license, and the fact that it’s awkward to conclude that browsing in excess of the terms of use constitutes copyright infringement.
DMCA Violations: The court agreed with craigslist that defendants violated two provisions of the DMCA through making available, among other things, “pre-verified craigslist accounts and CAPTCHA credits.” There’s precedent that supports the proposition that at least some of these types of acts do not violate the DMCA. (See, for example Egilman v. Keller & Heckman, LLP, 401 F. Supp. 2d 105, 113-14 (D.D.C. 2005) (“using a username/password combination as intended–by entering a valid username and password, albeit without authorization–does not constitute circumvention under the DMCA.”).) Real made a similar argument to the one defendants would have made here, but this argument was rejected. Either way, the trouble with the court’s conclusion is that it’s not clear that a violation should be based on use of an anti-circumvention mechanism in a way that’s not authorized. This isn’t the type of conduct that the DMCA is necessarily meant to address. Mike Masnick flags this aspect of the ruling here.
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claims were premised on access of craigslist computers in violation of the craigslist terms of service. This argument is often used in civil cases, but most recently received attention in the Lori Drew case, a criminal case. The Lori Drew case illustrated many of the problems with imposing Computer Fraud and Abuse Act liability based on violations of a terms of use. Professor Goldman’s post when the case first started is a good read.
Trademark Infringement: Craigslist alleged that defendants used the craigslist mark “in the text and . . . the headings of sponsored links on internet search engines to advertise their auto-posting products and services.” The court cites to American Blinds for the proposition that this will cause “initial customer confusion”. (Here’s one of Prof. Goldman’s posts on American Blinds.) It’s odd to see craigslist arguing initial interest confusion. These are the types of arguments one would expect to see against craigslist (for example by someone suing it for trademark infringement, not made by craigslist.
Breach of Contract/Terms of Service: Craigslist pointed to provisions in its terms of use which prohibited the use of automated means and posting agents to post listings. Craigslist argued that defendants violated these provisions and induced craigslist users (who were customers of defendants) to violate these provisions. The court awards $840,000 in liquidated damages based on the terms of use claims asserted by craigslist. Craigslist argued that defendants posted at least 18,200 ads or alternatively defendants posted 4,200 ads as a posting agent. The court assumes for purposes of calculating damages, that the lower number is correct and awards $840,000 based on this number. For each listing posted in violation of the terms of service, the court awarded $100 in liquidated damages (and an extra $100 for each item posted as a “posting agent”). [Note to self: be careful about posting items in violation of the craigslist terms of service!]
Attorney’s fees: Craigslist sought $83,614.45 in fees, for the work performed by 5 lawyers and one paralegal. The court found the hours expended reasonable, but reduced the hourly rate slightly, ultimately awarding $65,038.20 in fees. (As a side note, what’s up with the reduction in billing rates by one dollar in the April-June 2009 time period. The hourly rates for one partner went from $525 in 2009 to $550 in January-March 2009, to $549 in April-June 2009. Does the one dollar change in someone’s hourly rate really matter?)
This case is similar in many ways to Ticketmaster v. RMG, where Ticketmaster sued RMG, a company that automated the ticket buying process on behalf of its customers. Following the issuance of an injunction, Professor Goldman noted that this case was “a troubling Cyberlaw development.” The claims asserted by craigslist here suffered from some of the same weaknesses as those in Ticketmaster. On the other hand, this was in the context of a default judgment, where the good faith allegations in the complaint are taken as true, and craigslist knew it had to only make colorable arguments. It wants to keep out certain perceived bad actors. In the default judgment context, I’m not sure how much it can be faulted for not fine-tuning its legal arguments. That said, it’s always tough to read through these types of rulings without cringing.
One of the more troubling things about the ruling is how the terms of use supports three separate claims: the copyright claims, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claim and, of course, the breach of contract claim. It’s unsettling to see the website terms of service (which are typically tough to read and digest, rarely read by end users, and incredibly one sided) be given enough clout to support serious statutory violations. But this is nothing new, and courts always seem to be willing to accept these types of arguments.
Another issue for craigslist to consider is whether any of the arguments could come back to bite craigslist. I haven’t thought through whether there was a good section 230 argument to be made here, I’m guessing not. Assuming there was, it doesn’t seem like such a good idea for craigslist to knock down that argument. It’s the classic section 230 beneficiary. At any rate, at a basic level, craigslist is ultimately suing Naturemarket based on harm caused by end users. This is exactly what state regulators did to craigslist. The initial interest confusion argument is also one that does not seem like it’s in craigslist’s interest to push.
Finally, I’m always curious as to what these damage awards accomplish. How often does the company chase down the defendant’s assets? More likely, this is something that can be waved around to other potential defendants to get them to comply and/or settle.
Related: Mike Masnick discusses some of these issues in a post flagging an early round of lawsuits filed by craigslist against spammers: “Craigslist’s Dumb Lawsuit Against Spam Tool Provider”
← Google Gets Favorable ECJ Opinion, But Will It Prove to Be a Hollow Victory?
YouTube Uploader Can’t Sue Sender of Mistaken Takedown Notice–Cabell v. Zimmerman →
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Interviews / November 7, 2018
Our Collective Nervous System
A conversation with artist Erin Gee on her new work LaughingWeb Dot Space, which makes space for catharsis on the internet
Erin Gee, LaughingWeb Dot Space, 2018. Web-based work with microphone. Installation view at Eastern Bloc in Montréal. Photo: Anna Iarovaia.
by Lauren Fournier
There’s something hysterical about laughing into your laptop: pointing your face toward the screen, letting sound vibrate through your vocal chords and out into the speaker for an unknown audience. Laughing into your laptop, all alone in your apartment, or maybe with a friend: the gesture could be read as feminist, for it is an attempt to embody a space (the internet) that can be disembodying. In Erin Gee’s most recent artwork, the web-based Laughing Web Dot Space, internet users who have experienced sexual violence are invited to record their laughter for the site. Both practical and conceptual, Gee’s artwork becomes a space for self-identified survivors to let it out in a way that remains nameless and faceless. In the age of #MeToo, Laughing Web Dot Space is a gesture of solidarity with survivors around the world. It’s a different way of networking: more vibrational than discursive, more ephemeral than the hyper-visible acts of “outing” and disclosure taking place both IRL and online.
Gee’s work was launched as one of eight new commissions by Eastern Bloc, in an exhibition that celebrated the new media space’s ten-year anniversary in Montréal. As Amber Berson notes in her recent review of the exhibition, “All of the works on view pair invited artists with pioneering Canadian artists of their own choosing whose practices have often pushed the boundaries of technology and perception.” While the exhibition has now closed, Gee’s Net Art piece lives on. She serves as both the artist and the de facto caretaker of the website—maintaining its domain, organizing and editing the sound files, protecting it from hackers as best she can—and will continue to keep the domain active as long as she can.
In her practice, Gee experiments across music performance, choral composition, virtual reality, robotics, language and interactive art to create feminist work. I first got to know Gee from our shared time as intermedia studio students at the University of Regina in Treaty 4 lands, where she was a founding member of the audio/curatorial collective Holophon. In the years since, Gee has gone on to have a thriving practice as a new-media artist and educator working in Montréal.
I spoke with Gee over Skype about her new work, feminist energies, the cathartic potential of laughter and the internet as a kind of collective nervous system.
Lauren Fournier: You’ve never done a web-based project before, have you? I find this surprising.
Erin Gee: It’s true. As an artist I feel very web-adjacent. For years, I’ve been following artists that typically make work with internet sites and technologies, I’ve read the essays, and I even curated X+1, an evening of internet-inspired art at the Musee d’art Contemporain de Montréal with Sabrina Ratté, Tristan Stevens and Benoit Palop in 2015. These are some of my favourite artists (word up to Jennifer Chan, one of these artists I’ve been following for a while. She was also in the Eastern Bloc show!). So, it’s something I’ve been paying attention to for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve explored human voices and electronic bodies through the internet.
LF: As an artist, you have a long practice of working with the voice—whether digital voices in human bodies, or human bodies in digital voices. You’ve worked with voices speaking and singing, and multiple voices singing together as a choir, but this project marks the first time you’ve worked with voices laughing. There is something poignant about encouraging survivors to record their laughter, in contrast to recording voices that are articulating stories or specific words. What it is about this project that drove your interest in laughter?
EG: Well, in addition to the voice I’ve also been exploring the materiality of emotion, how our internal states “speak” through our bodies. Laughing combines both these interests, in how our emotions speak, how our voices reflect what is inside us. I wanted to create a space for people to be in the presence of survivors of sexual violence, but also to make sure that survivors wouldn’t have too much asked of them in that space. I’ve been thinking about how a virtual, sonic space might exist between survivors or for survivors: a space where we don’t need to share words, justify or retell horrors we already imagine too much of. Some survivors don’t like being seen as victims. Some survivors aren’t sure yet how to identify: they might be at the stage of “I know something bad happened to me but I can’t figure out what happened.” This site allows for people who have complicated feelings—as well as uncomplicated ones. [Erin laughs, a bit nervously.] Laughing is an expression of who you are, and there isn’t a need to justify that laughter: there isn’t the need to explain that laughter. The publicness and permanence of the internet today makes a performance out of the simplest text communication. One is haunted by their words, good or bad: “maybe I used the wrong word, maybe I offended someone.” The laughing interface is immediate, personal, from the gut, and a relatively low-stress option because of its anonymity and ambiguity.
LF: And folks who participate in the work are not “seen”—especially not in the ways they might be when they come out online as a “survivor” in other online spaces.
The laughing…is immediate, personal, from the gut, and a relatively low-stress option because of its anonymity and ambiguity
EG: Because of how major social media companies actively discourage anything less than interlinked identity verification and legal names online, “coming out” becomes a dramatic moment that impacts your whole social network. Survivors have nothing to be ashamed of, but not everyone wants to be a public martyr or hero, or draw attention to themselves, or even knows what to say. Laughing Web Dot Space doesn’t take any data beyond the recording. This being said, it’s still personal—your voice is very characteristic of who you are: if I heard a close friend or family member, I’d probably recognize the sound of their voice anywhere. I have been thinking about the internet’s earlier manifestations of exploring togetherness in a way where you can be anonymous, avoid doubting yourself or overthinking things.
LF: There is a freedom to being able to let something out of your body—up and out through your voice—without it taking the form of words. I suppose it could also be tears, or screaming—but you’ve chosen laughter, a significant shift away from the Sad Girls of mid-2010s internet feminist art-making, or the shouting of punk. Laughter is vibrational, guttural—leaves you feeling a little bit better afterward. And, in the absence of a specific joke, no one gets hurt.
EG: I think this is the special power of voice and sound.
LF: You describe Laughing Web Dot Space as a virtual laugh-in for survivors of sexual violence, and you specify that these can be survivors of any gender. It isn’t a women’s-only space.
EG: The issue of gender is a super complicated one, and I think we should all know by now that women are not the only people that sexual violence happens to. The #MeToo movement is seen by some to be an anti-man movement; while much violence is perpetrated by men, I wanted to centre this project on the reality that sexual violence hurts many people. All survivors have the right to space and to be heard. The technological infrastructures of social media makes voicing and healing easier for some people but harder for others. I wanted to create a different space in which people could just put their emotions and put their voice, and there wouldn’t need to be a discussion about that involvement. You’re just in the club because you’ve contributed.
LF: It’s interesting, this capacity to create community through anonymous online networking without the baggage of language. Language is politicized, and the internet is a ripe space for folks to scrutinize each others’ language—and for language to be wielded in hateful and/or alienating ways. I think of the work of the Latinx artist @gothshakira—another Montreal-based artist working with online life in feminist ways. I think specifically of her memes, in which she names the unchecked privileges and aggressions of “woke” language policing, even as she mobilizes some of that same language through her self-described “intersectional feminist memes.” There’s ambivalence there.
@gothshakira, when you realize that aggressively and abrasively shaming..., 2016. Meme (image macro). Installation view in "What would the community think?" at Xpace, Toronto. Photo by Yuula Benivolski. Courtesy Emily Gove/Xpace.
And her memes are funny. They make you laugh, but the laughter comes from having that very knowledge and terminology that her memes are sending up. The irony, of course, is if you find the joke funny, you are also probably complicit. While the language of the “woke” might inadvertently marginalize those without access to, say, a liberal arts graduate school education, most folks can make the noise of laughing—or sounds that approximate laughter. I’m aware of the potential ableism in this statement, but—most people can laugh.
EG: Exactly. It’s complicated for me because, this is an artwork but it is also a very personal act of solidarity for myself with anyone who might connect with this. I wanted to create a space that could show the diversity of the people affected by sexual violence. Like you said, laughter has a low barrier of entry.
LF: Have you found it cathartic to laugh into your own artwork? When the website launched, your laugh was the only laugh on the website.
EG: Recording that laugh was easier than I thought it would be. I had anxiety about being the first voice that laughs—like I needed to have this really perfect laugh. The idea of sincerity was haunting me too: how do I get this sound art rolling and be sincere to myself? The week I did the recording was the week of the [Brett] Kavanaugh trial, and the events happening seemed so surreal. My heart was so full of emotion in general, and I felt like I just had to get something out! I don’t even know what the laughter was: the laughter was expressing: life is surreal: what is happening? The end result might be that my laughing on the recording sounds pretty bitter, but this is part of the site. There’s already a range of different kinds of laughs on there. There’s this amazing shrieking laugh, and another person who sounds like they’re having a great chuckle. There’s one that’s super silly and giggly, and another that sounds deep and like a super villain.
LF: Your point about the specific week of the Kavanaugh trial resonates with me. I know that I felt a lot of anger in my body that week, and was like, “Why do I feel all of this rage in my body? And how can I get rid of it?” More artists and theorists are starting to parse what it means to say, trauma lives in the body. How do we work through that which exists on the level of vibration? How do we politicize our nervous systems? To me, laughter is an integral part of that.
EG: Sara Ahmed is a feminist theorist who talks about the cultural politics of emotion, and she makes the argument that we live in a far more emotional than objective time. Emotion is typically gendered female, hysterical, embodied: I have been working with my art to explore emotion very seriously. But returning back to the experience of healing and survivors, physiologically laughter is, as corny as it sounds, very healing: even going through the motions of laughter will give you some benefits. For instance, studies have shown that, when people activate the muscles to smile, they get a bit of a mood boost. This relates a lot to other aspects in my practice, like the relationship between physiology, emotion, embodied experience and technology as well.
LF: It’s like laughter yoga.
EG: What’s laughter yoga?
LF: You don’t know?! It’s when you’re in a room with a group of people, like in a yoga class, and you make yourself laugh: the idea is that this put-on laughter becomes real laughter, and there are supposed health benefits to that. I’ve never done it, but I’ve been curious.
EG: Yeah, and when I think about the difference between a laugh-in, where people are all together in a physical space for a specific duration of time, I like to think of the website as a virtual monument, in a way. Even just listening—that is a form of participation, that can be counted (as visitors to the website). Even though it’s lacking in physical presence between survivors, it’s something that will be there, and something that people can count on: a website is always open, and as long as I register the domain and don’t get hacked, it will always be there.
Erin Gee, LaughingWeb Dot Space, 2018. Web-based work.
Erin Gee, LaughingWeb Dot Space, 2018. Installation view at Eastern Bloc in Montréal. Photo: Anna Iarovaia.
LF: Is there a way for you to know where the laughs are coming from, in terms of across the country or around the world?
EG: I haven’t signed up for an analytics service. A part of me was really interested in that, thinking like, “Oh, we could put pins on a map!” And then I thought, any level of me actively tracking who the contributors are—I want to get away from that.
LF: So your website becomes an alternative kind of space on the internet—a space where your location isn’t tracked: a place where you don’t need a face, a name, a story.
EG: It’s kind of a throwback to the 1990s.
LF: Yes! There’s something very 1990s-feeling about how you’ve designed the website. I mean that in the best way. Is the democratic nature of “all survivors can just laugh into this thing” tied to the democratizing of the 1990s World Wide Web?
EG: In the ’90s we had web counters, you know, kind of dorky things like: “Thanks for visiting my website, 50 people have visited.” [Erin laughs.] In the 1990s anonymity was really embraced as part of the internet. There was this idea that you could have an alternate life on the internet and create personas. And there was a comfort in being an avatar, in being a different kind of yourself with strangers. This is less and less common with internet 2.0, or the social web, where your Google profile and your Facebook account are interlinked, verified gateways to your real, legal self. In some ways this builds trust among users and normalizes the internet, but it’s done for very neoliberal, monetary reasons—everything personal is monetized on today’s internet, in an economy that conflates attention with profit. I think of how confusing it must be for young people with Instagram accounts who are just having fun, but that fun turns into followers and likes that turn into money. The confusion between the life that is public and the life that is just for yourself can be very confusing to navigate. In the 1990s, there were different anxieties.
LF: As millennials, so often we turn to the internet for answers; at least I do, in spite of myself. And it rarely gives me what I need. I think of other digital artists, like Trudy Erin Elmore, who creates otherworldly, hyper-digital landscapes where post-human bodies are affixed to their laptops and smart phones—our ways “in” to the internet, almost in a religious way. During a studio visit, Elmore described the internet as “our collective nervous system.” We pour our emotions into this thing that is the internet—we pour into it our sadness, frustration, desire, despair. I’m wary of making generalizations about people’s experiences of the internet, but is it fair to say that we spend a lot of time on the internet and it doesn’t really make us feel good? And that there’s something about having a space on the internet where you can be in your body in a different way, or be encouraged to interact with the internet in a different way?
Trudy Erin Elmore, On the Mount (Apex Twins), 2016, Digital image, 45 cm x 25 cm. Courtesy the artist.
Trudy Erin Elmore, On the Mount, 2016, Digital image, 45 cm x 25 cm. Courtesy the artist.
Trudy Erin Elmore, On the Mount (Hive Mind), 2016, Digital image, 45 cm x 25 cm. Courtesy the artist.
EG: Yeah, I mean I don’t know if folks are laughing in relation to other laughers they hear on the website, or if they’re going deep within and like, coming out with their primordial laugh! I like to imagine a space where everyone can feel together in the laughter, but the trick of online artwork, especially anonymous work, is that you rarely have the privilege of seeing a reaction from the public.
LF: In a way, your website becomes a receptacle to take in the excess energies that survivors of sexual violence might possess in their bodies. You’re holding space for that, as a net.artist.
EG: Holding space is something I was very interested in while building the work. Despite all the gendered assumptions of technology, my experience is always that technology instructs the designer and maker in actions of caretaking and maintenance. Websites are fragile things: code depreciates, and the website needs to be cared for. Every day I use a command to check the database for audio submissions: each submission is a gift. With the recorded sound files, I perform light edits to remove mouse clicks and integrate it into the master track on the website. I’m learning a lot about cyber security in this process as well: when you create feminist space on the internet, you have to be a lover and a fighter! Laughs. I have good backups, I’m ready.
LF: What comes next for you, in your practice?
EG: I’m really interested in physiology and autonomous behaviours of the body. In the past, I might have connected this to autonomous, cyborgian bodies. But what I’m most interested in is the complexity of the human body—how it’s already so complex, and technical, and amazing. I’m still exploring my fascination with vocalization and technology (within digital arts practice), but what I’m trying to do is not necessarily highlight the technology, but to use technology to highlight the human, as a very complex and fascinating system. For instance, I’m really interested in the link between machine automation and ASMR. I’m deep into it. I’m still invested in finding strategies for illuminating the autonomous and mercurial material of emotional experience via biodata. I hope that the real laughter in this virtual website might bring about some physical healing for some people, like an emotional hack.
Lauren Fournier
Lauren Fournier is a writer, curator and artist from Treaty 4 lands, Saskatchewan. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto, where she is extending her research on autotheory to issues of settler colonialisms and class.
View recent articles by Lauren Fournier
Interviews / July 2, 2019
Like a Vessel
Drones, moms and menopause: video artist Stephanie Comilang and performer and musician Peaches talk about all the ways that art helps represent—and resist—gender
Interviews / June 6, 2019
To Salvage an Archive
What does it mean to make public your family's history of migration? Deanna Bowen discusses her new exhibition ”A Harlem Nocturne,“ and Black histories across the continent
by Jasmine Jamillah Mahmoud
Interviews / May 30, 2019
Medicine for a Nightmare (they called, we responded)
Nep Sidhu’s controversial exhibition is touring to galleries across the country. Here, he talks about critics, Indigeneity and how religion and community influence his practice
by Rachna Raj Kaur
Conditions for Immersion
London-based artist Beatrice Gibson talks about motherhood, collectivity and process in her recent project I hope I'm Loud When I'm dead
by Yaniya Lee
Lindsay Montgomery Paints Ceramic Art to Tell Feminist Stories
“For so long we were told ‘something that is decorative can’t be conceptual’—and that’s just sexist,” says this award-winning Canadian artist and teacher
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Archive for the ‘Cloud webinar’ Category
Security issues put telcos off BSS in the cloud
The majority of operators have not yet made the call on whether to migrate their BSS environment to the cloud, according to the 2014 Telecoms.com Intelligence Global Industry Survey.
More than a third have decided against the movement and less than 20 per cent have actually put initiatives in place to accomplish such a shift. The findings of the Telecoms.com Industry Survey 2014 sought to establish which elements of the BSS environment are being addressed with the most urgency along with how and where operators are looking to the cloud to enhance their performance.
Questions in this section were put to operators exclusively and in addressing their BSS environments, operators clearly have a good deal more thinking to do. Almost half of respondents said they were not sure whether their organisation was planning a move to a cloud-based BSS solution inside the next 12 months, suggesting that for many operators decisions on this question have not been taken. More than one third reported that there are no such plans in place, while 17.9 per cent of respondents said that their businesses are planning a cloud BSS deployment this year.
It is important to understand why more than 80 per cent of represented operators are currently not committing to a cloud-based BSS solution and it is perhaps not surprising that security is chief among their concerns.
Respondents were asked to rank a range of concerns for severity on a scale of one to seven, where seven represented a “very serious concern”. Security issues was scored as six or seven by 39.7 per cent or respondents.
“Security was and still is a concern for operators when choosing a cloud based solution but it is possible to achieve the full range of cloud benefits, like cost savings and agility, without compromising on security,” says Yuval Mayron, general manager, Amdocs Product Group.
“The key for operators or MVNOS is choosing a well-established and recognised industry partner that they can rely on and grow with. This peace of mind can be achieved when operators and MVNOs select a complete solution, both on the platform and on the service side, to guarantee service availability, customer satisfaction and that all solution components are certified and meet the highest standards in the industry.”
Source: http://www.businesscloudnews.com
Cloud webinar, Cloud World Forum, Cloud World Forum Africa, Cloud World Series, Telco Cloud World Forum, Uncategorized
business support systems
Growing Business Services Revenues in the Cloud Era
Free webinar: Wednesday 13 February 2013
Service providers looking to grow revenue in a mature services market need to create new and differentiated business services that address the evolving requirements of local enterprises. This involves using more analytical and tailored go-to-market plans to identify and target potential customers. (more…)
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Filters: First Letter Of Last Name is H [Clear All Filters]
Hwang, J-S., & McMillan S. J. (2005). How Consumers Think About "Interactive" Aspects of Web Advertising. (Gao, Y., Ed.).Web Systems Design and Online Consumer Behavior. 69-89.
Hwang, J-S., & McMillan S. J. (2002). The Role of Interactivity and Involvement in Attitude toward the Web Site. (Abernathy, A., Ed.).Proceedings of the American Academy of Advertising. 10.
Hwang, J-S., & McMillan S. J. (2003). Developing Measures of Perceived Interactivity: Application and Expansion of Scale-Development Methods. (Carlson, L., Ed.).Proceedings of the American Academy of Advertising. 130-137.
Hwang, J-S., McMillan S. J., & Lee G. (2003). Corporate Web Sites as Advertising: An Analysis of Function, Audience, and Message Strategy. Journal of Interactive Advertising. 3, Available: http://jiad.org.
Huntington, P., Nicholas D., Jamali H. R., & Tenopir C. (2006). Article Decay in the Digital Environment: An Analysis of Usage of OhioLINK by Date of Publication, Employing Deep Log Methods. Journal of the American Society of Information Science & Technology. 57, 1840-1851.
Hummert, M. L., Bonnesen J. L., Mazloff D., & Violanti M. T. (1993). Patronizing speech to the elderly as a function of stereotyping. annual meeting of the Speech Communication Association.
Hume, J., & Roessner A. (2009). Surviving Sherman’s March: Press, Public Memory, and Georgia’s Salvation Mythology. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly . 86(1), 119-137.
Huang, H., Andrews J. E., Lee Y J., Cannon P., Pearce F., Cho M., et al. (2013). Twitter activity following the Supreme Court gene patent decision. Consumer Genetics Conference.
Huang, K., & Kelly D. (2013). The Daily Image Information Needs and Seeking Behaviors of Chinese Undergraduate Students. College & Research Libraries. 74, 243-261.
Hoy, M G., & Milne G. R. (2009). Beyond the Water Cooler: Gender Differences in Privacy-Related Measures for Facebook Profile Usage Beyond Its Original Purpose. 2009 Marketing and Public Policy Conference .
Hoy, M G., & Levenshus A. (2014). "Familiarity: Friend or Foe? Insights from Retroactive Think Aloud Eye Tracking Interviews on Reading Risk Information on an Rx Drug Website". Marketing and Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G., Childers C. C., & Morrison M. (2008). The knights of the food table. Parent's perceptions of the CARU children's food and beverage advertising initiative and its charter members.. 2008 Marketing and Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G., & Lwin M. O. (2007). Disclosures Exposed: Banner Ad Disclosure Adherence to FTC Guidance in the Top 100 U.S. Websites. Journal of Consumer Affairs. 41(2),
Hoy, M G., Childers C. C., & Morrison M. (2012). The evolution of self- regulation in food advertising: An analysis of CARU cases from 2000- 2010. International Journal of Advertising. 31(2),
Hoy, M G., & Zemel P. (2000). Roaming the Online Pharmacy Aisle: Dietary Supplement Information Compared to FTC Guidelines. (Bone, P F., France K R., & Wiener J. L., Ed.).Marketing and Public Policy Proceedings 2000. 10, 66-67.
Hoy, M G., & Park J. Seong (2011). "Pharma Online: An Examination of FDA Administrative Letters Involving Violative Internet Promotions". Marketing and Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G., & Andrews C. J. (2003). The Impact of the FTC and NAD on Companies' Adherence to the Clear and Conspicuous Standard In Televised Advertising Disclosures,. Marketing and Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G., & Park J. Seong (2014). "Principles in Action: An Examination of FDA Administrative Letters Involving Violative Internet Promotions from 1997-2012. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. 33(2),
Hoy, M G., Childers C. C., & Morrison M. (2009). Come join us, come join us: An analysis of CFBA Initiative vs. Non-Initiative members in CARU cases 2000-2006. 2009 American Academy of Advertising Conference.
Hoy, M G., & Lwin M. O. (2008). An International Perspective on Online Disclosure Presentation: A Comparison of Banner Ad Discolures from United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore Web Sites. Journal of Consumer Policy. 31,
Hoy, M G., & Childers C. C. (2012). Trends in food attitudes and behaviors among adults with 6-11 year old children. The Journal of Consumer Affairs.
Hoy, M G., & Wong J M-S. (2000). Model Ethnicity and Product Congruence: White Students' Responses Towards Advertisements with Asian Models. World Communication. 29, 49-62.
Hoy, M G., Childers C. C., & Morrison M. (2012). "CARU Weighs In: An Analysis of a Decade of Food and Beverage Cases". International Journal of Advertising. 31(2),
Hoy, M G., & Phelps J. E. (2003). Consumer Privacy and Security Protection on Church Websites: Reasons for Concern,. Journal of Public Policy and Marketing. 22, 58-70.
Hoy, M G., & Childers C. C. (2010). An exploration of trends in food attitudes and behaviors among adults with 6-11 year old children? An agenda setting theory perspective. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Hoy, M G., & Phelps J. E. (2009). Online Privacy and Security Practices of the 100 Largest U.S. Nonprofit Organizations. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing. 14 (1),
Hoy, M G., Andrews C. J., & Stankey M. J. (2002). An Evaluation of Televised Advertising Disclosures According to the Clear and Conspicuous Standard: Replication and Extension. Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G. (2013). "Exploring Eyetracking for Marketing and Public Policy Research" . Marketing and Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G., & Andrews C. J. (2004). An Evaluation of Media-Content Rating Disclosures in the Entertainment Industry. (Rose, P., Ed.).Proceedings of the 2004 Conference of the American Academy of Advertising. 200.
Hoy, M G. (1998). Dodging the Bullet: Targeting a New Audience in the Battle Against Unplanned Pregnancies. Proceedings of the American Academy of Advertising Conference. 204-213.
Hoy, M G., & Milne G. R. (2009). But I'm Careful Whom I Friend: Facebook Users' Awareness of Their Profile Usage Beyond Its Original Purpose and Their Efforts to Control Its Usage. 2009 Winter AMA Educators' Conference.
Hoy, M G., Phelps J. E., & Hoy L. (2002). E-vangelism: Online Privacy and Security Considerations for Church Websites. Marketing and Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G., & Park J. Seong (2013). "Rx for A One-Click Rule: An Eyetracking Study of Risk Disclosures on Branded Drug Websites". Public Policy Conference.
Hoy, M G., & Andrews C. J. (2004). Adherence of Prime-Time Televised Advertising Disclosures to the "Clear and Conspicuous” Standard: 1990 Versus 2002. Journal of Public Policy and Marketing. 23, 170-182.
Hoy, M G., Morrison M., & Punyapiroje C. (1998). Adver-Thai-Sing Standardization: Does the Western Approach of Investigating Gender Role Portrayals Transfer to Eastern Countries?. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Advertising Research Division.
Hoy, M G., & Milne G. R. (2010). Gender Differences in Privacy-Related Measures for Young Adult Facebook Users. Journal of Interactive Marketing. 10(2),
Hovland, R., Wolburg J., & Haley E. (2007). Readings in Advertising, Communication and Consumer Culture.
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More in Opportunities in Science at Lewis & Clark
Opportunities in Science at Lewis & Clark
2016 Science Without Limits Speaker
“Robotics to Reach Out and Change the World”
Dr. Chad Jenkins
Odest Chadwicke Jenkins, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. Prof. Jenkins earned his B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics at Alma College (1996), M.S. in Computer Science at Georgia Tech (1998), and Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Southern California (2003). He previously served on the faculty of Brown University in Computer Science (2004-15). His research addresses problems in interactive robotics and human-robot interaction, primarily focused on mobile manipulation, robot perception, and robot learning from demonstration. His research often intersects topics in computer vision, machine learning, and computer animation. Prof. Jenkins has been recognized as a Sloan Research Fellow in 2009. He is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for his work in physics-based human tracking from video. His work has also been supported by Young Investigator awards from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for his research in learning dynamical primitives from human motion, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) for his work in manifold learning and multi-robot coordination and the National Science Foundation (NSF) for robot learning from multivalued human demonstrations.
Internships and Outreach
Preprofessional Development
High School and Community College Students
High School Student Application
Lunch Talks
HHMI Undergraduate Science Education Grant
email timmins@lclark.edu
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road, MSC 55
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Sun, sea, sand and shanties?
The St Ives Shanty Shout returns this November for a second year, on a mission to get everybody singing.
St Ives has long been famous for its golden beaches, cobbled streets, artists and its quality of light, but until recently, perhaps not sea shanties. All that has changed since the formation of ‘Bamaluz Bootleggers’. Now the sound of songs such as the beautiful ‘Cadgwith Anthem’ or the more rousing ‘Spanish Ladies’ is regularly heard along the harbour front or in the local pubs. When the 2017 St Ives Shanty Shout takes place on 24th and 25th November there will be no escape from ‘sailors, pirates or smugglers’ all singing their own unique take on shanties.
“Travelling as far as Yorkshire, over 20 groups encompassing a diverse range of sizes and styles will be participating…”
Travelling from as far as Yorkshire, over 20 groups encompassing a diverse range of sizes and styles will be participating, including The Oggy Men, Cadgwith Singers, Figurehead and Kimber’s Men. They hope to raise money for two very deserving charities, the RNLI and Children’s Hospice South West whilst at the same time providing two days of entertainment, hopefully with lots of audience participation!
The event, hosted by Bamaluz Bootleggers, takes place in The Castle Inn, The Golden Lion, The Surf Shack and The Pilchard Press starting on Friday evening.
2016 saw Bamaluz Bootleggers host the first St Ives Shanty Shout when a small handful of groups came to sing at The Castle Inn. Due to the popularity of that event it was decided to do it again, but bigger!
Bamaluz Bootleggers was formed in 2015 by people passionate about restoring the tradition of pub singing in St Ives… and having fun. The name derives from the small beach near the harbour. The group can usually be found in The Castle Inn on a Thursday night after rehearsal or at any time when four or more are gathered together and all are welcome to come and sing along with them.
For those of the group who were born and bred in St Ives there is an added poignancy in singing the songs of the sea, especially those written by the Cornish Bard, John Barber, who lived in St Ives. The song ‘Peter’s Choice’ evokes memories of the hard life the fishermen had when boys as young as nine had to go to work to support their family. Happily, there are plenty of upbeat songs too, usually accompanied by ‘jolly, jolly grog’.
So why not head down to St Ives in November and join in the fun? Entry is free and whether you like your singers dressed in civvies, as sailors or even pirates, there should be something just right for you. It promises to be great weekend!
"Travelling as far as Yorkshire, over 20 groups encompassing a diverse range of sizes and styles will be participating..."
St Ives Shanty Shout
TR26 1R
stivesshantyshout.co.uk
Scilly Flowers
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Leave a Comment / Comics, Editorial, TV / By Rob McMenamy
DC Comic’s Promising 2014 TV Lineup
This is a big year for DC comic-based TV shows. In the fall, we will see the debut of four new shows (The Flash, Constantine, Gotham, and iZombie) as well as Arrow returning for its third season on The CW. Warner Bros. is at last making a full fledged attempt at building up their audience for their rebuttal, more or less, to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Other than iZombie which is technically based on the Vertigo comic, these shows are being set up to whet the appetites of hungry fanboys and fangirls for an explosion of DC entertainment that is to come.
Grant Gustin as The Flash
The Flash, starring Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, and his alter-ego, The Flash, will be the first to debut. Made by the same writers and producers of Arrow, this will further expand the ever growing DC world that they are establishing. Season 2 of Arrow, starring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen/Arrow, focused on the introduction of metahumans and the disorder caused by this upheaval in society. The Flash will be filled with even more metahumans and super-powered beings. What’s next? Magic? Aliens?
I had the chance to see the pilot episode for The Flash, and I cannot be more excited for it! Just by the amount of easter eggs in the pilot, I can tell that the writers are fully embracing the existence of the larger DC world, and that they are willing to acknowledge its more fantastical aspects. Arrow had a rough start before it really found its groove later in Season 1 and especially in Season 2. Unlike Arrow, The Flash is hitting the ground running. The level of confidence in the pilot episode leads me to believe this is one show you definitely don’t want to miss.
Steve Amell as Arrow
Speaking of Arrow, the explosive ending to Season 2 has left fans eager for more, and the producers aren’t slowing down. Devon Aoki, actress alum from Sin City, has recently been cast in a recurring role as Tatsu Yamashiro aka Katana, a Japanese, katana-wielding (duh) martial arts expert. According to Deadline, Tatsu will be one of Oliver’s mentors in flashback sequences and a critical influence on his journey.
I’m particularly excited for this show simply because I am eager to see who they will introduce. I expect this next season will be filled with more of the Suicide Squad, ARGUS, the League of Assassins, and much more! Season 3 premieres on Wednesday, October 8th at 8/7c on The CW.
Matt Ryan as Constantine
Another up and coming show that I am perhaps the most excited for is Constantine. Not to be confused with that
2005 Keanu Reeves movie, this NBC show will be starring Matt Ryan as the snarky Brit that specializes as a dark magician and occult detective. Seeing how far they are willing to push the envelope with shows like Hannibal, this show has the potential to be the darkest thing on network television.
As a big fan of the Justice League Dark comic series, I am looking forward to what the writers will do with this show. Plus, this will boost the awareness of the character for the general audience and potentially lead to seeing John Constantine on the silver screen. Director Guillermo del Toro has been talking about making a Justice League Dark movie for quite a while, and it would be exciting to see this opposite the traditional Justice League movies. Be sure to catch this on Friday, October 24th at 10/9c on NBC.
The Cast of Fox’s Gotham
Finally, Gotham features the early days of Jim Gordon, played by Ben McKenzie, before he becomes commissioner of the police depart. This will essentially be a cop show featuring iconic Batman villains… without Batman. I don’t know what to expect beyond that. It has potential to be an interesting origin story for many great Batman villains, but it has equal chance of just being another cop show with bonus hints of Batman. In anycase, it will still be on my watchlist come Monday, September 22nd at 8/7c on Fox.
Definitely a lot to forward to this year in the world of DC comics. More news to come after the San Diego Comic Con International. Feel free to let us know which of these you are most excited to see!
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About Chinese
Beyond Chron — Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired
Last week workers in San Francisco won a major victory through the passage of Tom Ammiano’s universal health security ordinance. The ordinance, which guaranteed coverage for the uninsured residents of the city, affirmed the mayor and Board of Supervisors’ support for the labor community.
Yesterday, however, laborers were back on the front lines. Now they are fighting for the “right to be sick”. Prior to the Budget and Finance Committee meeting, Young Workers United member Dante Grant led a press conference intended to share workers’ grievances.
A strong coalition including Young Workers United, the Chinese Progressive Association, and the Center for Young Women’s Development laid out the case for paid sick days. Christine Dehlendorf, a doctor and member of the SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents, pointed out workers who are not compensated for sick days “postpone going to the doctor” indefinitely. As a result, they risk infecting their co-workers and clients.
The risk of transmission is “devastating for any small to medium-sized business,” commented Sandy Burrs, a hair stylist in San Francisco.
Unfortunately, for several workers it is a simple decision. Rent has to be paid and children must be cared for. So they work.
“When I was sick and I went to work, the last thing on my mind was getting little kids sick,” explained Grant. The little kids he referred to were those who frequented his family’s restaurant in Daly City. He justified his comment stating, “If you don’t go to work, you don’t get paid, you can’t pay your bills”.
The proposed legislation grants workers the right to take time off to care for his or herself and immediate family without penalty. This addition was primarily motivated out of concern for parents forced to choose between sacrificing a day of wages or their child’s health. According to Kate Kahan of the National Partnership for Women and Families, the burden falls especially heavy on the backs of women. Kahan argued, as women still are the primary caregivers in the household it is them who are more frequently jeopardizing their career.
Julia Sen, a teacher at Sanchez Elementary School validated Kahan’s claims, relaying the story of a working mother asked to skip out on work for her child’s health. Sen assured the crowd this was not an isolated incident, on the contrary parents frequently must choose between leaving their sick children at school or home alone.
Dr. Rajiv Bhatia of the Department of Public Health agreed, “Having sick days is an important public health benefit, benefiting both the individual and the whole society”. Ailing individuals who are allowed time to recover necessitate fewer ambulatory hospitalizations and are less likely to transmit infections. In this way, sick days offset future costs a business may face as a result of lower productivity and worker turnover.
Emergency hospitalization is particularly a problem for low-income residents. Looking at the frequency of ambulatory treatment for diabetes, Bhatia noted a “striking correspondence” between low-income neighborhoods and emergency treatment calls. Poorer citizens are more likely to put off treatment until it is too late, a consequence that is certainly influenced by sick day benefits. The legislation offers the promise of rectifying inequities in treatment.
Furthermore, according to Vicky Lovell of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, even the financial benefits outweigh the costs. Though the program will cost an annual $33.5 million once implemented, it should in turn yield over $45 million in savings. Nearly $42 million of the savings will come from decreased worker turnover. The savings includes reductions in voluntary turnover, workers quitting in search of sick day benefits, and involuntary turnover, workers leaving due to illness.
The remaining savings will be accumulated through increases in worker productivity. Sick workers do not have the capacity to work to their full potential and as a result perform tasks with decreasing efficiency. Businesses feel the costs of laborers who are producing goods or providing services inefficiently through dips in sales.
Lovell hoped to dispel some of the misconceptions regarding paid sick days. She assured businesses every worker will NOT use every day of paid sick benefits they receive. On the contrary, the average amount of time off taken by workers already covered by the policy is 1.9 days. Furthermore, nearly half of those covered do not take a single sick day. This is especially true for workers earning the minimum wage who are paid at least in part on commission. These workers cannot afford to take a free day unless it is absolutely necessary.
Once again Chris Daly led the wave of progressivism, emphasizing the need for “folks who are sick to stay home and recover”. He noted that the system as it is kicks workers when they’re down and furthermore, endangers the wellness of others.
The legislation is necessary and seems as if it should be a basic right, but is unlikely to gain support from San Francisco’s business community. Business feels it has been taking left and right hooks for the past two months from minimum wage, health care, and housing ordinances. Now, the only question is how strong will they punch back.
To leave feedback, go to feedback@beyondchron.org
by Landon Dickey (Beyond Chron)
Link: http://www.beyondchron.org/sick-and-tired-of-being-sick-and-tired/
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Anderson named in England squad for Second Test
England selectors have added Lancashire bowler James Anderson for the Second Investec Test Match at Emirates Old Trafford, starting on Friday.
Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid and Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes have also been added to the squad.
Both Anderson and Stokes, currently playing against each other in the Specsavers County Championship at Southport, have come through the first innings of the match without any issues in respect of their recent injuries.
Anderson has recovered from a stress fracture of his right shoulder and bowled 22 overs in the match taking three wickets for 58 runs.
Stokes, who has not played Test cricket since England’s victory over Sri Lanka at Headingley in May, has fully recovered from surgery to address a cartilage tear in his left knee.
Rashid, who last played for England in a Test last November against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, will be looking to add to his three caps.
Nottinghamshire seamer Jake Ball, who made his debut in the first Test at Lord’s, was aware of tightness in his left thigh during the match and will be reviewed by the England medical team ahead of the match starting on Friday.
Middlesex seamer, Toby Roland-Jones, who was selected in the squad ahead of the Lord’s Test, has joined up with the England Lions.
England 14-man Test squad
Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)
Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
James Vince (Hampshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
England vs Pakistan in Manchester
Tickets are still available for the Second Investec Test Match between England and Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford from Friday 22 – Tuesday 26 July. Tickets are limited so hurry and buy now.
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Nassau County Criminal Defense
Nassau County Burglary
A Nassau County Burglary Lawyer can explain that this offense occurs when an individual unlawfully enters the dwelling house of another with the intention of committing a criminal act. For example, when someone breaks into someone’s home to steal jewelry, the have committed the crime of burglary. Whether this crime would be considered a felony will depend on the particular circumstances of the case. If you or a loved one has been charged with burglary or other theft crime such as Robbery, credit card theft, grand larceny or Petit Larceny, it is important to speak with the legal team from Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC for guidance. The penalties for these crimes are significant, so it is important to take prompt action to ensure that your rights are protected.
In New York, the crime of Burglary is defined in NY Penal Law Article 140. There are three degrees to this offense, first degree (Penal Law 140.03), second degree (Penal Law 140.25), and third degree (Penal Law 140.20). There is also an additional related offense of Possession of Burglar’s Tools (Penal Law 140.35).
3d Degree
Third degree burglary is a felony. If you are found guilty of this crime, the punishment will range from 1 to 3 years in prison. The maximum sentence can range anywhere from 2.3 to 7 years in prison. A judge can impose a lesser sentence in certain circumstances if the defendant entered a building (rather than a home), to commit a criminal act within.
2nd Degree
This crime is considered a felony. If convicted, the minimum sentence for this crime is three and a half years in prison. The maximum sentence is fifteen years incarceration. This crime is committed when:
A person knowingly enters a dwelling and remains on the premises to commit a crime within’
Or a burglary is committed and someone is hurt;
Or a person commits a burglary in a building and he or an accomplice is in possession of a weapon.
1st Degree
This crime is considered a Class B violent felony. If convicted, the minimum sentence is 5 years incarceration, and the maximum sentence is 25 years imprisonment. This charge is considered to be on the same level as a murder in severity. The elements of this crime are:
The suspect commits a burglary within a dwelling and:
Is armed with a weapon;
Or physically injures a person.
Possession of Burglar’s Tools
This offense is a Class A misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is punishable by one year or less in jail. If convicted, the minimum sentence in this case would allow for an alternative program that will allow the defendant to avoid incarceration. This crime consists of the following elements:
The suspect is in possession of instruments or tools that can be used to commit a burglary and the circumstances indicate that the intended use was to commit an illegal act.
Often a charge of burglary will be accompanied by other charges including:
Assault (NY Penal Law Article 165);
Grand Larceny (NY Penal Law Article 20);
Criminal Possession of a Weapon (NY Penal Law Article 265);
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property (NY Penal Law Article 165).
If you or a loved one has been charged with a theft crime such as Robbery, petit larceny, Grand Larceny, it is important to contact our legal team for support and guidance. If convicted, the penalties for these crimes can be significant and life changing. Call us today for a free consultation at 800.696.9529.. We have offices to serve you throughout New York, including offices in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. We also have locations in Suffolk County and Nassau County on Long Island, and Westchester County.
24/7 FOR EMERGENCY HELP 800.696.9529
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My wife and I met under some unconventional circumstances. After I had some legal problems, Mr Bilkis and his firm continually got me out of trouble. I then had his firm represented my wife and he got her out of trouble! We are still married and got our ways straightened away. We both can't thank him enough for saving our lives and our families! J.P.
I contacted Stephen Bilkis' office for an issue regarding a family member and I could not be happier with the results. I have recommended the firm to friends and family, all of whom were also ecstatic with Mr. Bilkis and all members of his staff. P.R.
I was in need of legal assistance for a very sensitive matter for a family member. I contacted the law offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC and was met with staff whose demeanor was supportive, compassionate and professional. The lawyer handling our case had many years of experience and treated us as if we were his own family. Our experience was so good, and we became so close to all of the staff and all of the attorneys who assisted us, that we consider them our extended family and continue to send them our home baked gifts for the holidays. P.A.K.
I hired Stephen Bilkis and Associates to represent me on a legal matter a few months ago and am grateful for their swift action and resolution on my behalf. I was impressed with their professionalism and would recommend them to friends and family in a heartbeat. M.B.
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Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC also serves clients in estates & probate, family law, personal injury, medical malpractice, spinal injury, truck accident, birth injury and brain injury cases.
Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC only practices law within New York State and any content that is posted on this web site is purely for advertising purposes and should not be construed as legal advice or a creation of a client/attorney relationship.
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Nassau County Burglary | Hempstead Crime Lawyer Stephen Bilkis & Associates
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Blog Press Release: Consortium Carissimi Will Present Charpentier’s Te Deum and Vivaldi’s Gloria
Press Release: Consortium Carissimi Will Present Charpentier’s Te Deum and Vivaldi’s Gloria
As its second offering of season nine, Consortium Carissimi will present Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum as well as the well-known Gloria of Antonio Vivaldi on Friday, January 1st, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 3rd, at 2 p.m. in St. Mary’s Chapel, on the St. Paul campus of the University of St. Thomas, located on block west of the intersection of Grand Avenue and Cretin Avenue South.
“In what has now become tradition, Consortium Carissimi offers the Twin Cities an occasion to hear brilliant trumpet segments in two great works of the early and late baroque period. In many countries and cultures, it is common to sing this Te Deum canticle on January 1st,” said Garrick Comeaux, Artistic Director of Consortium Carissimi.
Carissimi’s most famous student of composition was undoubtedly the Frenchman, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and among his many well-known works is his grand polyphonic motet Te Deum (H. 146)—best known for the great trumpet part in the Prelude. This baroque trumpet became widely used in Italy in the late 17th century in Bologna, quickly replacing the cornetto which had gone into disuse.
Featuring Kris Kwapis on baroque trumpet and Douglas Shambo II as bass soloist for the Te Deum, as well as contralto Lisa Drew as soloist in the Gloria, the Consortium will be led by special guest conductor, Kathy Saltzman Romey.
Kathy Saltzman Romey is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Minnesota, where she oversees the graduate program in choral conducting and conducts choirs. She is also Artistic Director of the 200-voice symphonic chorus, The Minnesota Chorale, which serves as principal chorus for the Minnesota Orchestra.
“I am so pleased to collaborate with Consortium Carissimi on this special Epiphany program. I find the music of Vivaldi and Charpentier to be a fitting and festive entry into the New Year, offering the listener moments of both reflection and celebration,” said Romey.
Singers include: Angela Grundstad, Heather Cogswell, Anna Christopharo, Lisa Drew, David Lee Echelard, Clara Osowski, Roy Heilman, Mike Pettman, Craig Lemming, Garrick Comeaux, Eric Erlandson, Douglas Shambo II and Eric Sorum. Instrumentalists include: Kris Kwapis, trumpet; Stanly King, oboe I; Ellen Rider, oboe II; Alan Kolderie, flute I; Brian Krysinki, flute II; Marc Levine, violin; Ginna Watson, violin; Elizabeth York, viola; Julie Elhard, violoncello; Paul Berget, archlute; Garrett Lahr, baroque trombone; Sara Thompson, violone; Bruce Jacobs, harpsichord; Don Livingston, organ; and Lawrence Barnhart, timpani.
Minnesota Public Radio may take $5 off the general admission or senior ticket price by using promotional code MPR5. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vivaldis-gloria-charpentiers-te-deum-tickets-18849441186
Consortium Carissimi was founded in Rome, Italy in 1996 by Garrick Comeaux, Artistic Director, with the aim of presenting the sacred and secular music of early Roman Baroque. As well as works by Carissimi, the ensemble also performs pieces by his contemporaries. Consortium Carissimi also devotes much of its research and concert activity to composers such as Graziani, Rossi, Pasquini and Sances, thus providing a clearer picture of the extraordinary effervescence that existed in the music world during the early Baroque period in Rome.
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Unreconstructed '50s Man: Folk-Rock Songwriting Legend Don McLean Comes to Fantasy Springs
Don McLean.
What do you get when you take ’50s-style rock ’n’ roll and meld it with folk-music songwriting?
The answer: You get Don McLean.
The man—best known, of course, for his wildly successful 1971 single “American Pie”—last year released his first new studio album in nine years, Botanical Gardens. McLean will be stopping by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, July 13.
McLean—a Palm Desert resident—has called Botanical Gardens his “most reflective” album, saying the title uses gardens as a metaphor for heaven, in the context of life and death. During a recent phone interview, McLean said Botanical Gardens may be his final original album.
“I may do one more, but I don’t know,” McLean said. “I’m at the end of the road as far as writing and recording. I think I have fairly interesting songwriting ideas that other people can use.”
The material on Botanical Gardens is beautiful, and it doesn’t stray too far from his past recordings.
“I don’t really pay attention to what the times are like—and that’s part of my problem,” McLean said. “I’m sort of an unreconstructed ’50s man. I live in my own world and try to tell the truth, but also try to realize what people are going through. I keep one eye on where people are at, but most of the time, I invent song ideas that I think are wonderful. I have fun trying to make those things happen. What I do is I fuse old-fashioned popular music and rock ’n’ roll, like Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent, and folk music. I try to find a feeling that I want to get, an emotion of some sort, and then I try to get it so when I hear a song, the emotion comes back to me.”
McLean returned to Nashville to record Botanical Gardens.
“I started (recording in Nashville) in 1978, and I immediately had hit records,” McLean said. “I worked with a guy named Larry Butler, and he was brilliant. Unfortunately, he passed away. I didn’t want to go to Nashville, because I was more into Los Angeles or New York, where there was a whole different music scene. The Nashville thing seemed to be pretty cookie-cutter, and I didn’t want that sound. What I found when I got there was they were all so happy to do new things—anything but country. They were just excited about doing Chain Lightning,” McLean’s 1978 album.
“In the studios (in Nashville), I have it together. Everyone knows what’s going on, and they’re swinging with it. In New York, they have a lot of attitude, and the studio musicians have their heads up their asses sometimes thinking they know everything. But these guys in Nashville do know everything and act as if they heard this idea for the first time when you tell them. I ended up recording there for the past 35 years, and it had everything I wanted.”
At a benefit show in 2018 for UCLA Health and Teen Cancer America, McLean performed a cover of his hit song “Vincent” with Ed Sheeran.
“(Ed) is really a remarkable fellow, because he seems impervious to his success, his ego and the pressures that are all around him; he’s like a Cheshire cat,” McLean said. “He’s very mellow and asked me if we could do this. It took two seconds of rehearsal and worked out perfectly. He’s done it his own way, and I applaud him.”
“American Pie” has been covered and parodied many, many times. However, McLean said one of his favorite covers of his music was actually of “The Grave,” done by another legendary artist back in 2003.
“I want songs to be useful for people. That’s the folk side of things. ‘American Pie’ has had so many brilliant parodies, and it’s unbelievable,” McLean said. “I sit there and read these things, (wondering) how people make these things up; it’s terrific! I’m always interested in hearing those. I think one of my proudest moments was when George Michael did ‘The Grave’ to protest the war in Iraq, because no one else had the balls to stand up and say, ‘No! This is wrong!’ But he did, and he sang that song. I was so proud of him and the fact he used my song.”
While McLean is at an age when many people are pondering retirement, he said he still loves the thrill of a tour, even if his show at Fantasy Springs is just a short drive from home.
“I love to get set for the next gig, the next plane flight, and I don’t do well sitting around for too long,” he said. “I get too antsy. For me to do what I did as a kid—playing for a whole week in a nightclub—I think I’d have to hang myself, and I couldn’t do it now. I can’t go to the same place every night and do it again. But I can say that I’m in very good shape; I have a great band; and we’re going to kick some ass.”
Don McLean will perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 13, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, in Indio. Tickets are $29 to $59. For tickets or more information, call 760-342-5000, or visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
fantasy springs
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Friday, June 14 2019 00:43
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My Top 10 Ultimate Favourite Asian TV Series
Posted by Daima Hussain on March 14, 2018 10 Comments
Pakistani Drama Serials: Review and Reflection
Top 3 Binge-able Netflix Shows
Featured: A Review of the Film “Isn’t it Romantic”
This is a list of my Ultimate Favourite Asian TV Series; it includes works from all over Asia, and I have included only the very best. I did not do a Pakistan dedicated list because it is very hard to find subs for them. All in all I love all the shows on this list and I believe that even if you have never watched foreign show before, you should give them a chance.
#10 Alif Noon (1971)
Taken from: Meanwhile in Pakistan[i]
This is a story about two friends who are complete opposites. Allan is the intelligent and corrupt businessman, whereas his friend Nannha is a virtuous and principled village man. This is a comedy, but it also addresses serious issues faced by Pakistani society such as, fraud, scamming and cheating, among others.
It is a show worth watching, because it teaches you valuable lessons while keeping you in stiches with laughter. In my opinion, comedies are always best when they have an underlying deep message and this show gives you that in spades.
The reason this falls so low in the list is that sadly, I was not able to find subtitles for this one, since it is such an old drama.
#9 Hanazakari no Kimitachi e: Ikemen Paradise
Taken from: Wikipedia
This story is based on a manga of the same name, it features a Japanese-American track star Mizuki Ashiya who is so obsessed with a her hero, a star athlete in Japan, that she comes to Japan and disguises herself as boy in order to attend the same school as him.
While the premise for the show sounds kind of weird at first, the drama quickly sucks you in and you soon find yourself falling in love the characters. The Japanese Moe-moe (cutesy) style of filming can be a bit jarring at first but the story and characters are good enough to engage you. The story is heartwarming, fun and a bit silly, so that you find yourself having lighthearted fun right along with the characters.
You can find the drama with subs, here:
https://www.dramafever.com/drama/1580/Hanazakari_no_Kimitachi_e/
kissasian.ch/Drama/Hana-Kim
#8 Bu Bu Jing Xin – (Scarlet Heart)
This a time-travel masterpiece that is so famous that there is a Korean re-make. A modern girl wakes up in the body of a lady from the Qing dynasty and due to her knowledge gets embroiled in palace politics between the many princes.
I loved this drama a lot. It has a great premise and the time travel is done beautifully. The bald princes are a little off-putting at first, but you soon get used to them. The characters are complex and multifaceted and you get absorbed into their trials and tribulations easily.
https://www.viki.com/tv/2978c-scarlet-heart?locale=en
Or you can find it here:
https://www.dramafever.com/…bu-bu-jing-xin/%7B%5B%7Bnotification.object.url%7…
#7 It Started With A Kiss (and the sequel They Kiss Again)
This drama is based on a Japanese manga Itazura na Kiss. It is a romantic comedy that focuses on a lovely and sweet, but slight less intelligent girl who falls in love with a super genius boy at her high school. It so happens that she and her father move into her crush’s home after an earthquake. The romantic comedy of opposites attract is still popular today.
You will not believe how many versions of this same story I have watched; just about every Asian country has made one. In my expert opinion, (sarcasm) this is the best version of this drama. It is heart-warming, funny and cute. You will love the sweet leads and find yourself becoming staunch supporters of their romance. This dram has plenty of clichés and cheese, but I love because of this not in spite of it, and you will too. Give it a chance.
https://www.dramafever.com/drama/1826/It_Started_with_a_Kiss/
#6 I Hear Your Voice
Park Soo Ha, a mysterious teen with the ability to read minds, joins a task force to solve impossible crimes, bringing justice to innocent victims of the inept justice system.
For writing this list I had to Re-watch parts of all these shows, but especially this one; as the previous time I watched it was when it released way back in 2013, so I didn’t really remember much of the plot other than “It was awesome!” I ended up re-watching it all the way through because it was so compelling. This is a drama with a wonderful cast of amazing actors. The mysteries are fun to solve, and the powers come into play in an interesting way. I love the premise of the show and it fully delivers on its promise. Definitively a show worth watching.
kissasian.ch/Drama/I-Hear-Your-Voice
#5 Kill Me, Heal Me
This drama is about a rich heir to a family company with one major problem. Cha Do Hyun has multiple personality disorder, due to childhood trauma. If this fact is discovered by his rivals, he could lose his inheritance, so he tries to deal with it in secret. He hires a personal physiatrist, and has her try to help him get rid of his alternate personalities.
This drama is a complex and compelling look at psychological disorders, their causes and effects. It’s unique way of portraying the split personalities allows you to understand and appreciate the protagonists difficulties. This show also has some of the most amazing actors; they pull off a rich and compelling performance, keeping the audience hooked to the last minute. All-in-all it is a show that is both fun to watch and deeply emotional. Highly recommended.
You can find it here:
https://www.viki.com/tv/22811c-kill-me-heal-me?locale=en
#4 My Love from Another Star
This drama is romance involving an alien and a human. Do Min Joon, is an alien who landed on earth 400 years ago, and has been observing them ever since. He believes that his race is superior to humans, as he has enhanced vision, hearing and agility. Then he encounters the popular actress Cheon Song Yi, falling in love and having his views overturned.
This drama is a romantic romance that romances. (LOL, that sentence would not get out of my head so I decided to write in in… giggles sheepishly). But seriously, this is a romance that the watcher can root for 100%. You fall in love with the couple as you watch and their triumphs and pitfalls become yours. It is a feel-good romance that reaffirms your faith in true love. If you enjoy any sort of romance you are bound to like this one.
You can watch it:
kissasian.ch/Drama/You-Who-Came-from-the-Stars
#3 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
In this show, the Holy Empire of Britannia has conquered most of the known world, including Japan, now dubbed Area 11. The Japanese have lost the right to self-government and are considered inferior citizens, called Elevens. The Empire has very powerful mech technology called Knightmares, that it uses to their control on the rebellious elements. The Japanese have no chance of overthrowing their suppressors. But all of this changes with the introduction of Lelouch, a Brittanian who has a grudge against the Empire. He gains a mysterious power called Geass, and employs his immense intelligence to wield it against the Empire.
Okay, first of all, as you can see, this not a drama like the other shows on the list. It is in fact the only anime that managed to make the list despite being an anime. The reason I am excluding other anime from this list is that if I didn’t, this would rapidly turn into just an anime list, and that list would be therefore focused on a different audience; consequently, long story short I stuck to the one show it was impossible to not include in the list.
This is an anime I feel everyone should watch at least once in their lives. It is one I believe is not only a great anime but one of the greatest TV shows in all of existence. This anime pulls you in rapidly and doesn’t let go until it’s over. It is a fast-paced adventure, with politics, war and strategic maneuvering featuring heavily. The show asks substantial questions about morality, life and death, and the greater good, making you think and debate about these as you watch. Even with the heavy themes you are always fascinated by the characters and can’t help but be drawn in by Lelouch’s prodigious and frightening intelligence. This is a no holds barred show that goes all out and doesn’t hesitate to take even the darkest routes.
https://www.netflix.com/pf-en/title/80065146
#2 Humsafar
It is the story of newlyweds; Khirad and Ashar, and how they adjust to their arranged marriage. Some of the people in their life are unhappy and the couple faces many trials and tribulations because of it.
All in all, Humsafar is one of Pakistan’s best ever dramas. The cast is amazing, and it is genuinely heartwarming to watch the two leads fall in love. They kind of reaffirm your faith in marriage, love and the whole shebang. It is a classic drama that everyone in Pakistan has seen at least once (even my brother’s friends have seen it and they were middle-schoolers when it first aired). It is a drama that appeals to a majority of people, definitely worth a watch.
You can find it on Netflix here:
https://www.netflix.com/pk/title/80087347
Or you can watch it with subtitles here:
#1 The Empress Of China
Okay, okay, I’ll confess, I am a Wuxia fan, however, this is not your typical wuxia. This is a historical fiction that focuses on the Life of Empress Wu Zetian; the only female Emperor of China. Her story is told with such beautiful artistry, that the costumes alone leave you breathless! This is a much more personal and sympathetic take on her rise to power. The acting is brilliant, and you fall easily in love the characters. This drama takes you from happy, to sad, to scared and exited, it is a wonderfully produced masterpiece of a story. A must watch for any fans of historical drams, or political dramas.
You can find a preview here:
You can watch it in full here:
kissasian.ch/Drama/The-Empress-of-China
And, that’s it Folks!
Hope you enjoy, and feed my unhealthy drama addiction by listing your favourites down below!
[i] http://www.meanwhileinpakistan.com/2015/07/olden-yet-unforgotten-pakistani-dramas/
Disclaimer: All the photos and videos used in this particular blog post are the property of their creators. i do not claim any right to them, I am only using them to illustrate a point (fair use). If you would like to get your picture removed please contact us and we will take it off immediately.
AsiaFunpakistanTV
Daima Hussain
Hi! I’m Daima, I am daring, ambitious, innovative, merry and assertive. I am a student of business and my fondest ambition is to once in my life eat an entire Cake by myself!
Anahita Irani
Really enjoyed reading your reviews but this one was super special. Thanks so much for this.
It was my pleasure, thanks for reading and enjoying it!
Supreme Boostr
Sweet internet site, super pattern, really clean and apply friendly. http://wiki.balluffmex.com/index.php?title=Penil_Enlargement_And_Man_Up_Male_Enhancement_Reviews_And_Real_Male_Enhancement_Reviews
theglossyco
I also loved Code Geass and My Love From Another Star! I was so excited when I heard the announcement of R3 forCG 😂
zahthinks
I have seen humsafar, I can hear your voice and my love from another star from this list. Looking forward to watch the rest…
Hope you have fun! And let me know which ones you liked.
Loved the review
Zubaida Hussain
Top 3 Lemon Beauty Tips
Recipe for Daal Moong and Masoor (Yellow and Red Lentils)
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October 12, 2012 — David Burn
From The Very Beginning, Portland Has Been A City of Makers
Design is so much more than the look of things. Design is also the way things work, or conversely, don’t work. Portland, Oregon prides itself on being a place that does work, and the city has design and designers of every sort, throughout its history, to thank for that.
Last night, as part of Design Week Portland, we heard six Portland writers address significant designs born in Portland, and how the inventions, systems and objects created here helped to make the city the special place it is today.
Matthew Stadler opened the affair with a brief discussion regarding the formation of The Oregonian in 1850, largely as a civic action to boost Portland’s chances at becoming a viable city, in the face of competition from Milwaukie, Oregon City and Vancouver. Karla Starr presented a wealth of information about Vanport City, a massive and hastily constructed federal housing project near PDX, that was built to house shipyard workers during WWII. Starr noted it was the one time in Portland’s history when there were more jobs here than people.
I particularly appreciated the third presentation of the evening from Ziba writer and editor, Carl Alviani. His talk focused on “The Triggered Oscilloscope,” made by Tektronix in 1946. Alviani explained that this was the first time in our history that we could see and measure the electron world.
The invention of the Tektronix 511 led to myriad new inventions and helped Tektronix transform into a powerful company with 25,000 employees in the 1960s. But it wasn’t just Tektronik’s products or its impact on the local economy that made it such an important design development. The company set out to accomplish amazing things in a narrow field, and this helped it attract people who like to make discoveries, versus people who prefer to grow and manage a giant company like HP, Alviani noted.
Alviani said Tek sowed the seeds of today’s so-called “Creative Economy” and was “a social movement,” as well as a company. For instance, decades before it became routine, the company offered its workers profit sharing, free coffee, open offices and a relaxed atmosphere where individualism was honored. Alviani said, “the hippie engineer” found a home at Tek in the 1960s, and many local companies were born of Tek’s rib, Mentor Graphics being one of the more notable spinoffs to carry forward this special brand of Portland tech culture.
Portland Monthly editor-in-chief, Randy Gragg, shared some great material about Portland’s move to open space, and how San Francisco’s Larry Halprin, an influential American landscape architect and his wife Anna Halprin, a famous dancer, played a large role in “making the city safe for play.” Interestingly, the Halprins co-created the “RSVP Cycles”, a creative methodology that can be applied broadly across all disciplines.
The evening’s event, which was put together by Alviani, also featured two topics I was more familiar with. Chris Higgins shared the story of how the world’s first wiki was invented by Ward Cunningham, a former employee at Tektronix. Finally, my friend Rick Turoczy of Silicon Florist and Portland Incubator Experiment wrapped the session up with a look at beer’s role in shaping the city, from Henry Weinhard to the McMenamin and Widmer brothers.
Turoczy said that when people from other places visit the tech community here, they almost always make note of how every tech startup has a kegerator, sometimes several. Which is fitting. Portland’s makers want to celebrate their best work and the work of their friends, and the hand-crafted, heavily-hopped-but-still-working-class-brew is perfect beverage for that.
Illustration made by Jason Gurley
John Jay Is Making Things In His New Garage - AdPulp | AdPulp
[…] is a city of makers. From things made from steel like barges and streetcars, to things made by hand like beer and food, […]
I wish my office had a kegerator in it… I would probably work late more often.
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Oregon, Place
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Keep Taking the Tablets
Tag(s): Business, Technology
The tablet computer has deep historical roots but it was Microsoft who first tried to establish the tablet personal computer concept. In the early years of this century it sought to define this as a mobile computer for field work in business. This was based on traditional x86 IBM PC architecture with a resistive touchscreen interface driven by a stylus. For all these reasons and also because of price this did not really take off outside its specialist applications.
Then in April 2010 Apple launched the iPad, a tablet computer with an emphasis on media consumption. This uses the iOS operating system which was developed for the iPhone and the iPod touch. This rests on ARM architecture which uses less power and so increases battery life. It has a capacitive touch screen that allows fingertip control, has increased usability but is of lower weight and cost. It comes with 3G connectivity and its main source of third party software is online and so now applications or apps are downloaded at little or no cost in their billions.
Samsung followed with its Galaxy using Google’s Android operating system and the category is now well established in just two years. Apple alone had sold 55 million units by the end of December 2011 and in the first weekend that the third generation iPad was put on sale earlier this month 3 million were sold. The tablet is a game changer.
I recently attended a seminar on the development of the tablet in publishing.
Hans Janssen, CEO and co-founder of WoodWing software explained how tablet publishing, or digital publishing, improves efficiency. Indeed publishers can now distribute content through multiple channels including print, the web, mobile, social media, email as well as tablets. There are low barriers to entry so new publishers are emerging. It is being adopted by corporations for their annual reports. Retailers are creating their own devices with the Nook from Barnes and Noble while Amazon has followed up its highly successful Kindle with the Fire. Penetration in the US was 8% last year, is expected to double this year and to reach 22% in 2013. Media consumption particularly news already exceeds PCs. It is especially heavy in the evenings and at weekends. Hans believes we are now entering phase two of market development where the emphasis will be on efficient publishing to tablets and monetising the process through advertisements, paid for content and use of customer data. Profit drivers will also be lower costs and optimising the supply chain. One editor can now reach many channels. Hans also said that the tablet is a game changer!
Simon Regan-Edwards is Head of Technology at The Times and The Sunday Times. The digital version of The Sunday Times was launched in December 2010. All 12 sections were adapted with 360° pictures and other digital additions. Rupert Murdoch had identified the iPad as a game changer and believed the time was right. Circulation is building steadily and it is now the number one grossing app on a Sunday. It was voted the world’s number one newspaper and magazine app for 2010. The typical reader views in excess of 100 pages so their reading is more like a traditional newspaper. Simon also identifies multiple revenue streams including advertising, commercial supplements, app inserts, app serialisation as well as the base subscription. It has been a huge effort to digitise every story, every section, every week and to create a rich interactive experience but they believe it is worth it.
Niall Ferguson is Group Publishing Director of Future Publishing which publishes many magazine titles including T3 which stands for Tomorrow’s Technology Today. He believes tablet publishing is here to stay (though he did not actually say it’s a game changer!) In January 2010 T3 had just 200 digital editions. 20 months later that had increased to 20,000, 25% of total circulation. For Future Publishing it means its UK based titles can go global. This is also a phenomenon that has been enjoyed by the Daily Mail whose online pages are widely read in the US.
So the future looks bright for tablets and media owners looking to publish to them. But I do see some issues. There have been three successive years of revenue decline in the European telecoms sector which is hindering its ability to invest in next generation phone services. Operators need to improve networks to cope with all this increased data traffic. EU regulators are putting pressure on the big telecoms companies to upgrade their networks. In the UK this position is mirrored with falling revenues. Fixed voice revenues are expected to fall but fixed internet revenues are also falling as consumers switch to lower cost broadband. In the UK operators were forced to pay excessive prices for 3G licenses by Gordon Brown’s stupid policy of auctioning the licenses. It is far better to license at a low price, after all the airwaves do not cost the government anything, and then tax the profits at an appropriate level, a policy that was successfully followed by the British Government for many years with North Sea Oil.
Future mobile network revenues are further threatened by wise consumers using apps to keep their bills small by pushing traffic online. WhatsApp is used to send one billion messages per day and Viber, which offers free international calls and texts, has been downloaded thirty million times. Growth could also be harmed as a consequence of aggressive patent litigation between competing mobile telecoms companies including Samsung, HTC, Apple and Google with its Android technology and its acquisition of Motorola Mobility. In November 2011 HTC was ordered to cease all sales of its smartphones in Germany as a result of patent litigation. And recently there has been evidence of a decline in SMS use. Texting has long been a major revenue earner but it is increasingly being replaced by email and instant messaging services such as Blackberry Messenger.[i]
Mobile operators and providers should also be able to make money out of the growing army of tablet owners from mobile data services of all kinds. But they will need to invest in growing capacity in 4G and beyond as generations of people who have only known a world in which they are always online consume ever more data believing it to be free or almost free.
[i] Sector focus/communications/technology/Telecoms themarketer March/April 2012
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DCHS HomeFederal Nutrition ProgramsSNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, provides low-income households with a monthly Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used, like a debit card, to buy food at most grocery stores and other food retailers, including farmers’ markets.
The SNAP/Food Stamp Program is the largest federal nutrition program operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by state agencies. In D.C., the program is administered by the Department of Human Services’ Economic Security Administration (ESA).
SNAP reached 75,166 households in the nation’s capital with 132,531 individuals in an average month (FY 2016).
15 percent of households in D.C. participate in SNAP
More than two-thirds of SNAP families in the district had at least one working adult in the past 12 months.
Only 16% (12,000) of SNAP households were on TANF, making SNAP a critical safety net for families with children.
Nearly one-third of all SNAP households in the district included children.
Share this factsheet.
Download the SNAP Strengths infographics.
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Including People with Disabilities: Public Health Workforce Competencies
What are the Competencies?
Development of the Competencies
The Significance of Disability in Public Health
Chronic and Secondary Conditions
Policy Development and Health Promotion
How to Use This Resource
The Competencies
Resources by Topic
Curricula and Training Resources
Alignment with Other Public Health Competencies and Standards
Learning Modules
There are many misconceptions about people with disabilities. Healthy People 2020 identifies four that emerge: (1) all people with disabilities automatically have poor health, (2) public health should focus only on preventing disabling conditions, (3) a standard definition of “disability” or “people with disabilities” is not needed for public health purposes, and (4) the environment plays no role in the disabling process.7 These misconceptions have led to a lack of health promotion and disease prevention activities targeting people with disabilities and an increase in the occurrence of secondary conditions.8
State and national data demonstrate disparities in health for people with disabilities and suggest that having a disability can create risks for other preventable health issues. They experience disparities in routine public health areas like health behaviors, preventive services and chronic conditions.7 Compared to people without disabilities, people with disabilities are less likely to report having recommended preventive screening, including mammograms and colorectal cancer screening, and are less likely to have received dental care in the past year.1 They are also more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors like smoking at a much higher prevalence rate (28.3%) than people without disabilities (16.1%).1
The health of people with disabilities should be relatively comparable to those without disabilities. Similar to the general population, it is critical that individuals with disabilities are given the information to make healthy choices on how to prevent illness. Activities such as physical activity, smoking cessation, healthy eating, and preventive screenings should be promoted and accessible to all Americans, as there is a range of health benefits for people with and without disabilities.9
Despite legislative actions like the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) (see Policy and Disability) many barriers to accessing and participating in healthy lifestyle activities still exist for people with disabilities. Barriers may include such factors as inaccessible health care facilities or health screening equipment, discriminatory attitudes, poverty, and lack of knowledge among people with disabilities or their health care providers, and cost. People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to report cost being a barrier to health care (27.4% compared to 12.5% of people without disabilities).1 Lack of knowledge or experience on how to interact and communicate with people with disabilities may lead to false assumptions, generalizations, or a lack of trust among people with and without disabilities. Such barriers prevent achieving maximum health.
Name: Adriane Griffen, DrPH, MPH, MCHES
Senior Director, Public Health and Leadership, AUCD
agriffen@aucd.org
disabilityinPH@aucd.org
Twitter: @PHis4Everyone #disabilityinPH
@aucdnews
www.aucd.org
www.phetoolkit.org
View disability in public health’s profile on Facebook
View PHis4Everyone’s profile on Twitter
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WSJ: Anxiety Can Bring Out the Best
June 18, 2012, 6:45 p.m. ET
Anxiety Can Bring Out the Best
Researchers Prescribe Just Enough Stress to Ace Life's Tests; Too Little Is Lazy
By MELINDA BECK
Anxiety gets a bad rap, but a recent brain-scan study found that just the right amount of worrying has some serious upsides. Melinda Beck has details on Lunch Break.
You have an important presentation tomorrow but your heart is racing and your mind is serving up a steady stream of what-ifs: What if I'm not fully prepared? What if it goes badly? You're running out of time. The last thing you need is all this anxiety.
Actually, a little anxiety may be just what you need to focus your efforts and perform at your peak, psychologists say.
Somewhere between checked out and freaked out lies an anxiety sweet spot, some researchers say, in which a person is motivated to succeed yet not so anxious that performance takes a dive. This moderate amount of anxiety keeps people on their toes, enables them to juggle multiple tasks and puts them on high alert for potential problems.
The Sweet Spot for Success
"Coaches and sports psychologists have always known that you don't want your athlete to be relaxed right before an event. You need some 'juice' to go fast," says Stephen Josephson, a psychologist in New York City who has treated athletes, actors and musicians.
It can be tricky to achieve. Some overly optimistic people and those with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder may lack enough anxiety to take action. Others—mostly procrastinating perfectionists—must create anxiety-producing situations in order to get anything done.
Regulating anxiety is also difficult because humans' ancient threat-detection system hasn't kept pace with modern man's ability to fret about the future, ruminate about the past and imagine all kinds of terrible scenarios, says Dennis Tirch, associate director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in New York. So the body's primitive fight-or-flight response kicks in even when the threat at hand is a daunting social engagement or a 20-page report.
Of course, too much anxiety can be painful and destructive. Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults—18% of the population—in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Only about one-third of them seek treatment. The disorders run the gamut from panic attacks and specific phobias to obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, a random kind of worry described as free-floating and relentless. Sufferers also have a high incidence of depression and physical ailments, including migraines, high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive disorders and chronic pain, according to NIMH.
The terms anxiety and stress are often used interchangeably, although stress includes anger and frustration, while anxiety is typically worry and unease.
The notion that moderate anxiety can be beneficial goes back at least to 1908, when Harvard psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dodson posited that arousal (as they called it) enhances performance—but only to a point. When anxiety gets too high, performance suffers instead.
The Yerkes-Dodson curve—an upside-down U shape—is still taught in psychology courses, and modern neuroscience has helped confirm it. Studies have shown, for example, that the brain learns best when stress hormones are mildly elevated.
High anxiety can make even simple tasks more difficult, says psychologist Jason Moser at Michigan State University.
In a study published earlier this month in the International Journal of Psychophysiology, he and his colleagues monitored the brain activity of 79 female and 70 male students while they performed a letter-identifying exercise. The students performed equally well at first, but the women who identified themselves as highly anxious had to work harder at it. Those subjects showed far more activity in a part of the brain—the anterior cingulate cortex—thought to be a center of anxiety. And once the worrying women started making errors, they made them at a higher rate than the other subjects, suggesting that the extra effort the anxiety caused was taking a toll, Dr. Moser says.
How do you find the sweet spot between anxiety that energizes and anxiety that paralyzes?
Most therapists see more patients suffering from too much anxiety rather than too little, although withdrawal and lack of ambition can be a hallmark of depression. Dr. Josephson says that overly optimistic people with ADHD often have an insufficient sense of urgency to get things done. One form of treatment is what he calls "motivational interviewing: stressing the negative future consequences of not finishing and explaining that once the task is through, they'll feel a sense of calm and relief," he says.
Another group of people can't get anything done without some level of anxiety. "There are people who subconsciously set life up to give them a thrill, by always being almost late, nearly missing a deadline, spending more than they should," says Marianne Legato, a professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University in New York. "I call them fretters."
Stimulants like caffeine and cigarettes create the physical sense of anxiety artificially by constricting blood vessels and raising the heart beat.
Living with a constant anxiety buzz crosses the line into a disorder when people can't turn it off, or when it interferes with functioning. "Ask yourself: Is it causing significant impairment in my life, and is it causing significant distress?" says Dr. Tirch.
Anxiety is also dysfunctional if it is causing physical tension in the body, or if it is generated by a constant stream of self-criticism, which can be self-fulfilling. Being unable to sleep or relax without alcohol or medication are also red flags.
"Needing a glass of wine to relax is disconcerting," says Dr. Legato. "If you need solace at the end of the day, you are torturing yourself in some way."
Anxiety is especially self-defeating when people focus on the fear itself, rather than the task at hand. The best way to stay in the "sweet spot," Dr. Moser says, is to channel the anxiety into productive activity—like studying and acing the test. "I tell a lot of my patients that Nike really has a great slogan—Just Do It," he says.
Turning anxiety into action is also a major component of cognitive behavioral therapy, which is widely seen as the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Identifying and challenging self-defeating thoughts, and gradually facing the source of fears, can provide more lasting relief than antianxiety medications, psychologists say.
"If you have to take Xanax to get on the elevator, you never learn that the elevator isn't something to be afraid of," says Dr. Josephson. "You have to embrace the anxiety to overcome it."
That is often how psychologists help performers overcome stage fright or athletes snap out of a slump. Relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can bring a toxic level of anxiety down, but harnessing it can ultimately be more effective. Rehearsing a scenario repeatedly can help manage and defuse the fear.
"We'll say to athletes, 'You're going to be anxious. Great. Channel it and use it," Dr. Josephson says. "Being willing to feel some anxiety and not running away from it is huge."
Write to Melinda Beck at HealthJournal@wsj.com
Jul 10, 2012 6:33:42 AM | Health, Psychology
WSJ: Chinese Medicine Goes Under the Microscope
Chinese Medicine Goes Under the Microscope
By SHIRLEY S. WANG
There's growing acceptance that herbal medicines could be effective for medical conditions, but the scientific evidence to vault such a treatment into an approved drug is often lacking. As Shirley Wang explains on Lunch Break, researchers are making progress on a cancer treatment based on a common herbal combination in Chinese medicine.
Scientists studying a four-herb combination discovered some 1,800 years ago by Chinese herbalists have found that the substance enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer.
Photo Researchers Inc.
Early studies show a traditional four-herb combination has cancer-treatment benefits. The herbs are Chinese peony (pictured), Chinese jujube, Chinese licorice and baikal skullcap.
The mixture, known in China as huang qin tang, has been shown in early trials to be effective at reducing some side effects of chemotherapy, including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The herbs also seem to bolster colon-cancer treatment: Tests on animals with tumors have shown that administering the herbs along with chemotherapy drugs restored intestinal cells faster than when chemo was used alone.
The herb combination, dubbed PHY906 by scientists, is a rare example of a plant-based product used in traditional folk medicine that could potentially jump the hurdle into mainstream American therapy. A scientific team led by Yung-Chi Cheng, an oncology researcher at Yale University, and funded in part by the National Cancer Institute, is planning to begin Phase II clinical trials to study PHY906's effectiveness in people with colon cancer.
Chinese jujube
Many conventional medications are derived from individual chemical agents originally found in plants. In the case of huang qin tang, however, scientists so far have identified 62 active chemicals in the four-herb combination that apparently need to work together to be effective.
"What Dr. Cheng is doing is keeping [the herbal combination] as a complex entity and using that as an agent," says Josephine Briggs, head of the federal National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is helping fund some of the PHY906 research. "It's polypharmacy," or the equivalent of several drugs being administered at once.
Dr. Cheng began his research on huang qin tang about a dozen years ago when he sought a better way of dealing with the chemotherapy's side effects. A variety of medications are currently used to treat these symptoms, but with varying success. A more effective technique could improve patients' quality of life and possibly allow them to tolerate a larger dose of chemo, which might speed up their course of treatment, he says.
Dr. Cheng, who grew up in Taiwan, turned to Chinese traditional medicine, which often touts holistic treatments and multiple health claims for a single herb. In herbal literature he found mention of huang qin tang, a herbal combination traditionally used in China for gastrointestinal problems, and decided to test whether it could help cancer patients without compromising the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.
San Diego Botanic Garden
Chinese licorice
The research team began by giving mice with colon cancer high doses of irinotecan, a chemotherapy drug. Some of the mice also received varying doses of PHY906, the herbal combination. After four days, the animals that got the herbs seemed to experience fewer side effects. The herbs also appeared to improve the efficacy of the chemo, restoring damaged intestinal cells faster than with chemo alone and allowing the mice to tolerate doses of the drug that otherwise might have been lethal.
They followed with another experiment treating animals in four groups. One group received just the chemotherapy drug, another received just PHY906, a third group got both and the last group got nothing. The herb and drug combination worked the best at reducing side effects. As the researchers expected, PHY906 had no impact on the cancer when used by itself.
Further testing showed that PHY906's effectiveness was diminished if any of the four herbs was eliminated, indicating that there is an apparent synergistic effect between them. This finding "got me serious about [PHY906]," says Dr. Cheng. The work was published in the journal Science and Translational Medicine in 2010. By submitting PHY906 to the scientific rigor of clinical trials, Dr. Cheng aims to win regulatory approval for the compound's use in cancer treatment.
One challenge with using herbal medicines is that the ratio of the chemicals they contain isn't consistent when plants are grown under different conditions. After testing various suppliers, Dr. Cheng ended up creating a biotechnology company sponsored by Yale called PhytoCeutica to carefully monitor growing conditions to ensure plants from different batches were pharmacologically consistent and to continue clinical development of the compound.
University of British Columbia Botanical Garden
Baikal skullcap
Why PHY906 works isn't entirely clear, Dr. Cheng says. The herbal combination appears to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract, according to work the group published in the journal BMC Medical Genomics last year. Dr. Cheng says he believes PHY906 works in at least three different ways in the body to control the side effects of chemotherapy, whereas conventional treatments work in just a single way.
So far, research data seem to support Dr. Cheng's hunch about traditional medicine. "If it's still in use after a thousand years there must be something right," he says.
Write to Shirley S. Wang at shirley.wang@wsj.com
Bucking the Mainstream to Focus on Healing Herbs
Cancer researcher Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng
When cancer researcher Yung-Chi Cheng set out some 12 years ago to study a traditional Chinese medicine, the initial reaction from colleagues and other experts in the field was "pretty bad," he says.
Colleagues worried that Yale University's Dr. Cheng, a mainstream, respected professor of pharmacology, was taking a professional risk by delving into possible herbal treatments for cancer. It wasn't possible to get separate batches of herbs containing chemical compounds that were consistent, they told him. And there wasn't evidence to support the claim that the herbs had any benefit. "It was rejectionist and narrow-minded," Dr. Cheng says.
Nature's Drugs
Some herbs and plants with possible cancer-treatment benefits.
Boswellia serrata (frankincense) Reduces inflammation
What it is being studied for: To reduce tumor growth and brain swelling in patients with gliomas
Nerium oleander (rose laurel)
Reduces inflammation and modulates the immune system
What it is being studied for: To use with chemotherapy drugs to treat advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
Valeriana officinalis (garden heliotrope)
Has sedating effects
What it is being studied for: To improve sleep in cancer patients undergoing treatment
Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort)
Has analgesic, sedative and anti-depressant effects
What it is being studied for: To reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women with breast cancer
Source: National Cancer Institute
Born in Britain and raised in Taiwan, the 67-year-old Dr. Cheng mainly works at developing better cancer and antivirus compounds. He says he decided to move forward with the work on Chinese herbs on a part-time basis because he felt that whether the medical claims were true or not, they needed to be evaluated closely.
Over the years, the field's view of this type of work has changed, says Dr. Cheng. With clinical evidence and data showing that the herbal product can be made to be consistent, he has experienced more acceptance from colleagues in the U.S. and internationally. In 2003, he started a global consortium of researchers and pharmaceutical companies studying traditional Chinese medicine.
Dr. Cheng, who earned his doctorate in biochemical pharmacology from Brown University in Rhode Island, has also found it easier over time to get published and to receive funding for the work with herbs, including as a potential treatment for the side effects induced by cancer chemotherapy.
Anticipating the skepticism he might face in developing a plant-based drug, Dr. Cheng didn't publish his work in a journal until two years ago when he had consistent, clinical evidence and some understanding of the mechanism. "I might as well wait until the whole comprehensive story develops," says Dr. Cheng. "Now I feel it's about time."
—Shirley S. Wang
The common name of the plant Hypericum perforatum is St. John's wort. In an earlier version of this article, a listing of herbs and plants with possible cancer-treatment benefits misspelled the name as St. John's sort.
A version of this article appeared April 3, 2012, on page D4 in some U.S. editions of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Chinese Medicine Goes Under the Microscope.
Apr 7, 2012 8:24:28 PM | Health, Science
WSJ: When Stress Is Good for You
WORK & FAMILY
When Stress Is Good for You
It's Disparaged as Dangerous, but Healthy Levels of Stress Can Pump Up Both Mind and Body
By SUE SHELLENBARGER
Stress: It can propel you into "the zone," spurring peak performance and well-being. Too much of it, though, strains your heart, robs you of memory and mental clarity and raises your risk of chronic disease.
A little stress is helpful for peak performance, but too much can literally shut down the brain. Sue Shellenbarger on Lunch Break looks at how you stay in the good stress zone and tell if you're tipping into bad.
How do you get the benefits—and avoid the harmful effects?
By learning to identify and manage individual reactions to stress, people can develop healthier outlooks as well as improve performance on cognitive tests, at work and in athletics, researchers and psychologists say.
The body has a standard reaction when it faces a task where performance really matters to goals or well-being: The sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands pump stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, into the bloodstream. Heartbeat and breathing speed up, and muscles tense.
What happens next is what divides healthy stress from harmful stress. People experiencing beneficial or "adaptive" stress feel pumped. The blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow to help the brain, muscles and limbs meet a challenge, similar to the effects of aerobic exercise, according to research by Wendy Mendes, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and others.
The body tends to respond differently under harmful or threatening stress. The blood vessels constrict, and "you may feel a little dizzy as your blood pressure rises," says Christopher Edwards, director of the behavioral chronic pain management program at Duke University Medical Center. Symptoms are often like those you feel in a fit of anger. You may speak more loudly or experience lapses in judgment or logic, he says. Hands and feet may grow cold as blood rushes to the body's core. Research shows the heart often beats erratically, spiking again and again like a seismograph during an earthquake.
Another hallmark: "Can you turn it off? Or are you a prisoner of your mind?" says Martin Rossman, an author on healing and stress and a clinical instructor at the University of California, San Francisco, Medical School. People under harmful stress lose the ability to re-engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which drives the body's day-to-day natural functions, including digestion and sleep. While individuals vary in how long they can tolerate chronic stress, research shows it sharply increases the risk of insomnia, chronic disease and early death.
Home builder Carl Weissensee used to be "addicted to stress," he says. Managing thousands of details and multiple risks for each of the multimillion-dollar houses he builds, he spent years rushing around with "one foot off the ground 20 hours a day, running the same scenarios through my mind time and time again, and being unable to put it aside," says Mr. Weissensee, 58, of Mill Valley, Calif.
In an important marker of harmful stress levels, his agitation disrupted his life. "I would sleep four to six hours a night, and even that wasn't good sleep." His wife complained, and his young daughter painted a small rock for him with the words, "You work too much."
A heart attack, followed by problems with cardiac arrhythmia, forced him to find the line between good stress and bad. "I don't believe it's possible to do a good job without a certain amount of stress. It's necessary to get things done," he says.
He has brought it down to a healthy level by using relaxation techniques, including deep breathing and guided imagery—lying still and imagining stressful tasks turning out well. After seeing Dr. Rossman, reading his book and doing one of his relaxation CDs daily, Mr. Weissensee learned to acknowledge his worries instead of recycling them in his head, then practice "skipping over" them and telling himself that "everything works out in the end," he says. He has managed to stabilize his heart condition without large doses of medication.
Falling Levels
People who say their stress level is an 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale, where 1 is 'little or no stress' and 10 is 'a great deal of stress.'
Source: American Psychological Association and Harris Interactive
"By practicing over and over, I seem to be changing the path my thoughts take from, 'I'm doomed,' to, 'Things will be OK,' " he says. "My goal is to worry just enough to do my job well."
That kind of positive attitude tends to produce good stress, based on research by Dr. Mendes and others. In a study of 50 college students, some were coached to believe that feeling nervous or excited before a presentation could improve performance. A control group didn't receive the coaching. When the students were asked to make a speech about themselves while receiving critical feedback, those who received the coaching showed a healthier physiological response, leading to increased dilation of the arteries and smaller rises in blood pressure than the control group.
In a similar study, students who received the same coaching before taking graduate-school entrance exams posted higher scores on a mock test in the lab and also on the actual exam three months later, compared with controls, according to a study co-authored by Dr. Mendes and published last year in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. They also posted higher levels of salivary amylase, a protein marker for adrenaline that is linked to episodes of beneficial stress.
People react differently to everyday stress. At-home or mobile biofeedback devices can detect spikes in the heart rate. Hand-held thermometers also can be used to note when the temperature of one's hands falls below 95 degrees, says Kenneth Pelletier, a clinical professor of medicine at both the University of Arizona School of Medicine and the University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.
Illustration by Mike Right
Toronto psychologist Kate Hays tells patients to imagine a stress scale "ranging from 1, where you're practically asleep, to 10, where you're climbing off the ceiling." Then, she asks them to recall a past peak performance and figure out where their stress at that moment would have ranked. Many people say 4 to 6, but responses range from 2 to 8, says Dr. Hays, who specializes in sports and performance psychology. That becomes their personal stress-management target.
For most people, hitting that target requires new skills. With practice, though, they can learn to relax completely in a few seconds, says Dr. Pelletier.
In addition to thinking positively about stressors, deep abdominal breathing and training in meditation and mindfulness, or regulating one's own mental and physical states, help moderate stress.
All have been shown in research to help heal such chronic problems as heart disease, according to a 2010 research review co-authored by Bonnie Horrigan, director of public education for the Bravewell Collaborative, Minneapolis, a nonprofit that advocates integrating health and medical care. When Ford Motor Co. tested various ways of helping employees with chronic back pain several years ago, corporate medical director Walter Talamonti says, training in reducing harmful stress to healthy levels was linked to reductions in employees' pain and medication use.
Dr. Edwards is seeing 15% to 20% annual increases in patients at his pain clinic seeking biofeedback and other help with stress and stress-related ailments. As many as 35% of them actually want to generate more good stress; many are referred by counselors, parents or coaches.
Many workplace wellness programs have also begun coaching people to hit "the optimal performance zone"—with enough stress "to be stimulating, to focus you, to challenge you" without taking a physical toll, says Dr. Pelletier.
Write to Sue Shellenbarger at sue.shellenbarger@wsj.com
Feb 18, 2012 6:28:41 PM | Demographics, Health, Opinion, Psychology
WSJ: A Sleep Battle of the Sexes
A Sleep Battle of the Sexes
Women Sleep More but Men Complain Less; Who Copes Better When Exhausted?
By ANDREA PETERSEN
He sleeps. She sleeps. They sleep differently.
Women tend to have more deep sleep and awaken fewer times during the night than men do. They also weather some of the effects of a lack of sleep better than men, according to recent studies. Still, men overall say they are more satisfied with the amount and quality of their shut-eye than are women.
Getting enough sleep is an important factor in maintaining overall health. Scientists are increasingly focusing on gender differences in sleep, seeking clues about why women are more likely to suffer insomnia, for instance. Some researchers suggest that differences in sleep patterns could help explain why women live longer than men.
Andrea Petersen explains on Lunch Break why men and women sleep differently and whether it may partly explain why women generally have better health and live longer.
"Women on average have longer sleep than men; women on average are healthier than men. It could be that those are related," says Daniel J. Buysse, a professor of psychiatry and clinical and translational science at the University of Pittsburgh. Sleep difficulties have been linked in many studies with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Most people regularly sleep with a partner, and some research has shown that people wake up more and have less deep sleep when they sleep with another person. Still, people generally say they are more satisfied with their sleep when they are with a loved one. "There are objective costs to the physical presence of someone else in the bed," says Wendy M. Troxel, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a leading researcher on relationships and sleep. But "the safety and security we derive from our social relationships trumps the cost," she says.
Men and women have different body clocks. Men's average "circadian period" was 24 hours, 11 minutes—six minutes longer than for women, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's annual meeting in June in Minneapolis. Although six minutes doesn't seem like a big deal, the effects can compound day after day. Researchers determined circadian period by measuring core body temperature and levels of the hormone melatonin.
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During the study, which involved 157 healthy people, more men had circadian periods longer than 24 hours and therefore were predisposed to want to go to bed later and get up later each day—classic behavior of so-called night owls. By contrast, twice as many women as men had body clocks shorter than 24 hours and therefore wanted to go to bed earlier and get up earlier. "That may make it more difficult to stay asleep at the end of the night," contributing to insomnia in women, says Jeanne F. Duffy, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston and the lead author of the study.
For both sexes, a circadian period that is out of sync with the 24-hour clock can result in sleep deprivation as the week goes on. People with short biological clocks may want to increase exposure to light at night and eliminate it in the morning. Night owls should reduce light exposure before bedtime and get bright light in the morning. Trying to catch up on sleep on the weekends can just push one's biological clock further out of whack.
Women, on the whole, get more sleep and fall asleep faster than men. About 30% of women said they sleep eight hours or more on weekdays, compared with 22% of men, according to the National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America Poll, which surveyed 1,506 people. A small study looking at the sleep of healthy young adults found that women slept an average of 7 hours, 43 minutes in a night, or 19 minutes more than men. And women took 9.3 minutes on average to fall asleep, whereas men took 23.2 minutes. The study, published in the journal Chronobiology International in 2005, followed 16 men and 15 women—a small but not uncommon number for sleep studies—over three nights in a sleep laboratory.
Given this, researchers say it isn't clear why in numerous studies women tend to complain more about their sleep, saying they don't get enough shut-eye and find it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Sleep studies might not be picking up the whole story, some researchers say, adding that more investigation is needed.
While mothers of young children often feel like they get no sleep, Dr. Buysee says the research doesn't bear that out. "This isn't going to be popular, but some studies show that mothers get more sleep than fathers," he says. Women likely feel worse because their sleep is so interrupted. "If the woman's sleep is more fragmented, she's going to suffer more consequences," he says.
Multiple studies have shown that women generally have more slow-wave sleep, which is the deepest sleep. It tends to happen in the first part of the night and is critical to memory formation.
Women may be better able to cope with sleep deprivation than are men, probably because they get more deep sleep, recent research suggests. A small study, presented at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's annual meeting, aimed to mimic the common practice of people not getting enough sleep during the work week and then trying to make up for it on the weekends. Both men's and women's performance on a 10-minute computer task that measured reaction time and speed, among other variables, deteriorated after five nights of only six hours of sleep.
Men and women have different body clocks, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's annual meeting.
But women's scores slipped less then men's, and recovered to a greater degree after two nights of extended sleep, of eight hours. "I think what our data show is that women can deal with sleep loss better than men," says Alexandros Vgontzas, professor of psychiatry at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa., and a co-author of the study, which involved 16 men and 18 women.
Sleep can help reinforce learning in both men and women, such as college students readying for an exam. But to absorb certain kinds of knowledge, known as perceptual learning, men needed a nap whereas women didn't, according to another study presented at the sleep medicine academy's meeting.
In the study, 126 subjects completed a task that required them to identify differences in the movement of dots on a screen. The subjects then underwent some training in the task and were tested again to see how much they had learned. Men only learned after a nap. Women learned whether they napped or not. "It may be the case that women are better suited for tasks requiring sustained perception, jobs like air-traffic controllers or radiologists who are reading MRIs," says Elizabeth McDevitt, a study coordinator at the University of California, San Diego and the lead author of the study.
Life changes, including pregnancy and menopause, can wreak havoc on women's sleep. Overall, however, men wake up more often during the night, partly because of their greater risk for obstructive sleep apnea, researchers say.
Some researchers say some women may not feel they're getting a good night's sleep because sleep studies may not be seeing the whole picture when it comes to insomnia. New studies using PET scans have shown that in patients with insomnia, glucose metabolism is elevated in some parts of the brain. So even when they're asleep "their brain isn't completely shut off," says Dr. Buysse. Women are about 50% more likely to have insomnia than men. Other researchers say women, more than men, tend to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, which can lead to insomnia.
Write to Andrea Petersen at andrea.petersen@wsj.com
Aug 24, 2011 8:46:02 AM | Demographics, Health
WSJ: The Sleepless Elite
HEALTH JOURNAL
The Sleepless Elite
Why Some People Can Run on Little Sleep and Get So Much Done
Melinda Beck explains why for a small number of people getting a full night of sleep is a waste of time and the reasons behind it.
For a small group of people—perhaps just 1% to 3% of the population—sleep is a waste of time.
Natural "short sleepers," as they're officially known, are night owls and early birds simultaneously. They typically turn in well after midnight, then get up just a few hours later and barrel through the day without needing to take naps or load up on caffeine.
They are also energetic, outgoing, optimistic and ambitious, according to the few researchers who have studied them. The pattern sometimes starts in childhood and often runs in families.
While it's unclear if all short sleepers are high achievers, they do have more time in the day to do things, and keep finding more interesting things to do than sleep, often doing several things at once.
Nobody knows how many natural short sleepers are out there. "There aren't nearly as many as there are people who think they're short sleepers," says Daniel J. Buysse, a psychiatrist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a professional group.
Out of every 100 people who believe they only need five or six hours of sleep a night, only about five people really do, Dr. Buysse says. The rest end up chronically sleep deprived, part of the one-third of U.S. adults who get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night, according to a report last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To date, only a handful of small studies have looked at short sleepers—in part because they're hard to find. They rarely go to sleep clinics and don't think they have a disorder.
A few studies have suggested that some short sleepers may have hypomania, a mild form of mania with racing thoughts and few inhibitions. "These people talk fast. They never stop. They're always on the up side of life," says Dr. Buysse. He was one of the authors of a 2001 study that had 12 confirmed short sleepers and 12 control subjects keep diaries and complete numerous questionnaires about their work, sleep and living habits.One survey dubbed "Attitude for Life" that was actually a test for hypomania. The natural short sleepers scored twice as high as the controls.
There is currently no way people can teach themselves to be short sleepers. Still, scientists hope that by studying short sleepers, they can better understand how the body regulates sleep and why sleep needs vary so much in humans.
Normal Sleeper
Most adults have normal sleep needs, functioning best with 7 to 9 hours of sleep, and about two-thirds of Americans regularly get it. Children fare better with 8 to 12 hours, and elderly people may need only 6 to 7.
Wannabe Short Sleeper
One-third of Americans are sleep-deprived, regularly getting less than 7 hours a night, which puts them at higher risk of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and other health problems.
Short Sleeper
Short sleepers, about 1% to 3% of the population, function well on less than 6 hours of sleep without being tired during the day. They tend to be unusually energetic and outgoing. Geneticists who spotted a gene variation in short sleepers were able to replicate it in mice—which needed less sleep than usual, too.
"My long-term goal is to someday learn enough so we can manipulate the sleep pathways without damaging our health," says human geneticist Ying-Hui Fu at the University of California-San Francisco. "Everybody can use more waking hours, even if you just watch movies."
Dr. Fu was part of a research team that discovered a gene variation, hDEC2, in a pair of short sleepers in 2009. They were studying extreme early birds when they noticed that two of their subjects, a mother and daughter, got up naturally about 4 a.m. but also went to bed past midnight.
Genetic analyses spotted one gene variation common to them both. The scientists were able to replicate the gene variation in a strain of mice and found that the mice needed less sleep than usual, too.
News of their finding spurred other people to write the team, saying they were natural short sleepers and volunteering to be studied. The researchers are recruiting more candidates and hope to find more gene variations they have in common.
Potential candidates for the gene study are sent multiple questionnaires and undergo a long structured phone interview. Those who make the initial screening wear monitors to track their sleep patterns at home. Christopher Jones, a University of Utah neurologist and sleep scientist who oversees the recruiting, says there is one question that is more revealing than anything else: When people do have a chance to sleep longer, on weekends or vacation, do they still sleep only five or six hours a night? People who sleep more when they can are not true short sleepers, he says.
That All-Nighter Feels Good—Temporarily
Sleep deprivation makes most people grumpy. It's sometimes used as a form of torture. Oddly enough, it can also bring on temporary euphoria, according to a study in the journal Neuroscience last month.
Researchers had 14 healthy young adults stay up all night and all the next day and then compared their reactions with 13 subjects who had slept normally. In one test, sleepless subjects asked to rate a series of images uniformly saw them as more pleasant or positive. "We saw this strange lopsided shift," says lead author Matthew Walker, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of California-Berkeley.
Brain scans also showed that the subjects who had pulled all-nighters had heightened activity in the mesolimbic pathway, a brain circuit driven by dopamine, a neurotransmitter that typically regulates feelings of pleasure, addiction and cravings.
The boost of dopamine after an all-nighter may help explain why sleep deprivation can alleviate major depression in about 60% of patients, although the effect is only temporary. "As soon as they get recovery sleep, all that mood elevation is lost," says Dr. Walker.
Could the sleep-deprived brain be somehow compensating for the lack of downtime with a surge of dopamine to keep on going? Scientists don't yet know.
Earlier studies have also shown that sleep deprivation amplifies activity in the amygdala, the primitive emotional center of the brain, and reduces it the prefrontal cortex, where higher, more rational thought occurs. It may be that the brain reverts to a more basic mode of operating when it is sleep deprived, Dr. Walker speculates. Alternatively, he says, "we know that different parts of the brain are more sensitive than others to sleep deprivation. It may be that the prefrontal cortex just goes down first."
Although the feelings of euphoria sound great, Dr. Walker warns that operating more on emotion than reason can be very risky. "You are all gas pedal and no brake," he says. That can be dangerous, indeed, if you are in a job that requires both long hours and difficult decision making
To date, Dr. Jones says he has identified only about 20 true short sleepers, and he says they share some fascinating characteristics. Not only are their circadian rhythms different from most people, so are their moods (very upbeat) and their metabolism (they're thinner than average, even though sleep deprivation usually raises the risk of obesity). They also seem to have a high tolerance for physical pain and psychological setbacks.
"They encounter obstacles, they just pick themselves up and try again," Dr. Jones says.
Some short sleepers say their sleep patterns go back to childhood and some see the same patterns starting in their own kids, such as giving up naps by age 2. As adults, they gravitate to different fields, but whatever they do, they do full bore, Dr. Jones says.
"Typically, at the end of a long, structured phone interview, they will admit that they've been texting and surfing the Internet and doing the crossword puzzle at the same time, all on less than six hours of sleep," says Dr. Jones. "There is some sort of psychological and physiological energy to them that we don't understand."
Drs. Jones and Fu stress that there is no genetic test for short sleeping. Ultimately, they expect to find that many different genes play a role, which may in turn reveal more about the complex systems that regulate sleep in humans.
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Leonardo da Vinci were too busy to sleep much, according to historical accounts. Winston Churchill and Thomas Edison came close but they were also fond of taking naps, which may disqualify them as true short sleepers.
Nowadays, some short sleepers gravitate to fields like blogging, videogame design and social media, where their sleep habits come in handy. "If I could find a way to do it, I'd never sleep," says Dave Hatter, a software developer in Fort Wright, Ky. He typically sleeps just four to five hours a night, up from two to three hours a few years ago.
"It's crazy, but it works for me," says Eleanor Hoffman, an overnight administrator at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York who would rather spend afternoons playing mahjong with friends than sleep anymore than four hours. Sometimes she calls her cousin, Linda Cohen, in Pittsburgh about 4 a.m., since she knows she'll be wide awake as well—just like they were as kids.
"I come to life about 11 at night," says Mrs. Cohen, who owns a chain of toy stores with her husband and gets up early in the morning with ease. "If I went to bed earlier, I'd feel like half my life was missing."
Are you a short sleeper? For more information on the genetic study, contact Dr. Jones at chris.jones@hsc.utah.edu
Apr 6, 2011 7:35:57 AM | Health, Science
WSJ: Building a More Resilient Brain
Building a More Resilient Brain
A lifetime of speaking two or more languages appears to pay off in old age, with recent research showing the symptoms of dementia can be delayed by an average of four years in bilingual people.
Multilingualism doesn't delay the onset of dementia—the brains of people who speak multiple languages still show physical signs of deterioration—but the process of speaking two or more languages appears to enable people to develop skills to better cope with the early symptoms of memory-robbing diseases, including Alzheimer's.
Scientists for years studied children and found that fluently speaking more than one language takes a lot of mental work. Compared with people who speak only one language, bilingual children and young adults have slightly smaller vocabularies and are slower performing certain verbal tasks, such as naming lists of animals or fruits.
But over time, regularly speaking more than one language appears to strengthen skills that boost the brain's so-called cognitive reserve, a capacity to work even when stressed or damaged. This build-up of cognitive reserve appears to help bilingual people as they age.
"Speaking two languages isn't going to do anything to dodge the bullet" of getting Alzheimer's disease or dementia, says Ellen Bialystok, a bilingualism researcher at York University in Toronto. But greater cognitive reserve means the "same as the reserve tank in a car: Once the brain runs out of fuel, it can go a little farther," she says.
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Specifically, the advantages of bilingualism are thought to be related to a brain function known as inhibitory or cognitive control: the ability to stop paying attention to one thing and focus on something else, says Dr. Bialystok. Fluent speakers of more than one language have to use this skill continually to silence one language in their minds while communicating in another.
The idea of building up cognitive reserve has led to the popular advice that doing crossword puzzles or brain teasers, anything to remain mentally active, helps stave off dementia symptoms. A panel convened by the National Institutes of Health in July cautioned, however, that there isn't enough evidence to conclude that such activities prevent Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
Researchers don't know whether it is beneficial for people to learn more than one language if one doesn't speak them fluently or nearly every day. The age at which the second language needs to be acquired to yield the protective effect is also unknown.
Tamar Gollan, a researcher on bilingualism at the University of California San Diego and at the university's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, says people can, of course, learn a new language if they want to, regardless of age. "But there's no magic point," Dr. Gollan cautions.
Dr. Bialystok began her decades-long research by studying how children learn a second language.
In 2004, she and her colleague Fergus Craik shifted to conduct three studies looking at the cognitive effects in some 150 monolingual and bilingual people between 30 and 80 years old. They found that in both middle and old age, the bilingual subjects were better able to block out distracting information than the single-language speakers in a series of computerized tests. The advantage was even more pronounced in the older subjects.
Dr. Bialystok says other research also shows better performance from bilingual people on tests requiring cognitive control, such as when they are instructed to determine whether a sentence is grammatically correct, even if the content doesn't make sense. For example, in distinguishing, "apples grow on trees" from "apple trees on grow" and "apples grow on noses," the third sentence requires people to focus on the structure and suppress paying attention to the meaning of the words.
The findings from the 2004 study led Dr. Bialystok to wonder whether these benefits might help older people compensate for age-related losses in learning.
She and her colleagues examined the medical records of 228 memory-clinic patients who had been diagnosed with different kinds of dementia, two-thirds with Alzheimer's disease. The results, published in the journal Neuropsychologia in 2007, suggested that bilingual patients exhibit problematic memory problems later than those who only spoke one language.
Bilingual patients were, on average, four years older than single-language speakers when their families first noticed memory problems, or when the patient first came to the clinic seeking treatment.
Moreover, bilingual patients' memories were no worse than those of single-language speakers by the time they arrived at the clinic, and there was no difference in the length of time between the detection of symptoms and when the patients were first checked in.
In a subsequent study, Dr. Bialystok and her colleagues looked at brain images of monolingual and bilingual Alzheimer's patients at the same age and stage of disease. They found that the brains of the bilingual people appeared to be in worse physical condition. This suggests that bilingualism doesn't delay the disease process itself, but rather helps bilingual individuals better handle memory deficits, Dr. Bialystok says.
Their group has confirmed the finding in a further study that will be published later this year, says Dr. Craik, a senior scientist at the Rotman Research Institute of Baycrest, which is affiliated with the University of Toronto.
Other research, however, complicates the picture of the potential benefits of multilingualism. A recent review of the medical records of some 600 people at a Montreal memory clinic showed a protective benefit for people who were fluent in more than two languages and for bilingual people who learned French before they learned English.
English-only speakers, however, fared just as well as multilingual people who learned English first. This anomaly might be explained by the English-speakers' particular genetics, nutrition, stress levels and environmental exposure, says Howard Chertkow, a cognitive neurologist at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal and a professor at McGill University, one of the authors on the study.
Researchers in Europe, such as Wouter Duyck, a professor at the University of Ghent in Belgium, are also working on similar studies to replicate the effect in other bilingual populations.
Oct 12, 2010 8:16:11 AM | Health, Language/Linguistics, Science
FT: Lunch with the FT - Susie Orbach
Lunch with the FT: Susie Orbach
By William Leith
Published: January 1 2010 19:46 | Last updated: January 1 2010 19:46
The writer and psychotherapist Susie Orbach, best known as an authority on eating disorders, wants a quick lunch. She has chosen Bradleys, a smallish restaurant near where she lives in Belsize Park, north London. It is sparse, with modern-looking pictures on the walls, and carries a powerful whiff of the 1980s – possibly the sort of place where the chef arranges the food into neat little towers.
She is sitting in a booth at the back, and when I get in, it’s a tight squeeze. Perhaps people were thinner then. Or perhaps I am fatter than I think. Orbach is gamine and petite. She is 63 but looks much younger, partly because she is so slender. She looks very good. Her black silk top by Ghost hangs off her small frame.
I have met Orbach a couple of times before. In fact, when I had a problem with overeating, she recommended a therapist, who was very good. Now she tells me she won’t have wine: “I don’t do wine at lunchtime.” Also, she has slight misgivings about being interviewed. “You know us shrinks – we’re really circumspect.”
Actually, she isn’t – she’s extremely bright and talkative. She still sees lots of patients. Her most famous patient, of course, was Princess Diana. But she feels she can’t talk about that. Still, Diana was her patient for two years and it’s been said that, without Orbach’s influence, she wouldn’t have been so open in her famous BBC Panorama interview in November 1995, in which she talked about her post-natal depression, self-harming and bulimia.
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Right now Orbach, who is a visiting professor in sociology at the London School of Economics, is working on a paper for an academic journal about how parents transmit their body shapes to their kids. I tell her I’ve been looking at the effects of economic growth – one of which is that it makes people fat.
“Growth,” she says. “In growth, we don’t count the cost of repairing all the excesses, right?” She often says “right?” at the end of a sentence. Sometimes this makes you want to say “right” as well.
I order half a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. She orders mineral water. We haven’t even looked at the menu, and we’re already into a conversation about greed in the modern world and the problems it’s causing. We agree that greed causes pollution. “All those chemical compounds!” Orbach says. “Obviously human beings can accommodate a certain amount of chemicals. But we don’t know that we’re excreting all this ... stuff into our water system, and double-ingesting it. And there are very strange effects.”
We both glance at the menu for a few seconds but get sidetracked into a conversation about thinness and fatness. Orbach’s first book, Fat is a Feminist Issue, published 31 years ago, was groundbreaking. In it, she tried to answer a simple question. Why do women get fat? Her research led to some fascinating conclusions. Some women get fat, she found, not because they were greedy, but because being fat made them feel safe.
Orbach realised that, for many women, being slim could get you the wrong kind of attention – not just from men, but from other women too. Slim women can be magnets for men and also attract envy, she writes in the book. This means that lots of women have an unconscious drive towards being fat, even if they think, in their conscious minds, that they want to be slim. That’s why people can find it so hard to lose weight – because they secretly want to be fat, and they don’t even know it.
But why are women so desperate to be thin? Not just slim but really, really thin. Why is being skinny such a powerful draw?
“We have a constructed aesthetic which we’re all inside of now,” she says. “It’s a visual aesthetic. Thinness is the desired object now. Whereas 40 or 50 years ago, there were Wate-on tablets at the chemist, right?”
I nod.
“That’s because, in those days, the desired object was Marilyn Monroe, or Sophia Loren. So there was no desire to be thin.”
When did women start wanting to be thin? Orbach thinks that the change came during the 1960s. Before then, if you were thin, you looked poor, because lots of poor people couldn’t afford to eat. In 1966, Twiggy did not look poor, or pinched, or like she might be suffering from rickets. She looked new and challenging.
“This was a new culture,” Orbach says. “We were no longer thin from poverty. Finally there was excess in our society. We didn’t need to have our forms of plenty represented by bigness. Then there was a whole generation who grew up with that. Then they reproduced. And they have that aesthetic inside them.”
I tell her my theory that I think women like to be thin because it enables them to wear sexier clothes – and fashion designers are making women’s clothes skimpier and more revealing all the time.
“No, I think that’s nonsense. Here’s where you and I might disagree. Don’t you think Marilyn Monroe was sexy?”
I do, I tell her.
“But I don’t think she’s sexy per se. I think she’s sexy because of all those images. It’s the fault of the fashion designers, and the critics. But they are rethinking this, under pressure, thank goodness. It’s also the failure of art directors, I think. Because you can make anything look spectacular if you’re an art director, right?”
“Take Rankin. He’s a fantastic photographer. He’s shot women of different sizes, and they look spectacular. They have glamour, they have pizzazz, they have that sense of, ‘Oh, that’s me!’ He’s taken pictures of people who were paraplegic who were very very stylish. So art directors are geniuses. And something happens in the visual cortex. What these art directors do affects us, and goes into us.”
Something is happening in my visual cortex. It is the waiter. We need to order, and quickly. Time is rushing by. Orbach orders a soup of Jerusalem artichokes to start – and another starter, a plate of scallops. No main course. She also orders a green salad. I go for Dorset crab, followed by halibut on a bed of vegetables, and a side order of dauphinoise potatoes.
Orbach’s latest book is Bodies, in which she tells us what has happened to our bodies in the three decades since she wrote about fat being a feminist issue. “The problems I sought to describe have mushroomed,” she writes. The contemporary body is a battleground. In fact, people have never felt worse about their bodies than they do now. Makers of face cream are telling us we are too wrinkly; owners of gyms are telling us we’re too flabby; plastic surgeons are telling us our faces are all wrong. We are constantly being told that we look unattractive – and the terrible thing is that we believe it.
In the book, she talks about “the merchants of body hatred”. Her point is that, if people are anxious and needy, they make better consumers; if they are anxious about something as fundamental as their bodies, they are easy prey for marketers. And things are getting worse. “In my mum’s day”, she says, “you needed to be beautiful for a very short time to catch your man. It didn’t start at six and go on until you’re 75, right?”
Our food arrives. Orbach’s soup looks bland but she says it tastes fine. “I like Jerusalem artichokes”, she says, “but I don’t like the way you have to clean them out – all that scraping.” My Dorset crab is arranged in a tower, as I had suspected it would be. It looks jellified. I demolish it with a couple of deft jabs of the fork. It crumbles and lies in pieces on my plate. When I try it, it’s rather salty.
Orbach tells me she grew up in nearby Chalk Farm. Her father, Maurice Orbach, was a Labour MP until he lost his seat around the time of the Suez crisis. She remembers it from a young girl’s point of view: “There was a canal. Lots of double-crossing. My father was seen to be pro-Nasser [Egypt’s then leader].” Later her father was elected as the member of parliament for Stockport.
Her father’s parents came to Britain from Poland in 1899 to escape the pogroms, she says. She doesn’t know where in Poland. They were heading for America but got off the boat in Cardiff and stayed. Maurice was one of eight children. He started life as a chorister but, as a young man, became interested in the labour movement. He met Orbach’s mother on a speaking tour of America. She was “on the rebound”. He was, Orbach imagines, giving a “rabble-rousing talk”. He took her across the Atlantic and they married in England in 1936. They had a son, Laurence, who went on to run the publishing house Quarto, and, in 1946, Susie was born.
THE SHAPE WE’RE IN
Our bodies have been changing over the past few decades – on average, we have become taller and heavier.
● There have been just two national surveys of British body sizes. The first, in 1951 was done manually (only measuring women). In 2001-2002, a more detailed UK Sizing Survey by Size UK was carried out on 11,000 adults. In 1951, the average woman was 5ft 3in. Fifty years later, she had grown an inch and a half. In the same period, she had gained several inches around the waist, going from 27.5in to 34in.
● Men are also getting taller and heavier, having grown a couple of inches on average in the past half century. A 2002 American study for the Centers for Disease Control found that, between 1962 and 2002, the average male weight jumped from 11 stone 6lb to 13 stone 6lb. In the same period, the female average went from 10 stone to 11 stone 7lb.
● As well as getting heavier, women’s shape is changing too. The Size UK survey revealed that only 8 per cent of women had the classic Sophia Loren-style “hourglass shape”, which has given way to a more rectangular look. Busts and hips are bigger than they were in the 1950s.
● Mintel research published in 2008 showed that the UK men’s plus-size market had grown by 40 per cent in the previous five years (the women’s market grew by 26 per cent over the same period). The average UK woman is a size 16, and some 4.6m women are a size 18 or over – although Mintel points out that retailers have made clothing sizes more generous so that fewer women have to go up to a “plus sized” 18.
● But if the real shape of women is growing, the fantasy shape is shrinking. As the feminist writer Naomi Wolf pointed out in The Beauty Myth (1990), a generation earlier the average model had been 8 per cent lighter than the average woman. But by 1990, models were 23 per cent lighter. A recent survey by Wired magazine demonstrated that, between the 1960s and today, the body mass index of Playboy Playmates has, on average, declined from 19.2 to 17.6, while that of real women has risen from 22.2 to 26.8.
As a young girl, Orbach says, she was influenced by her mother’s fastidiousness around food. “She was very careful. And also, three times a year, she’d go on the Mayo Clinic diet [low in carbohydrates and high in fat]. So I think I grew up thinking that the grown-up thing to do is diet. I copied my mum. And there’s nothing like a diet to institute longings for food.”
The waiter collects our plates. The restaurant is, slightly surprisingly, one of those places where the waiter takes the wine away from the table and pours you some when your glass is empty. He pours me some wine.
Orbach says: “I had what now would be such a mild version of what I call bingeing, which bears no relation to what people are doing now. And also restricting – which also bears no relation to what people are doing now. It would mean not having supper.”
But the Orbachs didn’t have much fattening food in the house. “My dad kept his sweets in the car and my mum had her chocolates at the top of a cupboard and ate them in the middle of the night.”
Our main courses arrive. For Orbach, a smallish plate of scallops. For me, a chunk of halibut placed on top of some vegetables, with a layer of olive paste on top. It is the shape of a car park – several levels in an oblong shape. Orbach eats her scallops. She doesn’t strike me as a great foodie. Food is just something she eats, in relatively small quantities. She eats fish and chicken. She says she cooks pasta nearly every day, and if she had a favourite cuisine, it would be Italian.
She has two children – a son of 25, who lives in London, and a daughter of 20, who lives in New York. For years Orbach lived with their father, Joseph Schwartz, a writer and psychotherapist, but she has, according to newspaper reports, recently started a relationship with the writer Jeanette Winterson. I ask her if this is true.
“Yes,” she says, suddenly beaming with happiness.
She won’t have a pudding. Nor will I. Somehow, my two turrets of seafood feel slightly bulky in my stomach. We order coffee and get on to the subject of addiction. I tell her my theory about why smoking is so hard to quit – because it gives you something to worry about. When you stop, your other worries come flooding back. She agrees. She says she’s seen a German cigarette advertisement that worries her. “Be smart – wait until you are 18. Well, hey, is that an invitation to a 15-year-old?”
Orbach was, as you’d expect, very bright as a child. She got a scholarship to North London Collegiate, an academic private school, although she was expelled at the age of 15. She went on to read women’s history at the school of Slavonic studies at London University, and then went to New York to do a PhD in psychoanalysis at the City University of New York, the college her mother had attended. That’s where she got the idea of running therapeutic workshops for women. And that’s where she picked up her very slight mid-Atlantic accent.
Our coffee arrives. I wonder if the nature of her job as a psychotherapist has changed over the years. Do people have different problems? “No. You get more men not knowing how to make relationships than you did before. Let me revise my answer. It’s not a no. It’s a yes. I particularly get, from North America, a certain kind of referral – women who will come and say, ‘I’ve been to the best universities, I’ve got the best job, I’ve got the great body ... I’ve even got the boyfriend.”
But these women still feel empty. Why?
“It’s something about the whole notion of success and performance, and creating a whole notion of yourself that you can adore and admire.”
We finish our coffee – mine with sugar, hers without. And now it’s time to go. The lunch has lasted exactly one hour. “It was perfectly pleasing,” she says. “My scallops were juicy. They were perfectly cooked. I don’t agree with olives in the salad myself. Or green beans. But that’s just my opinion. I would just have green salad, like lettuce and rugola. And I would have liked to have drunk wine, but I’m going back to work.”
And with that, she walks away smartly.
‘Bodies’ (Profile) is published in paperback on January 7, £8.99
Bradleys
25 Winchester Road
London NW3
Artichoke soup £6.00
Crab £9.50
Scallops £9.50
Halibut £19.00
Dauphinoise potatoes £3.00
Salad £5.00
Single espresso £2.50
Double espresso £5.00
Large sparkling water £3.50
Half bottle Sauvignon Blanc £11.50
Total (including service) £81.28
Jan 6, 2010 7:32:39 AM | Demographics, Food and Drink, Health, Psychology
Economist: Exercise and company - Fitter with friends
Exercise and company
Fitter with friends
From The Economist print edition
Exercising in a group can be more effective by making things easier
All together now
THE enduring image of Sylvester Stallone’s legendary pugilist Rocky Balboa is that of a solitary athlete, braving the elements (and his own demons) to prepare for a fight. Yet according to a new study he might have done better by having a bit of company on his long workouts.
Research by Emma Cohen, an anthropologist at Oxford University, suggests that a better model is provided by Hicham El Guerrouj, a Moroccan middle-distance runner who is the current holder of the world 1,500-metres and one-mile records. Before retiring in 2006 Mr El Guerrouj was known for the throngs of training partners that followed him everywhere in Morocco. This was a good strategy because, as Dr Cohen reports in a forthcoming issue of Biology Letters, training in a synchronised group may heighten tolerance for pain. That, in turn, could allow athletes like Mr El Guerrouj to train longer and harder.
The reason is almost certainly the effects of endogenous opioids, better known as endorphins. When these are released in the brain they make a person feel good. What causes their release is more complex. Biologists think it is part of an evolved mechanism which rewards behaviour that may not be immediately pleasant but is ultimately useful to the species.
Endorphins show up nearly everywhere. Hunting an animal may be tiresome but necessary, so endorphins are secreted during exertion to numb the discomfort induced by lactic acid production in the muscles. Collaboration makes it easier to kill animals while others set traps.
Dr Cohen wanted to see if combining exercise and collaboration would heighten the effect. One of the study’s co-authors, Robin Ejsmond-Frey, rowed for Oxford and thought it would be a good activity to study. For one thing, it is easy to spot a crew that is not well synchronised. Secondly, ergometers (machines on which rowers train) provide data on the power exerted on each stroke. And it can be rather painful so the endorphins should be out in droves.
The researchers got 12 members of Oxford’s heavyweight squad to row on machines in four 45-minute sessions over two weeks. In two sessions they rowed in complete isolation and in the others in groups of six, perfectly synchronised. Immediately following each session their endorphin levels were tested. Because endorphin levels can only be measured directly through an invasive lumbar puncture—unfeasible, even for notoriously pain-hungry oarsmen—the researchers used a readily accepted proxy: they deduced pain tolerance, and hence endorphin levels, by gradually tightening a cuff around each rower’s arm. When he said “now” they stopped squeezing and noted the pressure.
As expected, the rowers’ pain thresholds were significantly higher following the group sessions. This was despite nearly identical power outputs in all four tests and efforts to control for possible confounding variables, such as the time of day.
The athletes may be rewarding themselves for their collaboration. Whether heightened tolerance is due specifically to rowing synchronously remains unclear. Data from other studies suggest that co-ordinated physical exercise can heighten social bonds (as in military training). The reverse may also be true. As the rowers had been teammates for nearly a year it is possible that the mere presence of friends explains the observed effect. The researchers are keen to replicate the study to test for such things. Meanwhile, solitary joggers might want to take along a friend or two.
Copyright © 2009 The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group. All rights reserved.
Sep 22, 2009 7:23:29 AM | Health, Science, Sports
NY Times: Bento Boxes Win Lunch Fans
Bento Boxes Win Lunch Fans
By SAMANTHA STOREY
ARMED with kittens of molded rice and sweet potato flowers, Sheri Chen took aim at her 2-year-old daughter, Lucy — a picky eater.
“I have to make her food look like something she recognizes,” said Ms. Chen, 42, a stay-at-home mother in San Leandro, Calif. “If her boiled egg is shaped like a bunny and it is holding a baby carrot, she’ll eat it.”
With cookie cutters Ms. Chen makes her daughter star-shaped vegetables; and with decorative skewers, a plastic top hat and pieces of nori (dried seaweed), cherry tomatoes become smiley faced, mustachioed creatures.
Her ruse includes assembling each meal in her version of a bento box, a Japanese lunch box, decorated with cute cartoon characters.
It might seem like silly kids’ stuff, but that sense of fun has helped make bento boxes — obentos as the Japanese call them — increasingly popular with grownups in the United States, too.
For dieters, they are an eye-popping form of portion control. Artistic preparation of ingredients can act as a pleasant distraction for health-conscious parents. For others, bentos are a way to make lunch pretty or indulge their love of things Japanese.
In Japan, compact, compartmented bento boxes are traditionally filled with rice, pickled vegetables and fish or meat. Japanese mothers take pride in their obentos and hope they outshine those of other mothers, said the Japanese cookbook author Hiroko Shimbo.
“Obento making is a kind of cult,” she said.
It’s approaching cult status in the United States. On Saturday in Central Park, as part of its Crossing the Line festival, the French Institute Alliance Française will be handing out bento boxes with components made by some top French and American chefs — including Inaki Aizpitarte, Pascal Barbot, Alexandre Gauthier, Michel Bras, David Chang and Wylie Dufresne.
On a more plebian level, Amazon.com said sales of the boxes and accessories like egg molds, rice shapers, plastic skewers shaped like animals or flowers have been growing.
But toothache-inducing cuteness is not the only appeal.
Jordan Smith, 20, a junior majoring in East Asian studies and political science at Yale University, started making bento boxes in high school in Port Orange, Fla.
“I was on the football team,” Mr. Smith said, “so I tried to have a balanced diet and eat healthy as much as possible.” He would group protein, rice and vegetables. “I would usually use snap peas, tomatoes, carrots; basically things that were relatively colorful and not too bland tasting.”
He endured a bit of ridicule — “like, look at that white person pretending to be Japanese” — but that didn’t stop him.
“Japanese culture here is getting more popular by the day,” he said.
He’s still making bento boxes, but now they’re mainly a way to save money by making his own lunch.
Debra Littlejohn, 52, a quality-assurance engineer from Edmonds, Wash., estimated that she and her husband were spending $400 a month buying lunch out every day.
So in June she started packing her dinner leftovers into bento boxes.
“If I had to price out all my ingredients,” Ms. Littlejohn said, “each box would probably cost $2.”
She likes to find artistic ways to present the food.
One of her recent boxes included a multihued medley of halved figs, curried eggplant, green leaf lettuce and sliced purple carrots.
“I don’t have time to break out the art supplies in my drawer,” Ms. Littlejohn said. “Every evening when I pack our lunches, I get this creative outlet. And if I don’t do something artistic, I might implode.”
Creativity matters as much as taste and nutrition to Jason Miller, a graduate student in anthropology at the University of South Florida.
“It doesn’t hurt to add a funny element as well,” Mr. Miller, 28, said. He recently made onigiri, triangles of sticky rice with various fillings. “Instead of leaving them plain, I cut nori — seaweed — in strips and made the onigiri into sumo wrestlers.” Artistry is what differentiates a bento box from a plastic container of leftovers, said Makiko Itoh, 46, who lives outside Zurich and runs the blog justbento.com, filled with how-to’s, recipes and discussion forums.
“Food presented attractively looks more appetizing, since we eat with our eyes as much as our taste buds and stomachs,” said Ms. Itoh, who was born in Japan but lived for a while in New York. “That’s emphasized more in Japanese cuisine and culture perhaps than in other cuisines.”
She said bentos often reflect the Japanese belief that each meal should have five colors — a version of the food pyramid. It helps people remember to vary their food, especially since the most colorful foods are usually fruits and vegetables.
“You can apply that to any lunch combination,” she said. “For example, sliced bread (let’s call that white, even if you use whole wheat) with peanut butter or cold cuts (brown), a green salad (green) with red peppers and cherry tomatoes (red) and a banana (yellow).”
A balance of flavors, textures and cooking methods also matters, she said.
Sheri Lindquist saw bentos as a healthy choice for her five sons and her husband after he had triple-bypass surgery. “I don’t make them bento lunches all the time,” said Ms. Lindquist, 48, who lives in Denair, Calif. “But if there is something especially yucky or healthy or new I do try to present it in a more fun format.” Like breaded spinach balls with carrot ears and faces.
Acquiring accessories like plastic giraffe picks or star-shaped nori punches, however, proved challenging for Ms. Lindquist, as most of the boxes and tools were sold only in Japan. So in March 2008 she began iloveobento.com, an online bento box store.
Another bento blogger, Jennifer McCann, began veganlunchbox.blogspot.com on her son’s first day of school in 2005.
She made him sushi for lunch in a bento box from laptoplunches.com, which sells Americanized bento boxes with lidded compartments for items like yogurt or dips like ketchup. She took a picture of it and posted it.
“I thought it might give a lot of vegan moms inspiration for other lunches besides PB and J, “ said Ms. McCann, 38, who lives in Kennewick, Wash.
Within months she was getting thousands of page views a day of the boxes she was making, she said. She’s since published “Vegan Lunch Box” (Da Capo Press, 2008) and “Vegan Lunch Box Around the World” (Da Capo, 2009), which includes recipes for a Japanese tiger bento, Caribbean plantain wraps and Indonesian tempeh.
Her son, James, now 11, has outgrown the boxes and no longer takes the bentos to school. “He wants his lunch to be totally normal now, like everyone else,” she said.
Making lunches look cute for children is an art called kyaraben in Japan.
But some bento-ists think cute takes too much time.
Deborah Hamilton, 40, who writes the blog lunchinabox.net, makes boxes for her husband and 4-year-old son of, for instance, tamales, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes and a strawberry. “You can make these as intricate or fancy as you like,” she said, “or you can make them plain and simple. You don’t have to get all kinds of Martha with it. My regular bento takes 10 to 15 minutes, maximum.”
Ms. Itoh, the author of justbento.com, said the boxes, about the size of a fat turkey sandwich, let her control her portions and helped her lose 30 pounds.
“Generally speaking, for a tightly packed Japanese-style bento, the number of milliliters that a box can hold corresponds roughly to the number of calories it holds,” she wrote on her blog.
Crystal Watanabe, 30, an administrative assistant in Honolulu, used bento portion control when she began a Weight Watchers program in 2007. She lost 22 pounds and wrote about her experience on her blog, aibento.net (Adventures in Bentomaking).
The blog got her involved in the bento community on the photo-sharing site Flickr.com.
“We post pictures and people take ideas from each other,” Ms. Watanabe said. “It’s really a very creative community and fun. Everyone is so supportive.”
Ms. Chen, in San Leandro, one of the more prolific contributors to the photo pools, can be a little wilder when making bentos for Lucy’s brother, Koa, 6, who, unlike his sister, is not finicky.
“He even eats the lettuce I put in his boxes as garnish,” she said.
A recent lunch box for him included teriyaki salmon with peapods, two kinds of sweet potato and golden beet “maple leaves.” On the side: skewered purple carrot discs and a tomato made to look like a frog man. For dessert: a strawberry, champagne grapes, blackberries and a litchi.
“I am not a gourmet cook,” Ms. Chen said, “but when you put anything in a bento box it looks nice.”
Where to Get Boxes and Supplies
BENTO & CO Bentoandco.com (French language site, ships from Japan).
BENTO CRAZY Bentocrazy.ecrater.com.
FROM JAPAN WITH LOVE From-japan-with-love.com (ships from Japan).
I LOVE OBENTO Iloveobento.com.
JAPAN CENTRE Japancentre.com (ships from England).
J BOX Jbox.com (ships from Japan).
KINOKUNIYA 1073 Sixth Avenue (41st Street), (212) 869-1700.
LAPTOP LUNCHES Laptoplunches.com.
BOOKS: “501 Bento Box Lunches: 501 Unique Recipes for Brilliant Bento” (Graffito Books, 2009) and “Vegan Lunch Box Around the World” by Jennifer McCann (Da Capo, 2009).
Sheri Chen, 42, of San Leandro, Calif., fills her version of bento boxes for her children, assembling each meal in a Japanese lunch box decorated with cute cartoon characters. That sense of fun has helped make bento boxes increasingly popular with grownups in the United States, too.
"I have to make her food look like something she recognizes," said Ms. Chen, referring to her daughter, Lucy. "If her boiled egg is shaped like a bunny and it is holding a baby carrot, she'll eat it."
Ms. Chen's children, Lucy and Koa.
Deborah Hamilton, 40, who writes the blog lunchinabox.net, makes boxes like this one for her husband and 4-year-old son.
Another one of Ms. Hamilton's creations. "You can make these as intricate or fancy as you like," she said, "or you can make them plain and simple."
Creativity matters as much as taste and nutrition to Jason Miller, 28, a graduate student at the University of South Florida. The bento he created at far left includes onigiri, triangles of sticky rice with various fillings.
Aster Sentiati goes by the name "bentomom" on the photo-sharing site Flickr.com, where she posts photographs of the bentos she makes for her children, like this one at left.
Another one of Ms. Setiati's bentos.
A balance of flavors, textures and cooking methods matters in assembling a bento, said Makiko Itoh, who runs the informational blog justbento.com. At left, a bento by Ms. Setiati.
Debra Littlejohn, 52, from Edmonds, Wash., estimated that she and her husband were spending $400 a month buying lunch out every day. She started packing her dinner leftovers into bento boxes.
Sep 9, 2009 8:10:10 AM | Art, Asia, Culture, Food and Drink, Fun, Health, Weblogs
NY Times: Wiggling Their Toes at the Shoe Giants
Wiggling Their Toes at the Shoe Giants
By AMY CORTESE
TODD BYERS was among more than 20,000 people running the San Francisco Marathon last month. Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, he might have blended in with the other runners, except for one glaring difference: he was barefoot.
Even in anything-goes San Francisco, his lack of footwear prompted curious stares. His photo was snapped, and he heard one runner grumble, “I just don’t want the guy without shoes to beat me.”
Mr. Byers, 46, a running coach and event manager from Long Beach, Calif., who clocked in at 4 hours 48 minutes, has run 75 marathons since 2004 in bare feet. “People are kind of weird about it,” he shrugs.
Maybe they shouldn’t be. Recent research suggests that for all their high-tech features, modern running shoes may not actually do much to improve a runner’s performance or prevent injuries. Some runners are convinced that they are better off with shoes that are little more than thin gloves for the feet — or with no shoes at all.
Plenty of medical experts disagree with this notion. The result has been a raging debate in running circles, pitting a quirky band of barefoot runners and researchers against the running-shoe and sports-medicine establishments.
Vibram, with its FiveFingers line, is challenging the traditional idea of a running shoe.
It has also inspired some innovative footwear. Upstart companies like Vibram, Feelmax and Terra Plana are challenging the running-shoe status quo with thin-sole designs meant to combine the benefits of going barefoot with a layer of protection. This move toward minimalism could have a significant impact on not only running shoes but also on the broader $17 billion sports shoe market.
The shoe industry giants defend their products, saying they help athletes perform better and protect feet from stress and strain — not to mention the modern world’s concrete and broken glass.
But for all the technological advances promoted by the industry — the roll bars, the computer chips and the memory foam — experts say the injury rate among runners is virtually unchanged since the 1970s, when the modern running shoe was introduced. Some ailments, like those involving the knee and Achilles’ tendon, have increased.
“There’s not a lot of evidence that running shoes have made people better off,” said Daniel E. Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, who has researched the role of running in human evolution.
Makers of athletic shoes have grown and prospered by selling a steady stream of new and improved models designed to cushion, coddle and correct the feet.
In October, for example, the Japanese athletic-shoe maker Asics will introduce the latest version of its Gel-Kinsei, a $180 marvel of engineering that boasts its “Impact Guidance System” and a heel unit with multiple shock absorbers. Already offered by Adidas is the Porsche Design Sport Bounce:S running shoe, with metallic springs inspired by a car’s suspension system. It costs as much as $500.
Some question the benefit of all that technology. Dr. Craig Richards, a researcher at the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle in Australia — and, it should be noted, a designer of minimalist shoes — surveyed the published literature and could not find a single clinical study showing that cushioned or corrective running shoes prevented injury or improved performance. His findings were published last year in The British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Other experts say that there is little research showing that the minimalist approach is any better, and some say it can be flat-out dangerous.
“In 95 percent of the population or higher, running barefoot will land you in my office,” said Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, medical director for the New York Road Runners, the group that organizes the New York City Marathon. “A very small number of people are biomechanically perfect,” he said, so most need some sort of supportive or corrective footwear.
Nevertheless, a growing number of people now believe in running as nature intended — and if not barefoot, then as close to it as possible. They remain a tiny segment of the population — some would say fringe. But popular training methods like ChiRunning and the Pose Method that promote a more “natural” gait, as well as “Born to Run,” a best-selling new book about long-distance running by Christopher McDougall, have helped spur interest.
Proponents of this approach contend that naked feet are perfectly capable of running long distances, and that encasing them in the fortress of modern footwear weakens foot muscles and ligaments and blocks vital sensory input about terrain.
“The shoe arguably got in the way of evolution,” said Galahad Clark, a seventh-generation shoemaker and chief executive of the shoemaker Terra Plana, based in London. “They’re like little foot coffins that stopped the foot from working the way it’s supposed to work.”
The big shoe companies are clearly paying attention to the trend. Nike was first to market with the Nike Free, a flexible shoe for “barefootlike running” with less padding than the company’s typical offerings. It was introduced in 2005 after Nike representatives discovered that a prominent track coach to whom they supplied shoes had his team train barefoot.
But some in the industry are critical of the barefoot push. Simon Bartold, an international research consultant for Asics, said advocates of barefoot running “are propagating a campaign of misinformation.”
SPEND some time in Concord, Mass., and you might catch a glimpse of a fit 51-year-old man in a pair of funny-looking socks running down the bucolic streets.
Tony Post, chief of Vibram North America, in the company's thin rubber running shoes. He says the industry is due for a shake-up.
That would be Tony Post, the president and C.E.O. of Vibram USA, on a lunchtime run. And those socks? They’re actually thin rubber “shoes” with individual toe pockets. Called Vibram FiveFingers, they’ve been selling briskly to runners and athletes looking to strengthen their feet and sharpen their game.
When Vibram, an Italian company known for its rugged rubber soles, designed the FiveFingers a few years ago, company officials figured that they would appeal to boaters, kayakers and yogis. Instead, the shoes, which sell for $75 to $85, caught on with runners, fitness buffs and even professional athletes: David Diehl, the New York Giants tackle, trains in them.
Mr. Post, a shoe industry veteran, said he believed that the business was poised for a shakeup. “It used to be all about adding more,” he said. “Now, we’re trying to strip a lot of that away.”
Strange as they look, the FiveFingers shoes hark back to a simpler time. Humans have long run barefoot or in flat soles. Professor Lieberman’s research suggests that two million years ago, our ancestors’ ability to run long distances helped them outlast their prey, providing a steady diet of protein long before spears and arrows. More recently, at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian runner, caused a stir when he ran the marathon barefoot and won.
Things changed in the early 1970s, when Bill Bowerman, a track coach turned entrepreneur, created a cushioned running shoe that allowed runners to take longer strides and land on their heels, rather than a more natural mid- or forefoot strike. Mr. Bowerman and his business partner, Phil Knight, marketed the new shoes under the Nike brand, and the rest is history.
At the same time, millions of Americans began taking up running as a pastime. Those twin trends ushered in a golden age of biomechanics research. “There was a lot of concern about injuries because of the boom,” said Trampas TenBroek, manager of sports research at New Balance. The logic, he said, was that “if you build a heel lift and make it thicker, you take stress off the Achilles’ tendon.”
Walk into a sports store today and you’ll see the results: shoes with inch-thick heels and orthotics designed to correct overpronation, supination and a host of other ills.
Mr. McDougall, the “Born to Run” author, ” said manufacturers, doctors and retailers were doing runners a disservice by pushing such shoes. “People are buying it thinking it’s going to do something for them, and it’s not,” he said.
Mr. McDougall’s book is centered on the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, known for epic 100-mile runs with nothing on their feet but strips of rubber. The book has become something of a manifesto for barefoot runners.
After suffering chronic foot pain and being advised by sports medicine doctors to give up running, Mr. McDougall tried thin-soled shoes. Now, he said, he runs long distances without shoes — or pain.
THAT seems to be a common experience among barefoot converts. “When people get it, it’s almost biblical,” said Mr. Clark at Terra Plana. His initial line of minimal shoes, the Vivo Barefoot, is intended for walking; a performance model, the $150 Evo, is due at year-end.
Sales of minimalist shoes, while still tiny, are growing at a rapid clip. Mr. Clark figures that he will sell 70,000 pairs of minimal shoes this year, double last year’s volume. The shoes have sold mostly online and through 10 Terra Plana stores worldwide.
Vibram says sales of its FiveFingers have tripled every year since they were introduced in 2006, and Mr. Post said he expects revenue of $10 million this year in North America alone.
Many professionals agree that while barefoot running may have some benefits, those who are tempted to try running barefoot — or nearly so — should proceed slowly, as they should with any other significant change to their running habits. They also say that more research is needed.
Sean Murphy, engineering manager for advanced products at New Balance, says that there have been many studies suggesting “that shoes can correct biomechanical abnormalities and risk factors, therefore minimizing the likelihood of injury.”
When asked for an example, Mr. Murphy pointed to a 2006 study by three doctoral students that found that wearing the appropriate type of running shoe for one’s foot could reduce the shock of impact or unwanted rotation of leg bones. The study did not address injury rates.
AMID all the controversy, barefoot running and natural gaits are the subject of intensive research across the shoe industry. Companies don’t want to miss out if it turns out to be more than just a fad.
At New Balance’s sports research lab in Lawrence, Mass., Mr. TenBroek and Mr. Murphy are studying the biomechanics of running barefoot and in soles of varying thickness, while designing a “lower profile” shoe.
Asics, too, sees promise in this area. “As technology improves, we will definitely go to a more minimal style,” Mr. Bartold said.
Those big companies could end up profiting from the movement — or they could have trouble getting on board.
Danny Dreyer, the founder of ChiRunning, which uses the tai chi principles of harnessing energy and core muscles to promote a more effortless way of running, said he had worked with a few shoe companies to help design minimalist shoes. In each case, he said, marketing and profit concerns trumped design: “Their profit and direction is based on ‘More shoe is better,’ ” said Mr. Dreyer, who is also a long-distance runner.
Mr. Bartold of Asics, which has not worked with Mr. Dreyer, said the industry had runners’ best interests in mind. “It’s all about trying to protect the athlete,” he said.
Nike describes the Free, its minimalist shoe, as a “training tool.” It offers models with varying degrees of cushioning; they are priced at $55 to $110.
“The key is to offer a range of options, because every runner has different needs,” said Derek Kent, a Nike spokesman. “If you want that sensation of barefoot running, there is the Free, but if you want a product with a little more cushioning and support, we have that, too.”
While Nike would not disclose detailed sales information, Mr. Kent said sales of the Free were growing at double-digit rates, with sales in Japan and China especially strong.
Curt Munson, co-owner of Playmakers, a running shop in Okemos, Mich., said that in his conversations with major shoe companies lately, “they see that they need to address this” but “they’re just not sure how much.” But, he said, they must be thinking, “If we say this is the best, then are we saying that what we’ve done before is not good?”
The back-to-basics movement is more than a fad, said Mr. Munson, who runs in FiveFingers. “Most people are not ready to run barefoot,” he said, “but I do think they are ready to go back to ‘less is more.’ ”
Aug 30, 2009 3:54:44 AM | Business, Design, Entrepreneurship, Health, Innovation, Sports
NY Times: Finally, the Spleen Gets Some Respect
Finally, the Spleen Gets Some Respect
By NATALIE ANGIER
As a confirmed crab apple who has often been compared to the splenetic Lucy Van Pelt character from Peanuts, I am gratified to learn that should my real spleen ever decide to vent in earnest, the outburst may just help save my life.
Scientists have discovered that the spleen, long consigned to the B-list of abdominal organs and known as much for its metaphoric as its physiological value, plays a more important role in the body’s defense system than anyone suspected.
Reporting in the current issue of the journal Science, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School describe studies showing that the spleen is a reservoir for huge numbers of immune cells called monocytes, and that in the event of a serious trauma to the body like a heart attack, gashing wound or microbial invasion, the spleen will disgorge those monocyte multitudes into the bloodstream to tackle the crisis.
“The parallel in military terms is a standing army,” said Matthias Nahrendorf, an author of the report. “You don’t want to have to recruit an entire fighting force from the ground up every time you need it.”
That researchers are only now discovering a major feature of a rather large organ they have been studying for at least 2,000 years demonstrates yet again that there is nothing so foreign as the place we call home.
“Often, if you come across something in the body that seems like a big deal, you think, ‘Why didn’t anybody check this before?’ ” Dr. Nahrendorf said. “But the more you learn, the more you realize that we’re just scratching on the surface of life. We don’t know the whole story about anything.”
Dr. Nahrendorf, with Filip K. Swirski, Mikael J. Pittet and a dozen other colleagues, performed the initial studies using mice, but the scientists suspect the results will apply to humans as well.
Ulrich H. von Andrian, an immunologist at Harvard Medical School who was not involved with the research, agreed that the findings were a surprise. “If one had to guess the source of these cells, one would have thought it likely that they were mobilized from the bone marrow rather than from the spleen,” he said. “The discovery adds another layer of complexity not previously associated with that organ.”
The latest work also sounds a cautionary note against underestimating a body part or dismissing it as vestigial, expendable or past its prime. In an accompanying essay, Ting Jia and Eric G. Pamer of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center admit that “the spleen lacks the gravitas of neighboring organs” like the liver or the stomach “because we can survive without it.”
Spleens can rupture during contact sports, say, or in a motorcycle accident, at which point surgeons have no choice.
“It’s such a vascularized organ, and the risk of big-time hemorrhaging is so great, that if the spleen ruptures, it’s a surgical emergency,” said James N. George, a hematologist with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. “You have to remove it.”
The new findings in no way counter the necessity of excising a ruptured spleen, the researchers said, but they do suggest that the loss of the organ is more than a mere “inconvenience,” as it has often been depicted, and could help explain previous reports showing an enhanced risk of early death among people who have undergone splenectomies.
In one study that appeared in The Lancet in 1977, for example, researchers compared a group of 740 American veterans of World War II who had had their spleens removed as a result of battle injuries with a similar size sample of veterans who had suffered other war injuries but had kept their spleens. The splenectomized men, the researchers found, were twice as likely to die of cardiovascular disease as were the veterans in the control group. All of which means that despleening should be diligently guarded against, particularly among our little sports warriors, perhaps through the wearing of appropriate protective gear.
Researchers cite other cases in which organs were presumed to be so dispensable that they could be removed “prophylactically” — often with unfortunate outcomes. In recent years, for example, many older women undergoing hysterectomies have been advised to have their healthy ovaries removed at the same time, the rationale being: if you are past your childbearing years, why hang on to reproductive organs that might turn cancerous and kill you? Yet follow-up surveys have shown that women who underwent elective ovariectomy had a heightened risk of dying during a given study period, were more susceptible to heart disease and lung cancer and were twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease compared with women who had kept their ovaries. “Evolution has an edge on us,” Dr. Nahrendorf said. “I would be very careful about saying, ‘You don’t need this organ, get rid of it.’ ”
Another reason to esteem the spleen — a purplish, fist-size, five-ounce organ in the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity, just behind the stomach and under the diaphragm — is its illustrious medical and poetic history. Galen considered the spleen to be a source of one of the four bodily humors, specifically the black bile associated with irritable, melancholic cranks. In his poem, “Spleen,” Charles Baudelaire describes a young narrator so weary and despondent, unresponsive even to beautiful women and jesting men, that it is as if the “green waters of Lethe” fills his veins.
More recently, researchers determined that the spleen is like an elaborate wetlands, a Mississippi bayou for filtering and freshening the blood. In other organs, blood flows through an interconnected mesh of increasingly narrow arteries, veins and capillaries. The spleen, by contrast, has a so-called noncapillary circulatory system: as the blood flows in, it is dumped into puddle-like sinusoids, and to get back out it must squeeze between cells. That dumping and squeezing help filter out blood-borne parasites, aging blood cells too brittle for compression and the little oxidized pellets, the BB’s, with which red blood cells are often pocked. The spleen has often been called a graveyard for red blood cells, but it is more of a recycling center, for the iron and other components are plucked out of the cells and used to stock new hemoglobin cages.
Filtration, cannibalization, and now — serious monocyte cultivation. In the new study, the researchers began by looking at monocytes, the largest of the body’s white blood cells. “It was recognized that these cells are the major repair workers after a heart attack,” Dr. Nahrendorf said. “They remove dead muscle cells, they start rebuilding stable scar tissue, they stimulate the generation of new blood vessels.”
The cells make haste to cut and paste. “Within 24 hours after a myocardial infarction,” Dr. Nahrendorf said, “there are millions of monocytes” congregating around the broken heart. All of which would seem sensible, desirable, an excellent display of emergency preparedness, except that Dr. Nahrendorf and his principal colleagues were puzzled by one big unknown: Where did the rapid response team come from? The numbers circulating in the blood were simply too low. The researchers searched one organ after another, until they checked the spleen and found the monocytic mother lode. “The numbers there were huge, 10 times higher than what was in the bloodstream,” Dr. Nahrendorf said.
By the researchers’ reckoning, monocytes, like all blood cells, are born in the bone marrow and at some point migrate to the spleen, lured by cues yet to be identified. They sit and wait, a sessile bunch, but when aroused by such chemical signatures of damage as angiotensin, the cells surge forth without hesitation, a reaction the researchers hope someday to understand well enough to recapitulate at will. Hail to the chief, hail to the queen and hail to the monocytes residing in my spleen.
Aug 5, 2009 1:40:46 AM | Health, Science
NY Times: Divorce, It Seems, Can Make You Ill
Divorce, It Seems, Can Make You Ill
Married people tend to be healthier than single people. But what happens when a marriage ends?
New research shows that when married people become single again, whether by divorce or a spouse’s death, they experience much more than an emotional loss. Often they suffer a decline in physical health from which they never fully recover, even if they remarry.
And in terms of health, it’s not better to have married and lost than never to have married at all. Middle-age people who never married have fewer chronic health problems than those who were divorced or widowed.
The findings, from a national study of 8,652 men and women in their 50s and early 60s, suggest that the physical stress of marital loss continues long after the emotional wounds have healed. While this does not mean that people should stay married at all costs, it does show that marital history is an important indicator of health, and that the newly single need to be especially vigilant about stress management and exercise, even if they remarry.
“When your spouse is getting sick and about to die or your marriage is getting bad and about to die, your stress levels go up,” said Linda Waite, a sociology professor at the University of Chicago and an author of the study, which appears in the September issue of The Journal of Health and Social Behavior. “You’re not sleeping well, your diet gets worse, you can’t exercise, you can’t see your friends. It’s a whole package of awful events.”
The health benefits of marriage, documented by a wealth of research, appear to stem from several factors. Married people tend to be better off financially and can share in a spouse’s employer health benefits. And wives, in particular, act as gatekeepers for a husband’s health, scheduling appointments and noticing changes that may signal a health problem. Spouses can offer logistical support, like taking care of children while a partner exercises or shuttling a partner to and from the doctor’s office.
But in the latest study, researchers sought to gauge the health effects of divorce, widowhood and remarriage in a large cohort of people over time.
Among the 8,652 people studied, more than half were still married to their first spouse. About 40 percent had been divorced or widowed; about half of that group were remarried by the time of the study. About 4 percent had never married.
Over all, men and women who had experienced divorce or the death of a spouse reported about 20 percent more chronic health problems like heart disease, diabetes and cancer, compared with those who had been continuously married. Previously married people were also more likely to have mobility problems, like difficulty climbing stairs or walking a meaningful distance.
While remarrying led to some improvement in health, the study showed that most married people who became single never fully recovered from the physical declines associated with marital loss. Compared with those who had been continuously married, people in second marriages had 12 percent more chronic health problems and 19 percent more mobility problems. A second marriage did appear to heal emotional wounds: remarried people had only slightly more depressive symptoms than those continuously married.
The study does not prove that the loss of a marriage causes health problems, only that the two are associated. It may be that people who don’t exercise, eat poorly and can’t manage stress are also more likely to divorce. Still, researchers note that because the effect is seen in both divorced and widowed people, the data strongly suggest a causal relationship.
One reason may be changes at the cellular level during times of high stress. In an Ohio State University study, scientists analyzed blood samples of people undergoing the stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. The research focused on telomeres, which insulate and protect the ends of chromosomes; with aging, telomeres shorten and the activity of a related enzyme also declines.
Compared with a control group, the Alzheimer’s caregivers showed telomere patterns associated with a four- to eight-year shortening of life span. Dr. Waite said the stress of divorce or widowhood might take a similar toll, leading to chronic health and mobility problems.
None of this suggests that spouses should stay in a bad marriage for the sake of health. Marital troubles can lead to physical ones, too.
In a series of experiments, scientists at Ohio State studied the relationship between marital strife and immune response, as measured by the time it takes for a wound to heal. The researchers recruited married couples who submitted to a small suction device that left eight tiny blisters on the arm. The couples then engaged in different types of discussions — sometimes positive and supportive, at other times focused on a topic of conflict.
After a marital conflict, the wounds took a full day longer to heal. Among couples who exhibited high levels of hostility, the wound healing took two days longer than with those who showed less animosity.
“I would argue that if you can’t fix a marriage you’re better off out of it,” said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, an Ohio State scientist who is an author of much of the research. “With a divorce you’re disrupting your life, but a long-term acrimonious marriage also is very bad.”
well@nytimes.com
Aug 4, 2009 8:03:30 AM | Health, Psychology, Relationships
FT: An 11-minute workout programme
A simple set of exercises made in the 1950s has created a worldwide fitness phenomenon.
An 11-minute workout programme
By Angus Watson
Published: July 18 2009 01:36 | Last updated: July 18 2009 01:36
In the late 1950s a man named Bill Orban created a worldwide fitness phenomenon. He had been asked to build a workout programme for members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, for whom space and kit was limited. His solution was 5BX, or Five Basic Exercises, which required just 11 minutes of exercise every day (12 minutes for the female programme, XBX). If followed correctly, Orban claimed, 5BX could help anyone attain a decent fitness level in six to 10 months, then maintain it.
Though it was designed for pilots, 5BX found far wider favour, particularly among office workers. The 5BX handbook, Physical Fitness, sold 23 million copies in 13 languages. Today it is out of print, but a loyal band still swears by the 5BX ethos.
More from Pursuits - Nov-24
I discovered Royal Canadian Air Force exercises last year, while interviewing people about their health regimes. Two very different people – 66-year-old Geoffrey Kent, chief executive of the luxury travel group Abercrombie & Kent, and 33-year-old singer Emily Maguire – both cited the RCAF regime as an easy way to keep fit. I was intrigued. Could an 11-minute workout from the 1950s really get you into shape and keep you there?
“Travelling 150 to 200 days a year, I need to exercise in tents and hotel rooms. So I do Canadian Air Force Exercises every morning,” says Kent. He learnt them in 1974, after hurting his back in a polo accident. “Somebody taught me the RCAF rudiments, and said that if I kept the exercises up, I’d never have a bad back again. They were right.” Not only has his back improved, but he hasn’t had a day off work ever since.
As a child, Maguire used to copy her grandparents’ RCAF exercises, much to their amusement. Years later, after a long illness, she took the drills up again: “They were easy and short enough to do while I was recuperating. Little and often is much better than going to the gym twice a week and pushing yourself for an hour.”
Pilots in the RCAF also kept 5BX going after they quit the flying life. Jim Freeman, a Leading Aircraftman in the RCAF from 1957 to 1962, told me he found “much more use for the exercises after I got out. They’re great for sedentary people tied to desks.”
The Five Basic Exercises are five minutes of stretches, sit-ups, back arches and press-ups, followed by a six-minute aerobic workout. There are 72 increasingly difficult levels, spread over the six charts into which the programme is split. The frequency of each exercise increases with each level, and exercises become harder with each chart. In chart one, for example, the “sit-up” is raising your head from a prone position. For chart two, you have to sit all the way up.
Speed of progress, and how far up the charts you go, depends on age. A 36-year-old man like me spends four days on each level until he reaches level B, chart three, where he stays.
I’ve now been doing the exercises every morning for a month. I started at the simplest, but it was too easy. Instead I leapt to the top of chart one (level A+), moving on to chart two four days later, where I’ve progressed by one level every four days. Chart two is taxing. The press-ups (14 this morning) are particularly demanding, but I have persevered, and went up a level today.
It’s been easy to accommodate and stick to the 11 minutes. I live in a small flat, but if you have enough space to lie down, you have room for 5BX. They could equally be done in a hotel room or office; they’re taxing enough to give you a little endorphin boost, but they don’t make you sweat.
Very quickly, 5BX has become another unexciting but beneficial chore in my routine, like brushing my teeth. Kent treats the exercises as a business meeting that’s in his diary every day – “And I never miss a meeting.”
But are the exercises doing any good? Lucy Wyndham-Read is an ex-Army personal trainer, specialising in personalised workouts in confined spaces: “This routine is fabulous. Each exercise targets so many muscle groups. It will definitely get you fit. It will be fantastic for whole-upper-body strength, good for bone strength to prevent osteoporosis, and will energise you every day.”
She has two caveats: first, you need to be careful with sit-ups which, done incorrectly, can hurt your back. Replace them with a basic crunch: lie on your back, knees up, and lift your head toward your knees without straining. And for exercises that call for you to lie on your stomach and lift your legs and torso, she recommends leaving your legs on the ground.
Does the Canadian military still use 5BX and XBX? The RCAF was dismissive: “This programme was long ago superseded by other fitness programmes, and all the individuals involved with it or who used it have long ago retired.”
The RAF, meanwhile, has no official equivalent. However, all members of staff have to complete a physical fitness test every six months. For a man of my age this would entail some running, 18 press-ups and 29 sit-ups. At top level of 5BX for a 36-year-old you do 19 “advanced” press-ups and 27 sit-ups. So 5BX would suit the modern RAF man very well.
For the rest of us, 11 minutes of exercise every morning will certainly leave us trimmer and healthier. However, as Geoffrey Kent points out: “You cannot think 5BX is a panacea for keeping fit. You’ve got to eat less too.”
pursuits@ft.com
“Physical Fitness” is available on the internet for around £18, or download it at www.gettingfitagain.com/5bx.php
Stand with feet apart, arms up. Bend forward to touch the floor then stretch up and bend backward. Do not strain to keep knees straight.
Lie on your back with feet 6in apart, arms at sides. Sit up just far enough to see your heels. Keep your legs straight. Your head and shoulders must clear the floor.
Lie on your front, palms placed under your thighs. Raise your head and one leg, and repeat using alternate legs. Keep leg straight at the knee. Thighs must clear palms.
Lie on your front, hands under shoulders, palms flat on floor. Straighten arms and lift upper body, keeping knees on the floor. Bend arms to lower body. Keep body straight from the knees, arms fully extended. Chest must touch floor to complete one movement.
Stationary run. Lift feet approximately 4in off floor. Every 75 steps do 10 “scissor jumps”: stand with right leg and left arm extended backward. Jump up, and change position of arms and legs before landing. Arms reach shoulder eight.
Jul 17, 2009 7:39:36 PM | Health, Sports
Washington Post: The Next Course
The Next Course
Why Children Are Key Players in Michelle Obama's Food Policy Moves
By Jane Black
It was the ultimate photo op. Thirty-six smiling fifth-graders eating a healthful meal they'd cooked themselves at a picnic table in the First Lady's Garden. The story line was as simple as it was seductive: They came. They planted. They harvested. In three short months, Michelle Obama had accomplished what other food advocates could only dream about. Good food was no longer just virtuous. It was cool.
That was easy. Now what?
That's the question Obama's food policy team is working on this summer. The garden was always intended "as a jumping-off point for getting to what sometimes can be a complicated conversation about how we eat [and] the food choices we make," Obama policy director Jocelyn Frye said in an interview. But as it moves beyond the symbolic to those meatier matters, the White House is grappling with the very issues that have challenged the so-called good food movement for decades: How do you simplify and sell a new way of eating?
That isn't so easy. Food -- unlike, say, the space program -- is a fundamental and intimate part of everyone's life. It's culturally, politically and economically complicated. And there's a fine line between government involvement and paternalism: It's one thing to educate people about the importance of a healthful diet and quite another to tell them what to eat and where to buy it. The garden has been an unqualified success; on the first family's trip to Moscow last week, Russians were far more interested in Obama's garden than in her fashion sense. The challenge now is to craft a strategy to capitalize on Obama's newfound clout to improve school lunches and access to fresh fruits and vegetables and to make how we eat an integral part of the national health-care debate.
The main architects of the plan, along with Obama herself, are Frye and Sam Kass, an assistant chef who also serves as the White House food initiative coordinator.
Frye, 45, a Washington native, attended Harvard Law School with Obama. Kass worked as a personal chef for the Obama family in Chicago before joining the family in Washington. The 29-year-old oversees the garden and is often photographed in his chef's whites working with students. But Kass spends a significant amount of time in a suit in the East Wing and out and about in Washington. Last week, he sat in the front row alongside members of Congress as Vice President Biden announced the administration's new food safety proposals.
Given the success of the garden, it's no surprise that part of the East Wing strategy is to keep doing what they're doing: make fresh, healthful food seem accessible, even normal. In interviews and at public events, Obama makes a point of telling her own story. As a working mother, she often took her daughters out to eat several times a week or ordered a pizza for dinner. When the girls began to gain weight, she says, her pediatrician suggested she rethink how the family was eating. By making a "small change in our family's diet and adding more fresh produce for my family, Barack, the girls, me, we all started to notice over a very short period of time that we felt much better," Obama said at the harvest event.
To create that down-to-earth feeling, Obama has invited local schoolchildren, not celebrity chefs, to the garden. (Chez Panisse's Alice Waters, who lobbied for a White House garden for more than a decade, hasn't been asked to any of the official garden events, for example.) Obama also has made a point of appearing at soup kitchens and community health centers to talk about the importance of a healthful diet. And produce from the garden is donated to Miriam's Kitchen, which serves healthful meals to the homeless in Washington. "Accessibility and affordability has always been part of the message," Frye said. "It's why we partner with elementary school kids. You pierce through all the constituencies and say, 'It's about kids.' "
That might not sound like tactical brilliance. But Waters and other pioneers of the local-food movement have long struggled with perceptions of elitism. Critics mocked their breathless praise of farmstead cheeses or the ultimate roast chicken, painting them as out-of-touch, arugula-loving yuppies. "Michelle has used her position in a way that has made people realize this is a very simple, very American impulse," said Josh Viertel, president of Slow Food USA, which promotes small farmers and artisan producers. "What they're doing is normalizing something that should be normal."
"She has enormous influence," added Tony Geraci, director of food service at the Baltimore City Public Schools. Where funders used to ask for feasibility studies, he said, they now are looking to invest, even in the midst of an economic downturn. "In the last months, there has been a national awareness that these food issues are real."
Most appraisals of Obama's efforts have been positive. But she hasn't escaped criticism. In a May 31 Op-Ed in the New York Times, food writer Amanda Hesser chided the first lady for implying that cooking is a chore when she breezily admitted that she was happy to leave the cooking to White House chefs. "Terrific local ingredients aren't much use if people are cooking less and less," Hesser wrote. "Cooking is to gardening what parenting is to childbirth."
Frye and Kass counter that inspiring families to cook is part of the White House plan. Earlier this month, for example, Obama invited graduates of the Brainfood program, a nonprofit organization in Washington that teaches life skills through cooking, to help prepare for a White House luau and the Fourth of July celebration. Over the course of a week, 19 students shucked corn, washed lettuce and made strawberry tiramisu.
"The garden showed the step-by-step process of how food gets to the table, but the major event culminated in cooking and eating," Kass said. "We're really trying to highlight that it all leads to the table."
Kass also is working on a series of White House seasonal recipes, though it hasn't been decided how they will be distributed. A White House cookbook? A special Web site? The series "is going to be a bigger part of what we do," Kass said. "We are exploring new avenues to get real, practical recipes into the hands of mothers and fathers."
What the White House isn't doing is as significant as what it is. For example, though many advocates might wish it, the first lady has not championed local food. She has used the word -- "What I've learned is that if it's fresh and grown locally, it's probably going to taste better," she told local fifth-graders at the June harvest day -- but on the whole, Obama focuses on freshness and seasonality.
"Despite the fact that there's a huge local food movement, they haven't made it an issue," said Sam Fromartz, author of "Organic, Inc." "By keeping it vague, it becomes much more inclusive."
Nor will Obama stump for farm-to-school programs. It's a pet project of many sustainable-food activists who see them as a win-win because they create new markets for small farmers and increase the amount of fresh produce in schools. It is, Kass said, one small piece of the larger puzzle, but it is not a priority.
Indeed, a key part of the White House strategy is to stay focused. Food reformers are working to change agricultural subsidies, environmental regulations, nutrition standards and food labeling. The White House, Kass said, recognizes that all are important and interconnected. But to succeed, Obama is trying to highlight the issues that most directly affect children: "We're focusing on kids, even though food and health are issues we all face," Kass said. "We want to look at the process from how and what is grown to how it gets to our plates without going in a million directions."
Obama is taking off the month of August. But she will relaunch her efforts in earnest in September. That is back-to-school time and when the debate will heat up in Congress over funding for child nutrition programs including school breakfast and lunch. No specific events have yet been scheduled, but staffers say Obama will continue to try to link the personal to the political by gardening, cooking and eating with students.
"The more they can tell the story of what they're doing, the better it will be," said Slow Food's Viertel. "If they can let people see a family meal, if people see that the busiest man in the world takes time to sit down with his kids for dinner, that could have an incredible impact."
© 2009 The Washington Post Company
Jul 15, 2009 8:46:19 AM | Demographics, Food and Drink, Health, Public Policy
NY Times: Urban Farming, a Bit Closer to the Sun
Urban Farming, a Bit Closer to the Sun
THIS summer, Tony Tomelden hopes to be making bloody marys at the Pug in Washington, D.C., with tomatoes and chilies grown above the bar, thanks to the city’s incentives for green roofs.
Mr. Tomelden, the Pug’s principal owner, says he’s planting a garden to take advantage of tax subsidies the city offers in his neighborhood if he covers his roof with plants.
“If I can do something in my corner for the environment, that seemed a reasonable thing to do,” he said. “Plus I can save money on the tomatoes.”
There won’t be bloody marys at P.S. 6 on New York’s Upper East Side, but one-third of its roof will be planted with vegetables and herbs next spring for the cafeteria. The school is using about $950,000 in city funds that it has put aside, and parents and alumni are providing almost a half-million dollars more.
“For the children, it’s exciting when you grow something edible,” said the school’s principal, Lauren Fontana.
Aeries are cropping up on America’s skylines, filled with the promise of juicy tomatoes, tiny Alpine strawberries and the heady perfume of basil and lavender. High above the noise and grime of urban streets, gardeners are raising fruits and vegetables. Some are simply finding the joys of backyard gardens several stories up, others are doing it for the environment and some because they know local food sells well.
City dwellers have long cultivated pots of tomatoes on top of their buildings. But farming in the sky is a fairly recent development in the green roof movement, in which owners have been encouraged to replace blacktop with plants, often just carpets of succulents, to cut down on storm runoff, insulate buildings and moderate urban heat.
A survey by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, which represents companies that create green roofs, found the number of projects its members had worked on in the United States grew by more than 35 percent last year. In total, the green roofs installed last year cover 6 million to 10 million square feet, the group said.
Steven Peck, its president, said he had no figures for how many of the projects involved fruits and vegetables, but interest is growing. “When we had a session on urban agriculture,” he said of a meeting of the group in Atlanta last month, “it was standing room only.” Mr. Peck said the association is forming a committee on rooftop agriculture.
Tax incentives have accelerated the plantings of green roofs, particularly in Chicago, which has encouraged green roofs for almost a decade. The Chicago chef Rick Bayless uses tomatoes and chilies he grows atop his restaurant Frontera Grill to make Rooftop Salsa.
New York State has subsidies both for roofs with succulents spread out over a thin layer of soil and for edible plants covering a smaller area. A proposed amendment to New York City’s tax abatement for some roof projects would include green roofs. Most roof gardeners aren’t in it for the money, though.
After her Lower East Side co-op refurbished the 1,000-square-foot roof of its six-floor walk-up, Paula Crossfield persuaded fellow board members to spend $3,000 to put a 400-square-foot garden on it. They built planters and paved part of the roof so people can walk easily among the plantings.
Ms. Crossfield, managing editor of the Civil Eats blog, about sustainable agriculture, is paying for the seeds and will do the harvesting, sharing the bounty with her neighbors. (She and her husband live on the top floor.)
In the process, she estimates she carried up 500 of the 1,500 pounds of soil they bought and put in planters.
“My decision to start a garden is an extension of my work,” Ms. Crossfield said. “Growing my own food helps me understand better what I write about: how food gets to our table, the difficulties it entails.” It’s not all about agricultural policy, she added.
“The bottom line,” she said, “is that I harbor a secret desire to be a farmer, and my way of doing that is to use what I have, which is a roof.”
Two weeks ago Ms. Crossfield transplanted seedlings from her apartment onto the roof: golden zucchini, oakleaf lettuce, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, watermelon, rainbow chard, cucumbers, nasturtiums, calendula, sunflowers, amaranth greens, tomatoes and herbs.
In San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, Maya Donelson has filled planter boxes with vegetables on a 900-square-foot patch of roof at the Glide Memorial Church. For the past year she has managed the Graze the Roof Project at the church’s Glide Center, a neighborhood social service provider.
The food goes to the center’s volunteers and children in the neighborhood who work in the garden one day a week and learn to cook what they grow.
“I’ve never had one kid who hasn’t wanted to get his hands dirty,” said Ms. Donelson, who studied architecture and environmental design. “They are willing to try anything if they see it growing and pull it out of the ground. We juiced the purple carrots and the kids drank that.”
Sustainable South Bronx, a nonprofit environmental organization, said it will help Alfred E. Smith High School plant a roof garden and has helped a company in Hunts Point put strawberry plants on its roof. (The owner likes strawberries, an official of the group said.)
One of the more ambitious projects is a 6,000-square-foot roof farm in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which will grow food for local restaurants and shops.
Ben Flanner, a transplanted Wisconsinite who’s running it, said he became fascinated with organic agriculture and was set to take an internship on a rural farm but then had a change of heart.
“I wanted to farm but I didn’t want to leave the city,” he said.
Mr. Flanner was lucky to find an environmentally aware company — Broadway Stages, a stage and lighting company — that wanted a green roof on one of its buildings. It paid to prepare the roof for planting and agreed to let him grow food on it. Mr. Flanner and his partner, Annie Novak, did the planting and will be able to keep all the profits from their organic vegetables.
“People are knocking on my door to buy the stuff,” he said. Andrew Tarlow, a partner in four nearby restaurants, including Marlow & Sons, has agreed to buy anything Mr. Flanner grows.
The roof cost $6,000 to prepare, according to Lisa Goode, who with her husband, Chris, owns Goode Green, a company that designs edible roof gardens. There are at least 1,000 seedlings planted in 16 beds, each about 60 feet long.
“A smaller roof would cost more per square foot,” she said. Mr. Flanner’s costs for the garden itself were less than $2,000, but Ms. Goode said it will take more than one roof for him to make a living.
“This is sort of a pilot to see if it can become a viable business model because he isn’t going to make any money from this,” she said. “If we can get the owner to do more roofs, he can then make a profit.”
Not long ago, edible rooftop gardeners were less likely to be thinking about sustainable food systems or the environment.
Lee Utterbach wanted to recapture summers on his grandmother’s farm. But there was no land around his house in the Mission district of San Francisco. So when he bought the building where he lives and runs a photo equipment rental shop, he turned the roof into a vegetable and flower garden. Since the roof slopes, all the planting was done along its perimeter. Some of it, like the rosemary, is so well established, it hangs over the front of the building.
Reaching the roof means a trip through the kitchen window, then up an incline. A small ladder takes visitors to his wife’s greenhouse and a hot tub, a deck , a composting toilet and the future guest room. In one area that his wife, Aly, describes as his “man cave,” Mr. Utterbach watches his 17-inch TV screen from a comfortable chair.
“I was probably eight or nine years ahead of the curve when I built this,” he said. “I just enjoy watering plants and digging in the soil.”
Peter Bergold, a neuroscientist who teaches at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, was also inspired by the past. Memories of the first asparagus and carrots he ate from a garden years before led him to start growing produce on the roof of his landmarked brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, six or seven years ago.
“That was my epiphany,” he said of the sweetness he was trying to recapture. “I assumed asparagus grew with a rubber band around them.”
Environmental awareness came slowly. “One of the things that got me interested,” he said, “was that between global warming and the thermal bubble of cities you can start things much earlier so you have a much longer growing season.”
Another benefit gardeners get from planting well above the ground is that they face fewer pests.
But roof gardeners also have to think about winds that can knock over tender vines. And while concentrated heat on top of city buildings can help tomatoes ripen, it also means more frequent watering, even if irrigation requires lugging watering cans up stairs.
Though rooftop gardens go back at least to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the modern green roof movement has made its way here from Europe, where for years government policies have encouraged or required green roofs.
The government benefits take into account the fact that gardening on the roof requires much more preparation than gardening on terra firma.
First, it must be determined whether the roof can support the weight of the soil, the plants and the water. It may need to be retrofitted. Barring that, gardeners can place planters around the perimeter, which is generally its strongest part.
The containers can be almost anything: ready-made planters; boxes made of reclaimed wood, old milk cartons, children’s wading pools. A screen at the bottom holds in a lightweight substance, like packing peanuts for bulk, topped with a barrier fabric so the soil can’t go through. Potting soil, mixed with ingredients to lighten it, is put on top.
When gardens are planted directly on the roof, a waterproof membrane is laid down first, followed by insulation and a root barrier. (A guide to roof gardening is available at baylocalize.org.)
All this work can be off-putting for landlords. Five years ago, Ms. Crossfield said, the owner of an apartment building on Sixth Avenue in the West Village told one of his tenants to get rid of a garden she had planted.
“He told the woman to take it off the roof,” she said, “because he didn’t see any benefit in it.”
That’s not so likely these days.
“Several years ago you might have seen a certain amount of resistance,” said Miquela Craytor, executive director of Sustainable South Bronx, “but now people are coming to us saying they want one.”
Jun 18, 2009 8:40:39 AM | Environment, Food and Drink, Fun, Health
FT: Carrots are the new caviar
Excerpt: In recent years, however, some forward-thinking chefs, who believe that personal expression and creativity are more important than slavish devotion to symbolic luxury goods, have abandoned this antiquated approach. These chefs are seeking out the highest-quality ingredients, usually from their area, without regard to their place in the traditional fine dining canon. Combined with a deeply held belief in the transformative power of the cooking process, they are setting an example that, if it catches on, could change what we grow and eat, both in restaurants and at home.
Carrots are the new caviar
By Daniel Patterson
Published: June 13 2009 01:47 | Last updated: June 13 2009 01:47
Chef David Patterson
Buried deep in the website of El Bulli, Ferran Adrià’s legendary restaurant in Spain, is a revolutionary declaration: “All products have the same gastronomic value, regardless of their price.”
What makes this statement groundbreaking is obvious to those who follow haute cuisine, a style of cooking traditionally based on a few select ingredients. Blame it on the pioneer of fine French restaurant cooking, Auguste Escoffier, or perhaps on our recently ended era of faux prosperity, but over the past several decades the menus of almost every expensive restaurant in the western world have become an endless parade of caviar, foie gras, truffles, lobster and filet mignon, often flown in from around the globe. These ingredients have become the Birkin bags of the culinary world, more important as cultural signifiers than as actual experiences.
More from Food & Drink - Nov-24
In recent years, however, some forward-thinking chefs, who believe that personal expression and creativity are more important than slavish devotion to symbolic luxury goods, have abandoned this antiquated approach. These chefs are seeking out the highest-quality ingredients, usually from their area, without regard to their place in the traditional fine dining canon. Combined with a deeply held belief in the transformative power of the cooking process, they are setting an example that, if it catches on, could change what we grow and eat, both in restaurants and at home.
In 2001, with the mad cow scare sweeping across Europe, chef Alain Passard decided to remove meat from the menu at L’Arpège, his vaunted Parisian restaurant. Drawing on produce grown on his own farms, he jettisoned foie gras in favour of carrots. It was an unprecedented decision for a top restaurant. At the time it was widely regarded as professional suicide. Instead, L’Arpège has thrived.
Passard, 52, has since retreated to a more conventional format (foie gras is back on his menu, along with caviar and turbot), but his move towards a vegetable-based cuisine had lasting effects. His influence can be seen in places as far-flung as Manresa in Los Gatos, California, where David Kinch’s inventive and delicious dishes are based mostly on vegetables grown on a farm connected to the restaurant. Jeremy Fox, who trained with Kinch, went on to become chef at Ubuntu in Napa Valley, a vegetarian restaurant attached to a garden that has become one of the most talked about eating establishments in the US.
“Plants grown from seeds adapted to their place, that’s the new caviar, the new luxury,” says Dan Barber, chef-owner of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York. Barber was recently named America’s best chef by the James Beard Foundation, which promotes the culinary arts. Barber grows much of his own produce and raises his own meat on a farm next to the restaurant. He also stresses the importance of good cooking, including some of the techniques invented at El Bulli, to transform those impeccable ingredients into a cuisine informed by both the land and his personal point of view.
This close connection between what Barber grows and how he cooks can be seen in a recent dish that featured Crispino lettuce, an old, non-hybridised relative of iceberg. It’s a bright green, flavourful lettuce that grows slowly, so that the leaves form a tight, dense head. The texture reminded Barber of meat so he roasted it and served it as he would a steak, centred on the plate and surrounded with pickled vegetables, herbs and a broth of lettuce greens. It was a brilliant sleight of hand that referenced the familiar while delivering something new. This combination of compelling ingredients, cooking skill and new ideas is what makes his $125 (£75) tasting menu, comprised mostly of vegetables, utterly captivating and well worth the price.
The eye-wateringly versatile onion
Consider the humble onion, the most versatile and important vegetable in the kitchen. They provide sweetness and a subtle savoury quality. Even when they remain in the background, they quietly improve almost every preparation. Here are a just a few ideas:
Sweated: Cook sliced onions with a little butter or olive oil and salt over low heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until very tender, and then ...
● Add seasoned and browned meat, some sort of herb, a little water and perhaps some wine, and cook covered in a low oven until the meat is tender.
● Cook the onions over medium heat until any liquid is boiled off and purée in a blender with more butter or olive oil and a little vinegar. The softened fibres of the onions will break down into a silky smooth purée, making a sauce that goes with almost anything.
Grilled: Slice onions half an inch thick, season with olive oil, salt and pepper and cook until just tender, either in a pan or on a grill, and then ...
● Cook slowly and purée into an intensely flavourful sauce – sherry vinegar works well as a seasoning.
● Chop and mix with oil and vinegar to make a vinaigrette. Herbs, lemon, spices: almost anything works as a seasoning.
Pickled: heat one part vinegar to two parts water, season with salt and sugar to taste, bring to a boil and pour over thinly sliced onions. Let cool. This is great as an accompaniment to meats and fish or tossed in salads.
Restaurants such as L’Arpège and Blue Hill occupy the tiniest sector of food consumption but also the most visible. By creating associative value in certain ingredients, such as vegetables or unusual cuts of meat, the decisions they make can have a trickle-down effect on the market by stimulating demand. Monkfish and short ribs are examples of ingredients that were very inexpensive in the US until top chefs started putting them on their menus en masse. Pork belly, once thought of as peasant food, is now at home on the most elaborate tasting menus. The price of these products has increased dramatically and they are now commonly found in upscale retail markets as well.
If it seems a stretch to think that modern chefs, cooking for a few people in rarefied dining rooms, can have an effect on mainstream cooking, consider the story of René Redzepi. When his restaurant, Noma, opened in Copenhagen in 2003, the food in Denmark’s fine dining restaurants, like the products in its supermarkets, was based on expensive ingredients imported from other parts of Europe. The message to diners was that local ingredients weren’t as good. Redzepi, who trained at El Bulli and the French Laundry in California, rejected this thinking, fashioning native products such as musk ox, wood sorrel and wild juniper into an exhilarating, highly personal cuisine.
For those who suggest that it’s impossible to avoid using imported products in places such as New York or London, with their harsh, cold winters, Noma in northern Europe could serve as a counter argument. Redzepi and his team search the region for the best ingredients they can find, creating supply lines for many indigenous products that had never before been commercially available. Even during the darkest months they forage for wild herbs and mushrooms. They use local seafood, meat, dairy and root vegetables, and accompany the dishes with foods that they pickle, smoke and dry during the growing season. One dish, called “the potato field”, is comprised of small mead-glazed potatoes scattered across potato purée and dusted with malt “soil”, a triumph of imagination over a depleted winter larder.
Noma, which has two Michelin stars and was recently voted the number three restaurant in the world (after El Bulli and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, in Berkshire) by Restaurant magazine, has influenced other chefs to reconsider their approach to cooking. Many Danish restaurants, some opened by chefs who trained at Noma, are now serving what has been dubbed the new Nordic cuisine, based on regional ingredients and characterised by lightness and pure flavours. The Danish government, inspired by Redzepi’s work, has created a project called New Nordic Food to help entrepreneurs develop local products such as birch beer, which can now be found in supermarkets there. From his tiny kitchen, Redzepi has helped to spark a resurgent native cuisine.
Revaluing ingredients – starting with the assumption that a potato or a carrot can taste as exciting as foie gras – is difficult in a high end kitchen. It requires more labour, more imagination, and more carefully sourced ingredients – mediocre foie gras will always seem more “worth it” than a mediocre carrot. It’s riskier as well, going against diners’ deeply ingrained expectations. But as many modern restaurants, such as Noma, have shown, the rewards can be considerable, providing more vibrant, compelling food and a closer emotional connection with their customers.
For the home cook, revaluing ingredients can lead not only to better food but, equally important in these difficult economic times, to a less costly way of eating. A few weeks ago, inspired by a friend’s wrong-headed claim that good food is always expensive, I made two meals for my wife and I for $12, using only local and organic ingredients. I bought a modest amount of beef back ribs, the least expensive meat I could find, from my favourite rancher and cooked it in a crock pot with heirloom beans, onion, carrot and dried chillies. I added sautéed mustard greens at the end and served it over brown rice. The meals were not only inexpensive, they were delicious, and they proved that quality versus affordability is a false debate. The choice is really between meat- or vegetable-centric meals, between ribeye and ribs. Knowing how to cook means it is possible to eat both well and inexpensively.
Cooking matters, because the worth of an ingredient is intimately tied to our ability to turn it into food. In the US and the UK, our collective inability to do little more than open a package or throw a steak on a grill skews our perception of the worth of an ingredient – ease of preparation determines value. This limits the kinds of ingredients we grow and cook with, making our food more wasteful, more expensive and less tasty.
Over and over I have heard from friends and colleagues that haute cuisine has no relevance to the real world. I disagree. At a time when environmental, health and economic concerns demand a widespread re-examination of how we feed ourselves, chefs should show by example that responsibility and pleasure are not at odds. The kind of cooking that happens in elite kitchens will never be practical at home, but modern chefs’ evolving attitude towards the value of ingredients and the importance of good cooking is. The same well-grown carrot that I turn into a complex interaction of temperatures and textures at my restaurant is just as delicious at home, where I cook it simply with a little water, salt and olive oil, something that any home cook can do well. All it takes is a few basic cooking techniques – and a willingness to reconsider what’s worth eating.
Daniel Patterson is the chef and owner of Coi restaurant in San Francisco
Rowley Leigh on revolutionary cuisine
This is not the first food revolution. Many of us remember the re-evaluation of ingredients in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when chefs in France, rooted in a classical cuisine built on the traditional luxury signifiers (foie gras and truffles, lobster and crayfish, beef fillet and sole, all in a tsunami of cream and heavily reduced stock), decided to change focus – stripping away the trappings of the old gastronomy and marrying the luxury signifiers with more humble ingredients. This came to be known as nouvelle cuisine. Lobster was matched with chickpeas, foie gras with turnips and truffles with leeks.
That revolution did not last long. Chefs became incapable of featuring any ingredient without matching it with at least two more disparate ingredients. As chefs became increasingly competitive in a market craving novelty, the old luxury goods were thrown into the mix with reckless abandon. And as the trend trickled downwards, nouvelle cuisine was caricatured by the incompetent into a byword for small portions of rather silly food on rather large plates.
Little had changed until recently but now the game is up. With a worldwide recession forcing prices down and the increasing unsustainability of many luxury foods, chefs are having to get smarter. With any luck, they might get more realistic and start to realise that more does not mean better and that to produce three or four different dishes on one plate is just as much a symptom of excess as stuffing everything that moves with foie gras and truffles. Sooner or later, chefs will have to respect the ingredients they have and make the most of them. There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate the will to change. Chefs are increasingly sourcing their ingredients directly from producers and showing an increasing awareness of seasonality in their menus.
So Daniel Patterson’s mission comes at the right time and he makes strong points. Changing expectations of our cuisine – especially when we eat out in expensive restaurants – is a difficult path. The attempt to escape from a menu centred on meat and fish confounds diners and has most of the traditional pitfalls of old-fashioned vegetarianism. Alain Passard’s apostasy (having declared himself practically vegetarian, his current menu features lobster, foie gras, sweetbreads, lamb and chicken) is testament to the difficulty of the task and the reluctance of Parisian diners to fork out €300 on a menu that gives pride of place to carrots and beetroot.
Writing from London, I would suggest that the second part of the mission, to root a cuisine in its locality, is also problematic. Whereas it is eminently successful in California (as it should be in Cornwall, Provence or Sicily), I still wonder how those of us in the great metropolitan centres can produce a cuisine that does not gain strength from its access to international markets. Patterson gives us the heroic example of René Redzepi at Noma but one shudders at the thought of “the potato field” in the hands of lesser exponents.
I am tempted to follow George Orwell and suggest that all ingredients may be equal but, even in the current frugal climate, some may be more equal than others.
Rowley Leigh writes a weekly column on cookery
Jun 14, 2009 2:34:21 AM | Food and Drink, Health, Recipes
ST: A loaf affair
A loaf affair
Mr Oliver Lim, the manager of a human resource consultancy firm, started baking bread so he could feed his family nourishing food
By Huang Lijie
Cooking is a labour of love, especially for Mr Oliver Lim.
Growing up, the owner of a human resource consultancy firm never had to get his hands dirty in the kitchen to enjoy a meal.
The 41-year-old says: 'My housewife mother was a great cook. Her fried beancurd with fermented bean paste and cuttlefish porridge are family favourites.'
So it was not until he started dating his then girlfriend, Glenda, who is now his wife, that he stepped into the kitchen.
The impetus, he says, was not so much finding a way to her heart through her tummy.
Rather, it was prompted by his frustration at having to queue for more than 30 minutes for sushi at Cold Storage in Ngee Ann City whenever she craved it.
The father of a 12-year-old son and nine- year-old daughter says: 'There was a craze for the 50-cent sushi when it was first sold in a supermarket in the early 1990s. Previously, one could eat sushi only in restaurants.
'But I thought: How tough can it be to make sushi? It's just a piece of fish over a ball of rice. I can do it for her.'
He had to eat his words later when he realised that there is more to sushi making than just slapping a piece of fish over sticky rice.
He says: 'I bought seven cookbooks and pored over them for six months to figure out what was the right temperature to add vinegar to the cooked rice, and the correct technique of mixing it into the rice.'
His persistence paid off and he became so good at making sushi that friends began asking him to teach them.
As for other cuisines, he says he can master simple Chinese stir-fry dishes, although the cooking of family meals is usually left to his mother - who lives with them - or Glenda, 41, who is a housewife.
Yet it is his passion for feeding his loved ones nourishing food that prompted him to get into baking bread.
His interest started when his daughter was diagnosed with childhood nephrotic syndrome five years ago.
The syndrome, which results in the swelling of limbs due to water retention, is the first sign of a disease that damages the blood-filtering units in the kidneys.
To keep her condition in check, she had to take steriods. Determined to help ease her condition by making sure she ate right, Mr Lim enrolled in a nutrition certificate course at Singapore Polytechnic.
It was there that he learnt that bread sold over the shelf might contain chemicals such as mould inhibitors and bread improvers to keep it fresh for longer and to help speed up the making process.
He says: 'I didn't like the thought of my daughter consuming more chemicals than she needed to, and since bread is such a staple in my family's breakfast diet, I decided to bake my own bread.'
Turning again to cookbooks, he began by baking loaves out of the only cooking equipment he had - stainless steel pots. However, the loaves always had a weird taste.
So he bought a bread-making machine for $160 and used it regularly until it broke down after a year.
While the machine was an efficient way to make bread, the loaves turned hard and chewy very quickly after baking.
So instead of buying a replacement, he borrowed his mother's Kenwood mixer and invested in a $300 table-top oven before installing a $700 convection oven when he moved from his flat in Bukit Panjang to a three-room condominium in Choa Chu Kang in 2006.
The baking enthusiast, who owns 15 bread baking cookbooks, is so serious about baking that he extracts his own yeast from the skin of organic blueberries. He also has a separate refrigerator to store his yeast cultures and fermenting dough for breads such as sourdough.
While he loves baking bread, he does not make pastries or cakes.
He says: 'I cannot bring myself to use all the egg, butter and sugar that cake recipes call for. It's unhealthy.'
He bakes every fortnight, churning out four types of bread and 12 loaves such as rye, wholemeal, baguette (French bread stick) and focaccia (Italian flat bread). The breads are frozen after baking and last for two weeks.
He sometimes takes the bread to the office to share with colleagues. Their warm reception gave him the idea of making bread baskets as gifts to his clients instead of sending the usual corporate ones.
Last Christmas, he baked for one week to churn out 22 baskets, each filled with about eight loaves of rye, baguette, focaccia and scones.
He has also conducted classes at home for friends and colleagues occasionally.
While his children did have some problems getting used to the crusty breads initially, they have since grown accustomed to the taste.
Nonetheless, their favourite remains focaccia, which is softer to the bite than most artisan breads.
He shares a recipe for focaccia below, which he has modified to suit his taste preference.
He says: 'Traditional focaccia is dripping in oil and uses a lot more herbs. I've cut down the oil to make it healthier and used less herbs so the taste isn't too overpowering.'
lijie@sph.com.sg
Make it yourself: Focaccia
(Makes two loaves)
520g bread flour
11/2 tsp instant yeast
320ml water (room temperature)
140ml extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp garlic salt, available in supermarkets
1/2 stalk fresh rosemary leaves
3 pitted olives, sliced
1. Put bread flour, fine sea salt and instant yeast in a large steel bowl.
2. Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in 50ml olive oil and 320ml water. Stir the mixture evenly with a large spoon for three minutes until it forms a sticky ball.
3. Coat your hand with flour and knead the dough for three minutes, folding the edges of the dough into the centre. Stop when it does not stick to your hand.
4. Leave the dough in the bowl and cover with cellophane wrap. Place the bowl in a cool corner of the kitchen for two hours.
5. After two hours, the dough should have risen by 21/2 times its original size. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a smooth, flour-covered work surface.
6. Knead the dough for five minutes using the same motion. It should feel smooth and elastic.
7. Separate the dough into two portions and roll each portion into the shape of a ball. Pour about 30ml of extra virgin olive oil into each of the two baking pans (31cm x 22cm x 3cm) and place a ball of dough in each pan.
8. Roll the balls of dough in the olive oil to prevent them from drying up. Place the baking pans in a cool corner of the kitchen and allow the dough to rise for another 20 minutes.
9. Pour 15ml of olive oil over each ball of dough before flattening it with fingertips until it is 5mm thick and fills the base of the pan.
10. Sprinkle garlic salt, rosemary leaves and olive slices on the dough and leave it to rise for another hour.
11. Preheat the oven to 200 deg C for 30 minutes.
12. Bake the dough in the oven for 20 minutes at 200 deg C. If you have a small oven that goes up only to 180 deg C, bake it at this maximum temperature for 25 minutes. Cover the top of the dough with aluminium foil if the surface browns too much.
13. Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a cooling rack for 30 minutes before serving. It can be sealed and frozen for consumption later and lasts up to three weeks when frozen.
Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings.
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Sep 28, 2008 12:07:40 AM | Food and Drink, Health, Recipes
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The Companions in Courage Foundation partners with some of the best and brightest technology firms to provide resources that benefit pediatric patients and their families. By introducing technology to the healing process, we impact more than 50,000 pediatric patients per year.
Perhaps you have been the beneficiary of an act of kindness during a pediatric stay, and you’d like to pay it forward? Please consider contacting us for ideas on how we can work together to improve the hopital stays of patients and their families.
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2015 American Idol champion Nick Fradiani, a native of Guilford, CT, visited the Lion's Den Room at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and put on an intimate performance for patients and their families. Katie Robbins of the Child Life staff said, "It was a special moment for our patients who may have been too sick to attend a concert in a regular venue."
American Idol Visits CCMC
"What would we have done without the Lions Den?? Usually twice every day, Jonathan played in there. He could crawl on a clean floor and get his wiggles out. He learned to walk in there. Most of his therapy sessions (OT, PT, Speech) were held in there. In the evenings, my husband and three other children would join us in there for dinner. It felt almost normal, because we could sit at the table and eat as a family as Jonathan played at our feet." - Megan Looney, North Carolina Children's Hospital
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Wanted to let you know the Lion’s Den has been PACKED every day this week. I have stopped by each day this week and every time I do (yesterday was at 9 p.m.!), there has been at least 4 kids in there! We have to remind them that they are sick and need their rest! - Greg Latz, Connecticut Children's Medical Center
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Your ticket for the: Our Impact
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Volume 9 Issue 3 - April 15, 2012
After four years, blind woman finally gets U.P.S.C. posting, but in a lower category!
D.N.I.S. News Network, India: Purnima Jain, a woman with visual impairment from Indore, cleared the Union Public Service Commission (U.P.S.C.) with distinction in 2008. But it took four years and an intervention from the Prime Minister of India for her to finally get a posting. But the discrimination is far from over.
The posting she has finally received is in the Indian Railway Personnel Services (I.R.P.S.) whereas she had qualified for the Indian Administrative Service (I.A.S.).
Jain is going to take up the I.R.P.S. position but has expressed her unhappiness at being denied a job that she deserved.
Where is the money?
“It is high time for the disability sector to demand for a Disability Rights Budget Statement,” Meenakshi Balasubramaniam
Survey reveals dismal picture of persons with disabilities in Odisha
Centre, D.G.C.A. served notice by Supreme Court on deplaning of passenger with disability
Another meeting at Ministry of Civil Aviation, with no solution in sight
Make rights of persons with disabilities justiciable: C.P.I.(M.)
O.B.C. candidates with disabilities to get three extra attempts at Civil Services
Railways directed to fill up posts reserved for persons with disabilities
Find alternatives to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities, says H.P. High Court
D.U. plans an examination policy for students with multiple disabilities
Allahabad University takes a step towards being disabled-friendly
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Sangria Artichokes
Inventory, 24 ct : 0
Purple Sangria artichokes have a pointed shape, with deep maroon, meaty leaves. They have a nutty and earthy artichoke flavor. The purple color of a Sangria artichoke is due to the presence of anthocyanins, which are phytonutrients present in the plant. Anthocyanins are said to help reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. They are also said to protect the brain as it ages.
Sangria artichokes are available in the spring as well as the fall, having two distinct growing seasons.
Sangria artichokes are a new variety of Cynara scolymus introduced in 2013. The release of this purple-hued artichoke coincided with the proclamation by California’s Lieutenant Governor that artichokes are the state vegetable. Nearly 100% of commercially grown artichokes come from California. Artichokes are in the thistle group of the sunflower family. The vegetable is the immature flower bud of the plant. If left on the plant, the thistle would bloom, revealing a bright purple thistle flower.
As with most artichokes, Sangria artichokes can be eaten steamed whole or the hearts can be removed and cut into smaller pieces for use. To prepare, remove one inch from the top of the artichoke and spread open the petals slightly. Cut an inch from the bottom of the stem. Place the artichoke in water with lemon to keep it from browning before cooking. Steam the artichoke until soft and serve whole. Petals are plucked to reveal the fuzzy “choke” at the center of the vegetable. This is scooped out to reveal the meaty center “heart” which runs down a portion of the stem. Sangria artichoke hearts can be added to pizzas, salads, pastas and many other dishes. Artichokes are often served on their own with an aioli dipping sauce.
Sangria artichokes are grown along the California coast, in an area known more for its wines. The purple vegetable introduced in 2013 is the result of collaboration between Italian and French breeders from a new proprietary seed variety. It was developed by a man named Steve Jordan, known to many as the “Artichoke Evangelist.” This new purple artichoke was released to coincide with a Locally Grown Artichoke Festival.
Recipes that include Sangria Artichokes. One is easiest, three is harder.
Family Spice Sangria Artichoke with Garlic Butter
Delightful-Delicious-Delovely Grilled Sangria Artichoke with Balsamic Dressing
The Life & Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch Garlic Roasted Sangria Artichokes with Garlic Saffron Aioli
Someone shared Sangria Artichokes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
text Near North Metro, Georgia, United States
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Belize - Belize News - Channel5Belize.com - Great Belize Productions - Belize Breaking News
Home » Crime, Featured » Search Continues for Trio as Investigations Continue into Armed Burglary
Search Continues for Trio as Investigations Continue into Armed Burglary
Police also gave an update on the armed burglary at the Solid Waste Transfer Station in Belize City. As we had reported on Monday, a group of persons targeted the establishment, formerly known as the dumpsite at mile three on the George Price Highway. The security guard was tied up and the armed burglars entered the office and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from a safe; they also escaped with a number of office equipment. Their escape, however, turned into a police shootout and vehicle chase after which the driver of the vehicle, Erwin Castillo, was detained. His accomplices escaped into bushes in the area of Krooman Road. Castillo has since been charged for robbery and burglary.
“What has become of the other suspects that had alighted the vehicle and escaped into the nearby bushes, a distance away from where the incident actually took place?”
Alejandro Cowo
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
“We have a basic description of them and police are looking for them at this moment. It was three of them that fled the vehicle so police are looking for those three persons.”
“Mister Castillo will not be facing charges for allegedly firing at police?
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“He was not the person who fired at the police. It was the three persons that fled from the vehicle that fired at the police whilst police were pursuing them.”
“Do you have a name for those individuals?”
“No, we don’t have a name, but we have an idea more of less of the persons.”
Duane Moody
“They’re from a particular area in the city sir?”
“And is it believed that they may be the persons responsible for other aggravated burglaries in the city?”
“Yes, we do believe yes.”
Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers use Kriol, we attempt to faithfully reproduce the quotes using a standard spelling system.
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War of the Rebellion: Serial 008 Page 0005 Chapter XVIII. OPERATIONS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
No. 1. Report of Colonel Douglas H. Cooper, First Choctaw and Chickasaw Regiment, commanding Indian Department, of operations November 19, 1861- January 4, 1862.
HEADQUARTERS INDIAN DEPARTMENT, Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, January 20, 1862.
SIR: Having exhausted every means in my power to procure an interview with Hopoeithleyohola, for the purpose of effecting a peaceful settlement of the difficulties existing between his party and the constituted authorities of the Creek Nation, finding that my written overtures, made through several of the leading captains, were treated with silence, if not contempt, by him, and having received positive evidence that he had been for a considerable length of time in correspondence, if not alliance, with the Federal authorities in Kansas, I resolved to advance upon him with the forces under my command, and either compel submission to the authorities of the nation or drive him and his party from the country.
Accordingly, on the 15th day of November last, the troops, consisting of six companies of the First Regiment Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles; a detachment from the Fourth [Ninth] Regiment Texas Cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel Quayle; the Creek regiment, under Colonel D. N. McIntosh, and the Creek and Seminole battalion, under Lieutenant Colonel Chilly McIntosh (the Creek war chief), and Major John Jumper (Chief of Seminoles), in all about 1,400 men, were moved upon the Deep Fork of the Canadian towards the supposed camp of Hopoeitheyohola's forces. The camp, which had been abandoned, was found, and the trail from it followed, with varied prospects of success, until the 19th of the month named, on which day some of the disaffected party were seen and a few prisoners taken. From those prisoners information was obtained that a portion of Hopoeithleyohla's party were near the Red Fork of the Arkansas River, on their route towards Walnut Creek, where a fort was being erected,and which had for some time been their intended destination in the event of not receiving promised aid from Kansas before being menaced or attacked.
After crossing the Red Fork it became evident that the party was near and the command was pushed rapidly forward. About 4 o'clock p.m. some camp smokes were discovered in front a short distance and the enemy's scouts seen at various points. A charge was ordered to be made by the detachment of Texas cavalry, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Quayle, upon the camp,which, however, was found to have been recently deserted. Other scouts, being discovered beyond the camp, were pursued by the Texas troops about 4 miles, when they disappeared in the timber skirting a creek, upon which it was afterwards ascertained the forces of Hopoeithleyohola were then encamped. While searching for the fugitives the troops were fired upon by the concealed enemy,and 1 man was killed. The enemy immediately appeared in large force, and our troops, rallying and forming, succeeded in making a stand for a short time, when the efforts of the vastly superior force of the enemy to outflank and inclose them caused them to retire.
During the retreat towards the main body of our forces a constant fire was kept up on both sides. Many of the enemy were killed, and on our part 1 officer and 4 men and 1 man wounded. So soon as the
‹ Serial 008 Page 0004 OPERATIONS IN MO., ARK., KANS., AND IND. T. Chapter XVIII. up Serial 008 Page 0006 OPERATIONS IN MO., ARK., KANS., AND IND. T. Chapter XVIII. ›
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Mayor Glover wants you to pick up his bill…
The Shreveport Times is reporting that Cedric Glover is billing you and I for his trip to Washington for Obama’s Inauguration. His “official” business was attending a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (which Shreveport is not a member of), which took place over the weekend. He then decided to extend his stay (and that of his wife and entourage) for “personal reasons” yet even though he admits the rest of the stay was personal, and not on city business, he wants us to pay for it. The price tag is expected to be over $4,000 (if we ever see it, which given his propensity for failing to turn in expense reports and receipts, may never happen). This is not the first time Glover has come under fire for “allegedly” misusing tax payer dollars, previously he was censured for attending the Grammy Awards, attempting to purchase a Subruban under the radar using money from the police budget, and also for exceeding his budgeted amount in travel expenses.
KSLA broke down the Mayor’s expenses after the last controversy came about:
Glover has been on twenty trips over the past year. For seven of those, he was accompanied by staff whose travel was paid for by the city. Rick Seaton has expensed 18 trips of his own which are not with the mayor.
AIRFARE:
The mayor has spent $29,524 on airfare. Seaton tells us the mayor has to buy two seats on a plane when flying and always flies coach. American Airline’s rules are that anyone over 350lb must purchase two seats.
The most money spent on airfare was a trip to Las Vegas. The price tag, $7,312 which also included tickets for Rick Seaton and Barry Blade who were also on the trip.
A trip on January 23rd to Washington, DC for what was described as ‘Mardi Gras in DC’ the Mayor’s wife, Veronica Glover, had her plane ticket paid for by the city which cost $264.50. Washington says that money was immediately reimbursed.
The city has paid $16,881.25 on hotel expenses. There’s only been one phone charge which amounted to $1 and twice there were clothes laundered, both didn’t exceed $20 and both were during the two longest trips. Room service was not often ordered. The mayor and his staff have stayed at a variety of hotels including the Sheraton in Baton Rouge which was during Jindal’s inauguration, the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles which was during a trip to the Grammy Awards. Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu and Arlena Acree were also on that trip which was when Zydeco became a category. They used the trip to promote tourism.
The city has paid $1,041.93 in meals. In the trips the mayor has taken alone, he’s never expensed his meals. Most of the time, the mayor and his staff ate fast food. There are lots of McDonald’s and Burger King receipts. They also ate at Pizza Hut, Chili’s, TGIFriday’s, Bennigans, Tsunami’s in Baton Rouge and a barrage of other sandwich shops and fast food restaurant.
The most expensive meal, for a single person, was at Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Baton Rouge. Rick Seaton was on that trip and expensed it. It was on May 28 and a filet mignon and creamed spinach were ordered. The bill, including the tip, was: $54.78.
Two other expensive meals were when the city played host to four people who were Economic Development Consultants. On July 27th, the four consultants accompanied by the mayor, Tom Dark, Dale Sibley and Rick Seaton all ate for a total of $368.75 (which included a $55 tip). The next day, the group went to Superior Steakhouse where the total bill was $334.87 (which includes a $66.67 tip most of which was already included in the bill.)
The city has had to reimburse the mayor $1441.53 in mileage. Rick Seaton is owed $98.58.
WALMART & TARGET:
There have been a few trips to Walmart and Target stores. The receipts show the Walmart’s are all in Baton Rouge and mostly snacks and fruit were bought along with a few house hold items. Seaton says they were to help buy things for the apartment the city rents in Baton Rouge when the legislature is in session.
Rick Seaton, the mayor’s assistant, has also used the card for his travel. In all, he’s expensed $7,826.04.
Seaton has charged $2,362 for plane tickets, $1,314.38 in hotel stays, and $571.46 for food. There were also expenses for other things. Ten of Seaton’s 18 trips were to Baton Rouge while the legislature was in session. The other times 8 were all in state trips. Only five of his 18 trips required a hotel stay none included airfare.
All together $65,577.10 has been charged to the credit card the mayor uses for travel.
Overall, Glover has failed to live up to the duties of his office, and I for one am very disappointed by this latest development. Luckily for Shreveport, the next Mayoral election is in 2010, and we can get rid of this pretender who treats us like his own personal piggy bank.
Cedric Glover, Democrat, Government WASTE, Politics, Shreveport, Taxes 4 Comments
MLK Was A Republican
I found this on the website for the National Black Republicans, and wanted to share it with yall in honor of MLK Day on Monday!
-Deanna
http://www.nationalblackrepublicans.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.DYK-Why%20MLK%20was%20a%20Republican
Why Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican
By Frances Rice
It should come as no surprise that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican. In that era, almost all black Americans were Republicans. Why? From its founding in 1854 as the anti-slavery party until today, the Republican Party has championed freedom and civil rights for blacks. And as one pundit so succinctly stated, the Democrat Party is as it always has been, the party of the four S’s: Slavery, Secession, Segregation and now Socialism.
It was the Democrats who fought to keep blacks in slavery and passed the discriminatory Black Codes and Jim Crow laws. The Democrats started the Ku Klux Klan to lynch and terrorize blacks. The Democrats fought to prevent the passage of every civil rights law beginning with the civil rights laws of the 1860’s, and continuing with the civil rights laws of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
During the civil rights era of the 1960’s, Dr. King was fighting the Democrats who stood in the school house doors, turned skin-burning fire hoses on blacks and let loose vicious dogs. It was Republican President Dwight Eisenhower who pushed to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and sent troops to Arkansas to desegregate schools. President Eisenhower also appointed Chief Justice Earl Warren to the U.S. Supreme Court which resulted in the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision ending school segregation. Much is made of Democrat President Harry Truman’s issuing an Executive Order in 1948 to desegregate the military. Not mentioned is the fact that it was President Eisenhower who actually took action to effectively end segregation in the military.
Democrat President John F. Kennedy is lauded as a proponent of civil rights. However, Kennedy voted against the 1957 Civil rights Act while he was a senator, as did Democrat Senator Al Gore, Sr. And after he became president, John F. Kennedy was opposed to the 1963 March on Washington by Dr. King that was organized by A. Phillip Randolph who was a black Republican. President Kennedy, through his brother Attorney General Robert Kennedy, had Dr. King wiretapped and investigated by the FBI on suspicion of being a Communist in order to undermine Dr. King.
In March of 1968, while referring to Dr. King’s leaving Memphis, Tennessee after riots broke out where a teenager was killed, Democrat Senator Robert Byrd, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan, called Dr. King a “trouble-maker” who starts trouble, but runs like a coward after trouble is ignited. A few weeks later, Dr. King returned to Memphis and was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Given the circumstances of that era, it is understandable why Dr. King was a Republican. It was the Republicans who fought to free blacks from slavery and amended the Constitution to grant blacks freedom (13th Amendment), citizenship (14th Amendment) and the right to vote (15th Amendment). Republicans passed the civil rights laws of the 1860’s, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Reconstruction Act of 1867 that was designed to establish a new government system in the Democrat-controlled South, one that was fair to blacks. Republicans also started the NAACP and affirmative action with Republican President Richard Nixon‘s 1969 Philadelphia Plan (crafted by black Republican Art Fletcher) that set the nation‘s first goals and timetables. Although affirmative action now has been turned by the Democrats into an unfair quota system, affirmative action was begun by Nixon to counter the harm caused to blacks when Democrat President Woodrow Wilson in 1912 kicked all of the blacks out of federal government jobs.
Few black Americans know that it was Republicans who founded the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Unknown also is the fact that Republican Senator Everett Dirksen from Illinois was key to the passage of civil rights legislation in 1957, 1960, 1964 and 1965. Not mentioned in recent media stories about extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act is the fact that Dirksen wrote the language for the bill. Dirksen also crafted the language for the Civil Rights Act of 1968 which prohibited discrimination in housing. President Lyndon Johnson could not have achieved passage of civil rights legislation without the support of Republicans.
Critics of Republican Senator Barry Goldwater who ran for president against Democrat President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, ignore the fact that Goldwater wanted to force the Democrats in the South to stop passing discriminatory laws and thus end the need to continuously enact federal civil rights legislation.
Those who wrongly criticize Goldwater, also ignore the fact that President Johnson, in his 4,500 State of the Union Address delivered on January 4, 1965, mentioned scores of topics for federal action, but only thirty five words were devoted to civil rights. He did not mention one word about voting rights. Then in 1967, showing his anger with Dr. King’s protest against the Viet Nam War, President Johnson referred to Dr. King as “that Nigger preacher.”
Contrary to the false assertions by Democrats, the racist “Dixiecrats” did not all migrate to the Republican Party. “Dixiecrats” declared that they would rather vote for a “yellow dog” than vote for a Republican because the Republican Party was known as the party for blacks. Today, some of those “Dixiecrats” continue their political careers as Democrats, including Democrat Senator Robert Byrd who is well known for having been a “Keagle” in the Ku Klux Klan.
Another former “Dixiecrat” is Democrat Senator Ernest Hollings who put up the Confederate flag over the state capitol when he was the governor of South Carolina. There was no public outcry when Democrat Senator Christopher Dodd praised Senator Byrd as someone who would have been “a great senator for any moment,” including the Civil War. Democrats denounced Senator Trent Lott for his remarks about Senator Strom Thurmond. Senator Thurmond was never in the Ku Klux Klan and defended blacks against lynching and the discriminatory poll taxes imposed on blacks by Democrats. If Senator Byrd and Senator Thurmond were alive during the Civil War, and Byrd had his way, Thurmond would have been lynched.
The thirty-year odyssey of the South switching to the Republican Party began in the 1970’s with President Richard Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” which was an effort on the Part of Nixon to get Christians in the South to stop voting for Democrats who did not share their values and were still discriminating against their fellow Christians who happened to be black. Georgia did not switch until 2002, and some Southern states, including Louisiana, are still controlled by Democrats.
Today, Democrats, in pursuit of their socialist agenda, are fighting to keep blacks poor, angry and voting for Democrats. Examples of how egregiously Democrats act to keep blacks in poverty are numerous.
After wrongly convincing black Americans that a minimum wage increase was a good thing, the Democrats on August 3rd kept their promise and killed the minimum wage bill passed by House Republicans on July 29th. The blockage of the minimum wage bill was the second time in as many years that Democrats stuck a legislative finger in the eye of black Americans. Senate Democrats on April 1, 2004 blocked passage of a bill to renew the 1996 welfare reform law that was pushed by Republicans and vetoed twice by President Bill Clinton before he finally signed it. Since the welfare reform law expired in September 2002, Congress had passed six extensions, and the latest expired on June 30, 2004. Opposed by the Democrats are school choice opportunity scholarships that would help black children get out of failing schools and Social Security reform, even though blacks on average lose $10,000 in the current system because of a shorter life expectancy than whites (72.2 years for blacks vs. 77.5 years for whites).
Democrats have been running our inner-cities for the past 30-40 years, and blacks are still complaining about the same problems. Over $7 trillion dollars have been spent on poverty programs since President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty with little, if any, impact on poverty. Diabolically, every election cycle, Democrats blame Republicans for the deplorable conditions in the inner-cities, then incite blacks to cast a protest vote against Republicans.
In order to break the Democrats’ stranglehold on the black vote and free black Americans from the Democrat Party’s economic plantation, we must shed the light of truth on the Democrats. We must demonstrate that the Democrat Party policies of socialism and dependency on government handouts offer the pathway to poverty, while Republican Party principles of hard work, personal responsibility, getting a good education and ownership of homes and small businesses offer the pathway to prosperity.
America, Civil Rights, Democrat, Louisiana, Martin Luther King Jr., Politics, Racism, Republican, Senate, Taxes, The South 2 Comments
Science is Beautiful
So I was sitting in Biology an hour ago, watching a video about cell mitosis and meiosis… and suddenly it hit me: science is beautiful! Furthermore, I truly saw the hand of God in the division of human cells.
For the first time in my life, I realized that science is not my enemy as a Christian. If anything the miracles of science prove there must be a higher being. Honestly, what are the chances of our near-perfect human bodies (perfect other than diseases) forming at random? It is only through hundreds of millions of infinitesimal, complex processes that we have come about- how could that happen without Intelligent Design?
Just thinking about the intricacies of the human body and all its systems gives me chill bumps now. The miraculous movement of my fingers moving across the keyboard fills me with wonder. Never before have I been SO undeniably sure that God exists.
Go look in the mirror, touch your face, look at your eyes, your ears, think about your immune system, digestive system, reproductive system- imagine all of those complex things that we take for granted just magically appearing one day with no outside guidance.. that seems more like a fairytale to me than the idea of a Creator. The world around us is God’s grandest miracle. I see God in the sunset, the stars, and even the rain. Our planet is so beautiful and full of life; life that could only have come from God.
God, Religion, Science 2 Comments
Sorry I’m so lazy…
So I decided to take a long break while I was out of school for the holidays. Mostly because without debate to fire me up, I was lacking material that I felt passionately about. Also because I’ve been working full time while I was able to at the school. But all that will change starting Monday! I go back to school, now officially a junior, and back to debate as well. I know there will be tons to talk about, from the Illinois scandal, to Caylee Anthony, and Norm Colman. Also the Inauguration is coming up, and Obama’s trillion dollar stimulus plan is sure to raise a few questions. But for now, I’m enjoying the last few days of my break. So tune in Monday evening or Tuesday afternoon to see what ticks me off, makes me happy, or causes me to scratch my head in confusion. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a new year, full of new posts, rants, and praises for those in the government who deserve it. Things are bound to get hectic for me, between school, debate, and planning my wedding- but I will remain the voice of young conservatives in Shreveport, in Louisiana, and in America!
America, Conservatism, debate, Democrat, Finance and Economics, Louisiana, Obama, Politics, Teens Leave a comment
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Louisiana Prisoner Alleges Prosecutor Got Death Verdict By Coercing Witness, Presenting Fabricated Testimony
Michael Wearry, a Louisiana prisoner whose conviction and death sentence were overturned by the U.S Supreme Court in 2016 because prosecutors withheld exculpatory evidence, has filed suit against Livingston Parish District Attorney Scott Perriloux (pictured) and former Sheriff’s Deputy Marlon Kearney Foster based upon new evidence that they deliberately fabricated testimony against him. Wearry’s complaint charges that the Louisiana officials “knowingly and deliberately fabricated” testimony from a troubled adolescent, Jeffery Ashton and coerced Ashton “to falsely implicate Wearry in the homicide of Eric Walber.” The lawsuit says Wearry first learned that Perriloux and Foster had fabricated Ashton’s testimony during the course of preparing for Wearry’s re-trial, when his defense team located and interviewed Ashton and “Ashton told Wearry’s lawyers about the falsification of his witness accounts.” Wearry was convicted and sentenced to death in 2002, although no physical evidence linked him to the murder. His alibi witnesses testified that he was at wedding reception 40 miles away in Baton Rouge at the time of the murder. The U.S. Supreme Court has described the case against Wearry as “a house of cards.” The prosecution case relied heavily on the testimony of Sam Scott, a jailhouse informant, whose story changed so dramatically over the course of four different statements that, according to the Supreme Court, by the time of trial “his story bore little resemblance to his original account.” Police records that prosecutors withheld from the defense at trial revealed that Scott had may have had a personal vendetta against Wearry, having told another prisoner he wanted to “make sure [Wearry] gets the needle cause he jacked over me.” Prosecutors also failed to disclose that they had offered another witness a reduced sentence for an unrelated conviction in exchange for his testimony against Wearry, and then lied to the jury that the witness had “no deal on the table.” Wearry’s lawsuit concerns allegations of misconduct involving the testimony of Jeffrey Ashton, who was ten years old at the time of the murder and fourteen when he testified at Wearry’s trial that he had seen Wearry throw the victim’s cologne bottle into a ditch and get into the victim’s car. He now says he was attending a festival on the night of the murder and had never seen Wearry before the trial. “Ashton was subject to juvenile court proceedings at the time, and was vulnerable to intimidation by authorities such as Perrilloux and Foster,” the lawsuit says. In an affidavit, Ashton says he was “forced” to provide false testimony. “I went along with it because I was just ten years old. I was scared,” he said. Jim Craig, Wearry’s attorney, called the alleged misconduct “very disturbing,” and said, “[t]he abuse of power by District Attorney Perrilloux and Mr. Foster is an outrage that should disturb anyone who believes in justice.” He added that he believes the case may have implications for other cases handled by Perriloux, saying, “I think the integrity of this and other cases in that district is at stake and we expect this to be a very hard fought case. We are confident that what we have filed is correct and truthful.” District Attorney Perrilloux called the allegations that he coerced testimony from Ashton “ridiculous.”
(Caroline Grueskin, Lawsuit: Livingston authorities coerced boy’s testimony, leading to 1998 murder case conviction, The Advocate, May 31, 2018; Tomas Kassahun, Man who spent 14 years on death row claims prosecutor, detective elicited false testimony, Louisiana Record, June 17, 2018.) Read the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Wearry v. Cain and the complaint filed in Wearry v. Perrilloux. See Prosecutorial Misconduct and U.S. Supreme Court.
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Mohamed Dekkak meets the MasterChefs of Morocco
/ Blog /
/ Mohamed Dekkak meets the MasterChefs of Morocco
by in Blog
Mohamed Dekkak, Chairman and Founder of UAE based company Adgeco Group is a Moroccan national who found his career calling in the Middle East. On one of his return trip back home, he was able to meet Chef Moha and Chef Meriem, two of Morocco’s renowned culinary experts who are among the judges of one of the world’s favorite cooking franchise show, MasterChef.
MasterChef is a competitive cooking television show which comes from the UK and first aired in July 1990. In February 2005, the show’s format was renewed and restructured for the BBC and eventually made its first international adaptation known as MasterChef Australia, where it started in 2009.
MasterChef Morocco also got an immense following. The initial season of the country’s Masterchef where it first aired on October 7, 2014, encouraged people of all ages and from all walks of life to compete in trying to become Morocco’s best amateur cook. It was a huge national competition which likely to has topped all records.
The program has round up a few of the best chefs in the Kingdom such as Chef Khadija Bensdira, Chef Moha, Chef Meriem Ettahri and Chef Ramzi El Bouab as members of the jury. They will accompany aspiring participants in a series of challenges which are usually under the pressure of time.
In the last season, all the fifteen candidates acquired during the show from the master coaching and opinion of the 4 judge members. All the aspirants have presented incredible abilities and techniques all through the competition. The first season’s winner was the very gifted 30-year-old Halima.
It can be considered that Masterchef Morocco came out as a huge success in 2M TV’s history. As stated by the HuffPost Maghreb, the finale’s episode has been viewed by almost 5.5 millions of viewers. In effect, advertising proceeds were considered one of the most rewarding in the 2M channel’s broadcasting history.
Based on varied social media platforms’ dialogues and commentaries, most of the Moroccan viewers’ consent that the premiere season of Masterchef Morocco has lived up to their anticipations. Some claimed that it was remarkably valuable.
Chef Moha
Chef Meriem
Moroccan Cuisine
Before flourishing to become one of Morocco’s most famous chefs, the native of the city of Marrakech began his professional career in Switzerland wherein he went to learn to cook and lived there for fourteen years, collecting experience in global cuisine together with his mastery of Moroccan traditional dishes. As stated by Chef Moha, “The Moroccan cuisine has always been known for being rich and of great qualities, which makes it very competitive on the international level”. Master Chef Morocco, which has been aired on the national TV station 2M, introduced him to a larger audience.
The first to reinvent Moroccan cuisine, Chef Moha’s Dar Moha has risen fast through the ranks of premium restaurants in Morocco and today Moha is one of the most sought after chefs. Another thing that makes Chef Moha stand out is his insights and passion for making sure that Moroccan cuisine is recognized as part of the World Cultural Heritage. In chasing his goal, Chef Moha has been made an ambassador for Moroccan gastronomy due to his partaking in different global happenings.
Mohamed Dekkak with Moha Fedal and Meryem Tahiri
The youngest girl in a conservative family in Casablanca could never have imagined a culinary career, which is why it took her time to decide to transform her love for cooking into a life project. In her baccalaureate, she left Morocco to enroll in Mc Gill University in Canada. Meriam Ettahri is predestined for a career in business and found a job in events wherein she organizes conferences for the defense industry. This experience made her love the work for she even considered a career in the military career.
Her love for food resurfaced when she transferred jobs and collaborated with agri-food companies in her new position as a head hunter. Realizing her taste and interest in the products, her co-workers encouraged her to do train for professional cooking. She then decided to apply in an internationally recognized culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu.
One of the best-known food in the world, Moroccan cuisine is rich with delicate spices and fascinating flavor combinations.
Moroccan cuisine is influenced by the Kingdom’s relations and interactions with other countries and cultures throughout the centuries. Moroccan cuisine is commonly a blend of Arabic, Berber, Andalusian, and Mediterranean cuisines with a little of Europe and sub-Saharan influences.
Imagine tart green olives put together with sliced preserved lemon rind swirled in a tagine of tender chicken. Be surprised with a plate of intense pigeon meat pie sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar. Think of sardines coated with rich combination of parsley, coriander, cumin and a hint of chili. Highly influenced by Arabia, Andalusian Spain, and France, the Kingdom of Morocco’s cuisine is a hearty blend of delectable flavors that make it distinct.
Mohamed Dekkak exploring Eiffel Tower
Mohamed Dekkak at Beldi Country Club
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10 Extinct Mammals You've Probably Never Heard Of
Why Asteroids Are Important to Humanity
10 of the Best Fossil Sites in the World
Life has thrived on Earth for at least 3.7 billion years, a story told by rocks from some of the best fossil sites in the world.
Since the beginning of recorded history, fossils have confounded their discoverers, leading to wild folktales about mythical dragons and other strange creatures. Centuries later, naturalists Linnaeus and, later, Darwin, established the foundations of modern palaeontology with taxonomic hierarchies and evolutionary theory. Thanks to the invention of radiometric dating in the early nineteenth century, and the discovery of countless fossils, we now have a more thorough picture of the incredible story of life on Earth than we could ever have imagined. Here are just a few of the places where some of the greatest chapters of that story have been revealed.
#1. Seymour Island, Antarctica
Mariana Ruiz
Remains of the little-known mammalian gondwanatheres have been found in Seymour Island.
Though now a frozen desert, Antarctica was once much warmer. Off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula lies Seymour Island, home to some of the continent’s most important fossil sites. The rock formations span some 50 million years of the Earth’s history, ranging from the Late Cretaceous to the Eocene, or about 100 to 50 million years ago. The site is best known for its disarticulated fish fossils, belonging to the victims of the impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Other fossils include those belonging to marsupials, proving that these animals originated in South America, crossing over to Australia when both continents were connected through Antarctica.
#2. Ediacara Hills, Australia
Smith609
Dickinsonia is one of the most iconic and mysterious fossil animals of the Ediacaran Period.
Australia’s Ediacara Hills give their name to the Ediacaran Period, the first new geological period to be declared in 120 years when it was approved in 2004. Until the discovery and dating of the fossils found there, it was long assumed that multicellular life first appeared with the Cambrian Explosion 541 million years ago. However, fossils found in the Ediacara Hills, as well as various other digs around the world, have revealed that multicellular maritime life was well-established long before the Cambrian. Samples found there include fossils of 550- to 600-million-year-old jellyfish, crustaceans, flatworms, echinoderms and even trilobite ancestors.
#3. Anacleto Formation, Argentina
Aucasaurus, whose remains have been found across Argentina, likely preyed in packs on the herbivorous titanosaurs.
Argentina is home to most of the known fossil sites in South America. The Anacleto Formation in Patagonia, dating from the Late Cretaceous some 80 million years ago, is home to numerous nests of fossilized dinosaur eggs, including those with embryos inside. Both eggs and bones belonging to titanosaurs have also been found there. These truly epic creatures were the largest animals to ever walk the Earth. As the eggs discovered in Patagonia prove, these wandering fortresses never stopped growing. They started their lives weighing barely 11 pounds (5 kg), eventually reaching up to 25,000 times their original weight over an estimated 40 years.
#4. Hell Creek Formation, United States
Durbed
The Hell Creek Formation was once home to some of the world’s best-known dinosaur and pterosaur species.
Arguably the most famous fossil site in the world, the Hell Creek Formation spans areas of Montana, North and South Dakota and Wyoming. Dating from the Late Cretaceous, the rocks here have revealed some of the world’s best-known dinosaurs, such as the triceratops, tyrannosaurus rex and ankylosaurus. In total, the formation has yielded hundreds of plant and animal fossils, giving us incredible insights into the world of the Late Cretaceous and the last years of the dinosaurs. Aside from dinosaurs, Hell Creek is also home to fossils of many primitive mammals, prehistoric turtles, crocodiles and pterosaurs.
#5. Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Canada
Tim Bertelink
Found all over the world, including in Joggins, arthropleura was an enormous Carboniferous millipede.
The rural community of Joggins in Nova Scotia is home to one of the world’s most important Carboniferous fossil sites. The 310-million-year-old rocks there tell the story of a rainforest world in which insects and other arthropods grew to alarming sizes and oxygen levels were so high that forest fires were abundant. Among the many fossils unearthed there are those belonging to arthropleura, a millipede that grew up to 7.5 feet (2.3 metres) long. The last 20 years have seen rapidly growing interest in the site, with amateur fossil hunters discovering many specimens that are now on display at the Joggins Fossil Centre.
#6. Jurassic Coast, England
Roman Hobler
Fossilised tree stumps remaining from a time when the Jurassic Coast was dominated by tropical swamps.
England’s stunning Jurassic Coast is named after the Jurassic Period, and for good reason too. The World Heritage Site spans 95 miles (152 km) of coastline, and is home to cliffs and rocks documenting an incredible 185 million years of the Earth’s history. The sedimentary layers of the coastline have yielded countless fossils belonging to plants and animals spanning the entire Mesozoic Era, from about 252 to 66 million years ago. Unsurprisingly, it has become the UK’s most popular fossil-hunting spot. The official website features a fossil finder showcasing animals such as plesiosaurs, dinosaurs, ammonites and prehistoric fish.
#7. Stránská Skála, Czech Republic
James St. John
Among the fossil remnants found in Stránská Skála are those belonging to homotherium, a sabre-tooth cat that lived in Eurasia, Africa and North America.
Stránská Skála, located just to the east of the Moravian capital Brno, is home to one of the most important Pleistocene fossil sites in Europe. The hill is approximately 600 thousand years old, forming during an interglacial period. Studied extensively during the middle of the nineteenth century, palaeontologists have unearthed hundreds of prehistoric animals, including remains of homotherium, a genus of sabre-toothed cats that disappeared around 28 thousand years ago. The area is also home to many man-made prehistoric artifacts, including the remains of a fireplace made quarter of a million years ago by our own human ancestors.
#8. Red Beds, Texas and Oklahoma
Dimetrodon fossils have been found in great abundance in the Red Beds of Texas and Oklahoma.
The Red Beds of Texas and Oklahoma were first explored in 1877. Dating from the Early Permian, almost 300 million years ago, the site has unearthed fossil remains of dimetrodons and numerous other tetrapods. These reptile-like creatures are collectively known as synapsids, animals often characterised by the large sail-like structures on their backs. Throughout the Permian, they were among the dominant megafauna throughout most of the world. Other red beds, which refer to a type of sedimentary rock, are common throughout the western United States and span geological periods from the Devonian to the Triassic.
#9. La Brea Tar Pits, California
WolfmanSF
This Colombian mammoth skeleton was one of many Pleistocene megafaunal specimens discovered in La Brea Tar Pits.
La Brea Tar Pits, located in Los Angeles, are among the most important Pleistocene fossil sites in the world. Excavation began just over a century ago when remains of ancient animals were found preserved in tar. Despite being amid one of America’s biggest cities, new fossils are still being unearthed all the time. These discoveries include some of the best-preserved samples of iconic Pleistocene megafauna, such as sabre-toothed cats, dire wolves, mammoths and ground sloths. The tar pits claimed the lives of many unlucky animals who got stuck in the sticky substance, only to be discovered tens of thousands of years later by palaeontologists.
#10. Jiufotang Formation, China
With four wings, the microraptor, discovered in the Jiufotang Formation, was one of the strangest bird-like dinosaurs of all.
Palaeontology is booming in China, owing to the vast number of fossils discovered there in recent years. Among the most famous of the fossil sites is the Jiufotang Formation near the city of Chaoyang. The formation dates from the Early Cretaceous Period from around 120 million years ago. The area has yielded fossil remains of feathered dinosaurs, prehistoric birds, early mammals, pterosaurs and crocodile-like choristoderan reptiles. In fact, the formation is so rich in palaeo-biodiversity, that it has even given rise to the term Jehol Biota, a group that includes all the organisms, including the many endemic ones, that lived there during the Early Cretaceous.
While the above entries refer to sites where numerous fossils have been found, many more astounding discoveries have been one-offs. In fact, some of the most famous fossil remains of all time have been found in the most unexpected of places. Where do you think fossil hunters should start their journeys of discovery? Let me know in the comments below!
Could Dinosaurs Live in Today’s Environment?
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Review / We Are Scientists @ Thekla
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'The crowd was bobbing, buzzing, singing along and the atmosphere was electric.' Layla Link reviews New York rockers We Are Scientists' gig at Thekla.
We arrived at Thekla about half an hour before the supporting act - The Pale White - came on. It was as empty as I’ve ever seen it - I worried that it wouldn’t, in fact, be ‘the boat that rocked’. We grabbed some drinks (highly recommend the ‘sex on the boat’ cocktail) and took a seat - I was eager to hear the Pale White, having seen them already supporting The Amazons at SWX last year, where they absolutely smashed it. This time around, they had a smaller crowd, with most people turning up for the main act and it wasn’t quite the sweaty, young mosh the band are used to, yet they still put on an awesome show.
The up and coming trio are all from close-knit Newcastle, having risen to fame from numerous hits on Soundcloud, they now have a 4-track EP and a large following. Arctic Monkeys-esque, the band’s performance was energetic, loud and filthy - they definitely warmed up the crowd for We Are Scientists, despite only being on for about half an hour. I would’ve loved to hear more - their edgy hit, 'Reaction’ , was my favourite, with lead singer, Adam, in typical rock-star style, falling to his knees for the bridge. They gave a good mix of both heavy and pop tunes - roaring choruses followed by eerier tracks such as ‘Second Place’. The Pale White were in fact far from pale, dressed in head-to-toe black, looking effortlessly hip. Adam had a very cool boy-band vibe, pushing back his long hair as he smashed out riffs. It seemed just as we were getting into it, they left us on a cliffhanger, leaving the stage prepped for the headliner.
We Are Scientists came on, a six-pack in each hand, to a roaring crowd, clearly they were big fans. The indie-rock band from America, whose name originated after a supermarket worker mistakenly thought they were scientists, formed in 2000 and have been on the up ever since. Despite the fact that I didn’t know the words to many of their songs, they were brilliant - and catchy enough to pick up easily. They played both classics such as ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt’ and ‘It’s a Hit’ as well as some of their new stuff. The small venue was packed, but we managed to get a place quite close to the side of the stage, giving us a great view of the band. Their tunes gave me Panic At the Disco type vibes, with deep, resounding bass lines overlapped with fast-paced guitars. The crowd was bobbing, buzzing, singing along and the atmosphere was electric. 'This Scene is Dead’ was a real hit and when the infamous ‘After Hours’ finally came on, the room exploded - and continued to dance right until the final song.
The cheeky lead singer, Keith Murray, interacted with the crowd all the way through - cracking jokes left, right and centre - and sometimes it seems, getting lost in their own private conversations on stage, yet somehow managing to make the crowd feel involved, and special. The band revealed that most of their gigs, in fact, started in Bristol, then preceded to joke about the unique venue - ‘we could die at any point’ -claiming it brought a new level of positive energy to the gig. The crowd absolutely loved it, and so did I.
MEGAPLEX is out now, and we don’t care what you do with it — JUST BUY IT!!!!! Link in bio!
A post shared by We Are Scientists (@wearescientists) on Apr 27, 2018 at 2:09am PDT
It happened to be the drummer Andy Burrow’s birthday and the band encouraged us to sing happy birthday to him at various points throughout the night, which we preceded to do, each time getting increasingly louder, either due to the beer kicking in, or the energy of the band, or most likely, both. Their gig was a mixture of killer tunes and comedy, turning a gig into a real performance that appealed to a wide audience - both old and young, men and women.
We Are Scientists not only play great music, they are one of the most entertaining bands I’ve ever been to see. Honestly, the music was great, and I definitely got into it the more I watched, but what really made the night was the energy of the band. The boat did indeed rock.
Featured image: Flickr / Drew de F Fawkes
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Hundreds of students unite to march for better Mental Health services
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In pictures: March for better Mental Health services
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Book review: Col. William N. Selig, by Andrew A. Erish
Col. William N. Selig: The Man Who Invented Hollywood by Andrew A. Erish. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2012. Cloth, $60.00, 303pp, illustrated. ISBN: 978-0-292-72870-7.
Anyone writing about a pioneer of cinema wants to claim at least one “first” for his subject, but Andrew Erish, in his biography of William N. Selig, has garnered a whole slew of them for the Colonel.1 Before you have a chance to crack the spine, the author announces one of the boldest in the book’s subtitle. Claiming Selig as the inventor of Hollywood is a sly nod to reader expectations: the movie industry might well have originated in some sort of big bang, but perhaps, like the creationists needing a creator, it’s only natural that we should want the American film machine to have an inventor. Whether we can call the result — Hollywood — an intelligent design is another discussion, but Erish’s monograph makes a solid case for Selig not just setting up Hollywood in LA, but also for the Colonel being the mastermind behind the unstoppable entertainment juggernaut that is the American film industry.
Indeed, as he quite soberly casts light into the dim corners of early American filmmaking, one of Erish’s chief aims is to debunk and demythologize preconceptions about the origins of the Hollywood zeitgeist. His effort to load so many innovations onto the back of Selig — not exactly a household name — is surprisingly credible. Conveniently for the reader the author lists Selig’s innovation in the preface — the bullets run to 16 in all — but the Colonel’s life story is something of an eye-opener anyway, and it’s revelatory because of the depth of Erish’s research, which he impeccably documents in citations that take up more than 60 pages in the rear of the book. As an academic, Erish more or less writes like one, but if the prose is somewhat dry, so is the wit that occasionally leavens it. More to the point, it’s the book’s sobriety and factual clarity that make it compelling.
Throughout his life, William Nicholas Selig (1864-1948) remained strictly a businessman, but with an uncommon zest for whatever entertainment vehicle he happened to be selling. Back in the 1890s when he began his career, minstrelsy was still mainstream showbiz, and by 1896 Selig had swiftly acquired two minstrel companies, in the meantime giving an unknown Bert Williams his first break. Hiring Williams was probably Selig’s first act of entertainment prescience; the black comedian went on to become one of vaudeville’s biggest stars.
Selig’s involvement with minstrelsy ended abruptly when he encountered Edison’s coin-operated kinetoscope machines in the mid-1890s. Erish claims that Selig, more or less concurrently with Edison, envisioned the need to break free of the individually viewed kinetoscope machines with a device that would project the moving images to groups of people (and thus make more money), but Edison beat Selig to the punch — by 1896, the inventor had a functioning projector and audiences watching movies on a screen. Undeterred, Selig went on to construct his own projector, doing his best to circumnavigate the specifications of Edison’s so as to avoid a patent suit.
Major legal battles with Edison were down the road, however. In 1897 Selig began producing and selling short films, which in the years before the nickelodeon were shown in circus tent shows and vaudeville houses where Selig also sold his projector. Business was good until 1900, when Edison, who’d been seeking monopoly over film production and showings, began his relentless ten-year series of litigations against Selig and other competitors. As the public demand for the new medium grew, Edison’s monopoly became untenable, and in 1909 a compromise was reached between the inventor and the smaller independent companies, resulting in the formation of The Motion Picture Patents Company.
With Edison mollified, Selig hit the ground running, establishing a production troupe in Los Angeles that same year. Pushing Edwin S. Porter’s The Great Train Robbery (1904) aside, Erish credits Selig with producing the first true westerns. By utilizing authentic locale, Native Americans, and actual cowpokes, Selig’s early westerns were more historically accurate than Porter’s effort and arguably than most of those in the following decades. His 1909 reenactment of the battle at Little Big Horn featured three Sioux that had participated in the actual 1876 engagement with Custer. Selig had hoped the trio, acting additionally as historical consultants, could provide even more authenticity to the filmed proceedings, but they said the historical battle had been over so quickly that they remembered very little of it.
By 1910, going full-steam with his westerns, Selig had hired Tom Mix (right), the first cowboy star, giving Mix, by Erish’s estimation, the status as the original action hero, a genre-defying concept that refuses to die to this day. Selig very nearly produced the first Tarzan movie, too, but the book’s author, Edgar Rice Burroughs, who initially had wanted Selig to make it, eventually produced Tarzan of the Apes himself in 1918, casting Elmo Lincoln in the title role.
Still, Burroughs elected to have the film shot at Selig’s zoo studio in East Los Angeles. The entrepreneur had opened his zoo — zoos being a fledgling concept in America at the time — in 1914, as both a park opened to the public and an open-air location at which Selig could photograph his popular series of jungle-adventure pictures. It was these films — featuring the live exotic animals Selig had imported to his zoo — that interested Burroughs in the first place; one of Selig’s last jungle movies (in 1917) was an adaptation of a Burroughs story.
Tarzan films, of course, became a massive Hollywood franchise over the next half a century, but a more generalized category of jungle adventure also held sway well into the latter part of the twentieth century. America’s fascination with the jungle was perhaps first ignited by President Theodore Roosevelt’s African safari in 1909 — for which Selig desperately campaigned to be the documenter. When the President rejected his offer to film the expedition, the Colonel hired a Roosevelt impersonator to star in a reenactment staged while the chief executive was still at large in the Dark Continent. The film, Hunting Big Game in Africa — premiering with a scene included of Roosevelt shooting a lion a mere two weeks after the actual event — was a hit with nickelodeon audiences and led to a hugely successful jungle-film craze that was fanned back into full blaze two decades later by the efforts of Merian C. Cooper, with films like The Most Dangerous Game (1932), King Kong (1933), and She(1935). Perhaps the final flowering of the jungle picture (we can only hope) came with Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park films, the first of which unintentionally pays homage to Selig by placing its action in an artificial, controlled jungle — a zoo, in fact, like Selig’s.
The most far-reaching innovation that Erish grants Selig is the development of the feature-length film in America. As ever with Selig — and, of course, with Hollywood ever since — the motivation behind lengthening the running time of his films was to make more money. Selig believed that the only way to lure the middle class into the lower-class (i.e., working-class) nickelodeons was with more complex plots and interesting characters. He may have also made the first 2,000-foot feature film in America, Damon and Pythias, in 1908, but with The Spoilers (1914), he produced the first two-hour American feature.
Few of Selig’s films exist, but for the ones that do, there has been little enthusiasm for restoration, revival, or home video resuscitation. A print of The Spoilers (above) survives, however, and Erish’s description of it makes you want to see it. Adapted from Rex Beach’s 1903 bestseller, Selig’s production was the first, by my count, of a total of five adaptations of it for the big screen.2 Starring William Farnum — the originator of the role of Ben Hur on the stage — the film highlights one of Selig’s touchstones for his western films: a dedication to reproducing a realistic setting for the action. According to Erish, the sets recreating the town of Nome, Alaska, feature weathered, three-dimensional-looking structures fronting muddy streets, populated with authentically costumed extras, and a fully functional, grungy saloon enlivened by dancing girls and blackface performers.
This might seem like the kind of retro frontier specificity sought after by Robert Altman in McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) or by David Milch’s HBO series Deadwood (2004-2006).3 In 1913-1914, however, a drive for authenticity need not be considered retro, since frontier realities weren’t so long in the past; indeed, they probably still lingered here and there in backwoods America. Regardless, any such recreation can be brought off more convincingly in a black-and-white silent film than in a Technicolor sound production. Erish also reveals a level of cinematic sophistication in The Spoilers, such as the placement of panoramic establishing shots, which most commentators would point to Griffith originating in Birth of a Nation (1915). If The Spoilers can actually be considered an American classic, wouldn’t it be nice if an enterprising home video concern like Kino or Flicker Alley would resurrect it?
If only the most dedicated film scholars — like Kevin Brownlow — seem to know of Selig’s existence, it’s probably because Selig, however much he innovated, remained solely a producing and promoting force, rather than, in addition, a creative one, like Griffith.4 But like Griffith, and other early filmmaking pioneers, Selig self-financed his projects, a business model that wouldn’t survive much past the early twenties, as the big studios emerged and the Hollywood picture became bank-financed. As a film producer, Selig barely made it into the twenties before he mostly shut down in that role, although he fitfully produced a few projects into the thirties.
Erish wisely doesn’t try to dramatize Selig’s less than precipitant fall from prominence; it’s a story that lacks the juice of scandal, suicide, or even simple public humiliation. Selig, out of business as a producer, merely shifted to a less lucrative but still profitable business plan. Selling scenarios to the studios from a massive store of novels and plays to which he’d brokered the rights back in the day (some he’d actually written himself), he maintained, on Sunset Boulevard, an office as “Playbroker and Author’s Agent” well into the ’40s. He died, quietly, in 1948, at the age of eighty-four.
The honorific was self-applied by Selig, who adopted it, presumably, as a bid for respectability, laboring as he did in the stables of entertainment that were considered less so. [↩]
After Selig’s 1914 version, The Spoilers returned to the screen in 1923, 1930, 1942, and 1955. The 1942 picture starred John Wayne and Marlene Dietrich. [↩]
Although both Altman and Milch, while keeping their streets muddy, sought to up the ante on frontier realism by making their buildings look newly constructed. [↩]
To clarify this point, it’s obvious that Selig was creative in his drive to innovate, to promote the realism in his westerns, and so on. But from Erish’s descriptions of them, it seems that the majority of the films themselves were mostly lowest-common-denominator, mass-market creations with no pretensions, as Griffith and von Stroheim self-consciously held for their productions, of advancing the art of the feature film. [↩]
— Gordon Thomas
Gordon Thomas, trained as a painter, is a photographer living in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts with his wife. Film has fascinated and worried him ever since, as a small child, he saw Godzilla in 1954.
Previous story Book review: Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds, by Maitland McDonagh
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Also in Bright Lights
Book review: Jean Arthur, by John Oller November 14, 1999
Book review: “Have You Seen . . .?”, by David Thomson February 21, 2009
Hollywood Royalty: Two Autobiographies by Anjelica Huston August 28, 2015
Book review: A Companion to Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Ed. by Brigitte Peucker August 24, 2012
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Deaths Home
Mary Lorraine Kehoe, registered nurse, breast cancer survivor
By Staff|Published Fri, Jan 29, 2016
Aug. 31, 1928 – Jan. 22, 2016
Mary Lorraine “Lorry” Kehoe, of Grand Island, a registered nurse, died last Friday in her daughter’s home on Grand Island after a short illness. She was 87.
Born in Buffalo, the former Mary Lorraine Moran attended St. Paul’s School in Kenmore and was a graduate of Kenmore High School and the Sisters Hospital School of Nursing.
She worked at Kenmore Mercy Hospital for almost 40 years and was a department head when she retired in 1987
A breast cancer survivor, Mrs. Kehoe was an advocate for others as part of the Breast Cancer Association.
A Grand Island resident since 1960, she was active in the Sandy Beach Yacht Club and the Bridgeview Garden Club.
She was a parishioner of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. She was an avid golfer and bridge player.
Her husband of 42 years, John A. “Jack” Kehoe Sr., died in 1992.
Survivors include three daughters, Patricia Harding, Maureen Toth and Colleen Romano; two sons, John A. Jr. and James S.; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road, Grand Island.
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Financial cryptography
From BitcoinWiki
This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent.
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Financial cryptography (FC) is the use of cryptography in applications in which financial loss could result from subversion of the message system. Financial cryptography is distinguished from traditional cryptography in that for most of recorded history, cryptography has been used almost entirely for military and diplomatic purposes.
Financial cryptography includes the mechanisms and algorithms necessary for the protection of financial transfers, in addition to the creation of new forms of money. Proof of work and various auction protocols fall under the umbrella of Financial Cryptography. Hashcash is being used to limit spam.
Financial cryptography has been seen to have a very broad scope of application. Ian Grigg sees financial cryptography in seven layers, being the combination of seven distinct disciplines: cryptography, software engineering, rights, accounting, governance, value, and financial applications. Business failures can often be traced to the absence of one or more of these disciplines, or to poor application of them. This views Financial Cryptography as an appropriately cross-discipline subject. Indeed, inevitably so, given that finance and cryptography are each built upon multiple disciplines.
2 Associations
Cryptographers think of the field as originating in the work of Dr David Chaum who invented the blinded signature. This special form of a cryptographic signature permitted a virtual coin to be signed without the signer seeing the actual coin, and permitted a form of digital token money that offered untraceability. This form is sometimes known as Digital currency.
A system that was widely used during the 1970s-1990s and previously developed cryptographic mechanism is the Data Encryption Standard, which was used primarily for the protection of electronic funds transfers. However, it was the work of David Chaum that excited the cryptography community about the potential of encrypted messages as actual financial instruments.
As part of a business model, Financial Cryptography followed the guide of cryptography and only the simplest ideas were adopted. Account money systems protected by SSL such as PayPal and e-gold were relatively successful, but more innovative mechanisms, including blinded token money, were not.
Associations[edit]
Financial cryptography is to some extent organized around the annual meeting of the International Financial Cryptography Association, which is held each year in a different location.
See Also on BitcoinWiki[edit]
Automated teller machines (ATM)
Monero_(cryptocurrency)
Point-of-sale (POS)
Anonymous internet banking
Economics of security
Bilateral key exchange
Source[edit]
http://wikipedia.org/
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Home/EnglishPDF/How to grow more vegetables, than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine
How to grow more vegetables, than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine
How to grow more vegetables and fruits, nuts, berries, grains, and other crops, than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine.
About the Author of this book How to grow more vegetables
Based in Willits, California, John Jeavons is the director of Ecology Action, an environmental research and education organization. Jeavons has taken his grassroots solutions global, working with such organizations as UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Peace Corps to solve large-scale hunger by revolutionizing small-scale food production in more than 140 countries around the world.
The summery of the book: How to grow more vegetables
-A classic in the field of sustainable gardening, HOW TO GROW MORE VEGETABLES shows how to produce a beautiful organic garden with minimal watering and care, whether it’s just a few tomatoes in a tiny backyard or enough food to feed a family of four on less than half an acre. Updated with the latest biointensive tips and techniques, this is an essential reference for gardeners of all skill levels seeking to grow some or all of their own food.
-How to Grow More Vegetables demonstrated that small-scale, high-yield, all-organic gardening methods could yield bountiful crops over multiple growing cycles using minimal resources in a suburban environment. The concept that John Jeavons and the team at Ecology Action launched more than 40 years ago has been embraced by the mainstream and continues to gather momentum. Today, How to Grow More Vegetables, now in its fully revised and updated 8th edition, is the go-to reference for food growers at every level: from home gardeners dedicated to nurturing their backyard edibles in maximum harmony with nature’s cycles, to small-scale commercial producers interested in optimizing soil fertility and increasing plant productivity. Whether you hope to harvest your first tomatoes next summer or are planning to grow enough to feed your whole family in years to come, How to Grow More Vegetables is your indispensable sustainable garden guide.
“There are two kinds of vegetable gardeners–those who garden in beds of some kind and for whom this is the ultimate foundation book, a must-read, and an essential reference. Then there are those who don’t garden in beds, for whom it’s still a must-read and an essential reference. The full title–How to Grow More Vegetables (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine–actually understates the contents. The book is about how to grow pretty nearly all your food and your garden’s fertilizer on a modest amount of land.”
-Long before it was a trend, How to Grow More Vegetables brought backyard ecosystems to life for the home gardener by demonstrating sustainable growing methods for spectacular organic produce on a small but intensive scale. How to Grow More Vegetables has become the go-to reference for food growers at every level, whether home gardeners dedicated to nurturing backyard edibles with minimal water in maximum harmony with nature’s cycles, or a small-scale commercial producer interested in optimizing soil fertility and increasing plant productivity. In the ninth edition, author John Jeavons has revised and updated each chapter, including new sections on using less water and increasing compost power.
The book has solved many problem regarding the subject matters and it has been updated and edited more and more.
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Secret Societies : Gardiner’s Forbidden Knowledge PDF for Free
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After Eurovision win, Norwegians show their patriotism on Constitution Day
Oslo schoolchildren taking part in the Children's Parade at the Royal Palace on 2005's Constitution Day. People from all over Norway celebrated the national holiday today with festivals and parties.
Alexander Rybak's win for Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday evening was well-timed; it was on the eve of Norway's Constitution Day.
Constitution Day, observed on May 17, commemorates the first Norwegian constitution drafted at Eidsvoll in 1814. Now it celebrates Norwegian independence as a whole, which was granted by Sweden in 1905.
Eurovision win aside, Norwegians don't necessarily need a good reason to celebrate Constitution Day; the Norwegian people are some of the most patriotic in Europe and the iconic national flag, red with a white and indigo blue Scandinavian cross, can be seen waving from buildings and in the hands of most Norwegians at festivals and parties.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, on a visit to Spain, was greeted by 2,000 Norwegian expatriates waving flags in the town of Torrevieja, where he gave a speech, giving warm greetings in both Spanish and Norwegian. Stoltenberg noted that 40,000 Norwegians live in Spain, roughly 1% of Norway's current population, and was impressed by the turnout not only from Norwegian citizens but also from Spanish people who also helped celebrate Norway's Constitution Day. Stoltenberg was later joined by Spanish and Norwegians at the old sailor's church in Torrevieja, where he placed a wreath commemorating fallen Norwegian sailors.
Boy Scouts, a symbol of Norwegian patriotism, march with Norwegian flags down Karl Johans gate in the 2005 Constitution Day parade.
In Norway, the annual Oslo Children's Parade, a national institution, occurred in the morning with children from all 111 of Oslo's schools taking part. The children walked with brass bands playing festive music up Oslo's main street, Karl Johans gate, to the Royal Palace where they were warmly greeted by the Royal Family. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who greeted children in Asker earlier in the morning, toured the Oslo ward of Grünerløkka in the afternoon. All celebrations in Norway went off with few errors, the most notable being the delay of trains using the Oslo Tunnel, in which a helium balloon floated into the tunnel, causing a brief scare for train operators.
Celebrations for Norway's Constitution Day occurred all over the world, from a gathering in a Shanghai hotel where 300 Norwegians feasted on imported traditional Norwegian foods, to a street parade in Brisbane, Australia, where the police had to stop traffic for the revelers. Norway's neighbor Sweden was especially happy on Constitution Day, where Norwegian-Swedes dressed in folk costumes and held up copies of the newspaper Expressen, who deemed Norway's winning Eurovision song "the best winner since ABBA" and published a large headline in Norwegian, stating "We look forward with you."
Constitution Day will end with Norway's new national hero Rybak, deemed "Alexander the Great" in the Norwegian newspapers, arriving at Oslo's Gardermoen airport at 9:25 p.m. local time (1925 UTC). Record crowds are expected to greet him, as he invited everyone via state television to the airport for his trip home.
"May 17th - Norway's Constitution Day" — The Norway Post, May 17, 2009
"Norway celebrates Eurovision win on National Day" — Associated Press, May 17, 2009
"Jens «tok en spansk en» på 17. mai" — Aftenposten, May 17, 2009 (Norwegian)
Arve Henriksen. "Alle ville feire Norges nye yndling" — Aftenposten, May 17, 2009 (Norwegian)
"Norske hurrarop over hele verden" — Dagbladet, May 17, 2009 (Norwegian)
Kamilla Thoresen. "«Bästa vinnarlåt sedan ABBA»" — Dagbladet, May 17, 2009 (Norwegian)
"Heliumballong skapte togtrøbbel i Oslo-området" — Dagbladet, May 17, 2009 (Norwegian)
Norway wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, May 16, 2009
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Gingrich, Perry fail to qualify for Virginia Republican presidential primary ballot
2012 U.S. Presidential Election stories
7 November 2012: World leaders react to Obama win
7 November 2012: United States re-elects Barack Obama
7 November 2012: Australian Broadcasting Corporation plans to call California for Obama before polls close
5 November 2012: Wikinews interviews former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
Republican candidates for President of the United States Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry have failed to qualify to be on the ballot for the Virginia primary election, scheduled for March 6, Super Tuesday.
Newt Gingrich.
Image: Gage Skidmore.
Gingrich, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and Perry, Governor of Texas, did not submit the 10,000 signatures, with at least 400 from each of the state's eleven congressional districts, to the state's board of elections before the 5:00 PM deadline last Thursday required to gain ballot access, according to the Republican Party of Virginia.
Gingrich's and Perry's campaigns both claimed to have more signatures than needed, 11,050 and 11,911 respectively. Volunteers spent last night reviewing the submitted petitions and validating signatures. Reportedly Rick Perry is considering an appeal of the assessment.
Among other major candidates for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney and Texas congressman Ron Paul submitted the required petition and qualified for the ballot. On Thursday, it was disclosed that candidates Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum also failed to gain ballot access.
According to the manager of the Gingrich campaign, Michael Krull, the former House Speaker plans to compete in the Virginia primary, despite not gaining ballot access, as a write-in candidate. Krull blamed a "failed system" for the campaign's inability to gain ballot access. Rick Perry's campaign manager said he was disappointed by that campaign's failure to qualify for the ballot. According to a recent poll of 489 Republican voters by Quinnipiac University, Gingrich leads in the state with 30% of support, followed by Mitt Romney at 25% and Ron Paul at 9%.
As Virginia's delegates to the Republican National Convention are not awarded on a winner-take-all basis, candidates other than the winner of the state's primary could also gain delegates from the state.
Will Lester (Associated Press). "Gingrich, Perry Won't Be on Va. Ballot" — Time (magazine), December 24, 2011
Jonathan D. Salant. "Gingrich, Perry Fail to Qualify for Virginia Primary Ballot" — Bloomberg Businessweek, December 24, 2011
David Morgan. "Gingrich camp assails Virginia's "failed system"" — CBS News, December 24, 2011
Jasmine Coleman. "Gingrich and Perry fail to qualify for Virginia primary" — The Guardian, December 24, 2011
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Page:EB1911 - Volume 14.djvu/805
[FROM ANGLO-NORMAN INVASION
slew an Irishman (except one of the five regal and privileged bloods) he was not to be tried for murder, for Irish law admitted composition (eric) for murder. In Magna Charta there is a proviso that foreign merchants shall be treated as English merchants are treated in the country whence the travellers came. Yet some enlightened men strove to fuse the two nations together, and the native Irish, or that section which bordered on the settlements and suffered great oppression, offered 8000 marks to Edward I. for the privilege of living under English law. The justiciary supported their petition, but the prelates and nobles refused to consent.
There is a vague tradition that Edward I. visited Ireland about 1256, when his father ordained that the prince’s seal should have regal authority in that country. A vast number of documents remain to prove that he did Edward I. (1272-1307). not neglect Irish business. Yet this great king cannot be credited with any specially enlightened views as to Ireland. Hearing with anger of enormities committed in his name, he summoned the viceroy, Robert de Ufford (d. 1298), to explain, who coolly said that he thought it expedient to wink at one knave cutting off another, “whereat the king smiled and bade him return into Ireland.” The colonists were strong enough to send large forces to the king in his Scottish wars, but as there was no corresponding immigration this really weakened the English, whose best hopes lay in agriculture and the arts of peace, while the Celtic race waxed proportionally numerous. Outwardly all seemed fair. The De Burghs were supreme in Connaught, and English families occupied eastern Ulster. The fertile southern and central lands were dominated by strong castles. But Tyrone and Tyrconnel, and the mountains everywhere, sheltered the Celtic race, which, having reached its lowest point under Edward I., began to recover under his son.
In 1315, the year after Bannockburn, Edward Bruce landed near Larne with 6000 men, including some of the best knights in Scotland. Supported by O’Neill and other chiefs, and for a time assisted by his famous brother, Bruce Edward II. (1307-1327). gained many victories. There was no general effort of the natives in their favour; perhaps the Irish thought one Norman no better than another, and their total incapacity for national organization forbade the idea of a native sovereign. The family quarrels of the O’Connors at this time, and their alliances with the Burkes, or De Burghs, and the Berminghams, may be traced in great detail in the annalists—the general result being fatal to the royal tribe of Connaught, which is said to have lost 10,000 warriors in the battle of Templetogher. In other places the English were less successful, the Butlers being beaten by the O’Carrolls in 1318, and Richard de Clare falling about the same time in the decisive battle of Dysert O’Dea. The O’Briens re-established their sway in Thomond and the illustrious name of Clare disappears from Irish history. Edward Bruce fell in battle near Dundalk, and most of his army recrossed the channel, leaving behind a reputation for cruelty and rapacity. The colonists were victorious, but their organization was undermined, and the authority of the crown, which had never been able to keep the peace, grew rapidly weaker. Within twenty years after the great victory of Dundalk, the quarrels of the barons allowed the Irish to recover much of the land they had lost.
John de Bermingham, earl of Louth, the conqueror of Bruce, was murdered in 1329 by the Gernons, Cusacks, Everards and other English of that county, who disliked his firm government. They were never brought to justice. Edward III. (1327-1377). Talbot of Malahide and two hundred of Bermingham’s relations and adherents were massacred at the same time. In 1333, William de Burgh, the young earl of Ulster, was murdered by the Mandevilles and others; in this case signal vengeance was taken, but the feudal dominion never recovered the blow, and on the north-east coast the English laws and language were soon confined to Drogheda and Dundalk. The earl left one daughter, Elizabeth, who was of course a royal ward. She married Lionel, duke of Clarence, and from her springs the royal line of England from Edward IV., as well as James V. of Scotland and his descendants.
The two chief men among the De Burghs were loth to hold their lands of a little absentee girl. Having no grounds for opposing the royal title to the wardship of the heiress, they abjured English law and became Irish chieftains. As such they were obeyed, for the king’s arm was short in Ireland. The one appropriated Mayo as the Lower (Oughter) M‘William, and the earldom of Mayo perpetuates the memory of the event. The other as the Upper (Eighter) M‘William took Galway, and from him the earls of Clanricarde afterwards sprung.
Edward III. being busy with foreign wars had little time to spare for Ireland, and the native chiefs everywhere seized their opportunity. Perhaps the most remarkable of these aggressive chiefs was Lysaght O’More, who reconquered Leix. Clyn the Franciscan annalist, whose Latinity is so far above the medieval level as almost to recall Tacitus, sums up Lysaght’s career epigrammatically: “He was a slave, he became a master; he was a subject, he became a prince (de servo dominus, de subjecto princeps effectus).” The two great earldoms whose contests form a large part of the history of the south of Ireland were created by Edward III. James Butler, eldest son of Edmund, earl of Carrick, became earl of Ormonde and palatine of Tipperary in 1328. Next year Maurice Fitzgerald was made earl of Desmond, and from his three brethren descended the historic houses of the White Knight, the knight of Glin, and the knight of Kerry. The earldom of Kildare dates from 1316. In this reign too was passed the statute of Kilkenny (q.v.), a confession by the crown that obedient subjects were the minority. The enactments against Irish dress and customs, and against marriage and fostering proved a dead letter.
In two expeditions to Ireland Richard II. at first overcame all opposition, but neither had any permanent effect. Art MacMurrough, the great hero of the Leinster Celts, practically had the best of the contest. The king in Richard II. (1377-1399). his despatches divided the population into Irish enemies, Irish rebels and English subjects. As he found them so he left them, lingering in Dublin long enough to lose his own crown. But for MacMurrough and his allies the house of Lancaster might never have reigned. No English king again visited Ireland until James II., declared by his English subjects to have abdicated, and by the more outspoken Scots to have forfeited the crown, appealed to the loyalty or piety of the Catholic Irish.
Henry IV. had a bad title, and his necessities were conducive to the growth of the English constitution, but fatal to the Anglo-Irish. His son Thomas, duke of Clarence, was viceroy in 1401, but did very little. “Your son,” wrote the Henry IV. (1399-1413). Irish council to Henry, “is so destitute of money that he has not a penny in the world, nor can borrow a single penny, because all his jewels and his plate that he can spare, and those which he must of necessity keep, are pledged to lie in pawn.” The nobles waged private war unrestrained, and the game of playing off one chieftain against another was carried on with varying success. The provisions of the statute of Kilkenny against trading with the Irish failed, for markets cannot exist without buyers.
The brilliant reign of Henry V. was a time of extreme misery to the colony in Ireland. Half the English-speaking people fled to England, where they were not welcome. The Henry V. (1413-1422). disastrous reign of the third Lancastrian completed the discomfiture of the original colony in Ireland. Quarrels between the Ormonde and Talbot parties paralysed the government, and a “Pale” of 30 m. by 20 was all that remained. Even the walled towns, Kilkenny, Ross, Wexford, Kinsale, Youghal, Clonmel, Kilmallock, Thomastown, Fethard and Cashel, were almost starved Henry VI. (1422-1461). out; Waterford itself was half ruined and half deserted. Only one parliament was held for thirty years, but taxation was not remitted on that account. No viceroy even pretended to reside continuously. The north and west were still
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Lambert Murphy
Lambert Murphy at his piano in 1917
Harry Lambert Murphy (1 April 15, 1885 – July 25, 1954) was an American operatic tenor.
He was born as Harry Lambert Murphy in Springfield, Massachusetts on 15 April 1885.
While pursuing an academic course at Harvard University, he studied singing under T. L. Cushman in Boston from 1904 to 1908. He graduated from Harvard in 1908 with his younger brother, Ray D. Murphy (1887–1964) (future chairman of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States 19xx-1952), where they were both in the Harvard Glee Club, Harvard Quartet and the Pi Eta Society.
Having filled positions in several important churches in Boston, Brookline, and Fairhaven, he went to New York in 1910 as soloist of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (Manhattan). After further study under Isidore Luckstone, he was engaged (1911) as a member of the Metropolitan Opera. Murphy made his reputation chiefly as a concert singer, appearing at many of the great festivals.
He was a popular recording artist for the Victor Talking Machine Company. One well-known recorded hit was "Smiles" from The Passing Show of 1918 and was popular during World War I. Lambert performed and recorded many duets with baritone Reinald Werrenrath. Mr. Murphy premiered in the tenor solo role in the quartets in Verdi's Requiem in Boston (year?). After retiring from active concert work, he gave private voice instruction. During World War II he was a product inspector for the Western Electric Company.
Lambert married Margaret Fraser. They had no children. They resided in Keene and Munsonville, New Hampshire, enjoying the outdoors, in particular, hunting and fishing.
Lambert died of throat cancer on July 25, 1954 in Hancock, New Hampshire.[1]
^ "Lambert Murphy, Tenor, Dies; Recording and Concert Artist Taught Voice at the Malkin Conservatory in Boston". New York Times. July 26, 1954. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "article name needed". New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
Discography of Lambert Murphy on Victor Records from the Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings (EDVR)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lambert_Murphy&oldid=880952761"
Musicians from Springfield, Massachusetts
American operatic tenors
Harvard University alumni
Deaths from throat cancer
People from Keene, New Hampshire
People from Nelson, New Hampshire
20th-century American singers
Classical musicians from Massachusetts
20th-century male singers
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(Redirected from Oberschleissheim)
Place in Bavaria, Germany
Regatta stand
Location of Oberschleißheim within Munich district
Show map of Germany
Show map of Bavaria
Coordinates: 48°15′N 11°34′E / 48.250°N 11.567°E / 48.250; 11.567Coordinates: 48°15′N 11°34′E / 48.250°N 11.567°E / 48.250; 11.567
Admin. region
7 Ortsteile: Altschleißheim, Neuschleißheim, Lustheim
• Mayor
Christian Kuchlbauer (FW)
30.60 km2 (11.81 sq mi)
CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
www.oberschleissheim.de
Oberschleißheim is a municipality in the district of Munich, in Bavaria, Germany. It is located 13 km north of Munich (centre). As of 2005 it had a population of 11,467.
Oberschleißheim is best known for the Schleissheim Palace and the Flugwerft Schleissheim next to the airport housing the airplane department of the German Museum. The airfield is also home to one of the five German Federal Police helicopter squadrons.
During World War II, a subcamp of Dachau concentration camp was located here.[2]
In the early 20th century, Schleißheim was home to author Waldemar Bonsels, who was inspired to write his "Biene Maja" by a gnarly tree in the woods nearby.
2 Regatta Course Oberschleißheim
3 Flugwerft Schleissheim
The New Schloss at Oberschleissheim
Schleißheim was first mentioned as “Sliusheim” in 785. The small church of St. Martin in Mallertshofen is a Romanesque church which still exists. In the Year 1315 the name of the village became “ Sleizheim”. Between 1616 and 1623 Duke Maximilan I. erected the Old Schloss. From 1701 to 1726 the New Schloss was built to the orders of Maximilian II Emanuel, including the Schloss Lustheim.
In the Mid 19th Century Oberschleißheim built a railway station with the name “Schleißheim” connecting to the Munich-Landshut railway route. This railway station was replaced by the “Oberschleißheim” station in 1972 due to the opening of the S-Bahn.[3]
Starting in 1912, Oberschleissheim housed the first royal Bavarian airfield, which after World War I was used for civilian aviation and re-militarized in 1933. During the Third Reich, a satellite camp of the Dachau concentration camp was set up on the airfield. After World War II, first the United States Air Forces in Europe used the airfield (under the designation Airfield R.75), transferring it to the US Army in 1947 and abandoned in 1981. Today it serves as a civilian airfield as well as the base for the German Federal Police helicopter division.
Regatta Course Oberschleißheim[edit]
Main article: Oberschleißheim Regatta Course
In 1972 an artificial canoe sprint and rowing venue was created in Oberschleißheim for the Munich Olympic Summer Games.[4] The course is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and 135 metres (443 ft) wide, and is in regular use. The course is accessible through Munich's public transport and roading network. The stand has capacity for 9,500 spectators.[5][6]
The venue host many events throughout the year including bungee jumping.[7]
Flugwerft Schleissheim[edit]
Main article: Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleissheim
The airfield and its historic buildings were constructed between 1912 and 1919 by the Königlich-Bayerische Fliegertruppen (Royal Bavarian Flying Corps). In the early 1990s the historic maintenance hangar was restored and enlarged to accommodate the Deutsches Museum's growing aviation collections. The Museum was opened on September 18, 1992.
The Museum has many aerospace exhibits. These include various Airplanes, Helicopters, Motors and Turbines.[8]
Schleißheim in alten Ansichten
Regattastrecke Oberschleißheim
Rudolf Witzig
^ "Fortschreibung des Bevölkerungsstandes". Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik und Datenverarbeitung (in German). September 2018.
^ List of subcamps of Dachau Archived February 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^ de:Oberschleißheim
^ 1972 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 2. Part 2. pp. 204f.
^ Munich Today
^ dead link
^ Deutsches Museum
Towns and municipalities in Munich district
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Municipalities in Bavaria
Munich (district)
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Archive for the ‘Author: Amy Frazier’ Category
Adventure, challenge, Creative Process, Creativity, resistance, Risk, theatre, Writing
In Author: Amy Frazier, Creativity and Innovation, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS, Theater/Film, Writing on October 6, 2009 at 9:55 am
What’s up with the resistance?
You know the one. The resistance that comes shortly after you decide to launch a new creative endeavor. The resistance that whispers in your ear that maybe the idea isn’t that great, or you really don’t have the time, or you’re really not so good after all.
Maybe it doesn’t affect you. If not, I’m willing to bet you’re in the minority. For a lot of artists, the initiatory phase of a project can be a very painful back-and-forth play of initiative and doubt.
When I’m acting, for example, it usually shows up at the first blocking rehearsal. When asked to actually get the character “up on its feet,” I often balk. In the course of the entire rehearsal period and even through opening night, I will never feel as awkward and disembodied as I will on the first blocking rehearsal. I’d rather be anywhere else then right there.
Then there’s writing. Every writer knows that big blank page. Now, a computer screen. I wonder if the relative effortlessness of tapping and deleting with no crumpled paper overflowing the wastebasket as evidence doesn’t somehow cover for the fact that we’re stuck. No. We still know. We might not have the physical evidence of every crappy opening line–it may have vanished into electronic ether–but we get it: our writing sucks.
I suspect painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians have their own issues.
Right now, I’m working on a program I’ll be delivering at the European Conference on Creativity and Innovation in Brussels at the end of the month, called “Riding the Arc of the Story.” I’ve had my own deal getting it pulled together, but what I wanted to share in this post was something I’ve learned while working on the program, about narrative structure and the Hero’s Journey.
Evidently, as soon as the hero begins her journey, she is met at the threshold by beings whose purpose it is to provide initial resistance in the form of a test: is the hero up for the challenge? They’re called “threshold guardians,” and they can show up as friends, family, foes…or even part of our own psyche, our shadow. (I know this one!)
The concept of the Threshold Guardian has given me a new way of looking at my internal resistance to the early phases of a project. Now, instead of either giving in to the temptation to pull away, or feeling like I have to muscle through and pretend the resistance isn’t there, I remind myself that I might be on the threshold, and this might be only a test. Of the emergency threshold guardian system. And it’s ok.
The next time you find yourself hitting that resistance wall, ask yourself: is this a wall? or might it actually be an opening. Might you actually be on the threshold of something entirely new?
In Author: Amy Frazier, Creativity and Innovation, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS, Writing on September 1, 2009 at 6:54 am
All of a sudden, you have it: a beautiful idea! It comes to you full blown and shimmery. Perhaps something brand new you’ve never before conceived, or perhaps the result of pondering long and hard. Regardless, there it is: exciting, and full of energy. Your idea can do no wrong. The world is its oyster. It is your helium balloon.
Ideation. What a great place to be.
You, and perhaps a happy gang of fellow-ideators, begin to bring this effervescent, brilliant idea into being. Plans are drawn, schemes concocted, url’s purchased and celebrations forseen. It’s all a giddy whirl.
Until the obstacles start to arrive. Perhaps not with the first obstacle, or the second, or the third. But eventually it happens: something comes up and you don’t know if you can get around it. As sure as ideas are born, obstacles come in their wake. It is like a natural law.
In the move from ideation to implementation or execution, the emergence of obstacles can tell us many things. It can be a reality check, or a good moment for redirection. A serious obstacle has the power to derail the entire scheme. Most people, I think, realize that when ideas hit the real world, they are reshaped, and sometimes with difficulty.
But how do we respond when it happens? Think especially of group endeavors. How do different personalities react to the emergence of a serious obstacle to implementation? Can you think of a time when someone has thrown up their hands and said: “At last! Now the real story has begun!”
That’s what the narrative arts have to show us. If we look at the implementation phase through the lens of narrative structure, we can see how stories don’t really get started until the first big whammy. There’s even a term for it: the inciting event. Anything before the inciting event (also sometimes known as the first plot point), is merely background, setting the stage. The action does not really begin to elucidate meaning within the framework of the story, until something unexpected shows up.
The arrival of obstacles which appear to thwart our plans does not necessarily mean that the idea wasn’t solid or real enough for the real world. In fact, it might be just the opposite. The natural pairing of idea and obstacle, story and inciting event, can give us energy for the next phase: the rising action.
I’ll be exploring other narrative structural elements in later posts. I’ll also be giving a workshop on the use of the narrative arts in effective implementation for the European Conference on Creativity and Innovation, in Brussels in late October. And, as befits the theme, I’ve been noticing that since I had the idea for the workshop…well, let’s just say that I’ve been keeping good company with some of my favorite obstacles. But more on that to come…
In Author: Amy Frazier, Creativity and Innovation, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS on August 17, 2009 at 10:50 am
Over the past several months, I’ve been part of a team developing an experiential program on creativity and innovation for business audiences.
We are now stepping up our marketing efforts for the program, and in the course of this I contacted my network, asking permission to send info on “a creativity and innovation program.” One person replied with the question:
Are we talking about professional creativity, or artistic creativity?
I understood the question, and the concern which I think it implied: does this program impart business value?
But I was also struck by the terms which he used to frame the question: “professional” or “artistic.”
I trust that he is savvy enough to understand that many, many artists produce their work at a professional level; and I also know him to be a person enough in tune to the human dynamic in business settings to appreciate the artistry often evident in management and leadership. So I don’t think he really intended to imply that the two values are in opposition.
But I do think his language points to something important, something deeper—an unease with the particular type of human expression (for this discussion, we’ll label it “artistic”) which often seems, from the outside, to operate on a wierd, irrational level.
A friend and I (she is a businesswoman and artist like myself) have coined a phrase for this: Fear of the Pink Tutu.
This is the fear that: (a) if a particular type of artsy-creativity is allowed to infiltrate the corridors of industry, any number of serious-minded professionals will be seduced into abandoning their business objectives and throwing themselves into pantomimes of Swan Lake; or (b) that—in a somewhat less threatening but nonetheless similarly uncomfortable display—said serious-minded professionals will be forced to endure a demonstration of the same by an erstwhile team of artsy “consultants.”
I wonder about the Pink Tutu phenomenon. To be quite frank, I do believe, from years of experience, that there often is something mysterious about the “artistic/creative” process. And yes, that this is part of its power—for both the artist and the audience.
And, I’m also learning that there is enough stuff and nonsense out there about “creativity” in the business world, that the serious-minded professional is wise to be selective.
Still, the the idea that the sometimes mysterious, irrational process of “artistic creativity” might actually have business value needn’t be a risky proposition. Studies show that students who engage in music and drama classes score higher than their peers, not only in language arts, which we might expect, but also in math and science. Expressive arts enhance emotional literacy, compassion, and self-knowledge, at all ages.
It is, ultimately, that which is within us that drives us. But can we always name it? Or is it, too, something of a mystery? The degree to which we can experience the mysterious and seemingly irrational (or non-rational) components in ourselves is the degree to which we can fully inhabit our lives, professional and otherwise. It brings wholeness, which brings wisdom—which is a very friendly condition for professional success.
So, what color is your tutu?
The Element
In Author: Amy Frazier, Creativity and Innovation, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS on July 23, 2009 at 5:03 am
Two books in my current stack, having a conversation with each other:
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, by educator par excellence, Sir Ken Robinson, PhD; and poet David Whyte’s Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity.
Robinson advocates for finding your Element: that place where your natural talent and passion lie. Whyte’s sea is the metaphorical setting for the voyage we take through our working lives.
I have been reading Robinson cover to cover, as research for a creativity and innovation program I’ve helped to develop. For Whyte’s poetic meditation, I tend to page through here and there, dipping my toes in the water as it were.
I love it when books begin to have a conversation with each other. Here’s how it went yesterday:
Robinson: “When people are in their Element, they connect with something fundamental to their sense of identity, purpose, and well-being.”
Whyte: “We need, at every stage in our journey through work, to be in conversation with our desire for something suited to us and our individual natures.”
Robinson: these issues “are of fundamental importance in our lives and in the lives of our children, our students, and the people we work with.”
Whyte: “The human soul thrives on and finds courage from the difficult intimacies of belonging.”
Robinson: “Being in your element often means being connected with other people who share the same passions and have a common sense of commitment.”
Community, commitment, passion, our true natures. Sure makes sense. Sounds good. But now listen to Whyte:
“…but it is almost as if, afraid of those primary intimacies, we have unconsciously created a work world so secondary, so complex, and so busy and bullied by surface forces that, embroiled in those surface difficulties, we have the perfect busy excuse not to wrestle with the more essential difficulties of existence, the difficulties of finding a work and a life suited to our individual natures…”
Woa. If finding the Element is so elemental to our well being, and if the soul thrives in the intimacies of belonging, but that primacy is covered over with secondary busyiness in the working worlds we’ve created…how are we going to pull it off?
Let me bring in a third voice here, someone I ran across in my coursework. Good old A.H. Maslow:
“…out of this deeper self, out of this portion of ourselves of which we generally are afraid and therefore try to keep under control, out of this comes the ability to play—to enjoy, to fantasy, to laugh, to loaf, to be spontaneous—and, what’s most important for us here, creativity, a kind of intellectual play, which is a kind of permission to be ourselves.”
I’m going to build the next link here and say that I don’t think we can really attain the sort of Element-supporting intimacy with others that Whyte asks of us (and Robinson implies), if we’re not being ourselves. If that’s the case, let’s suppose in the service of the primary and the elemental, that it is play (especially play at work) which is our missing ingredient.
Or, to spin the words primary and elementary just a bit, maybe it’s time for recess.
In Author: Amy Frazier, Creativity and Innovation, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS on June 20, 2009 at 4:46 am
Janus is the Roman god with the two faces, one looking forward and one back (or: in opposition). In the 1970’s, psychiatrist Albert Rothenburg coined the term “Janusian Thinking” to describe the oppositional energies that are often present in creativity.
An image of Janus hangs on the wall outside the creative studies library at Buffalo State College. (It’s fitting that he hangs at the threshold, as Janus was also the god of doorways and passages…)
I just returned from my first two weeks as a student at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State. I learned many wonderful things, among which was this concept of Janusian Thinking. I’m holding onto it, in fact, because in order to embark on this education (which will lead to a Master of Science degree), I’ve needed to expose my personal understanding of how creativity has manifested in my life (from an artistic point of view), to challenges and probably also to changes. A dear friend, upon hearing my intention to begin the program, asked: “Aren’t you afraid it will destroy the magic?”
Yeah, sometimes I have been.
But my first two weeks in the program showed me something else that I find just as important as theories of contradiction and paradox: diversity. My cohort is made up of professionals in painting, photography, food science, consulting, communications, academia, government, etc. As we came to know each other over the course of the two weeks, it became abundantly clear that “creativity” is a Big Tent kind of place. There’s lots of room here—for the science, and the art.
As I think about it now, perhaps the role of Janus as presider-over of doorways is just as significant to creativity as his role of embodying paradox. Perhaps it’s in developing comfort with polarities (art/science; inspiration/measurement; sensing/thinking, etc, etc) that we really come to appreciate being lifted over the threshold, and into the tent.
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In Author: Amy Frazier, BOOKS: Learn and Grow, Creativity and Innovation, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS on May 29, 2009 at 6:21 pm
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear Peter Senge speak. This was a real privilege, as one of his books has been instrumental in helping me along my path as an (organizational) entrepreneur in the arts.
A few years ago, I had a big “ah-ha” that what I had learned through years of being a professional actor could be very useful to the non-acting (read: “organizational-slash-corporate”) world. The vision sprung up full bodied: take theatre skills into corporations.
Yet I had lived my entire professional life outside their walls.
So, while I possessed a certain amount of certainty that this new calling was useful, there was also a fair amount of uncertainty as to how I would face up to the faceless (as the artiste viewed them at the time) suits.
Upon doing a Google search for the hopeful name of my business (Stages of Presence), I happened upon Senge’s Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future, which he co-authored with Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski, and Betty Sue Flowers.
The book is a soulful conversation among wise and canny businsess philosophes, who are working their way toward becoming (if they’re not there already) wisdom sages to the corporate psyche.
Their book has an attention to interiority, open-heartedness, deep dialogue and concern for life that asserts itself from the very beginning. It stood my assumptions of “the business world” on their heads. I thought, if these sorts of ideas can find expression and purchase in the organizational world, even though they may not yet be commonplace, then I have a path into this work.
When Mr. Senge was in town, I took the opportunity to tell him the role his book has played for me. When I mentioned the basis of Stages of Presence, he reminded me of something I knew but had forgotten: one of the founders of the field of organizational development, Richard Beckhard, began his career as an actor.
Senge told me that Beckhard’s work teaching relational presence had made a big impression on him, and others, when they were in the formative stages of their work, which has become so impactful in its own right.
When I think back to my early days as an actor, remembering all-those-exercises where we were to do nothing more than be present to what was unfolding (and how hard it was!), I feel tremendous gratitude for having been shaped by that experience.
Now, many years later, to hear a leader in the field of organizational change recount the impact this type of work had on him—not in the guise of training to become an actor on the stage, but in learning how to act broadly in the world—was a blessing.
It feels like it comes full circle. The book has become a touchstone for me. A quote over my desk reads:
The entreprenurial ability is an expression of the capacity to sense an emerging reality and to act into it. This inward-bound journey lies at the heart of all creativity.
Here’s to being present to the journey.
In Art, Author: Amy Frazier, Creativity and Innovation, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS on May 10, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I’m working on my first paper for the creativity program that I mentioned earlier. The assignment: to research an aspect of creativity and how it applies to my professional life. The subject I chose to write about is the relationship of the physical self (and our awareness of our embodiment) to the creative act. In my research, I stumbled upon an account of an artist’s work that won’t let me go.
I found it in an article by David Peat, called “The Alchemy of Creativity: Art, Consciousness and Embodiment.” Peat proposes that creativity works like the alembic chamber of the alchemist, where there exists “an indivisible cyclical movement of projection and internalization, one of making manifest within the realm of the physical and then of ingestion, in coded or symbolic form, back into the world of the mental.”
Peat graphically expands upon the reference to ingestion in his description of the work of artist Janine Antoni, who has created art works consisting of lard and chocolate (600 pounds of each), which she has chewed up, spat out, and then reformed into lipsticks and chocolate bars. Peat says that Antoni has wondered aloud to him about the possibility of chewing up a table, spitting it out, combining it with her skin and hair, and then rebuilding the table.
The image of an ingested, semi-digested table becoming mingled with the spit and skin of a woman, has haunted me in the past few days. I note that Antoni doesn’t seem to want to swallow the table—not really eat it, just masticate it, pulp it up, melange the fibers with her digestive juices, just shy of complete absorption.
So now I’m wondering: after the taking in, and the transforming, and the act of putting our work back out there into the world, what have we fully digested? If I’m interested in the role of embodiment, to what degree might I really mean in-body-ment? Does it depend upon what’s on the menu, what’s being in/di-gested? Because, if we’re talking about taking the world (and all its various renderings) into an alchemical, transformational, alembic-wrapped oogedy-boogedy, you have to admit: there’s a big difference between chewing 600 pounds of lard and the same amount of chocolate…
Ultimately, I think my fascination with Antoni’s work is the length to which she goes. She offers a challenge, which has gotten under my skin. How far do I go? I know I hope to be transformed by the work I put out into the world. But how would I feel about pulling splinters out of my tongue?
Perhaps this is a challenge one works up to.
Would someone please pass me the chair?
In Author: Amy Frazier, ENTREPRENEUR THE ARTS on April 17, 2009 at 6:38 am
Hello, everyone. I’m excited to be a member of your community. I know Cyriel and John (we were together in New York at the end of March), and have spoken with Lisa on the phone. I’m looking forward to getting to know the rest of you more fully.
I decided to introduce myself to you through the topic of remembrance. I have a background in theatre – 20-some years of acting, directing, producing. I stepped away from performing regularly to write a book (which will perhaps be the subject of a future post; it is a memoire, to continue the theme…). And in the interim, I discovered some benefits about theatre, which I had overlooked when practicing it regularly. I saw how, in the time that I had devoted myself to both my manuscript (sitting, typing), and my job (sitting, on the phone), that my body had left me. Or I, it. I had the sudden sense of being disembodied, cut loose, un-present. I realized that my training and performance experiences had given me tools for being present to the world; but with the time growing longer out of practice, these competencies were becoming dulled.
This was the first remembrance.
I wasn’t happy about the realization. However, it did also bring to mind the possibility that many, many other people could be feeling the same way, only they might not even realize it. At that moment (and I can still remember the small cubicle in which it occurred) I began this journey, with the mission to bring the liveliness of the arts, and especially theatre, to those who may not know that such things are possible within the culture of daily work and life.
I had been chugging along that curving entrepreneurial path, when one of my colleagues engaged me in developing an experiential learning program called PCI Adventure. (PCI stands for Passion, Creativity and Innovation.) He charged me with conducting research on creativity to support the program activities. He gave me a book budget and free reign at the local Borders Bookstore. I went, I browsed, I purchased. Arms full of books representing many different perspectives on the subject of creativity, I began with Phil Cousineau: Stoking the Creative Fires: 9 Ways to Rekindle Passion and Imagination.
Thus began the second remembrance.
Cousineau, a writer, filmmaker and mythologist, describes the creative process as a sort of Hero’s Journey. But there’s a difference. Instead of going forward into the world, to Cousineau the journey of creativity is “back and down—back in time and down into the soul’s depths.” His book is impassioned, romantic and in its own way, unsparing. And it reminded me that I used to experience a somewhat different orientation to the world, one that had been richer in numinousness and curiousity. (I suspect the two qualities are symbiotic.)
This remembrance was also a complicated one for me. Though I was very glad for it. I resolved to remain aware of this energy and to keep the flame lit, even (and especially) as I continue to move forward into the very different energies of the corporate and organizational worlds.
So far, it’s a fascinating journey. Since beginning the program research on creativity last fall, one thing has led to another, and now I’m starting a graduate program in creativity studies at the University of Buffalo. When I’m done, I will have an MS degree. The “S” for science both surprises and excites me, having circled the question of an MFA for more years than I would like to count. I know that I will need to keep remembering, and remembering, and remembering as this new process unfolds. I know that it will be the “back and down” creative journey that will keep my course true, as I move forward.
I’m very pleased to know you at this juncture in my life; to know of your projects and your passions, and to introduce you to mine. One of the blogs had commented upon how so many of us are moving forward in the direction of world-change, with the conviction that powerful intentions to create a life of balance and beauty, relationship and justice can actually make a difference, and that the arts are uniquely positioned to effect this change. I feel the same way. That’s the flame to keep alight. I’m honored to be in your company, and I look forward to the journey. Back and down. Forward and up.
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Politics, Perception, Philosophy. And Physics.
Brexit- how might UK science be affected?
Who’s Afraid of a Big Bad Reactor?
Gender Bias and the Effect on Women in Science
The benefits of using social media in science
The Future is Feminist
The Politics, Perception, and Philosophy of Physics (F34PPP)
Is Science really informing government policy?
June 8, 2017 Philip Moriarty
Arianne Weekes.
Most people would agree that government policy should be evidence based, otherwise where do these policies come from? If they are not evidence based then policies may come from the opinions of politicians which are not always held in very high regard by members of the public. The government today is quite proud of its relationship and work with scientists. Professor Beddington who was the government’s chief scientific advisor at the time of this comment said “Whilst we recognise the importance of continuous improvement, the network [between technical/scientific experts and government departments] has never been stronger.”(The Guardian, 29 FEBRUARY 2012)
In order to examine if this is true we can try comparing fairly recent Government decisions to a case from before scientists were known to be involved in much beyond their laboratories.
In a BBC Radio 4 programme How Did We Save the Ozone Layer? (13 NOVEMBER 2016) Helena Merriman stated that CFCs had been in use since early in the 20th century. They were widely used due to their low reactivity, low toxicity and heat absorbing properties. It was known at the time that since they have a long half-life they survive long enough to rise through the atmosphere and up through the ozone layer but it wasn’t known what happened afterwards. When Mario J Molina and Frank Sherwood “Sherry” Rowland discovered that after solar radiation broke down CFCs in the upper atmosphere the resulting chlorine catalytically destroys ozone they published a paper in Nature 249 28 JUNE 1974 and not much happened. Uncommonly for the time, they spread the word outside the scientific community – going to the media and policy makers. The news was picked up by campaigners; even Princess Diana publicly boycotted aerosols. Eventually a hole in the ozone layer was discovered and the campaign was successful to an unprecedented level. A treaty called the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was agreed upon in 1987. It’s still the only treaty to have been ratified by every country.
This result is so topical because recently, about 30 years after the agreement, evidence suggests the ozone layer is repairing itself (SCIENCE 15 JULY 2016: 269-274).
So, after such a massive success for the world thanks to decision makers following scientific advice have things improved on that note?
According to a 2011 report by the Science and Technology Committee Scientific advice and evidence in emergencies the Government does not seek out scientific advice until after events have struck. The committee looked at four case studies: (i) the 2009-10 H1N1 influenza pandemic (swine flu); (ii) the April 2010 volcanic ash disruption; (iii) space weather; and (iv) cyber-attacks. It found that whilst scientists were usually aware and talking about certain dangers in advance, the news didn’t necessarily reach Government until it was sought after due to a crisis. Space weather is an example where an emergency had not yet occurred but Government response was slow to non-existent. At the 2011 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, scientists warned of effects that could cost the world’s economies £1.2tn. However, the Space weather preparedness strategy wasn’t published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills until 2015, 4 years later, and even then it highlights a lack of awareness in key sectors.
This isn’t the only evidence that suggests the government selectively appreciates scientific input. The government can call on many resources to answer questions it may have. During my time working with the Civil Service I learned about a multidisciplinary team that was commissioned through the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (an executive non-departmental public service) to investigate unpredicted cracks that were occurring in the graphite cores of British nuclear reactors. Other countries use different materials so there was no literature on the phenomena before this team studied it. The findings were used to check estimates for the lifetimes of nuclear stations such as Hinckley Point B.
The previous examples suggest the modern government can be trusted to call upon scientific knowledge when it feels it is necessary and to act upon the advice of experts. The government’s former chief drug advisor, Professor David Nutt, had a different experience. The Home Secretary in 2009 asked Nutt to resign as chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs after the professor publicly opposed the government’s decision to “crack down on all illegal substances” a move that included the reclassification of cannabis, leading to harsher penalties. Nutt had published a paper which claimed that alcohol and tobacco were more harmful than many illegal drugs. Nutt’s resignation lead to several more and Richard Garside (director of the centre for crime and justice) said he found the paper insightful and that “The home secretary’s action is a bad day for science and a bad day for the cause of evidence-informed policy making.” Both these reactions suggest Nutt had exercised proper scientific rigor and the Home Secretary’s reaction was driven by offense over the public disagreement between scientific advice and government action rather than because Nutt had “damage[d] efforts to give the public clear messages about the dangers of drugs.” as was stated. (The Guardian, 30 OCT 2009)
The above examples are cases of what happens when science is brought to the attention of policy makers in the first place; the Lord Report Role and function of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers published in 2011 found that expert advice was sometimes blocked, dismissed or not sought early enough to influence decisions. According to gov.uk/government/groups (accessed 18 NOVEMBER 2016) the purpose of Chief Scientific Advisors is, amongst other responsibilities, to “provide advice to ministers” and “discuss and facilitate implementation of policy on science, technology, engineering and mathematics”. If this is what happens to advice from experts hired specifically for the purpose, it’s clear a better working relationship between scientists and decision makers must be fostered. Unfortunately, it looks as if sharing scientific knowledge will become more difficult rather than less so. A 2016 New Scientist article Politicians need to unleash science, not muzzle unwelcome truths expresses concern that a new anti-lobbying measure will “muzzle” scientists. This measure takes the form of the clause “The following costs are not Eligible Expenditure: Payments that support activity intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, government or political parties, or attempting to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants, or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action.” (gov.uk/government/news accessed 17 NOVEMBER 2016). The clause was originally conceived to prevent charities using government grants to pay for lobbying activities but the clause encompasses all recipients of government grants, new and renewed. It’s meant to still allow free speech since those who receive government grants are still allowed to “influence legislative or regulatory action” as long as they use money sourced in other ways to do so. Still, it spells disaster for UK researchers who rely on public funding. Can and will the new clause be used to avoid unwelcome truths in the form of public funded hard evidence?
Overall, a fairly dismal picture has been painted. The government apparently can’t be trusted to look at evidence it is presented and when it sees the evidence there’s no way to be sure it won’t be dismissed in anything but the most dire circumstances.
This could be due to the way politicians see science. Scientists deal in evidence, correlations and theories; not so-called hard facts. Perhaps policy makers don’t listen because they hear a scientist say ‘theory’ and think ‘they aren’t sure’. Understanding of scientific language and methods could be introduced as a module within politics courses such as Politics, Philosophy and Economics to educate those who will go on to lead the country. However, although none of the last four Prime Ministers have read a scientific subject at university it’s also true that only one of them studied Politics and it’s unrealistic to enforce such a thing across all the humanities.
But politicians are people too. We can look earlier; if science is understood as a method and not a list of memorised facts about the solar system during compulsory education then maybe we can look forward to a country where our politicians know the value of science and are willing to use it as the important tool it is.
← Does a Physics Mindset Help Towards LGBT+ Inclusivity?
The Case for Open Peer Review, Preprints and Greater Transparency in Scientific Publishing →
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The Russians Are Coming, Again! The new Cold War as farce.
Larry Kummer, Editor Politics 25 October 2018 25 October 2018
Summary: Trump, supported by the Democratic and Republican parties, ramps up a new cold war. Let’s remember the tragedy of first one before we burn away a big chunk of our national income and put the world at risk.
“’Bad’ Russia helps to reaffirm US national identity and visions of exceptionalism and righteousness at a time of escalating domestic crises.”
Available at Amazon.
The Russians Are Coming, Again:
The First Cold War as Tragedy,
the Second as Farce
By Jeremy Kuzmarov and John Marciano.
Monthly Review Press, May 2018, 240 pages.
Review by Ron Ridenour
in the Black Agenda Review.
The US has been waging hot and cold war against Russia for almost a century, wars that are always accompanied by massive lying to the American public.
“To the millions of victims of the Cold War, and those who have struggled valiantly for a lasting friendship between the American and Soviet/Russian people.”
That is authors’ dedication of this scholarly work that should be a text for high school, college and university students in the US and worldwide.
“We write this book as the curtain slowly draws down on the American Empire,” thus opened Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick their monumental historical tome The Untold History of the United States
. (Their book accompanies the 2012 Showtime documentary film in 12 episodes.) This could easily have been the opening sentence of, The Russians are Coming, Again (TRACA).
“US citizens are again being instructed to fear the ‘Russian menace.’”
The book’s title comes from the 1966 Academy Award–winning film The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming
, directed by Norman Jewison, which parodies the Cold War paranoia pervading the US during the war against Vietnam and depicts chaos that seized a small coastal New England town after a Soviet submarine ran aground. The sub-title – “first as tragedy, then as farce” – comes from Karl Marx’ description of history repeating itself.
Half-century after the film was released US citizens are again being instructed to fear the “Russian menace.” Bastions of “objective media outlets” bombard us with such ridiculousness. Why?
Just ask one question. What could Russia gain from being a menace to the world’s mightiest of nations; from interfering in its elections; from threatening war by moving some of their military close to their own borders where they are encircled by US-NATO forces, which spend ten times what Russia does on military might; “menaced” by a president who offered and provided real material assistance for the US war against Afghanistan; by a Russian president who went fishing with the two Bush presidents, a Russian leader who plays the piano and sings “Blueberry Hill”?
“US-NATO forces spend ten times what Russia does on military might.”
The charge of election interference has been accepted by most of the media even though intelligence agencies, whose legitimacy is at one of its lowest points following the weapons of mass destruction lie-debacle in Iraq – released a report so bereft of actual evidence that they could only make an “assessment.” In Deep State jargon that means a “guess.” Forensic specialists working with dissenting intelligence veterans asserted that the hack on the email server of the Democratic National Committee chairman was the result of a leak by someone on the inside carried out in United States eastern time zone.
Much of the book centers on an historical perspective of contemporary U.S.-Russian relations emphasizing how the absence of historical consciousness has resulted in a repetition of past tragedies and farces mainly conducted for economic profit for the massive weapons/war industry.
Here’s a key paragraph at the conclusion of the book emphasizing this theme.
“One clear lesson we can draw from history is that the Russians have more reason to fear us than we have to fear them. We should not be fooled by alarmist claims about Putin and a new Russia imperialism, a form of projecting our own behavior onto someone else…” {as history has shown}.
“The Russians have more reason to fear us than we have to fear them.”
“It was the United States that invaded the Soviet Union – not vice versa. It was the United States that encircled the Soviet Union with military bases during the Cold War and initiated many other provocative policies while intervening aggressively in Third World nations under the pretext of fighting Communism. A study by Ruth Leger Sivard that analyzed 125 military conflicts from 1946 to 1981, 95 percent in the Global South, found ‘Western powers accounting for 79 percent of the interventions, communists for 6 percent.’” “Most of the latter were enacted around their borders with the exception of Cuba, which supported multiple African liberation wars against European colonial powers.”
The foreword of Sivard’s book, World military and social expenditures, 1981
, was written by George F. Kennan , who had been the epitome of a US imperialist war strategist. Late in life, he reversed himself, regretting his policy of “communist containment” which he authored under President Truman. Kennan is but one of thousands of key military, intelligence/covert operatives, and close presidential advisors/secretaries who have come over to the side of truth and peace. Many of those people are key protestors of the current war hysteria: Paul Craig Roberts, William Blum, Jack Matlock, Ramsey Clark, John Stockwell, Ray McGovern.
“The mass media tirelessly demonizes Russia and President Putin, preparing public opinion for war.”
These dissident veterans remind us that it was the United States that expanded NATO toward the Russian border in violation of a 1990 promise not to do so, and meddles in the affairs of nations on Russia’s border, including Ukraine and Georgia. They also oppose overthrowing leaders not totally under US tutelage, like Qaddafi in Libya, Hussein in Iraq, and attempting to remove Assad in Syria – all of which alarms the Russians.
It is the US government that has methodically and chronically interfered in scores of nations’ elections; removing their leaders by murder or invasion. Just read one of William Blum’s books about this sordid record of manufacturing “democracy” for those it wishes to rule.
“Russia has a checkered past as a nation as do we,” write the authors, “however, it has never intervened militarily in Mexico or Canada, funneled expansive military aid to them, tried to manipulate their politics,” as the US has done and does to Russia’s neighbors.
Here is but one of many examples the authors provide readers about how unfair and imbalanced the US media are about US and Russian politics.
“The United States expanded NATO toward the Russian border in violation of a 1990 promise not to do so.”
“The mass media tirelessly demonizes Russia and President Putin, preparing public opinion for war while ignoring or belittling the few peace activists in the US. For example: according to Edward S. Herman, the Times from January 1 to March 21, 2014, had twenty-three articles on the Pussy Riot group to signify alleged Russian limits on free speech, and gave one member of the group op-ed space to denounce Putin. The group had been arrested after disrupting a church service and were given a two-year sentence. Around the same time, eighty-four-year-old Sister Megan Rice was given a [three-year] jail sentence for protesting a nuclear weapons site in Tennessee, but she was mentioned only in the back pages and not given an opportunity to publish an op-ed. {And also this when convicted, this when sentenced, this op-ed, and this when the conviction was overturned.} Nor could she meet with the Times editorial board as Pussy Riot did.” She, and two comrade activists, served two years before release in 2014.
The first chapter of TRACA discusses the new Cold War, with a focus on the Russophobic discourse and demonization of Putin in the New York Times and its political implications. The second chapter goes back to when the Franklin Pierce administration sent a military delegation to assist Russia during the Crimean War (ironically enough), and Russia returned the favor by sending a naval fleet as a signal to Britain and France to not intervene militarily on behalf of the Confederacy in the U.S. Civil War. Half a century later (1918-20), the unprovoked U.S. invaded the new Soviet Russia without the consent of Congress.
“US and British troops pioneered the use of nerve gas.”
The US military commander in Siberia, William S. Graves, considered the invasion a violation of Russia’s sovereignty. Graves also denounced horrible atrocities conducted by both US forces and allies in the Russian White Army. Among those killed were former members of the constituent assembly, railroad workers who had struck for higher wages, and at least two thousand Jews.
In that war US and British troops pioneered the use of nerve gas designed to incapacitate and demoralize the Red Army.
Editor’s note: nerve gases were invented in 1936 by chemists in Germany. See Wikipedia. In 1919, the Brits used poison gases against Bolshevik forces in Russia. I have seen no claims that the US did so. In 1921 the Soviet Union used chemical weapons to suppress the peasants in the Tamboy Rebellion.
In the United States, critics of the intervention were prosecuted under the Alien and Sedition Acts that made it a crime to “willfully utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous or abusive language about the U.S. form of government, constitution, military or naval force or flag.” So Much for Freedom of Speech!
The book also shows how the Russian army and people were the actual victors of WWII. Less than half-a-million US forces lost their lives compared to 27 million Russians and other Soviet people, about half of all deaths in the war.
In February 1942, General Douglass MacArthur, who later was willing to invade “red” China and use nuclear weapons, said of the Russian military, “I observed such effective resistance to the heaviest blows of a hitherto undefeated enemy, followed by a smashing counterattack which is driving the enemy back to his own land. The scale and grandeur of this effort marks it as the greatest military achievement in all history.”
The next four chapters provide a panoramic history of the first Cold War, showing how it was an avoidable tragedy.
“NATO chiefs tellingly concluded in 1950 that the Soviet armed forces had not increased since the end of the Second World War, and there were no serious ‘indications that the USSR is preparing for [war against the West].’ General Albert Greunther, Eisenhower’s Chief of Staff in Europe, stated that Soviet ‘industrial production [was] not geared to an all-out war,’” wrote the authors.
“Third World nations suffered from proxy wars and regime change operations.”
Kuzmarov and Marciano conclude that it was “the imperatives of class rule that drove the United States to expand its hegemony worldwide,the warping of the American political economy through excessive military spending, [and caused] the purges and witch hunts, and the Cold War’s adverse effect on the black community and unions.”
The final chapter delves into the Cold War’s effect on Third World nations, which suffered from proxy wars and regime change operations. The era’s victims and dissidents are spotlighted, and it is hoped that their “wisdom and courage may yet inspire a new generation of radicals.”
Again, the authors cite the rabid anti-communist General MacArthur, of all people, who asserted that during the Cold War …
“Our swollen budgets constantly have been misrepresented to the public. Our government has kept kept us in a perpetual state of fear – kept us in a perpetual stampede of patriotic fervor – with the cry of a grave national emergency. Always there has been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it by furnishing the exorbitant funds demanded. Yet, in retrospect, these disasters seem never to have happened, seem never to have been quite real.”
From his speech at the Annual Stockholders Meeting of Sperry Rand Corporation (30 July 1957),
“There has always been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up.”
The Cold War was started by Winston Churchill and Harry Truman despite having no fear of any Soviet military threat. General Walter Bedell Smith became the Central Intelligence Agency’s second director (1950-3). He had been General Dwight Eisenhower’s chief of staff and Truman’s ambassador to the Soviet Union. He was so confident that the Soviets would not “undertake a deliberate military attack on …our concentrations of aircraft at Wiesbaden [Germany]” that he would “not hesitate to go there and sit on the field myself.”
The authors’ conclusion about the Cold War: “As brutal a leader as he was, Stalin cannot be held singularly responsible for starting the Cold War if we consider that the US controlled more than 2,000 bases and 30,000 military installations at the end of the Second World War, virtually encircling the Soviet Union.” Add to that the USSR was totally impoverished, bankrupted and shattered by Nazi genocide.
“US Cold War further waged ‘limited wars’ in Korea and Vietnam where it splashed oceans of napalm, defoliated the landscape, killed millions of civilians, supported drug trafficking proxies in Southeast Asia and Latin America, and unleashed chemical and likely biological warfare, while training repressive police forces in dozens of countries.
“The Cold War was started by Winston Churchill and Harry Truman despite having no fear of any Soviet military threat.”
“The Cold War also devastated communities of leftists and activists in the United States as a result of McCarthyite witch hunts, eroding the prospects for social democracy and included the warping of the US political economy and development of a permanent warfare state; the corruption of science, US universities, and the media; victimization of blacks; and the abuse of civil liberties…and its lingering effects on US political culture, which can be seen in the hysteria about Putin.”
So what did the US get out of the Cold War? “Enormous profits for military contractors like Lockheed, Boeing, General Dynamics, General Electric, Chrysler, and Hughes Aircraft. These corporations employed legions of former army officers, spent millions of dollars in lobbying, and increasingly financed the political campaigns of candidates from both major parties. US taxpayers were the ones who got fleeced. A 1959 congressional probe led by F. Edward Hébert (D-LA), a Southern conservative Democrat, found that major military contractors had defrauded the government of millions of dollars by pocketing excess profits and charging unnecessary overhead for no-bid contracts. They were given blank checks to produce weapons systems that often-proved to be faulty.” That criminal behavior continues today.
“The US killed millions of civilians and supported drug trafficking proxies in Southeast Asia.”
What did the people get? About 20% are poor and many suffer mal-nutrition. Americans rank number 18 in infant mortality. The nation’s infrastructure is in ruins, the schools are imprisoning students who learn far less than most other industrialized nations’ students. The blockaded and attacked small nation of Cuba has better health care and educational benefits than does the richest nation and greatest aggressor in the world.
Trillions of dollars the people could have benefited from pay for murderous projects like Operation Paperclip, which left a legacy of “ballistic missiles, Sarin gas cluster bombs, underground bunkers, space capsules and weaponized bubonic plague.” Eight of the scientists had worked directly with Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, or Herman Goering, ten were part of the Nazi storm troopers. Six stood trial at Nuremburg …. The best-known Paperclip scientist was Werner von Braun, who was instrumental to the development of guided missiles and the U.S. space program.
These operations also included [the CIA and] US army’s biological weapons program at Fort Detrick, Maryland, which led to the creation of anthrax, pest-laden bombs, and herbicides like Agent Orange, which resulted in birth deformities, cancers, and environmental damage in Southeast Asia… and Operation MK-ULTRA sponsored research in the behavioral sciences.” The CIA helped to place Nazi scientists in universities, which also trained secret police in Vietnam.
“Cuba has better health care and educational benefits than does the richest nation and greatest aggressor in the world.”
Under the mad illogic of the Cold War, the United States developed a nuclear stockpile of 22,229 warheads (or 10,948 megatons of TNT) by 1961 compared to 3,320 Soviet warheads (3,420 megatons of TNT). In 1954, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) put forth a plan to attack the Soviet Union with hundreds of bombs, turning it into “a smoking, radiating ruin at the end of two hours.” “The plan involved killing 80 percent of the population in 118 major cities, or 60 million people.” “That same year the United States began to place nuclear weapons in Europe…a clear provocation and threat from the Soviet point of view, one that ignited their own escalation of the arms race.”
The Cold War ideology intertwined with the racist McCarthyism of the times. Key African American leaders for equality, justice and peace were demonized by it – W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, Martin Luther King.The Establishment even cajoled some black spokespersons to condemn these heroic fighters for justice, and this atmosphere aided in the assassination of King.
In the 1980s, the most popular president in US history, Ronald Reagan, was the circus master of internal conflicts throughout Central America where he backed gruesome dictators and militarists who massacred and tortured hundreds of thousands of people.
“The CIA helped to place Nazi scientists in universities.”
Reagan’s administration supplied over $100 million in weapons to Nicaraguan counter-revolutionaries, whom Reagan dubbed as “freedom fighters” in the style of the American founding fathers. In January 1984, CIA agent Duane Clarridge inaugurated a program to mine Nicaragua’s harbors. Two Nicaraguans were killed and fifteen sailors were injured. The World Court condemned the US for mining the harbor in Managua, which caused death and destruction. Its verdict was ignored just as was the verdict that Reagan had sponsored the Iran-Contra crime and defied his own Congress that prohibited military support to the Contras. That “patriotic operation” included sending weapons to Iran, which was at war with Iraq, and the US was allied with Iraq.
The crimes of the Cold War are too long for any book review, but the authors do their best to re-reveal them. They point out that during the first Cold War, “the Soviet Union was a perfect foil for the United States because the absence of political freedom could be played up for propaganda purposes. The true danger, however, was that communism represented an alternative to capitalist industrialization, structured around a command economy, attractive to Third World nations that equated capitalism with colonialism.”
“W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, Martin Luther King were demonized.”
“Putin’s Russia fulfills a similar function in US demonology…[bad] Russia helps to reaffirm US national identity and visions of exceptionalism and righteousness at a time of escalating domestic crises, and helps rationalize the expansion of NATO and maintenance of huge military budgets. The result is that we are again threatened with the outbreak of a Third World War, with the United States again bearing considerable responsibility.”
Without a movement supporting the sovereign rights of Russia and all nations, US politicians and the mass media hypnotize ordinary people with the false slogans that the US fights for democracy, i.e. majority rule. A June 2017 Pew Research Center poll found that 87% of Russians have confidence in Putin; 58% of Russians say they are satisfied with their country’s direction. The New York Times, however, depicts Putin as a new Tsar, a threat to global stability.
So much for majority rule!
Kuzmarov and Marciano point out that the masses of Russians appreciate their elected leader because he turned the country back to them after the Yeltsin-Clinton plundering. “After the collapse of the Soviet Union, GDP in Russia plunged by 40%, people lost their social benefits, 75% were plunged into poverty, longevity for men dropped to about fifty-seven years and disease epidemics revived. The 1990s was a horrible decade, though the New York Times extolled Boris Yeltsin as a “key defender of Russia’s hard-won democratic reforms” and “enormous asset for the U.S.’” Today, economic and social conditions have greatly improved.
“Eighty-seven percent of Russians have confidence in Putin.”
The authors provide a wonderful index. They are meticulous in documenting how establishment politicians and militarists are recreating the Red Scare witch-hunt of the 40s – 50s. One of numerous ironies is that its early advocates were Republican Party hawks such as Senator Joe McCarthy and his chief aide Roy Cohn. The right-wing fanatic Cohn was also a key player in the murder of the heroes Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Then he became a loyal friend and lawyer of Donald Trump.
This “gay homophobe, the anti-Semitic Jew, the self-serving, self-loathing one-time chief counsel and henchman of red-baiting Senator Joe McCarthy of 1950s infamy …got Trump his tax breaks for Trump Tower. ‘Donald calls me 15 to 20 times a day,’ Cohn said in 1980 to reporter Marie Brenner,” so wrote Michael Kruse for Politico Magazine .
Today, the loudest of new Red Scare proponents are Democratic Party spokespeople and their comrades in the military, the Deep State and the media. Repeating history as a farce, the rekindled Cold War atmosphere makes those who explain Putin’s truly benign motives are subjected to neo-McCarthyite attacks.
“Sanders supports Clinton, the Democratic Party and Russiaphobia.”
The one bone I must pick with the authors is their placement of Bernie Sanders in the same category with protestors against this new Cold War scenario. They write:
“As the Bernie Sanders campaign, Occupy Wall Street, and spinoffs like the Democracy Spring movement have reminded us, the priorities of US government elites in both the Republican and Democratic parties are not the same as those of the public at large. Greedy, ideologically driven plutocrats want open markets, control of world resources, and access to military bases that could enable the extension of corporate interests, power, and U.S. hegemony. The public at large wants peace, security, a healthy environment, and access to good jobs, which plutocratic interests threaten at every turn.”
Bernie Sanders, however, is no different than other Cold Warriors. He has backed all the establishment wars for decades. He only voted against the Iraq war but then voted for funding it. Sanders supports Clinton, the Democratic Party and Russiaphobia. The first priority of every person who wishes to live in a peaceful world with justice and equality is to oppose wars of aggression for domination and profit.
I concur with the authors’ final words: “We believe that our only hope remains the development of a citizens’ campaign for peace and justice along the lines of the anti-Vietnam War movement, one capable of restoring some sanity to our foreign policy. We must do everything in our power to try to stop the new Cold War, which threatens even more damage to humanity than the first one, started by Woodrow Wilson following the Russian Revolution and extended by Harry S. Truman & Co.”
From Ron Ridenour’s bio on his website, which also has links to his articles, books, poems, and short stories. He joined the Communist Party in 1964, he left after the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
“Journalist-author-editor-activist for peace and equality is how I descirbe {sic} my life. I have written for the mass media until blacklisted, for the underground and now for social media. I have written nine books plus co-authored three.
“Born in the ‘devil’s own country’ of a WASP military career father, I sought the ‘American Dream’ until I entered the Air Force, in 1956, to fight the ‘commies’. Here, I witnessed approved segregated barracks in the Yankee base it established in Japan, and imposition of racism in Japanese establishments. I protested and was tortured by my white ‘compatriots’. This, and the fact that we had orders to shoot down any Soviet aircraft over ‘our’ territory in Japan – which never appeared – while we flew spy planes over the Soviet Union daily, led me to question American ‘morality’.
“The first time I exercised my democratic right to demonstrate was in Los Angeles, where I protested with others the Yankee invasion of Cuba, at the Bay of Pigs. Cuba’s revolution, and my hate for racism, led me to become a radical then a revolutionary.”
He has written 13 books. His latest is The Russian Peace Threat: Pentagon on Alert
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Let’s stop the 2-minute hate on Putin & think before we reignite the Cold War.
How the world looks from Russia. It’s a picture the US media don’t show.
The first rule of American war is not to believe what we’re told.
Notes from the Victory Parade in Moscow about our amnesia, & peace.
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Learning from the Cold War to prevent war with Russia today.
A timely book about our government’s latest big con
The Russian Peace Threat: Pentagon on Alert
By Ron Ridenour (2018).
From the publisher.
“This is a true historical page-turner, is destined to endure and inform future readers, writers and researchers about both what has been reported – mainly malicious propaganda – and what truly took place in the one hundred years from the 1917 Russian Revolution until the eruption of the distinct harbingers of the collapse of the US empire in the early twenty-first century. Events often just seem to happen, caught up in the swirl of history. But still, we try to interpret them and to understand. And then, in many cases, take a stand for or against.
“Understanding is like discovering a new world, like converting to a new faith. Revolt invades your life and everything is different from what it once was. Ridenour’s book helps us along the way to first remembering the historical facts so that we can then understand.
“His new work documents clearly facts about the early years of the Soviet Union’s relations with the West, its difficult steps toward socio-political maturity and Communism, and its enormous sacrifices along the way: its defeat of Western intervention during the revolutionary and civil war period; its regulation of state economic planning and the reforms required for the industrialization of the nation; its defeat of the German Nazi military juggernaut at the gates of Russia’s major cities and the coup de grace in the ferocious battle in Stalingrad, defeating German invaders and crushing Nazi Germany before the USA even entered the war; and finally the arduous salvation of Russia after the collapse of the USSR under US post-WWII economic firepower and the most treacherous anti-Russian policies since the early 1900s. Those Western policies continue to determine US-Russian relations today.
“Throughout this long work Ridenour recalls and clarifies diverse significant historical details, obscured by time and by Western propaganda, facts that are so easily forgotten or that were never learned: such ignored truths as the importance of the USSR in the defeat of Japan in WWII and the timing of the US use of the atomic bomb in Japan. Not many people are aware of the extent of the destruction of many Japanese cities which the author details here. He points out that the Soviet Union kept its word to help the United States by its intervention against Japan, the decisive reason why Japan was defeated even before the atomic bombs fell.
“A stunning but little known fact is that in response to the Russians’ sacrifice the Anglo-American leaders – first Churchill and later Truman – were hatching Operation Unthinkable and Operation Pincher to launch a surprise war against Soviet forces in Europe. These military plots included the potential use of nuclear bombs. This is a book that no well-informed Western reader should be without, especially those inhabiting the homeland of the new empire, the dangerously brainwashed United States.”
Published 25 October 2018 25 October 2018
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11 thoughts on “The Russians Are Coming, Again! The new Cold War as farce.”
SF says:
But how else will we prove ourselves Strong?
In my old age I expect to see some interesting historical analyses of the fetishization of the military in the USA. Hopefully they will be written in English instead of Chinese…
The Man Who Laughs says:
25 October 2018 at 8:57 am
Dear God. Nerve gas wasn’t even invented until 1936.
I have no use whatsoever for Cold War II, but these people are loons.
Larry Kummer, Editor says:
The Man,
(1) “Nerve gas wasn’t even invented until 1936.”
Good catch! I missed that, and will add a note. Everyone who writes much knows that these kind of errors – about technical matters outside the author’s knowledge base – are inevitable. Professional outfits – who produce material that you pay to read – have fact-checkers. And some still appear in print.
(2) “I have no use whatsoever for Cold War II, but these people are loons.”
It’s fun to see how people seize on errors in tiny (usually irrelevant) technical details as a way to screen their minds — and minimize cognitive dissonance. In plain language, to avoid having to think. This is a classic example!
The Buzzard's Roost ... Ready for a Road Kill Roundup says:
Seasoned activist, leftist, apologist (see http://ronridenour.com/about.htm) Ron Ridenour quotes the following from the book.
“The authors’ conclusion about the Cold War: ‘As brutal a leader as he was, Stalin cannot be held singularly responsible for starting the Cold War if we consider that the US controlled more than 2,000 bases and 30,000 military installations at the end of the Second World War, virtually encircling the Soviet Union.’ Add to that the USSR was totally impoverished, bankrupted and shattered by Nazi genocide.”
Ridenour should have lingered longer on Stalin. See “Excess mortality in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin” here https://goo.gl/GR8Qb1 The estimates vary wildly/widely from 3 million, 9 million or sometimes 20 million. Of course the juxtapositions of “US … encircling the Soviet Union ….” and the statements about impoverishment are calculated by apologist Ridenour to ameliorate and deflect from the fact of the essential evil that was the Soviet threat to the Globe in those times.
IMO Ridenour is a flamed out old flake who has worked overtime to beef up his personal resume and credit himself an informed grasp of things as they were in the 1950s in Japan. I have another perspective to lend to Japan’s defense and the Cold War in the 1950s after having personally been on the cusp of it and literally, personally flying into the eye of the radioactivity of those times.
Ridenour puffs away with, “Before I understood the essence of US imperialism, I joined the US Air Force, at 17, to fight the Soviet “commies” when they occupied Hungary, in 1956. Posted to a radar site in Japan, I witnessed approved segregated barracks at the Yankee base, and the imposition of racism in Japanese establishments. I protested and was tortured by my white “compatriots”, who held me down naked, sprayed DDT aflame on my pubic hairs, and held me under snow. This, and the fact that we had orders to shoot down any Soviet aircraft over “our” territory in Japan—which never appeared—while we flew spy planes over the Soviet Union daily, led me to question American values.”
Are we to get weepy about his being held down and sprayed with DDT? He must have been someone’s pain the in the ass to merit such treatment. So at 17, 18, or 19 he was most likely an enlisted Airman with access to not much more than Secret information on a strict need to know basis only. Yet he purports to be a real fighter who shot down Soviet aircraft and flew spy planes over the Soviet Union daily. Of course to the discriminating reader, his statements could be passed off as seemingly innocent hyperbole, but to the uninformed reader, they resonate with authority and credibility. In fact, they are self aggrandizing bull shit.
So Ole’ Maxiumus, we take no issue with the abhorrence of resuming a Cold War confrontation with Russia. We take no issue with the contention that we’ve historically misbehaved around the Globe masquerading as a free Nation all-the-while … for example … reportedly incarcerating our own citizens at numbers exceeding even the most evil of totalitarian states. We could go on “ad nauseam” with a list of our own shortcomings.
We do take issue, however, with the likes of the use of Ron Ridenour as a standard bearer for anything more than the clapped-out old activist, leftist, apologist that he is.
s/ Wayne Wickizer The Ole’ Buzzard
25 October 2018 at 12:45 pm
“Ridenour should have lingered longer on Stalin.”
That’s a category error, the fast track to cognitive errors. That Stalin was a bad guy is irrelevant to the specific question of responsibility for starting the cold war.
“Ridenour is a flamed out old flake”
I recommend that people stop reading comments and articles when they hit ad hominems like that. People who have logic and facts on their side don’t need to waste our time with such fluff. That works with your comment. I see no rebuttals to what he said, just ranting.
Bill Occam (@drbilloccam) says:
Hi Larry,
The brilliance of the Russian interference in the election propaganda campaign is that it has made Russiaphobia thoroughly bipartisan. If MbS wants to wriggle out of this Khashoggi mess, he should get his friend Tom Friedman from his New York Times bully pulpit to say the Russians set him up. No other allegation of Russian wrongdoing has needed a shred of evidence, and every allegation of Russian perfidy and sabotage has been gobbled up hook, line, and sinker by left, right, and center.
Consider the Skripal affair. Here’s an elderly double agent who served time in Russia for his treason and had been living peaceably in England for years. Why whack him now? And why smear a nerve agent on a door handle on a rainy day? And if the stuff is so damned deadly, why is he and his daughter still alive? These are the same people that beat the Wehrmacht in the field; I think they could find a guy who could, say, knife Skripal to death — you know, actually kill him — take his wallet, and make it look like a mugging, however improbable that might be in his neighborhood in Salisbury. Of course, I don’t know what happened, but I do know that the mainstream reporting has been an uncritical parroting of the government line and completely devoid of any evidence at all.
In Syria, the supporter of the secular, multi-ethnic state defending itself from a Saudi-backed, al Qaeda affiliated terrorist rabble is Russia. The US is backing Jabhat al Nusra and friends, al Qaeda affiliates and offshoots with the same objective as ISIL/ISIS/Daesh, just with different timelines. The US has some experience toppling Baathist strongmen sitting on top of multi-ethnic societies in the Middle East, but we don’t seem to learn from it, or our adventures in places like Nicaragua and El Salvador.
It’s interesting to see that the Cheney/Bush/Project for a New American Century foreign policy became that of Obama and is firmly ensconced in the Clintonian/establishment wing of the Democratic party as it is also, identically in the McCain/Graham/establishment wing of the Republican party. Neocons can live comfortably in either camp these days where the invasion of Iraq is no longer a mistake but a shining exemplar of righteous muscular American exceptionalism. No conspiracy here — it’s exuberant in its plain sight when Rachael Maddow and John Bolton see eye to eye on Russia. Bipartisan blood lust for a new Cold War.
I agree with your comment about the oddities of US foreign policy. I look at it and see an iceberg, with 80% hidden from view – about which we can only guess.
“The brilliance of the Russian interference in the election propaganda campaign”
I suspect you are being sarcastic, but that’s an important subject – a tremendous successful propaganda campaign by the folks running America. That is, what Russian interference? Estimates vary, but most estimates I’ve seen are an equivalent cost of about $100 thousands (close order of magnitude). Total spending on the 2016 elections was $6.5 billion. So the Russian “interference” was equivalent to very roughly two-millions of the total spending.
Also, the examples shown have no theme. It’s not evidence how this is “interference.” Most likely, the Russians were probling — seeing how social media works, and how Americans react to messages. Standard intel stuff since WWII.
My use of brilliance wasn’t meant as sarcasm or praise, but as (perhaps poorly worded) recognition of how truly decisive and effective the campaign has been. Of course, in the dissident and alternative press folks roll their eyes at 99.9% of the Russia propaganda, but when you’re getting the same line from Rachael Maddow and Max Boot and David Welna (and…), well that spectrum covers a lot of people that don’t have the time and interest to dig (alas). Sadly, some of my friends are so wound up by Trump bristle at even questioning the narrative. I’ve seen the same order of magnitude 100s of thouands for what the Russians spent (and I suspect your assessment is correct about probing/understanding), but when I brought that up and compared it to HRC/DNC’s near-billion dollar war chest and the billions spent, they’ll have none of it. I keep harping on Maddow because she’s the primary source for “proof” by many of my MSNBC-leaning/watching friends. Confirmation bias is a powerful thing.
The iceberg metaphor is apt!
I’ll leave you with this from the iconic Donald Rumsfeld:
Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.
There is no evidence of a Russian campaign to interfere with the election, let alone one with the intent to produce the current Russia-phobia. So it didn’t exist and wasn’t brilliant.
Loons I sez, My cognition has no dissonance whatsoever. There’s a lot more than just the bit about the nerve gas that’s wrong here, but whatever. One point I will expand on:
I don’t think these people see themselves as preparing public opinion for war. Which is not to say they might not blunder their way into one given half a chance. A lot of the hostility to Russia is rooted in domestic politics. (Which does not, mind you, make it any less dangerous) I don’t think they have any intention of going to war with Russia, but if we muck about in their near abroad and make a sufficient nuisance of ourselves some very bad things might happen.
Just for the record, I’m going to have to re-watch that movie. Alan Arkin was at the top of his game in that one.
(1) “I don’t think these people see themselves as preparing public opinion for war.”
That’s absurd. The word “war” — like so many words today — have been expanded far beyond the earlier (I won’t say “original”) intent. War on Cancer, War on poverty, fourth generation War referring to pretty much every kind of social conflict, etc.
The obvious meaning by the author is “cold war”, as is explained at great length in text. Assuming the author means “preparing for the end of life in WWIII” is silly (and that’s being generous).
If that’s your justification for calling the author a “loon”, I’m sticking with my original comment. You have your mental deflectors on full power, determined not to think — and instead coming up with pretty daft rebuttals.
(2) “A lot of the hostility to Russia is rooted in domestic politics.”
That does not come close to explaining US foreign policy in the cold war or now. Many, perhaps most, of those foreign interventions had little public support — hence the need to build some support thru intensive propaganda barrages. The author explains this at great length. Did you read the essay?
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Helping slappers learn to stay in on the plate
Converting a right-handed hitter into a lefty slapper has any number of challenges — not the least of which is it’s awkward as all get-out. To get some small measure of just how tough it is to make that move, take one day and do everything with your opposite hand — eat, write, deal cards, whatever.
Now picture that in addition to those things you’re doing them while moving, and while whatever it is you’re trying to do is moving too. Hey, hitting is tough enough. But doing it opposite-handed while running toward the pitcher? That’s just nuts.
Yet it can be worth all the effort, because a girl who can put the ball in play and get up the line fast enough to put pressure on the defense is highly valuable. After all, as Coach Candrea says, speed never has a slump.
So yes, there are lots of good reasons to do it. But it takes a lot more than just moving the hitter across the plate and saying “watch how Natasha Watley does it.”
One of the toughest parts is learning to keep the shoulders closed toward the plate so the hitter can drive the ball toward the left side of the infield. That’s important, of course, to make the throw take longer and give the hitter the best chance of getting on base. But after taking the crossover step, especially for a righty that is being converted over, it’s very natural to turn the shoulders along with the hips as shown in the first video. When that happens, the hitter is far more likely to pull the ball to the right or hit it back at the pitcher than to drive it to the left.
You can tell her to keep her shoulders in, but that’s easier said than done. So here’s a more specific instruction. Tell her that as her left foot crosses over her right, she should pull her left shoulder back. When that occurs (as seen in the second video clip) the shoulders stay closed and she’s in a good position to slap.
It’s simple, but it works!
Posted in Hitting, Short game
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Waving White Flags
Lt. Gen. John Woodward Jr., Air Force director of communications and information, didn't know the trouble he was starting with his crack about the cost of services provided by the Defense Information Systems Agency. It's unclear whether Woodward, speaking during the Air Force Information Technology Conference in Montgomery, Ala., knew that Lt. Gen. Harry Raduege, DISA director, was in the audience. Not the type to let rumor, innuendo or misinformation stand, Raduege used his dinner reception speech that night to bombard Woodward and others with a long list of DISA facts, figures and accomplishments.
For example, the cost of DISA's Defense Switching Network services has dropped 74 percent in the last four years. Calls from the United States to Japan are nearly 24 cents less than commercial rates, and it's nearly 6 cents cheaper to call home from Italy. Within the United States, calls have dropped from 4.6 cents a minute 18 months ago to 2.6 cents a minute today, and the price is still dropping. Raduege kept up his bombardment so long that audience members began good-naturedly waving napkins in the air. Jumper Jubilee
At the same conference, John Gilligan, Air Force deputy chief information officer, said that the service's Global Strike Task Force (GSTF) concept is gaining acceptance. Gen. John Jumper, confirmed to be the next Air Force chief of staff, came up with the task force concept that relies on IT to reduce the number of personnel and amount of equipment deployed to the world's hot spots.
"I have noted that any skepticism in the ranks of the Air Force that might have existed a few months ago about the GSTF seems to have disappeared," Gilligan joked. "Curiously, the enthusiasm for GSTF seems to have risen...in parallel to Gen. Jumper's nomination and confirmation to be the next chief of staff." Keeping Secrets
The government watchdog group OMB Watch is trying to stir up grass-roots resistance to the 2002 Intelligence Authorization Act. The act, which of course is classified, is said to contain language making the leaking of classified material a criminal act. One complaint from critics is that the intelligence agencies classify everything.
Patrice McDermott, an OMB Watch representative, recently sent out a memo urging voters to contact their representatives concerning the bill, similar to the one President Clinton vetoed last year.
In the Aug. 29 message, McDermott wrote that she had hoped that Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), vice chairman of the Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence, would publicly call off Wednesday's hearing on the act, and that the committee's chairman, Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.), would not include the leaks criminalization provision in his chairman's markup of the act. "To date, neither of these has occurred," she wrote.
Beret Delay
The Army just can't get a break. Although 750,000 new, black Army berets have been delivered, soldiers at more than 17 active-duty installations may not get the new headgear until next year.
The original plan called for soldiers to receive the berets by June 14, the Army's birthday. Officials scrapped those plans when critics protested the service's plans to contract with non-U.S. companies.
Further delaying delivery, according to an Army press release, one of two suppliers Bancroft Caps, in Cabot, Ark. had to temporarily halt production. Seems the company was caught using materials from South Africa and Pakistan without an exemption to the Berry Amendment, which gives preference to American-based companies for U.S. government defense procurements.
Intercept something? Send it to antenna@fcw.com.
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The New EA Paradigm 4: Provide-from-Stock
Written by John A. Zachman on Friday, 04 March 2016. Posted in Zachman International
Initially, the customer is willing to accept these limitations... they don’t know any better. But, over long periods of time, 50 or a hundred years, they get frustrated and the drive the manufacturer out of a Job Shop into a Standard Production Environment (mass production) in order to solve the problems. Actually, the problem is the strategy. As long as the strategy is make-to-order... those are the problems. If you want to solve those problems, you have to change the strategy. Provide-from-Stock. Manufacture standard products to inventory before you ever get an order and then when you get an order, deliver the standard product off the shelf. That will fix some of, but not all of, the problems.
Lead time - goes to zero. You deliver the product off the shelf.
Per unit product cost - way down. You spread the engineering, manufacturing engineering, production costs over many products.
Reliability/availability - way up. You reuse the same parts on all the standard products.
Maintenance costs - way down. You can make a profit on the spare parts. In fact, spare parts can be manufactured by Other Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). Generic spare parts - low maintenance costs.
You know the one I left out?... Product flexibility. “You can have any color you want as long as its black”. (Henry Ford) The customer takes the standard product. They change the use of the product to fit the product. You buy a Buick off of the shelf... and you want to haul chickens in it. Well... you haul them in the trunk. What you don’t do is, you don’t reverse engineer the Buick into parts and then re-engineer it into a Toyota pick up truck! That will take longer and cost more. You would be better off going to a job shop and getting them to custom build a pick-up truck for you than to reverse engineer a standard product into parts and re-engineer them into a different product!
Changing the strategy from Make-to-Order to Provide-from-Stock fixes a lot of the problems... not all but a lot, BUT, it is a different kind of business. Now you have to have a capital investment in plant, raw material, machine tools, people, operating money... you have to have product forecasting because you don’t want to manufacture finished goods that the market won’t buy. You have to have material management because you have a large investment in in-process inventory and finished goods inventory. You have to have production scheduling, quality management, marketing, distribution, product support, and a bunch of other things... BUT, you stay in business.
You have probably already figured out the Data Processing parallel to provide-from-stock... Commercial Off the Shelf Software - COTS. Management says, “why are we building these applications?? Buy them! We get immediate delivery, low per unit product cost, high reliability, low maintenance cost... Buy them... don’t build them!
But, remember... you take the standard product off the shelf. “You can have any color you want as long as it’s black.” You change the use of the product to fit the product... that is, you change the Enterprise to fit the package... don’t start changing the package to fit the Enterprise... if you start changing the package to fit the Enterprise, all the reasons you bought the package will evaporate in about 13 milliseconds! To reverse engineer the package into data elements and instructions and re-engineer it into a different package... it would take longer and cost more. You would be better off to go to your old Data Processing shop and get them to build you a custom application than to take a standard (COTS) application of the shelf and change it into a different application. And, by the way, the moment you touch that COTS application, you own it! The warrantee no longer applies. If the original manufacturer ever changes the application (which they will about every three months) YOU are now responsible for all changes.
So, don’t buy the package unless you have an architectural “fit”... but that presumes that the package has an Architecture... and that you have an Enterprise Architecture to which to compare the package. Otherwise, just do yourself a favor and change the Enterprise to fit the package.
So, you can see the strategy pattern...
“Make-to-Order” ---> “Provide-from Stock”
But... what happens to the supplier when the customer doesn’t know or can’t define the characteristics of the product they want to take delivery on until the moment they want to take delivery? Now what?
...You can’t wait until you get the order to engineer and manufacture the product.
...You can’t anticipate every product that any customer will ever want to take delivery on, the “killer” product, and already have it in stock.
Tags: Enterprise Architecture, John Zachman
John A. Zachman
John A. Zachman is the originator of the “Framework for Enterprise Architecture” (The Zachman Framework™) which has received broad acceptance around the world as an integrative framework, an ontology for descriptive representations for Enterprises. Mr. Zachman is not only known for this work on Enterprise Architecture, but is also known for his early contributions to IBM’s Information Strategy methodology (Business Systems Planning) as well as to their Executive team planning techniques (Intensive Planning).
Mr. Zachman retired from IBM in 1990, having served them for 26 years. He is Founder and Chairman of his own education and consulting business, Zachman International®. He is also the Executive Director of the Federated Enterprise Architecture Certification Institute (The FEAC® Institute) in Washington, D.C., as well as the Chairman of the Zachman Institute™, a non-profit organization devoted to leveraging Zachman International's vast network of professionals and resources to offer services to small businesses and non-profit organizations as they prepare for and experience growth.
Mr. Zachman serves on the Executive Council for Information Management and Technology (ECIMT) of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and on the Advisory Board of the Data Administration Management Association International (DAMA-I) from whom he was awarded the 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award. In August 2015, Mr. Zachman was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for “recognition of his long term impact and contribution to how people think and practice Enterprise Architecture today, leaving his mark on generations to come” by the Global University Alliance and LEADing Practice. He was awarded the 2009 Enterprise Architecture Professional Lifetime Achievement Award from the Center for Advancement of the Enterprise Architecture Profession as well as the 2004 Oakland University, Applied Technology in Business (ATIB), Award for IS Excellence and Innovation. In August 2011, he was awarded the Gen. Colin Powell Public Sector Image Award by the Armed Services Alliance Program. In November 2013 he was acknowledged for Achievement and Excellence for Distinguished Innovative Academic Contribution by the IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society Technical Committees on Enterprise Information Systems and on Enterprise Architecture and Engineering.
Mr. Zachman has been focusing on Enterprise Architecture since 1970 and has written extensively on the subject. He has facilitated innumerable executive team planning sessions. He travels nationally and internationally, teaching and consulting, and is a popular conference speaker, known for his motivating messages on Enterprise Architecture issues. He has spoken to many thousands of enterprise managers and information professionals on every continent.
In addition to his professional activities, Mr. Zachman serves on the Elder Council of the Church on the Way (First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys, California), the Board of Directors of Living Way Ministries, a radio and television ministry of the Church on the Way, the President’s Cabinet of the King’s University, the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Citywide Children’s Christian Choir, the Board of Directors of Heavenworks, an international ministry to the French-speaking world and on the Board of Directors of Native Hope International, a Los Angeles-based ministry to the Native American people.
Prior to joining IBM, Mr. Zachman served as a line officer in the United States Navy and is a retired Commander in the U. S. Naval Reserve. He chaired a panel on "Planning, Development and Maintenance Tools and Methods Integration" for the U. S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. He holds a degree in Chemistry from Northwestern University, has taught at Tufts University, has served on the Board of Councilors for the School of Library and Information Management at the University of Southern California, as a Special Advisor to the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University, on the Advisory Council to the School of Library and Information Management at Dominican University and on the Advisory Board for the Data Resource Management Program at the University of Washington. He has been a Fellow for the College of Business Administration of the University of North Texas and currently is listed in Cambridge Who’s Who.
http://www.zachman.com | http://www.zachman.org
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Former astronaut helps break flight record over poles
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A former astronaut landed back at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Thursday after helping to shatter a pair of records for a round-the-world airplane flight over the North and South poles.
Terry Virts was part of the team whose 46-hour, 39-minute and 38-second polar circumnavigation flight ended where it began. They set the duration and speed records in a Qatar Executive Gulfstream G650ER aircraft.
Their average speed was 535 mph (861 kph).
Dubbed “One More Orbit,” the flight paid homage to next week’s 50th anniversary of humanity’s first moon landing.
Virts’ former space station crewmate, Russian Gennady Padalka, was on the first two legs of the flight. Padalka, the world’s space champ with 879 days in orbit, left during a fueling stop. Virts said in a tweet that the three stops were “NASCAR pit-stop intense.” Each stop lasted less than an hour.
The plane departed from the former space shuttle landing strip Tuesday at 9:32 a.m. — the same liftoff time as Apollo 11’s Saturn V rocket on July 16, 1969. It crossed over the North Pole, stopped in Kazakhstan and then Mauritius, crossed above the South Pole, stopped in Chile, and then returned to Florida.
The speed record, as recognized by the World Air Sports Federation, was last set in 2008. That was 511 mph (823 kph). The “One More Orbit” crew also set a Guinness World Record for flight duration, last set in 1977 in San Francisco at 54 hours. Representatives for both organizations were present for Thursday’s landing.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Hiker missing for a week in California mountains found alive
LA CRESCENTA, Calif. (AP) — A hiker who was missing in the mountains north of Los Angeles for a week was found Saturday and has apparently survived in the wilderness by drinking water from a creek, authorities said.
A helicopter crew found Eugene Jo, 73, in a canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains and hoisted him to safety, Sgt. Greg Taylor with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department said.
The crew flew him to a hospital to be examined.
The Montrose Search and Rescue team tweeted that Jo was “walking and speaking” despite not having had eaten in at least five days. He survived by drinking water from a creek. Temperatures have been mild in the mountains.
Jo was hiking with a group to the 8,000-foot (2,438-meter) summit of Mount Waterman on June 22 when he became separated from them.
Taylor said more than 70 people were searching for him in the mountains Saturday.
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Larry Schwartz, CEO of Aetrex Worldwide, on the company’s unique high-tech approach to building healthy comfort footwear.
Greg Dutter | December 31, 2018
Speaking with Larry Schwartz about Aetrex Worldwide is like a breath of tech air. He’s a unique breed of footwear exec whose priorities as CEO of the Teaneck, NJ-based company have little to do with the everyday tasks involved in the art of shoemaking. Schwartz is not your typical “product guy” who waxes poetic about leather nuances, last shapes, embellishments, etc., etc. And that’s perfectly okay since his brother Evan has capably overseen the company’s footwear design and product development for close to two decades. Meanwhile, his brother Matt oversees sales and business development. Schwartz’s primary responsibilities fall under Aetrex’s tech division, led by its in-store iStep foot-scanning machines and accompanying Albert operating system. He talks excitedly about how Aetrex’s latest software introductions enhance the in-store shopping experience. He cites the growing importance of data analytics in marketing and management, and how it reflects an about-face in the way shoe companies are being run today. He reports proudly that the company has ramped up its recruitment of machine learning and computer vision programmers to keep pace with its expansion in areas like 3D printing and artificial intelligence. It’s all proof that Aetrex is far from a typical comfort footwear company.
“We’ve really become a technology company for health and comfort,” Schwartz says, noting that Aetrex now has 17 people working full-time in its tech development. “We have deep technology talent, which allows us to make products that are very unique in the industry and that retailers really need.” He adds, “I think we have more technology know-how under our roof than any other company in our space under $1 billion in sales. Technology is integral to who we are, and I couldn’t imagine Aetrex without that component. It’s a big part of our story and our future.”
Aetrex’s business model is unique; it also seems immune to market volatility, having registered a profit for 22 straight years. Not even the Retail Apocalypse could prevent Aetrex scoring double-digit growth in 2018. What’s the secret? Schwartz’s answer is appropriately tech speak: “It’s all about execution. If we execute and stay focused, we get better and we grow,” he says. In fact, he views the recent retail disruption as just more of the same. “I don’t see 2018 as being any more difficult than 2012 or 2009,” Schwartz says. “It’s just the new rules of the game—there are different challenges, and business moves much faster. We know that going in, and we have to adapt.”
It helps that Aetrex isn’t living and dying on one revenue stream like many “shoe” manufacturers. About half of the company’s revenue comes from its foot-scanning and Lynco orthotics division. And as retailers embrace the need for meaningful in-store experiences to stay relevant in the online shopping age, Schwartz expects that division to continue to grow. You might even say the market is running toward Aetrex, which wasn’t the case when the company introduced its groundbreaking foot-scanning concept in the mid aughts. “Back then, we had to work hard just to get a meeting,” Schwartz laughs. Not anymore.
On the consumer side, the benefit is straightforward: healthier feet (reducing and eliminating pain) make for happy customers. On the retail side, Aetrex offers experiential shopping, add-on sales, increased dollars per square foot and data analytics capture—all achieved in just 20 square feet of space. “Retailers are doing $3,000 to $4,000 per square foot in sales with our technology,” Schwartz says. “Those are big numbers.” (The retail average, he says, is less than $1,000 per square foot.) What’s more, the data collected—email addresses, phone numbers, sizes and style preferences—can easily be integrated into digital marketing platforms. “That information can provide a big lift to ecommerce efforts,” he says.
Hence, Aetrex’s decision to up the ante on tech efforts with new hires and product launches. This year its new 3D scanning capabilities will roll out. Previously, the iStep scanning device used pressure points to determine fit and health needs in the brand’s over-the-counter orthotics. Beginning this February, the entire foot can be measured and an orthotic will be custom printed (in Austin, TX) based on the type of casual or athletic shoe the customer wants. “It’s a nice model for retailers to add because there’s no inventory,” Schwartz says. The insoles cost $150 (the Albert scanning experience is free) and are delivered in two weeks. What’s more, the machine-learning capabilities will enable retailers to recommend the right shoes/styles based on customers’ foot types and sizes. “They can improve the chance of getting the right fit the first time,” Schwartz says, noting that in one style a customer might be an 11 but in another 11.5. “The technology can determine the best-fitting shoes for your feet. It helps with fit and gives retailers the tools to sell more insoles and orthotics.”
But all this tech talk doesn’t mean Aetrex’s shoes take a backseat. The division devotes an equal amount of attention and investment to making sure the product looks as good as it feels, Schwartz assures. The efforts continue to pay strong dividends—Aetrex’s footwear growth is up “30 percent in 2018.” And the overall design aesthetic has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past 10 years, Schwartz says, yet comfort and health aspects are never compromised. “We’ve just gotten a lot better at developing our shoes, and I think macro trends regarding health and wellness continue to head our way,” he says. “Our formula—our way of providing extra comfort features and technologies in shoes—is the right way for a lot of consumers.”
To say Schwartz is bullish about Aetrex’s future would be an understatement. Besides, he’s a glass-is-full kind of guy. “I feel great about our business. I don’t think we’ve ever been in a better place. We have the best team we’ve ever had, and we continue to grow each year,” he says. “I’m very optimistic for Aetrex heading into this year.” It helps that he is in a good place personally, having recently moved to Manhattan to enjoy life as an empty-nester with a gym right in his building. “I’m in the best shape in a long time and our offices are located five minutes from the George Washington Bridge. I can drive to work in 15 minutes—it’s the shortest commute I’ve ever had!” Another job perk: working alongside his brothers. “I’m so lucky,” Schwartz says. “Having them as business partners and spending so much time together has been a wonderful aspect of all of our lives.”
What is it about the Schwartz brothers and their ability to work so well together?
Certainly, we have differences but in many ways, we’re similar creatures. We’re all very motivated, hard-working and our goals are aligned. Yet we all put the relationship and family first. That’s key. People are often surprised just how close we are outside of work.
Well, 22 straight years of profitability must help with regards to working relationships.
Yes, we haven’t had to go through the stress of difficult times. That certainly helps. I’ve been in the business 27 years, Evan 24 and Matt 14, and I know the three of us want to work together rather than any other way. It’s been a very positive part of our lives. People ask our employees if we ever fight. We argue about sports and politics, and we disagree on some things regarding work on occasion, but we don’t really fight about the business. Of course, we take it very seriously. Aetrex is important to our family, but we also have a responsibility to all the people who work here to make sure it remains a very healthy company. We think we run it the right way.
With so much volatility in this business, what do you attribute Aetrex’s consistency to most?
Discipline and execution. We don’t take shortcuts, and we’re always trying to get better. We’re always trying to make incremental improvements in our business in all areas. We talk a lot about process focus. So instead of projecting numbers five years out, the focus is on improving the small things in our day-to-day to get better. That can include how we execute at a meeting, improving our packaging, products, marketing, etc. It’s a philosophy we instill in all our departments. We’re not always successful, but that’s what we aim for. If you have strong executions and good disciplines, you keep the company moving forward, and that’s what it’s all about.
What was the biggest takeaway of the past year for Aetrex?
The influx of talent that we added to keep up with our continued growth, especially on the technology side. I did over 80 interviews in 2018, and it’s been worth it. I think we now have the strongest team that we’ve ever had. We’ve added computer vision and machine learning programmers as well as people on our footwear side. I think our Fall ’19 line, for the first time, will be as strong in terms of sales as spring. Historically, Aetrex has been known more for spring footwear, but this is the best fall line that we’ve ever had.
What makes the fall line special?
We’ve really focused on our core strengths, which is the technology in our footwear. A lot of what goes into some of our most successful products, like our Flips & Slides program that features built-in arch support and metatarsal cushioning, are going into our fall collection. In general, there’s a lot more technology in the shoes in the form of great health and comfort features. Bob Infantino (former CEO of Rockport and Clarks Companies N.A.) has been consulting for us, and that’s been wonderful. He’s really helped us with the collection. He brings so much experience and knowledge about product. We couldn’t have a better person helping us develop our footwear. He’s also a great leader. There’s a lot we’re learning from Bob.
How would you describe Aetrex—a technology company or a shoe company?
We’re technology for health and comfort, and that comes in the form of foot scanners, shoes and orthotics.
Might it include other products down the road?
Right now, we’re focused on those categories. But why not down the road? The way technology is evolving in 3D and other areas, who knows what the future brings. In the meantime, we’ll be developing technologies to help people get healthier and more comfortable in the footwear and orthotic spaces.
Are consumers willing to suffer for fashion like they once did?
There’s always going to be a place for fashionable high heels, and that’s okay. We provide products for day-to-day wear. There’s plenty of room for both. That’s why we plan to continue in comfort footwear, orthotics and scanning. It’s an integrated approach to help a lot of people, and we’ve done just that for years. Word of mouth is big for us. Nearly all the time we can reduce or eliminate pain. Our technology helps the retailer’s business, but at its core it’s about finding the path to get consumers feeling great on their feet. We say it’s a win-win-win. Instead of the consumer spending $400 or $500 for a custom orthotic that may not be effective, they get a great value, the store gets an add-on sale as well as a more loyal customer, and we get the sale while helping another customer.
Is it fair to say the market is heading toward Aetrex as opposed to you having to “sell” the concept?
It does. There’s certain aspects of the evolving economy and the marketplace that are coming toward Aetrex. While some retailers obviously jumped in earlier, the momentum overall definitely changed last year. We’re getting more and more calls about what we provide. Retailers are realizing they have to offer in-store experiences and services. Particularly, there’s an increasing demand for authentic technology experiences like ours. It’s why, after we sold our Apex medical division a few years ago, we doubled down on technology development and recruitment.
As experiential retail expands, might the brick-and-mortar channel strengthen?
There’s always going to be a place for both. But it’s exciting to see, walking through malls now, more experiences in the stores. There’s more technology available to do that. You can go into a store to buy footwear, have your foot scanned and enjoy a smoothie. I think any retailer that focuses and executes on providing better services, product and experiences can succeed. And while business moves fast and the rules of the game continue to change, there will always be a place for good retailers. Sometimes challenges can lead to creativity that leads to a better products and better experiences for the consumer.
How would you assess the current health of retail overall?
I wouldn’t say it’s the worst ever. Every year presents its own set of adventures, but the economy overall is better than it was from 2009 to 2011. During recessions, retailers usually cut inventory, staff, etc. and that can lead to tougher times. And while there’s legitimate challenges like Amazon and DTC, the fact that the economy has been relatively strong has helped.
What’s your take on DTC, particularly in regard to retailers who view it as direct competition?
DTC is important to us, but it’s only 15 percent of our business as over half needs to be at retail with our foot scanning and interaction with consumers. It’s not as high as a lot of our competitors. That said, it’s critical for a manufacturer to be consumer centric and offer direct access. We do it in a balanced and proportionate way. For example, DTC allows us to clear out discontinued inventory. And like most manufacturers, there are periods when we’re off MAP but we inform our retailers well ahead of time exactly when. As long as you have honest communication and they know what you’ll be doing and when, it’s generally okay. Aetrex, I believe, is considered a very good partner in that way.
What else are you doing to be a good partner?
Everything that we develop is with our retailers in mind. We’re always trying to improve upon the in-store experience. What also makes us a great partner is we provide product with strong margins and turns. Very often you’ll have shoes that turn but have lower margins or vice-versa.
What are your goals for this year?
One is to tell our story better online and through video. That’s something that we didn’t do as well this past year. There’s lots of potential on the marketing side with video, including people in stores using our scanners.
How many stores have iStep scanners currently?
We have over 5,000 scanners active throughout the world. Albert OS is in about 300 locations, and we expect to be in more than 1,000 by the end of this year.
While there’s plenty of runway for growth, what might be Aetrex’s biggest challenges in attaining it?
There’s always challenges. For example, there’s a lot of demand for talent right now, particularly in the New York job market. We have to continue to make Aetrex a great place to work to attract good people. We have a wonderful culture here, which helps. We’ve been able to add about 25 people this past year who are strong on both the marketing and tech development sides. That’s a nice thing about growth; it’s fun to add talent. Another challenge of being in the technology business is it all moves so quickly. It’s exciting but certainly challenging to keep pace. Also, other technology companies can introduce updates that could impact our scanning products, which has happened. There’s never a dull moment in the tech business, but I’m glad we’re in it.
Aetrex is coming at it from a completely different perspective, for sure.
When I first got into this business, chief marketing officers generally came from the creative side. Now people are coming out of MIT with math degrees and are running marketing departments, because everything is about data analytics. Everything can be targeted; it’s a completely different world, and we provide a tool that can enhance that. There’s a tremendous amount of data that we capture for everybody who steps on one of our scanners. Typically, our larger retailers are most excited for the data and our smaller-sized customers are most interested in the add-on sales potential.
It’s more challenging for smaller retailers to compete online. They don’t have the resources to employ a full team on ecommerce and digital marketing where data capture comes more into play. Larger retailers like the fact that, for example, they can capture emails without having to close a sale. Of course, they like the add-on sale aspect, as well.
What are you most proud of with regards to Aetrex?
I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve made millions of products that have helped so many people. Our footwear and orthotics are designed to give people a better life by providing more comfort and health benefits. We’re lucky to be in a business that provides product that makes people feel better in their lives. That feels really good.
What do you love most about Aetrex?
Besides working with Evan and Matt, I love how innovative and entrepreneurial we are. People from any department can come in with a good idea and see it turned into a technology or a shoe. That’s exciting. I think it’s one of the reasons we have a very low turnover.
Where do you envision the company in five years?
We’re trying to build one of the great brands. We hope to be reaching a lot more consumers by being in a lot more stores in five years with our full range of products. The goal is always to build a great company.
What is it about this industry that you love most?
The people. I know that’s a cliché, but there are so many great people and a genuine good-heartedness in our industry. The casual brown shoe space we primarily play in is a big small industry, and when you’ve been in it for a long time you end up making a lot of great friends. At trade shows we’re always excited to see so many friends—many that I know I’ll be friends with when I finally retire.
When might that be?
No time soon.
What was the last movie you saw?
A Star is Born.
Who is the most influential person in fashion right now?
In terms of our overall design and branding, Jony Ive (chief design officer for Apple) remains the gold standard for us. Apple is our biggest
influence for our hardware, software and marketing design.
What is the smartest business decision you’ve ever made?
To make our own hardware and software instead of collaborating with other
companies so that we became a true technology company. Broad collaborations in tech development can make it easy to get to market, but then it’s very difficult to keep up since tech evolves and changes so rapidly.
What may people be surprised to know about you?
There’s probably quite a bit. But let’s go with the fact that, over the past 35 years, I’ve seen Springsteen perform over 100 times.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t question people’s intentions. It’s important and more relevant today than ever in business and life. Good people can have very different perspectives on many issues.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Software coding abilities.
Where is your moment of Zen?
Almost every year I go to Aruba for a week in late December. It’s very therapeutic. I always come back with a clear head and energized to start the new year.
What tops your bucket list?
Gal Gadot. I’m definitely not a climb the Himalayas type.
What is your favorite TV show of all time?
Mad Men, by far.
Favorite meal?
Starting (on Manhattan’s Upper West Side) with the chicken soup at Jacob’s Pickles and then going a few blocks down to Patsy’s for a pizza. It’s not the healthiest meal, but it’s my favorite.
Favorite city?
Sydney, Australia.
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Graveside Service Dearborn MI 48128
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But in the case of seeing "no bones" I think I'd tend to just send back what I got without explanation (and/or investigate what is going on with my equipment!). The prices contained herein are effective as of September 01, 2010 and are subject to change without notice. Ron is the managing funeral director at Gilpin Funeral Chapel. Honoured by his peers for 50 years in the field by the Western Ontario Funeral Service Association on June 22, 2015. Shift work is necessary in funeral homes because evenings and weekends are included. In small funeral homes, operational hours of a mortician differ, but in bigger homes, mortician employees work eight hours a day, and usually five or six days a week. Through all the pain, she never once complained. Instead she cherished every moment on this earth, so that she could spend just one more minute with her loved ones. Meanwhile, Sir Charles William Siemens had developed his regenerative furnace in the 1850s. His furnace operated at a high temperature by using regenerative preheating of fuel and air for combustion In regenerative preheating, the exhaust gases from the furnace are pumped into a chamber containing bricks, where heat is transferred from the gases to the bricks. Graveside Service Dearborn
Souhaitez-vous vous rendre sur l'dition franaise ? Many regions of the world have banned multiple cremations, for example, and the law also usually specifies the required temperature for the furnace as well.
Make sure you're as detailed and specific as you wish and don't let your funeral director pressure you into making choices you don't want to make. the women they meet online. We will discuss this further in the upcoming articles. Dearborn 48128 Only local residents and guests of select hotels nearby have keys that grant them access. Featuring independent shops, bistros and delis, Gramercy Park is a quiet neighborhood in the heart of Manhattan. Funeral Costs are comprised of three basic categories which make up the total funeral account: Casket & Merchandise Selections, Professional Service Charges, and Cash Disbursements (advances paid to outside vendors or service providers on the family's behalf). That was important to Clarence and Dorothy, and it seems to have rubbed off on you guys too.
We are a locally owned and operated full service funeral & cremation provider specializing in offering families the greatest value for their dollars. Choose from a range of optional covers for greater protection However (I know I'm going to sound like DoR Employee), if it was a compliance ticket (ie: exp plates, no city sticker, etc) then why should they be cancelled.
She was actually very touched by the service, and this reinforced her belief that she could continue existing without regretting giving up her life. Pink Hill Funeral Home is a full-service home providing at-need funeral arrangements, pre-need arrangements, cremation, and funeral merchandise. If the person has done something that is worth mentioning, then you have to include that on the note as well. We believe in flexible, sincere and highly personal service that is available day and night, 365 days a year. A funeral service commemorates a life that was lived. The case against David Wayne Sconce, 33, of Pasadena is believed to be the nation's first prosecution of a case in which a person was killed by oleander poisoning, Deputy District Attorney Harvey Giss said. We want to help you during this time. Our goal is to assist you by provide fast and efficient service while providing a quality product. Funeral Sermons, Outlines, Graveside Services Burial, Cremation Funeral Sermon Outlines and Graveside Services Funerals for children, adults, the elderly, Christians and non-christians. Scattering cremated remains does not fit within the guidelines approved by the Bishops. The Muscogee County Coroner's Office has confirmed that a 16-year-old girl has died of gunshot wounds following a shooting Friday morning. UTN donor program allows for each donor to be the underlying support for everyday lives, and there is no upper age limit to donate your body. They must itemize for you all costs associated with the funeral and burial specifying those items where the cost is guaranteed and those items where the price may change. Should public visitation and viewing be requested, the deceased's body is prepared - typically cleaned and dressed with embalming being a possibility. By First Coast News Sun, Jun 19, 2016 10:22 am updated Sun, Jun 19, 2016 10:37 am Thank you for visiting our website. We hope the information contained here will help you learn more about who we are and what we do.
He was born May 8, 1944 in Franklin, Ohio to Ann & Paul Chapman Sr. Surviving are his wife, Vickie E Chapman; Children- Elvis (Ashley) Chapman, Ray (Michelle) Sholler, Marilyn Sholler, Chrissy Sholler, & Marnie Chapman; 13. Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent John C. Metzler, right, and Army Undersecretary Nelson M. Ford, left, view a ceremonial casket that will be Catholic Funeral Dearborn Michigan The best part? This is funeral insurance you can actually afford. The Inuit people of the Arctic region, who have always hunted because agriculture has never been possible on the frozen tundra, are keenly aware of the life and death connection between humans and non-human animals.
Playing a dead person in the creepy thriller "," which opens in theaters Friday, was a painful experience for Christina Ricci. Marsh will be out of prison soon, no later than June 2016, according to the Department of Corrections. His parents still live in the community and some wonder if Marsh will join them upon his release. Be well-informed before prepaying. Ascertain what happens to money you prepay and whether you will be entitled later to a refund of the amount you originally paid. Thus, all other flags also fly at half-staff when the flag of the United States has been ordered to fly at half-staff. Protocol dictates that flags will be flown at half-staff for a period of thirty days for a former president, beginning at the time a presidential proclamation is made effective.
Funeral Home Obituaries Catholic Funeral
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Articles tagged “artwork”
Artist plans exhibition at the summit of Everest
by Kraig Becker on Dec 19, 2010
The Louvre, the Met, and the Hermitage. Without a doubt, three of the most prestigious art galleries in all the world. But if 78-year old artist Ranan Lurie gets his way, you can soon add the summit of Mt. Everest to that list.
Lurie has announced plans to place three acrylic-on-canvas works of art on the 29,029-foot peak. These small pieces are a part of a much larger project consisting of dozens of individual works that has been on display at the United Nations for some time. That project, entitled “Uniting Painting” stretches over 600 feet in length and has been a focus of Lurie’s artistic talents for more than 40 years.
While the details of just exactly how those paintings will get to the summit have not been elaborated on, we can assume that Lurie has commissioned a team of climbers to carry his works to the highest point on the planet when the Everest climbing season gets underway next spring. If all goes according to plan, the world’s highest art exhibition will probably take place sometime around mid-May, 2011.
Lurie hopes that by displaying his art in the High Himalaya, he can send a message to the world about the scope of his works and the uniting message he hopes to convey, which is that no matter what our race, creed, or culture, art is a common denominator.
iheart the Roger Smith Hotel: art salon arrives in Manhattan
by Tom Johansmeyer on Oct 25, 2010
I would not have been surprised to find the likes of Denis Diderot and Jean-Jacques Rousseau sitting across from me Friday night. Reviving a concept only too scarce since the end of the eighteenth century, the Roger Smith Hotel was host to a dinner that centered on the exchange of ideas and the appreciation of art. The creators themselves were in attendance, flanked by friends, admirers and even the lowly folks who sit on the sidelines and chronicle these affairs. In midtown Manhattan, known for flocks of tourists eager to consume the same eye-candy as the previous wave, it was a rare reprieve from the commodity norm.
The arts are important to the Roger Smith Hotel, evident from the Lexington Avenue sidewalk in front of the property. A look inside THE LAB, home to installation and performance art, shows what can be done with a converted storefront to provide intellectual depth and enrichment in a world characterized by the swift progress of passers by, not unlike the 25CPW studio on the Upper West Side and other non-traditional gallery spaces. As you move farther up the street and turn to the main entrance, the interactive display immediately to your right drives the point home. In fact, it was the reason I was at the hotel in the first place.
The inside wall of the Roger Smith Hotel’s entrance changes regularly based on the whim and fancy of anybody who chooses to walk by. Framed magnetic pop art images from the “iheart” project are stacked on the floor when not stuck to the wall, and staff, guests and just about anyone else can pick them up and rearrange them in an attempt to make a point or express a feeling. It’s fun, hands on and expressive. You become a part of the exhibition.
I encountered the iheart project for the first time at New York’s Affordable Art Fair a couple of weeks ago. Entering the ArtWeLove booth, I was struck immediately by the display, which consumed a generous amount of wall space. After talking for a bit with company founder Laurence Lafforgue, I was hooked, and didn’t hesitate to accept her invitation to the iheart dinner at the Roger Smith. Not knowing what to expect, I showed up early (unusual for me) and grabbed a glass of wine and a cigar at the hotel’s rooftop bar with my friend and fellow blogger Laurie DePrete, who introduced me to the Affordable Art Fair in the first place, effectively making the experience to come possible.
The crip autumn air and accompanying glass of white wine provided the perfect frame of mind for the iheart dinner: it was impossible to avoid clarity, openness and a sense of excitement after viewing the city below with the lubricating effects of the vino, of course.
The room had filled in my absence, and upon first inspection, it was evident that a varied crowd would make for a lively and insightful evening. Salient eccentricity made the artists easy to identify, and clusters of conversation indicated which guests were present in support of the creators. Interestingly, the artists were not holding court in these disparate collections of discourse. Rather, their palpable humility made interpretation the main event, as observations tended to trump explanations. Underscoring this dynamic was a video projected on a screen at the front of the room, showing the variations on the front door display that had already come to life … and departed. Punctuating the conversation were pauses to look up, yielding the knowing looks of some and the expressions of awe by others.
With iheart being the guiding theme of the dinner, it followed naturally that the artists in attendance were responsible for variations on the original, having put their own imprimaturs on this spirited concept. In a sense, it was a vast, asynchronous collaboration, involving unique and divergent perspectives that nonetheless came together into a cohesive whole. An international effort representing three continents, a bevy of accents and broad range of experiences came together seamlessly, demonstrating that a shared mission can translate to a spectacular outcome, even without strict and rigid control.
As the meal was served and the table filled with plates, wine glasses and the spoken word shooting to and fro, with the original conversation groups mixing into new pockets of insight on art and art market issues. It was impossible not to share ideas, even while chomping on the pasta served by the hotel, given the diversity sitting elbow-to-elbow. I was particularly excited to speak with Kosuke Fujitaka, co-founder of NY Art Beat, which has an iPhone app listing in granular detail the city’s many (and perhaps otherwise unknown) art exhibitions.
The evening drew to a close, and I again retired to the rooftop bar to smoke a Guillermo Leon Signature cigar, sip my final glass of wine and watch the staff collect the blankets from the chairs (a nice touch for combating the late-night chill) as they wound down, too. The direct exchange of ideas was ending, though it would doubtless continue through the Roger Smith’s interactive exhibition, the online presence of the iheart project and, of course, the collective and separate efforts of the artists and onlookers.
Doubtless, Diderot and Rousseau would have been proud. If slightly divergent from their experiences, the spirit was certainly present, contrasting wildly with the relative mayhem of the streets 16 floors below. ArtWeLove, iheart and the Roger Smith created an experience nearly absent from today’s social lexicon, reviving the art of thinking for its own sake.
[photos by Laurie DePrete]
Airport contraband featured in Lever House Art Exhibition
Go to Manhattan‘s Lever House, and you may see that lighter – or hand grenade – that was taken from you a JFK airport. Through the end of the year, the free exhibition will consist of photographs taken by Taryn Simon of items seized from passengers and mail packages coming into the United States. She spent five days clicking away at more than 1,000 items.
The exhibition, called “Contraband,” includes everything you’d expect to find at JFK: Cuban cigars, pirated DVDs, bongs and hand grenades. Also, there were animal parts and heroin. You’ll have to decide for yourself what’s strangest, but here are MSNBC’s thoughts:
So what’s the strangest thing in Simon’s new “Contraband” show? Hard to say, but the horse sausage and cow manure tooth powder have to be up at the top of the list.
[photo by 16 Miles of String via Flickr]
Santa Claus to seals: 5 California sights worth visiting
by Gadling Staff on Apr 26, 2010
You already know the Southern California’s top tourist attractions by heart. Disneyland. Hollywood. Hearst Castle. Ever wonder what else is out there? Here are five great lesser-known attractions to check out on your next visit to the Golden State.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Wildlife is often entertaining, and you will get more than your money’s worth (it’s free) by making a stop at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Located about seven miles north of San Simeon (site of Hearst Castle) along Highway 1 on the scenic central California coast, the rookery is home to an estimated 15,000 animals, according to Friends of the Elephant Seal.
The seals travel in the open ocean for 8 to 10 months a year, but they head to land at the Rookery to give birth, breed and rest. The site is typically a hive of activity as the animals bark, scratch, crawl, fight, sleep and care for their young. They are funny, sweet and fascinating creatures to watch any time of the year. Parking and entrance to the Rookery are free, and there are plenty of viewpoints from which to enjoy the antics of these strange but wonderful creatures.
Santa Claus Statue
Did you know it’s Christmas all year long in Nyeland Acres, California? You might just miss the area’s very own jolly old St. Nick, unless you know where to look. While cruising down Highway 101 through this area of Ventura County north of Los Angeles you’ll encounter a giant 22-foot-tall statue of Santa Claus resting behind wrought-iron gates off the Rice Avenue exit on South Ventura Boulevard.
For more than 50 years, this SoCal Santa stood atop a candy store in what was then Santa Claus Lane off Highway 101, nearly 30 miles away. After the Christmas-themed attraction closed down, Santa’s future was in jeopardy. In 2003, Mike Barber, president of Garden Acres Mutual Water Co. in Nyeland Acres, took possession of him, and the 5-ton Saint Nick moved to his new digs. The custom wrought-iron gate has Santa’s initials (an “S” and a “C”) in it, and he now has company: a snowman and two soldiers. Although the site is opened by appointment only and on special occasions, you can still come to peer at him behind the gates any day of the year for free.
Santa Paula Murals
The quaint Ventura County town of Santa Paula holds a treasure trove of artwork — all on walls of buildings in the city’s downtown. As the city says, you can “enjoy a Walk Through History” by viewing the nine colorful murals as you stroll through town. Santa Paula’s rich history in aviation, “black gold,” citrus, Chumash Indians, Latino culture and more is represented on the various murals. Best of all: It’s free. Visit SantaPaulaMurals.org for more information, including a map with the murals’ locations.
Nitt Witt House
Chances are you know about Hearst Castle, the opulent mansion built by publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst in the central California coast town of San Simeon. But have you ever heard of the “Poor Man’s Hearst Castle?” That’s the nickname given to the Nitt Witt Ridge home at 881 Hillcrest Drive in Cambria, about 15 minutes away from Hearst’s fancy digs.
The Nitt Witt home, built lovingly out of junk, is the product of Arthur Harold Beal, aka “Captain Nitt Witt” or “Der Tinkerpaw.” Beginning in 1928, Beal spent 50 years building his “castle,” out of such items as toilet bowls, tires, tile, rocks and beer cans. In 1986, the home was named California Historical Landmark No. 939. Today’s owners, Michael and Stacey O’Malley, offer tours of the folk art home. Call 805-927-2690.
Fillmore & Western Railway
Residing in the rural town of Fillmore, north of Los Angeles, is a star of huge proportions. He’s been in more than 400 TV shows, movies and commercials. “He” is the Fillmore & Western Railway, also known as “The Movie Trains.” Just a few of his credits: “Monk,” “Seabiscuit,” “Criminal Minds,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Walk in the Clouds,” “City Slickers II,” “Bugsy” and “Fatal Instinct.” You can ride the rails on this famous train year-round for a myriad of special excursions, such as murder mystery dinner train rides, the Pumpkinliner Halloween journey and the North Pole Express trip. Visit Fillmore & Western’s Web site or call 1-800-773-8724 for ticket reservations. All aboard!
Get more travel news from Gadling’s friends!
AOL’s Mystery Flyer goes undercover to find the friendliest flight attendants and the most helpful service – Aol Travel
Bolivia puts the coke back in cola – Aol News
Best beaches to swing a hammock – Lonely Planet
They Have THAT at the Airport? – Fox Leisure
Stuck on a grounded plane more than 3 hours? You may cost your airline $27,500. – WalletPop
Ventana Inn: A sense of calm in Big Sur – Luxist
[Image credit: Fly for Fun]
Hidden Gem: New York’s temporary art gallery
by Tom Johansmeyer on Mar 15, 2010
I can’t tell you how long the art gallery at 25 Central Park West will be there: even the organizers don’t know. But, it’s worth checking the group’s website if you plan to pass through Manhattan in the next month (or longer, we hope) to make sure the project is still going on. There’s always something amazing happening at this vacant retail space.
I found the 25PW gallery by accident. I was walking down Central Park West last November. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw people inside an empty commercial spot at the corner of Central Park West and W 62nd Street. They were carrying hammers and paintings. So, I checked the door, which wasn’t locked, went inside and met Bess Greenberg, one of the founders of 25CPW, a non-profit that runs all the action inside this art gallery.
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According to Greenberg, 25CPW will be able to keep the space until a tenant comes along and is willing to meet the manager’s asking price (which hasn’t happened yet). In the three months that 25CPW has occupied the space, it has hosted art exhibitions, musical performances and an auction to benefit charitable organizations focused on Afghanistan. A recent show featuring works by the guards at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art attracted the most attention, though every event I’ve attended at 25CPW has been packed.
The fact that there’s now a cool art scene on the Upper West Side alone is worth a visit – this kind of thinking usually happens in other neighborhoods. So, the curiosity factor alone should be enough to put this stop on your itinerary. But, that’s the least of the many reasons to pay a visit to 25CPW. The best is whatever event is being featured on a particular day. They’ve all been fantastic.
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VA-Led Study of Combat Personnel with Brain Injuries Pinpoints Abnormal Brain Waves
May 13, 2019 by News
Dr. Mingxiong Huang prepares to do a MEG brain scan on a ‘healthy control’ who has participated in his neuroimaging research.
A new study funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Navy finds that veterans and service members with a history of combat-related mild traumatic brain injury–compared with those in a control group–have much higher levels of abnormally fast brain waves in a region that plays a key role in consciousness.
The findings appeared in the journal Cerebral Cortex.
Using a neuroimaging process called MEG, the researchers concluded that the fast, or high-frequency, gamma waves were “markedly elevated” in two of the four lobes of the cerebral cortex: the pre-frontal and posterior parietal lobes. Those two lobes affect reasoning, organization, planning, execution, attention, and problem-solving.
Dr. Mingxiong Huang, a physicist at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, led the study. He’s done a series of papers on brain activity in relation to mild TBI and PTSD and is one of VA’s leading investigators using MEG. The neuroimaging tool can detect abnormal waves in specific areas of the brain.
MEG stands for magnetoencephalography. A MEG scanner records magnetic fields created by electrical currents in the brain.
Huang says the abnormally fast gamma waves could cause poorer cognitive functioning.
“The widespread nature and magnitude of the elevated gamma activity in the mild TBI participants was beyond our original expectations,” he says. “We expected more subtle elevation. The marked elevation suggests there is widespread and pronounced injury in neurons of the central nervous system that play a key role in brain circuitry and activity. This finding offers a new and exciting tool for directly assessing the dysfunctional neurons in people with mild TBI and may explain many of their clinical symptoms and cognitive deficits.”
Brain waves are produced by masses of neurons that communicate with each other. Gamma waves are the fastest of brain waves and relate to the simultaneous processing of information from different brain areas. Gamma waves measure between 30 and 80 hertz, with approximately 40 hertz being typical in humans. Hertz, or Hz, is the metric unit of frequency and equals one cycle per second.
Beta waves dominate one’s waking state of consciousness, when attention is directed toward cognitive tasks. Alpha waves are present during quietly flowing thoughts. Theta waves occur most often in sleep when one is dreaming. Finally, delta waves are slow brain waves that are generated in deep meditation and dreamless sleep.
Huang was also surprised that brain wave activity was lower in the participants with mild TBI in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is central to the pathology of mood and anxiety disorders. That region is also critical for controlling activity in the amygdala, which processes such emotions as fear, anxiety, and aggression.
“We expected to instead see hyperactivity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex of those with mild TBI,” says Huang, who is also a professor in the department of radiology at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). “This indicates that injury to neurons that transmit impulses between other neurons can also lead to decreases in spontaneous activity in brain waves. This suggests that there were severe injuries to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.”
This is the first study, Huang says, to show that mild combat-related head injuries are likely to result in abnormally high levels of gamma waves in people with chronic mild TBI. The reduced brain activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is also a new finding, he says.
Traumatic brain injury is the signature injury from the post-9-11 conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Department of Defense and the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center estimate that 22% of combat casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan involve TBIs, most of which are mild in severity. Mild TBIs are also called concussions.
TBI symptoms include headaches, irritability, sleep disorders, memory lapses, slower thinking, and depression.
In recent years, Huang and other MEG researchers have learned that the brains of people with mild TBI generate abnormal slow waves. His latest study expands the knowledge of abnormality to fast gamma waves in people with mild TBI. MEG imaging is a promising marker for detecting specific regions of the brain that are impaired by a mild TBI, with an 85% accuracy rate. More conventional imaging tools, such as a CT scan or structural MRI, have an accuracy rate of only about 5% in detecting mild TBI.
“This makes MEG a good functional imaging technique not only for assisting in the diagnosis of mild TBI, but also for assessing the efficiency of mild TBI treatments, such as drugs,” Huang says.
However, MEG-based studies are rare, most likely because only 20 to 30 MEG scanners are available in the United States. In addition to VA San Diego, VA medical centers in Minneapolis, Albuquerque, Boston, Seattle, Philadelphia, and San Francisco have performed MEG research.
Recent animal studies have showed that injury to neurons that play a key role in brain circuitry and activity led to abnormal increases in fast brain waves. Thus, Huang and his team believed that by detecting spontaneous hyperactivity in fast brain waves, they could assess the level of injury to brain circuitry. The latter may be directly related to cognitive deficits, he notes.
In the study, 25 of the participants were active-duty military or veterans who had fought in Iraq or Afghanistan. They had all sustained at least one mild TBI that resulted in persistent post-concussive symptoms for an average of 20 months. The control group included 35 people with combat experience but with no notable history of concussions.
All of the participants were in a resting state during the MEG recordings, which were conducted at UCSD. At the same time, the scientists made major efforts to ensure that the participants were alert. Being drowsy, Huang says, could reduce the high frequency gamma activity and thus lower the sensitivity of the MEG measurements.
Huang and his colleagues plan to expand this research from a group comparison to a single-subject-based approach. That will call for using resting-state MEG procedures to investigate where the abnormal gamma waves emanate from in each person with mild TBI. For a person with mild TBI, the abnormal waves may be from just one or two lobes in the cerebral cortex, not from all four, he says.
“To achieve this, we’ll need to study more people in both the mild TBI and healthy control groups,” he says.
The findings from his most recent study, he says, can be used to help with brain stimulation techniques as a therapy for mild TBI, such as transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Results from the study suggest that effective targets for TES and TMS treatments are likely to be the pre-frontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex.
Huang and his team are currently working with two TES companies to gain approval of their brain stimulation instruments by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. David Cifu is the principal investigator at the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium, a joint project of VA and the Department of Defense that researches the impact of combat blasts on the human brain. He believes Huang’s findings should be further explored over a long period with many participants.
“Dr. Huang and his research group have a history of identifying reasons for persistent symptoms from combat-associated concussions,” Cifu says. “Their most recent study sheds light on another potential cause for increased resting-state gamma activity. While several factors in both the control and concussed groups need to be more fully evaluated, such as the lifetime history of concussions, substance or alcohol use, and mental illness, this is an important observation that should be assessed in a large, longitudinal cohort using a more rigorous approach. That includes blinding the MEG analyzers to the participants’ histories and repeating the MEG procedure at least two times, three to six months apart. I look forward to seeing the findings from this work.”
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Barrie man facing charges after alleged hit-and-run sends cyclist to hospital
By Hannah Jackson National Online Journalist, Breaking News Global News
OPP have arrested a 54-year-old Barrie man in connection with an alleged hit-and-run.
A 54-year-old Barrie man is facing charges for failing to remain at the scene of an accident after a cyclist was hit in Parry Sound.
According to Almaguin Highlands OPP, officers were called to the scene of a motor vehicle collision at around 9 a.m. on June 17.
Police investigation determined that a vehicle was travelling eastbound on Highway 124 when it struck a cyclist, causing her to land in a ditch. Officers say the driver of the vehicle left the scene before they arrived.
READ MORE: Barrie police ask for help in locating missing teen
Police say the cyclist, 70-year-old June Bell of Barrie, was taken to the hospital by emergency medical services to be treated for life-threatening injuries.
At around 9:15 p.m. that evening, police located the vehicle and driver in Parry Sound. Officers arrested 54-year-old Darren Miller of Barrie, and charged him with failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
Police say Miller was held overnight, and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on June 18 in Parry Sound.
Barrie Man
failure to remain
failure to remain at the scene of an accident
Failure to stop
‘It Chapter Two’ trailer
Sinkhole shuts down part of Yellowhead Trail after summer storm
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Cracked.Com Has Been On A Roll Lately... (NSFW) TW: Abuse
The Gaysian
There were two personal experience interviews that Cracked.com has conducted lately. One, with a survivor of abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest, and another, a former child star.
In the first interview:
Why I Kept My Rape By A Priest A Secret (And Can't Anymore)
Our source was molested back in the '80s, and he never reported it to anyone outside of the…
“Tom,” the interviewee, talks about how he was targeted, due to the fact that the priest knew that he was lonely and unpopular, in the sense that many abusers aim for those who are the most vulnerable. (You’ll also see this in the infamous case of the Milwaukee Diocese, where as many as 200 deaf boys from hearing families were targeted.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_ab…
“Tom” also talks heavily about how the priest in question isolated him in confession, and then finally talks about how he was brainwashed to endure the abuse for two years, how adults treated kids, and a lack of sex education made him hesitant to report said abuse.
The second interview is with a woman named “Kathy.”
6 Ways Being A Child Star Is Way Darker Than You'd Think
Children and entertainment mix about as well as alcohol and prescription meds -- which,…
She talked about how her father decided her career for her, when she was 5. She remarked about how she never had a normal childhood. And if she didn’t get the words right, she would be denied food.
She also talked about how there were pedophiles everywhere in that industry, and how she was a lot more fortunate than others. Sadly, she was sexually harassed by a member of her backing band, and she was raped by a different man some time later.
Sadly she is right, and here’s an additional reading if you can stomach it, about Lou Pearlman:
Mad About the Boys
Until he fled the country in January, accused of embezzling more than $300 million, Lou Pearlman…
“Kathy” also talks about working nightly rehearsals, not seeing any of the income, and once she put her foot down and left, her family, including her siblings, all turned against her, and ostracized her.
However, there is a happy ending to this. “Kathy” was able to leave, earn her own money, and marry a man who loves her, along with kids.
Recent from The Gaysian
A Hero.
All The Miss Universe Costumes!
An important, and necessary conversation.
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This is a short story adaptation of the Christmas events chronicled in Scripture. It was written on December 25, 1998.
In honor of the 15th Anniversary, I’m sharing it with the world today.
Written December 25, 1998
Chapter 1 – The Age Of Darkness
Two thousand years ago, the Roman Empire stretched out across the reaches of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The governments of the world had begun to form. In a land known as Palestine, a Roman general by the name Pompey takes over a city known as Jerusalem and the law of the emperor becomes the law of the land.
For countless centuries before that, the people of the world lived as nomadic tribes, moving themselves and their flocks and herds from place to place — land to distant land.
From the dawn of time, religions around the world began to spring up. Who was God? To the early citizens of Rome, it was Jupiter. To the citizens of Athens, it was Zeus. To the people of Ephesus, it was the goddess Artemis, in Egypt, it was Ra along with others. In the land of Israel, God was known as Yahweh, who’s name was held with such reverence that most only referred to it as ‘Lord.’
So many gods. So many cultures. And of all these, only one was truly God. A time had come to make right an allowed wrong that had been going on since the beginning of time itself. Yahweh would send His son to deliver His message. This is his story .
Chapter 2 – Gabriel’s Messages
In a land known as Judea, a Roman king known as “Herod the Great” ruled. The Romans had conquered this land only a few years before and he sat on a throne of power under an emperor named Augustus.
Yes, the people of Judea had their king, but most were lead by priests. They were the highly respected religious leaders of the time.
Among these, was a man named Zechariah. He and his wonderful wife Elizabeth were very old. For their whole life, they longed to have children, but Elizabeth could not have any. Regardless, Zechariah always prayed that some day they could have children of their own.
One day Zechariah’s group of priests were on duty and he was serving God as priest in a temple. According to the custom of the priests, he had been chosen to go inside to burn incense, while the other priests and the people who had come to the temple stood outside praying. “After I finish, I’ll be right out,” Zechariah said.
The aroma of the incense filled the air. Quietly, as Zechariah knelt at the alter, he prayed for his wife, as he had done so often in the past, that she may someday have the happiness of a child.. . even though he knew it was impossible.
Zechariah had just finished this when suddenly an angel appeared out of nowhere. Zechariah was scared and trembled with fear. Priests always prayed, but had they ever really seen an angle?
The angle saw that Zechariah was confused and afraid, so it spoke in a reassuring voice, “Don’t be afraid Zechariah! God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son and you will name him John. His birth will make you very happy.”
Zechariah lifted his eyes in amazement at the angel, who continued, “Many people will be glad because your son will be a great servant of the Lord.” The angel came closer and deepened his voice. . . as if to stress his next words: “He must never drink wine or beer, and the power of the Holy Spirit will be with him from the time he is born.”
“The Holy Spirit!,” Zechariah said in amazement.
The angel continued, “Your John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God.” The angel began to describe the story of an ancient prophet known as Elijah and how that Elijah’s very spirit would be with John as he was preparing the way for the Lord. Zechariah listened with amazement, but doubted the angel’s message.
This did not deter the angle as he began to glow with his story. “Because of John, parents will be more thoughtful of their children. And people who now disobey God will begin to think as they ought to. This is how John will get people ready for the Lord.” The angel smiled, quite pleased with the story he was telling.
Despite the fact that the angel was standing there in the flesh, Zechariah didn’t believe him and protested to the angel: “How will I know this is going to happen? My wife and I are very old.”
The angle answered, “I am Gabriel, God’s servant, and I was sent to tell you this good news.” He looked sternly at Zechariah, “You have not believed what I have said. So you will not be able to say a thing until all this happens. But everything will take place when it is supposed to.” With that, the angle vanished.
Zechariah tried to yell out to the angle when he realized that his voice was gone.
The crowd outside was waiting for Zechariah and kept wondering why he was staying so long in the temple. When he did come out, he could not speak, and they knew he had seen a vision. He motioned to them with his hands, but did not say a thing.
Later that day, Zechariah went home and soon afterward, his wife was expecting a baby. For the next five months she did not leave the house. She was very joyful at the events that Gabriel’s visit had set into motion.
It was about a month later when God sent Gabriel on another mission. This time he was to visit a young virgin girl. Her name was Mary.
Mary wasn’t very old at the time, only about 13 or 14, but according to custom, she was engaged to marry a gentleman from the royal family of King David – the ruler of Israel 28 generations before.
Mary spun around and looked to see who spoke the word into the quietness of her empty room. An entity of radiant brilliance stood before her.
“You are truly blessed!,” the angle exclaimed. He moved closer to Mary and softly said, “The Lord is with you.”
Mary looked at this beautiful creature for a moment and in bewilderment said, “I don’t understand? Who or what are you . . . and what are you talking about?”
A large and genuine grin crossed his face, “My name is Gabriel. Please Mary, don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you and something very good is about to happen.”
“You will have a son,” the angel continued. “His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not even married yet!”
“Dearest Mary,” the angle said, “set with me and I will tell you a story.”
Gabriel motioned for Mary to set down next to him and told her, “Before time and space was ever created, there was one whom we call the ‘Word.’ The Word was with God and was truly God.”
“What do you mean?,” Mary asked… obviously confused.
“See, with this Word, God created all things and nothing was made without it.” Gabriel waved his hands over Mary’s eyes and for a moment she was able to see in her mind a vast void, filled with a ribbon of energy.
Gabriel continued, “Everything that was created received its life from Him, and His life gave light to everyone.
“This light – this spirit – keeps shinning in the dark, and darkness has never put it out.”
Gabriel looked carefully at Mary for a moment and said, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you.”
Mary was astonished at what the angel was telling her. Gabriel smiled and continued, “So, your child will be called the holy Son of God. And guess what?”
“What?,” Mary asked, her amazement growing more and more each second.
“Your relative Elizabeth is going to have a son even though she is old.” A thoughtful expression crossed his face. “You know,” he said, “no one ever thought she could have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. You see Mary, nothing is impossible for God.”
Mary just set there for a moment, completely astonished at what the angel had told her. After letting his message sink in she said, “I am the Lord’s servant!. Let it happen as you have said.”
Gabriel gave her the smile only an angle would have, and with that he left her.
Mary was overjoyed at this fact and left Nazareth to visit Elizabeth in Judea.
Knock. Knock. Knock, Mary rapped, excitedly at her cousin’s door. “Elizabeth!” Mary yelled, “Are you home?”
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby kicked inside her. At that moment, she become filled with the Holy Spirit and said, “Please come in dear cousin. I know why you are here!”
Mary rushed in to tell Elizabeth all about the good news of the angel’s visit, but Elizabeth had news of her own to share with Mary. “God has blessed you more than any other woman!,” Elizabeth began, “He has also blessed the child you will have.” A look of puzzlement spread across her face, “Why would the mother of my Lord come to visit me?” Joyfully she gave Mary a hug, “As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became very happy and moved within me. And the Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.”
Blushing, Mary said, “With all my heart I praise the Lord and I am glad because God is my Savior.” She smiled, “God cares for me, his humble servant.”
The two shared their experiences and Mary decide to stay with her cousin until Elizabeth’s child was born. And then she returned home to Nazareth.
When Elizabeth’s son was born, her neighbors and relatives were very glad for her. But they all were wondering why she had named her baby “John.”
“No one in your family is named that,” one person said. In fact, they all began asking Zechariah what he really wanted to name him.
Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. Then he wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed. Right away, Zechariah’s voice returned. “Praise God!,” he exclaimed, “it is all coming true!”
Chapter 3 – The First Christmas
About that time, Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people in the Roman Empire to be listed in the record books. Basically, he was taking a census, so that all could be taxed.
In order for this to be done, everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago, Bethlehem had been King David’s hometown, so Joseph went there because he was from David’s family.
Mary was still engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. He almost broke off the engagement when he learned that Mary was pregnant.
“I find your story impossible to believe,” he had told her.
“But it is true Joseph,” Mary had said. “I have been good and faithful, you must believe me.”
“It is just very hard. Perhaps we should break of our engagement quietly.”
Joseph had left to ponder what Mary had told him. As he lie on his bed, he thought about the incredible things she had told him. About how the angle visited Elizabeth first, then her. ‘Maybe her and her cousin got together and made up the whole story as so Mary would not be disgraced.’ No. Mary really was a good woman. But still . . .
As Joseph drifted off to sleep, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”
Joseph woke up, unsure of what had just happened. “Jesus,” the angel had told him. Strangely, the name meant “The Lord Saves,” in Hebrew.
The distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem was about eighty miles as they traveled onward. Mary was riding on the back of a donkey. She was very close to having the baby, by the time they had arrived.
Unfortunately, the inn in Bethlehem had no vacancies when the couple arrived and Mary started going into labor. Joseph quickly helped her into a nearby barn and the little baby was born. She found wide strips of cloth and wrapped him snuggly. Then, she laid him on a soft bed of hay, since there was no beds in the inn.
That night, a young shepherd boy gazed up at the stars. ‘What a clear night,’ he had thought. Several other shepherds were nearby and all was quiet, except for the soft sound of a sheep every now and then.
All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord. It shinned so brightly that the entire field lit up and they all became very, very frightened.
“Don’t be afraid!” The angel announced, “I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy.”
The shepherds stood quietly and listened intently.
“This very day a Savor is born for you. Right down there.” He pointed toward Bethlehem. “You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and laying on a bed of hey.”
“You mean he’s in a barn?” the shepherd boy who had been gazing at the stars asked.
“Yes!” The boy spun around. This time, it was another angel who had answered him. Suddenly, the entire field was full angels and they all started to sing praises.
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby laying on a bed of hay.
When the shepherds saw Jesus, they told his parents what the angel had said about him. Everyone listened and was surprised. But Mary kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant.
Later, on the way back to the fields, one of the shepherds said to the other, “Can you believe it? The King of Glory is born tonight, not in a palace in Rome, not in the world’s capital, but in little Bethlehem!”
“Yes, and how the angels sang his praises,” another replied. “It seems God has honored a poor peasant girl to be his promised Son’s mother. You saw for yourself, the barn was filled with glory.”
“And look,” the first one said, “the honored guests of this great occasion were us – sheep herders, personally invited by the messenger from heaven!”
As they went back to their sheep they knew the world would never be the same from that night forward.
“It is a sign of things to come.” One shepherd had said.
“It is a statement to the poor and unknown,” replied another.
“It is a gift,” the boy finally said, and set beneath a tree to watch the stars.
Leave a comment | tags: Christmas, Christmas Story, Merry Christmas, Nativity, Short Story | posted in Stories
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#culture /art & design
Banksy's Former Manager Steve Lazarides on the Future of Street Art
On the eve of Sotheby’s S|2 exhibition "They Would Be Kings" in Hong Kong, #legend speaks to London-based dealer and curator Steve Lazarides about the future of street art.
You’ve been so anti-establishment for so long. What made you hook up with Sotheby’s and this show in Hong Kong, "They Would Be Kings"?
Everything I do sounds contradictory to doing at show with Sotheby’s, but, they were one of the very first companies, or group of people, to put faith in us at the beginning. Sometimes there are just forward-thinking companies, and people at them, and Sotheby’s on Bond Street, London was one of them.
Street art hasn’t gone down well with the art establishment on the whole, has it?
The movement of this style of art is popular. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I like populism, it has good things, but it’s popular because people like it. But you know, if you say the word ‘populism’ in the traditional art world, everyone starts running for the door. But this isn’t art you need a degree for, and it all goes back to the premise: do I like it or not? It’s about being able to buy art without feeling stupid. And I feel that about my art. I like people coming around and being able to take what they want rather than being told what they should feel. That other stuff is for a certain strata of society. If that’s what floats your boat, go for it.
What is art to you?
It’s a fundamental human need. From a mother in Africa to a penthouse in New York, there are very few places you can go in this world where there will not be anything adorning the walls. Now whether you decide to call that decorative stuff, or fine art, it doesn’t matter. You know, people have a natural affinity towards art, and I think the art world has been intent on driving those people away from it for quite a long time.
What do you think of galleries like White Cube, Lehmann Maupin, Ben Brown, coming in to Hong Kong with their highly and heavily curated selection of works?
You know, China’s an awfully big place, with a lot of great art and great galleries. It doesn’t really need some expensive Western gallery coming in and telling them what’s what.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about street art?
It’s always makes me laugh when I talk to journalists about street art and it being a movement. To be honest, it was already so big in 1974. Norman Mailer was writing articles for Esquire and publishing books [The Faith of Graffiti] about graffiti. That means it was probably five years preceding that, so you’re talking mid-60’s, and if you start looking at some of the guys who were massive at the time, like Jean-Michel Basquiat or Keith Haring, they’ve now been airbrushed out of history for being graffiti artists, because the art world doesn’t want to admit that graffiti had done pretty damn well.
Andy Warhol never did any graffiti work, did he?
He was having too much fun making money out of screen prints. He’s been on my list of people that demonstrate how boring shows have become. I wonder how annoyed he’d be if he could see the way his work is displayed now. That man looked like he was having a fxxxing ball. That’s the sort of show I would have loved to have gone to. But now, it’s all about exhibitionism, and it’s all about commerce. I think people have learned the art of showmanship.
Is there any graffiti/street art in the digital world?
My answer to that would be ‘yes probably’, but not yet that I’m aware of.
You’ve had the gallery in London for a decade and here in Hong Kong you’re promoting the best of the best of the artists and their work at Sotheby’s. Where does street art go next?
“I’m not seeing a lot of new stuff that I like. There are no new kids who seem to be coming through and kicking down the door. I’m starting to miss new faces. The world was a different place 15 years ago and the West has started to become very settled, passé. I think from places like Bolivia, Chile, Moscow, China, something will come. I’m looking for innovators. Maybe one trend is that these guys, like JR, Vhils, Osgemeos, are starting to get more museum shows, at least in America, not in the UK. I never understand this. Your directive as the head of a museum is to keep the general public happy; you’re an institution, so put on things that people actually like. When these guys do shows these galleries get some of the biggest attendances they’ve ever had. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I know you’ve got intellectuals around the world grieving with their head in their hands pronouncing the death of intellectualism in art, but maybe it’s the birth of something new.
What’s been the ‘Mona Lisa-moment’ in street art?
I don’t think there’s been one. It’s been a slow and arduous route and it’s only just begun.
What is the most expensive piece of work at the show?
Probably the Banksy piece. I’m pretty sure it’s Bomb Middle England, a lovely piece of art. I remember years ago it cost £149.99, when it was a canvas flung in the back of my car. I’m not sure what the values on the Basquiat and Haring are, but the two most expensive pieces in the show are that Banksy and the Osgemeos piece [El Salon de los Miagros]. These two guys are two of my favourite people in the world and they have such a good ethic. The go out painting together every Sunday morning, it’s a tradition they’ve done since they were kids.
What’s your favourite art work in the show?
Invader’s Rubik James Bond Girl. It was one of the key pieces I had in a show in New York called "The Outsiders" in 2008. I remember the day of the show, I woke up in the hotel room, turned on the TV, and it was the day Lehman Brothers collapsed. I have a great deal of affinity with that art work.
You have people like Ronnie Wood and Dennis Hopper as collectors. Do you get many/any from the fashion world, like Karl Lagerfeld?
No. Not really. We’re kind of off the radar when it comes to a lot of designers. We tend to be more with the ‘homework crowd’ – that is, people who do a bit of digging about what’s going on, because we’re not in the art papers, we’re not at those kinds of parties, or rocking that kind of aesthetic.
Damien Hirst is a collector of yours, yes?
A lot of people have a lot to say about Damien, but to me, the man can do no wrong. He’s Robin Hood. He used money that he made, bought from people like us and other young artists, and lots of things that nobody ever really talks about. He looked after his staff amazingly well. And yet, he gets so much shit for what he’s done, when in fact, he’s done so much good.
You’re like an art disruptor on another level, or sub-level, right?
I think I’ve just got a built-in love of the underdog; it doesn’t mean someone’s work is better or worse than someone else’s just because it’s not in the Gagosian, or in the Tate Modern. It’s a lifetime mission. I know some boundaries will never get broken down, so instead, set up your own thing.
Who’s your legend?
Sir Ronald Cohen. He has more humanity in his little finger than most nations put together.
They Would Be Kings. March 17-26, Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, 5/F, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. 10am-6pm. (*22-25 March: 10am – 8pm*).
In This Story: #culture /art & design
Local Artist Samson Young Takes Us Through His Art Basel in Hong Kong Multimedia Walk
Magnum Legends Bruno Barbey and Ian Berry to Exhibit Works in Shanghai
Restless Art: Zhou Wendou's Search for Similarities Across Culture
How a New Generation of Fans Is Redefining the Comic Business
Michaël Borremans and the Artistry of Unease
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Steve Schneider, 1945-2010
Filed under: Geoengineering, Interventions in the carbon/climate crisis, Published stuff
This week’s Economist carries an obituary of Steve Schneider. Excerpt:
Mr Schneider’s high profile as a proponent of action on climate change—he was the editor of an important journal, Climatic Change, and an influential member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) more or less from its inception—would have made him a favourite target for such antagonists anyway, but he came in for particular scorn because of his willingness to discuss the inevitable tensions between advocacy and academic integrity. Critics of Mr Schneider, including this newspaper, portrayed him as giving in to this tension, and being willing to tell “necessary lies” when it suited his purposes. He countered such attacks vehemently, saying such a conclusion rested on a slanted reading of what he had said on the subject. He had no time for advocacy without truth.
Many comments and memories on this post of Andy Revkin’s
Also, here’s a review of Steve’s last book, Science as a Contact Sport (Amazon UK|US) I did for China Dialogue. Excerpt:
To sit next to Steve Schneider while listening to someone else give a talk about climate science is like watching a DVD with a commentary track by an insightful but rather grumpy director. As the speaker makes her points, Schneider, a veteran climate scientist now at Stanford University, will mutter about who first made all the interesting points in the talk, and when this or that bit of science was first appreciated, and how stupid people have been not to act on this knowledge years ago.
The purpose is to remind anyone listening than climate science has a history, if a fairly brief one, and that the message of that history is reasonably consistent — scientists have believed much what they believe now about global warming for decades, and if climate scientists in general and Schneider in particular had been listened to better, the world would have faced up to the issue better and sooner.
This personal memoir by Schneider provides a similar effect…
Image courtesy of Stanford, I believe
Svalbard diary
Filed under: Nature writing, Published stuff
The view from Mt Zeppelin, about 22:00
I’ve just been up to Svalbard, in the high arctic, for a symposium on climate change. Here are some excerpts from a correspondent’s diary over at The Economist.
…How sustainable it is for 40-odd people to travel a very long way in order to attend yet another meeting on climate change is obviously open to debate. At the same time, old Arctic hands say that it is impossible to appreciate what is happening in the Arctic without at least some experience of being there, and there is no real way of proving them wrong. There’s also the possibility that the combination of people, topic, setting and isolation (because of the nature of some of the research Ny Alesund is a wi-fi, Bluetooth and mobile phone-free zone) will conjure new freshness into potentially tired discussions. Certainly it’s not an opportunity to turn down. [whole entry]
…Perched up above the last working Longyearbyen mine (“Mine 7”, which produces only enough coal as the town’s power station needs) two radio telescopes gaze up into the sky. One, like most such dishes, can swivel around. The other is fixed, looking almost straight up; built to study the aurora, rather than the stars, it can see most of what it needs by looking straight up the earth’s near-vertical magnetic field lines. When turned on, these radio telescopes use as much as 20% of the electricity generated from the coal that is being mined out of the ground beneath as they tickle the northern lights above, listening for faint echoes. [whole entry]
…The air is cool. The light is warm. The colours have changed in response to the sky. The soil, such as it is, seems darker, richer. The plants have taken on a fuller set of greens, mixed through with lichen orange and the persistent, almost-afterburn purple of saxifrage in summer flower, deeper the longer you look. Standing water, of which there is a lot, has turned sky-vault blue—except for that which forms the larger, more distant ponds, and reflects the mountains beyond. The fjord, by contrast, is lighter now than the puddles, almost milky. [whole entry]
Two of the "Three Crown" peaks, after midnight
…In the late afternoon (sun west by southwest, over the airstrip) the symposium took to the water, heading to the top of the fjord to look at the glaciers under clearing skies. Bijou icebergs floated almost stationary in the still water. A flock of kittiwakes, startled, flashed up from their station at the point where meltwater and seawater meet. Scientists talked of kelp and copepods. The ice at the end of the Kongsfjord towered above us. But less so than once it would have. Many of the other glaciers no longer reach the sea, retreating to their mountain lairs, folded moraines left behind them.
Studies of fjord-floor sediments show that the glaciers are further back now than they were when Vikings sailed to Iceland and Greenland (and, possibly, Svalbard, though if so they left no trace of their presence for their descendants other than disputable references in some sagas). It is possible they were this shrunken in the northern hemisphere’s early post-ice-age warmth, 8,000 years ago, but that is not certain.[whole entry]
…By the time the passengers for the third flight have been ferried out to the airstrip, perhaps a kilometre out of town, the top of Mt Zeppelin, at 474 metres, is in cloud, too, and snow is beginning to blow in from the northeast. The base’s radio telescope, part of a worldwide network that defines the absolute reference frame for GPS navigation, among other things, scans the now slate-like sky with a whirring creak. It is because of the dish’s sensitive measurements that wifi, bluetooth and mobile phones are banned in Ny Alesund. The Dornier turns up, we pile in, and the base quickly vanishes below us. It will be the last fixed wing flight out of Ny Alesund for a while. [whole entry]
Ny Alesund, from the airstrip
All pictures by me, available under Creative Commons share-alike: More pics here
Back pages: Ooops I contracted a meme
Filed under: Published stuff
Last weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Richard Thompson perform his “Thousand years of popular music” set as part of the Meltdown Festival on the South Bank. It’s not giving away too big a secret to reveal that it ends with this highly excellent Britney Spears cover.
As a result of this exposure, I found that the song kept coming back to me in odd moments as I set off on my subsequent travels (of which more will be blogged shortly). This prompted a memory of an earlier piece, written for Newsweek eight years ago, which I thought I’d paste here for whatever entertainment it brings.
Silly Ideas Are Attacking My Brain
I woke up this morning and, regrettably, I didn’t have the blues. Instead I had a bit of Britney Spears. Many people may enjoy thinking of Ms. Spears as they drift into the arms of Morpheus. Waking up with her, though, is disconcerting. The hook line to “Oops… I Did It Again”–a song only the deaf can avoid–was going round in my head before I’d had anything resembling a coherent thought. Indeed, it delayed the process considerably. I feel debilitated, and I’m thinking I might sue. While I’m at it, I may also lay into Pete Bellotte, Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer for “Love to Love You Baby.” This tune is currently being heard in a Diet Coke ad in which tediously pretty people make eyes at each other while the magnificently hangdog Wolf Saxon is scandalously neglected. That said, I may sue Wolf Saxon, too, for having such an unfeasibly memorable name. These people are contaminating my mind.
Earthly Powers
A headline we decided against...
There are a couple of pieces on volcanoes, the environment and the bigger picture in The Economist this week. Here’s some of the reporting:
Over the weekend both airlines and research agencies made test flights. Air France-KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa and others carried out over 40 flights. Subsequent engine inspection apparently revealed no unacceptable damage. On April 21st the CAA established a new rule, deeming regions thought to have less than 2,000 micrograms of dust per cubic metre safe for flight. That threshold, the CAA says, was provided on the basis of data from equipment-manufacturers; Rolls-Royce, the leading European maker of jet engines for airliners, has made no comment on this. The new safety level is about 100 times higher than the background level of dust at ground level. It is also considerably higher than anything seen by research aircraft over Britain since the eruption started; those flights have encountered no patches of sky with an ash density of more than 400 micrograms per cubic metre, 20 times the background level.
If the exercise two years ago did not capture the range of problems that an Icelandic volcano might cause, it did show that the general situation was entirely foreseeable. A ridge of submerged mountains runs down the middle of the Atlantic Ocean; Iceland is the result of a “hotspot” in which material rises from deep within the Earth, pushing part of this ridge up into the air. Both hotspots and mid-ocean ridges are volcanic, so Iceland is doubly so. It boasts a fearsome array of volcanoes, 33 of which have erupted once or more since the end of the last ice age, around 12,000 years ago.
And here’s a taste of the leader:
One of the things that went missing in the shadow of that volcanic dust was a sense of human power. And as with the quiet skies, this absence found a welcome in many hearts. The idea that humans, for all their technological might, could be put in their place by this volcano—this obscure, unpronounceable, C-list volcano—was strangely satisfying, even thrilling.
Such pleasure in the face of overpowering nature, as seen from a place of safety, was at the heart of the idea of “the sublime” as expressed by the great conservative Edmund Burke 250 years ago, and its aesthetic and spiritual allure remains strong. The sublime offers solace and inspiration, but it makes a poor guide to policy. For humans are not completely powerless in the face of nature: rather the reverse…
When people talk about the charms of powerlessness in the face of nature, part of what they are saying is that they don’t want to be bothered with facing up to what humans can do, and to what they might have at risk. The business of looking after a planet requires being bothered in advance—and not just about little matters like volcanoes.
Some catching up: Asilomar
Filed under: Geoengineering, Published stuff
Spending a week on the beautiful North California coastline with a bunch of interesting people talking about a fascinating topic is obviously a chore, but I girded my loins and took the plunge. The Asilomar meeting on the regulation of geoengineering research was intended to echo the Asilomar meeting of 1975, which set out procedures for moving beyond the moratorium on genetic engineering experiments that had been set up the year before. Alexis Madrigal looked at the historical precedent in some detail. Not an exact parallel, as pointed out by various people at the meeting, whose views were taken on board by The Economist
There are, however, important differences between the subjects. One is that in the 1970s it was clear that the ability to move genes between creatures was going to bring about a huge change in the practice of science itself, and biologists were eager for that to happen. Modern climate scientists, by contrast, usually see geoengineering research as niche, if not fringe, stuff. Many wish it would go away completely. Another difference is that in the 1970s there was a worry that DNA experiments could in themselves present dangers. With geoengineering the dangers are more likely to be caused by large-scale deployment than by any individual scientific experiment.
There was no consensus at the end of the meeting, but there was a statement by the steering committee. The Economist concludes
The participants … generally endorsed a set of five overarching principles for the regulation of the field that were presented recently to the British Parliament by Steve Rayner, a professor at the Saïd Business School, in Oxford.
The “Oxford principles”, as they are known, hold that geoengineering should be regulated as a public good, in that, since people cannot opt out, the whole proceeding has to be in a well-defined public interest; that decisions defining the extent of that interest should be made with public participation; that all attempts at geoengineering research should be made public and their results disseminated openly; that there should be an independent assessment of the impacts of any geoengineering research proposal; and that governing arrangements be made clear prior to any actual use of the technologies.
The conference’s organising committee is now working on a further statement of principles, to be released later. Meanwhile Britain’s main scientific academy, the Royal Society, and the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, which has members from around 90 countries, are planning further discussions that will culminate at a meeting to be held this November.
Producing plausible policies and ways for the public to have a say on them will be hard—harder, perhaps, than the practical problem of coming up with ways to suck up a bit of carbon or reduce incoming sunshine. As Andrew Mathews, an anthropologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, puts it, it is not just a matter of constructing a switch, it is a matter of constructing a hand you trust to flip it.
Both the fine people with books out on the topic were there and gave their own accounts. Here’s a bit of Eli Kintisch, author of “Hack the Planet“, in Science:
Although the climate scientists may have accomplished less in a week than did their biologist forebears, they did make progress. The conference organizers declared that geoengineering research is “indispensable” but said that it should be done with “humility.” Governments and the public should work together to decide what schemes are “viable, appropriate, and ethical,” the statement added. Cuts in greenhouse emissions should be a priority, it said, mirroring statements by the American Geophysical Union and the U.K. Royal Society.
Most conferees believe the possibility of climate tipping points has placed geoengineering on the global agenda. And so last week’s meeting—The Asilomar International Conference on Climate Intervention Technologies, or Asilomar 2, as it was dubbed—was driven both by fears of climate catastrophes and the potentially dangerous steps that scientists or politicians might take to avert them. It was “a meeting … we all wished was not necessary,” conference organizer Margaret Leinen of the Climate Response Fund in Alexandria, Virginia, told the participants.
And here’s Jeff Goodell, author of “How to Cool the Planet“, afforded more opportunity for opinion and colour over at Yale360,
Lesson one: Geoengineering is a tabula rasa in the public mind. Like most of the attendees, I was well aware of the fact that geoengineering is an unfamiliar idea to many people. But I had not seen any actual data on this. Nor had I really grasped the implications of it.
One of the most enlightening presentations of the week was from Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Project on Climate Change, who presented the results of a long-running study on the public perception of global warming. In his most recent survey, he had thrown in a few questions about geoengineering. When asked, “How much, if anything, have you heard about geoengineering as a possible response to climate change,” 74 percent of respondents said “nothing.” The 26 percent that had heard about geoengineering turned out to be wildly misinformed — more than half thought it referred to geothermal energy. Only 3 percent of the people who had heard about geoengineering were correctly informed about it. “The public basically knows nothing about this,” Leiserowitz told the attendees. “That is both a great challenge, and a great opportunity.”
The other 4 lessons are: Nobody has any clear idea how to resolve the inequalities inherent in geoengineering; People will be talking about banning field experiments; It’s all about the money; and trust is everything.
Jeff Tollefson at Nature leads with Rob Socolow, who gave one of the meeting’s best talks (ppt, html)
“Be very careful.” The warning, from Robert Socolow, a climate researcher at Princeton University in New Jersey, came at the end of a meeting last week that aimed to thrash out guidelines for the nascent field of geoengineering. The discipline aims to use global-scale efforts to control the climate and mitigate the worst effects of anthropogenic warming — but the techniques used could also have far-reaching, unintended consequences.
Jeff also gets the best of many quotes from David Keith (“People aren’t discussing apples and oranges, they are talking about apples and oranges and Porsches and whales and moons”) that enliven much of the coverage. (Pablo Suarez probably runs him a close second for most quoted non-organiser)
Jim Giles at New Scientist takes in more of the science than most accounts, neatly highlighting some new wrinkles, before ending up with the opposition to the ideas (which was aired in the local paper, among other places):
A lack of consultation could fuel campaigns against geoengineering similar to those that have derailed the use of genetically modified crops in Europe, Shobita Parthasarathy warns. Such protests seem to be taking off already. While delegates were talking in Asilomar, a body of over 70 environmental, health and social groups published an open letter attacking the meeting. “Such a discussion cannot happen without the participation of the full membership of the United Nations,” it reads. “Determining guidelines for geoengineering research and testing in the absence of that debate is premature and irresponsible.”
Also worth mentioning: the California poppies, which I fell for the first time I visited the site, and still find entrancing.
Images by me: licensed under creative commons
Climategate: The Oxburgh report
The Economist has a piece on the Oxburgh report online. Extract:
The panel did express considerable surprise at the fact that the unit did not collaborate closely with professional statisticians. This is despite the fact that their work was “basically all statistics”, as one member of the panel, David Hand, of Imperial College, London, put it. The report found that the CRU scientists would, had they been more comfortable with statistics, have done some things differently. But the panel doubted that using better methods would have materially changed their results.
Bloggers and others, mostly outside academia, who criticise CRU’s work and other climate science tend to lay much stress on statistical shortcomings. Dr Hand, who has a particular interest in scientific and financial fraud, has read a lot of this work. Dr Hand admires the meticulous work of Steve Mcintyre, a mining consultant and blogger, who unearthed statistical problems in another climate analysis. This was a 1998 paper, not produced by CRU, that is now known as “the hockey stick”. Those problems served to enhance the prominence of recent warming in a thousand-year reconstruction of the northern hemisphere’s temperature, and have become a cause celebre among sceptics.
When the report refers to the possibility of “inappropriate statistical tools producing misleading results”, it is the hockey stick that it has in mind. But Dr Hand said he had seen no evidence of anything that worrying in the CRU work. His concerns centred mostly on questions about the selection of data sets and the need for studies that showed how sensitive the results were to different selections of data. These are, in effect, what some critics are offering (though with what the report calls “a rather selective and uncharitable approach”). This antagonism irritates Dr Hand, since he thinks proper statistical scrutiny would have improved the work with little fuss. “What I want to do”, he says, “is bang their heads together and say sit down together and work out what’s going on.”
Discussion at dot.earth; dissent at Climate Audit
Some catching up: House of Commons Climategate report
Another recent greenview article in The Economist was on the House of Commons Climategate report.
The MPs’ most striking prescription is that climate science should hold itself, and be held to, a higher standard than heretofore when it comes to openness and transparency. When giving evidence to the committee, Phil Jones, the head of the UEA’s Climatic Research Unit (CRU), from which the e-mails came, said that freely disclosing data and the computer codes used to work with them “has not been standard practice” in the field. “If it is not standard practice how can the science progress?” asked Graham Stringer, a member of the committee. “Maybe it should be standard practice,” replied Dr Jones, “but it is not standard practice across the subject.” The MPs concluded that in a field as significant and important to policy as climate change this was not good enough. They are calling for data and methodological workings to be made openly available. On occasions when data are provided to scientists on the basis that they will not be further promulgated (as with some of the data Dr Jones used from meteorological agencies in other countries) that should be made clear, with all requests redirected to the relevant data-holders.
Many climate scientists will claim that the field is already highly transparent in these regards, and it is true that much data is freely available. But Dr Jones’s position on what has, in the past, constituted standard practice suggests that such claims to transparency have to be judged case by case.
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601 Hay St Street
Victorian Free Gothic
J Manning
Roach Jewell, Richard
Disabled AccessOpen To The PublicPhotographsPram Access
Perth Town Hall
One of Perth’s heritage jewels, the Town Hall took some time to construct. The foundation was laid on 24 May 1867 by Governor Hampton, but it was not opened until 1 June 1870 by Governor Weld. The design was a joint production of James Manning and Richard Roach Jewell. Manning was responsible for all of the woodwork, including the magnificent roof, while Jewell designed and supervised the erection of the main building.
All of the woodwork was constructed by prisoners in Fremantle, and the huge circular ribs for the roof were conveyed from the prison to Perth on a carriage specially constructed for the purpose. Convicts also assisted with the hard work of raising what was then Perth’s tallest building.
What is now the ground floor was originally intended to be for markets, although the City Council was forced to convert some of the bays into offices. In 1875 explorer Ernest Giles arrived and his camels were parked in the undercroft while he attended a welcoming party in the main hall. The same year a horse-drawn fire engine began to be garaged underneath the Town Hall.
In addition to Council activities, the Town Hall has also hosted concerts, exhibitions, bazaars, lectures, dances, skating, and stage shows. It was also the place that generations gathered every 31 December to hear the New Year rung in by the bells of its clock.
In 1850, following much controversy, the first convicts arrived in the Swan River Colony. With an increased, and cheap, labour force, a number of public buildings could now be erected which would previously have proved too costly. Perth Town Hall was one such building.
The major works planned by Governor Hampton were the completion of Government House, a Barracks for the Pensioner Guards, and a Town Hall. In 1867 Governor Hampton told Perth City Council he intended to build a town hall and present it to the city. A site on the corner of Hay (then called Howick) and Barrack Streets was selected, and ground work began in April 1867.
Originally known as the Town Hall and Market Place, the newspapers eagerly awaited its completion. The Inquirer reported:
“As the Town Hall has for some time past created much interest among the citizens, we now give a description of the building. The style of architecture is that of Scotland of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, more generally known as the Tudor style. The building over the Market Place will consist of the large Hall, 92 by 46 feet [28m x 14m], with two rooms for officials at the east-end, and one at the south-west angle. The tower, which will be one hundred feet in height [30.5m], with its four-faced illuminated clock, will be visible for a long distance. Two designs were prepared by the architect, Mr. Jewell, the rejected style being that known as the English Gothic of the fifteenth century. The one to be adopted, after being partially approved of by His Excellency, was courteously submitted to the City Council on Wednesday last, and also met with their unanimous approval.”
Richard Roach Jewell was Clerk of Works of the Colonial Establishment, and was responsible for designing a number of Perth’s public buildings, including Perth Gaol and Courthouse, the Pensioner Barracks, and the Central Government Offices. He worked closely with James Manning from the Convict Establishment. A memorial plaque on the Town Hall records that Jewell and Manning were joint architects, although each had different responsibilities. Jewell was in charge of the main structure, while Manning designed the roof beams and all the other woodwork. The actual work of creating the roof beams and other timber fittings was carried out by prisoners at Fremantle Prison, and their creations carted up to Barrack Street.
The foundations for Perth Town Hall were laid by free tradesmen employed by builder William Buggins. On 24 May 1867, the Queen’s birthday, Governor Hampton laid the foundation stone in the ground, commenting: “Gentlemen, you have done your part well, it but now remains for me to do mine and that is to show what can be effected by convict labour properly directed.”
By September 1868, it was clear that things were moving very slowly. The original contract had called for completion in twelve months, but this was now extended to three years. During this time, Governor Weld had replaced Governor Hampton and several problems meant the building had to be changed from the original design. The ceiling of the Gallery was altered, and the tower, which was originally going to be 100ft high, was raised to 125ft [38m], with an iron railing added on the top for visitors. Over the years many photographs have been taken from the top of the tower, providing an amazing record of the development of Perth. The clock in the tower came from Thwaites & Reed of Clerkenwell, London, one of the oldest clock makers in the world.
On Foundation Day, 1 June 1870, Perth Town Hall was officially opened. The ceremony was led by Bishop Hale and attended by upwards of 900 people, although only men could attend the dinner, while women were made to look on from the balcony. The final cost of the building was £4,567, exclusive of convict labour.
The Legislative Council Chamber was built in the courtyard at the east end of the Town Hall, and on 5 December 1870, the first Legislative Assembly was sworn in at the Town Hall. Early in 1871, the first meeting of the Perth City Council was held at the new hall.
The undercroft, created by open arcades and piers, was designed to house markets like similar buildings in Europe. Although a daily market was opened in 1872, it only lasted a few years, and was very unpopular since the space was gloomy and dark. As a result, the undercroft soon began to be enclosed for other uses. In 1875 explorer Ernest Giles arrived and his camels were parked in the undercroft while he attended a welcoming party in the main hall. The same year a horse-drawn fire engine began to be garaged underneath the Town Hall. During the 1880s, the undercroft was converted into offices for lease as well as for Council staff.
Around 1900 there was the first suggestion that the Town Hall should be demolished to make way for improved accommodation. Such calls became a regular thing over the next few decades as it was quickly realised that the building was not adequate for a modern city council. In 1924, City Councillors proposed demolishing the tower, or covering it with cement render, because they considered it unsafe. That same year others wanted to demolish the whole thing and construct a modern five-storey office building. However, even at this early stage the Town Hall was loved by many Perth residents and they protested when such extreme measures were proposed.
As a result, the Council relocated to buildings in Murray Street, and converted the ground floor of the Town Hall to shops. The brick arcades were removed in 1925 and replaced with steel columns and beams to form shop fronts. These included pharmacies and lunch bars. At the time of its centenary in 1970, the ground floor was still full of commercial businesses.
Perth Town Hall was restored in the late 1990s which saw the restoration of the interior and the gothic arches at its base. Today, Perth Town Hall is one of Perth’s most loved historic buildings, and is used for public events and conducts regular tours of the interior for residents and tourists.
State Heritage Office assessment, Perth Town Hall
‘New Town Hall and Market Place,’ Inquirer, 10 April 1867
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Institution >
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Image courtesy of Library of Congress Emanuel Celler of New York led the Judiciary Committee for 11 terms—the longest tenure for any chairman in the committee's history.
On this date, by a vote of 328 to 74, the House approved the Voting Rights Act (VRA)—a landmark in the long civil rights movement. The VRA suspended voter qualification devices, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, permitted the Justice Department to dispatch federal examiners into regions where voter registration lagged, and required the U.S. Attorney General to clear all new state and county voting practices. Bloody protests in Selma, Alabama, where local law enforcement viciously attacked marchers encouraging African-American voter registration, outraged public opinion and built support for the legislation. On March 15, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a nationally televised Joint Session of Congress, advocating the passage of federal legislation. Judiciary Committee Chairman Emanuel Celler of New York led the charge, overcoming efforts by Rules Committee Chairman Howard Smith of Virginia to block the legislation from coming to the floor. Impassioned debate filled the month of July. While emphasizing his love of state, the South, and the country, Representative Hale Boggs of Louisiana declared, “I shall support this bill because I believe the fundamental right to vote must be a part of this great experiment in human progress under freedom which is America.” After the Senate concurred, President Johnson signed the bill into law on August 6, 1965.
Related Highlight Subjects
Boggs, Hale
Celler, Emanuel
Committee on Judiciary
Committee on Rules
Johnson, Lyndon B.
Smith, Howard
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Documentary: Selma and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Before Bloody Sunday
Learn more about the House and Civil Rights, specifically the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.
History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, “The Voting Rights Act of 1965,” https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1951-2000/The-Voting-Rights-Act-of-1965/ (July 18, 2019)
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Images from May 2013 results: 50
U.S. Navy U.S. Air Force Commander Djibouti Camp Lemonnier Chief of Staff
U.S. Army U.S. Air Force Djibouti
U.S. Air Force Commander Djibouti Partnership
U.S. Air Force Exercise Djibouti
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U.S. Air Force Uganda Health
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Sri Lanka Named Top Destination In The World
By Russ Downing on December 22, 2018 0 Comments
Celebrating 70 years of independence, Sri Lanka has just been named Lonely Planet’s Top Destination for 2019. With untouched golden beaches to discover, a kaleidoscopic landscape and its eclectic mix of different religions and cultures, Sri Lanka is finally coming on to its own.
“Already notable to intrepid travellers for its mix of religions and cultures, its timeless temples, its rich and accessible wildlife, its growing surf scene and its people who defy all odds by their welcome and friendliness after decades of civil conflict, this is a country revived,” says Lonely Planet author Ethan Gelber in the Best in Travel 2019 book.
Just 3.5 hours by air from Bangkok, tourist visits to Sri Lanka have increased dramatically since the end of the 26-year conflict, from 447,890 in 2009 to an all-time high of 2.1 million last year, a figure the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority hopes to double by 2020. Renovations made to the rail system have opened up Jaffna and much of the north for the first time since 1990 – an area that was previously considered too dangerous for tourists. The scenic rail routes in Sri Lanka are now widely thought to be some of the best in the world. Motorways have also been built as far south as Matara, and the number of domestic flight routes has increased in recent years, too: for instance, from the capital Colombo, on the west coast, to Batticaloa, on the opposite side of the island, in 45 minutes.
After decades of British colonial rule, the land once known as Ceylon exists as a small island in the Indian Ocean with an ever changing landscape running from elevated lush rainforests to white sand beaches. Not to mention the wildlife, such as the 300-strong elephant gathering at Minneriya national park, thousand-year old Buddhist monuments, and hiking and train travel through the Hill Country’s tea plantations.
Sri Lankans love food. Meal time is an extreme sport: big breakfasts, sumptuous dinners with wine, long lunches. Sri Lanka is famous for one dish: rice and curry. Which are more than two mundane dishes, mind you, the national dish is different with every cook and the local produce of the day. To coconut milk in curries with seafood from bountiful coastlines, Sri Lankans add in even hotter chilies (the heat is often tempered for western palates, even in seemingly ‘local’ restaurants, so if you want your food authentically spicy, say so when ordering). The variety of side dishes include sweet-and-sour eggplant, velvety dahl, marinated snake beans, curried beetroot, okra, jackfruit or banana blossom…and be prepared for dessert. “Love cake” is made with semolina, ground cashews and honey, perfumed with nutmeg, cinnamon and rosewater. Try the locally popular bolo fiado, a layer cake of pastry, dried fruit and syrup. Another delicious delight is wattalappam, concocted from jaggery (brown sugar made from kitul palm), coconut milk, egg and cardamom. Try out your spice limits with fish ambul thiyal and hoppers, a breakfast staple made with rice flour and coconut milk and best with a fried egg, then topped with chutney or spicy sambol.
Sri Lanka’s surf scene has been steadily growing, as more of the coast has become accessible, and tour operators are now offering jungle hiking, alongside yoga breaks with traditional Ayurveda treatments. There are also plenty of free attractions, including colourful puja rituals on the clifftop of Koneswaram Kovil in Trincomalee in the north east; Colombo’s main market of Pettah; and the fortified walls surrounding the colonial old town of Galle in the south.
Sri Lanka has outstanding beaches and a few we think you shouldn’t miss include:
Bentota Beach
Bentota is a family-friendly beach with crystalline waters and a variety of water sports to try: water-skiing, jet-skiing, sailing and windsurfing, all available year round. And if you’re brave enough, try a boat safari along the Bentota River and keep an eye out for aquatic birds, lizards and even crocodiles, especially if you visit in October-April.
Arugam Bay Beach
The waves on this beach can reach as high as 10 meters, making it a hotspot for surfers although the inner bay is lined with hotels and restaurants for non-surfers as well. The beach caters for a variety of experience levels and is an internationally renowned surfers’ paradise, attracting hordes of tourists from April to October every year. When the bay gets too crowded, escape to the small laid-back town of Ella or visit the national parks Yala or Udawalawe.
Dickwella Beach
A romantic hotspot for newlyweds on honeymoon, the beach also offers ideal conditions for swimming, snorkeling and even Sri Lankan lace making. Take the time to find the hidden jewel of Dickwella that is Hiriketiya Bay that is slowly gaining recognition as the surfers’ hangout. This horseshoe bay has waves for both beginners and the more advanced and little beach huts with amazing juices and banana pancakes. You can even watch sea turtles as you swim in the crystal clear ocean
For the adventure enthusiasts, the coastal waters of Hikkaduwa are the place to be—for sunbathing, boating, scuba diving, snorkeling or surfing. From scrumptiously affordable seafood restaurants to garments of any sort, the Hikkaduwa beach has a long running ‘thumbs up’ reputation by its countless visitors. Especially during the high season this is the place to go for party lovers as there are many clubs and bars nearby. Make sure to check out the small turtle sanctuary in the area—learn about the sea turtles’ plight and obviously, the adorable baby turtles. Peak visiting months include November and April, however January to March is also recommended.
Mirissa Beach
Awash with beautiful mussels and stones, Mirissa is less touristy in comparison to the other beaches however most tourists do visit for whale-watching and if they’re lucky, they can even spot blue whales during December to March. On New Year’s Eve, watch the sleepy beach town transform into a giant beach party. Parrot Rock divides the bay but don’t expect to see any parrots. Still, the best secret here is the Secret Beach, a tiny secluded beach with an incredible sunset view. It is recommended to visit in November to April, August to October
Nilaveli Beach is lLocated a bit out of town, the quiet beach is a gateway to Pigeon Island. The coral reef here is considered to be the best snorkeling spot in Sri Lanka—even reef sharks can be found among the exotic animals here. Nilaveli is all white sand and tropical snorkeling before settling at Trincomalee, the nearby town which served as a maritime base during the Second World War. The best time to visit Nilaveli would be between May and October
Unawatuna Beach
An ideal place for a beach getaway or sea-turtle watching, the popular resort is only 5 km far from the charming Dutch fort town Galle, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Unawatuna can be walked from end to end in 15 minutes but the white-sand beach offers calm waters and soft, sloping sand making it a great family choice, even if it’s not so great for surfing. Famous for its stunning sunsets, the coastline is decorated with pastel houses and handicraft stores—definitely visit around November to April.
Surrounded on all sides by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has plenty of beautiful beaches for you to retreat to when the tropical temperatures get a bit too close for comfort. Every bit as aesthetic as you can imagine, long golden beaches offer an idyllic paradise with perfect t winds and waves.
Don’t just relax by the beaches though; Sri Lanka is an explorer’s paradise. The Golden triangle is where you’ll find Sri Lanka’s key historic sites, including Dambulla Cave Temples and Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Anuradhapura is a magical ancient city and home to a Bo tree descended from Buddha’s and thought to be 2000 years old. Kandy is a cultural attraction in its own right, boasting the iconic Temple of the Tooth along with multiple smaller temples and interesting attractions. Ella, high in the tea fields, is popular with visitors as is the southern capital of Galle. Even Jaffna is the new must-see place, despite being inaccessible for so long as it lies in the far-north. The weather in Sri Lanka is a mixed bag – with a usual temperature of 28c year round people expect a hot and sunny climate. However, the hill country is much colder so packing for two seasons is essential. It also has two monsoon seasons, affecting different parts of the island at different times.
“Whether you’re a family traveller or an adrenaline junkie, a wellness seeker or a foodie,” says Lonely Planet spokesperson Chris Zeiher, “In Sri Lanka you’ll find all the magic you’d expect from South Asia bundled into a resurgent, medium-sized island-nation that’s friendly and – with improved tourism infrastructure and transportation – more accessible in 2019 than ever before.”
Let’s Go, Chumphon
Let’s Go, Lopburi
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Home / Tips and Tricks / How to switch to an earlier version of a file from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
How to switch to an earlier version of a file from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
Google Suite apps (Docs, Sheets, and Slides) track all edits, edits, and versions of a file, so you can go back to an earlier version if needed. This is how it works:
First, open a file that you saved in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides. We use Google Docs, but the process is the same for the other two services.
Open the File menu, click the Version History submenu, and then click See Version History. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H.
Note: Note: If you do not have edit permissions on a file, you can not view it. The version history of a file. Of course, if you created the file, this is not a problem.
Versions of a file are grouped with appropriate changes to the right side of the window. Depending on how accurate you are, they may have a real name or they can only be sorted by the time you created them. Each version is a collection of changes that are grouped and merged based on the age of the file or the size of each version. This is done to save space on Google's servers.
If you click on a specific version, your file in the main window on the left will temporarily be in that state. It also shows the changes made with the user.
For a more detailed view, click on the chevron next to a version and then on a specific event to view this version
If you are looking for a Version you want to return to, click the "Restore this version" button at the top of the window.
A A pop-up window indicates that your document will soon be reverting to a different version. Click "Restore".
If you are not satisfied with the recovered version of your file and want to return to an earlier version, do not worry. everything is not lost. Google does not delete anything automatically. Instead, a copy of the selected version is created and made the current version. Go back to the version history by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H. Repeat the previous steps to reset your file to the previous one, which should be at the top of the list.
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—Image on Paper
Artbook | Photobook | Reviews & News
Index by Artist
Review – Alexey Brodovitch’s Ballet
Alexey Brodovitch
Reissued by errata editions, 2011
Reviewed by Tim McLaughlin
Tragedy can befall books just as it does people.
In 1956 a fire destroyed source material, negatives, prints, layouts and virtually everything that had gone into making Alexey Brodovitch’s first book of photography Ballet. With a perverse tenacity a second fire consumed the few remaining copies of the book in Brodovitch’s possession some years later.
What was lost to the flames was a completely individual work that stood well outside of the photographic tradition of the times. Or, as expressed by Christopher Phillips, Brodovitch’s photographs, “spat in the face of technique and pointed out a new way in which photographers could work.”
Ballet was shot between 1935 and 1937. The first two years of the famous Farm Security Administration’s documentary photography project. The FSA employed the likes of Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange to create what are now some of the most well known images in the history of photography.
But while Evans, Lange, and their colleagues were outside in the bright sun with professional equipment and the clear purpose of documenting the lives of the American dispossessed, Brodovitch was working in the gloomy backstage lighting of theatre halls with newly invented 35-mm film and a Contax camera. He had no lights other than stage lighting and he had slow film. He could barely hope to get a clear image. But, as it turns out, Brodovitch could do more with these shadows and luminous ghosts than most could do with their razor sharp imagery.
Alexey Brodovitch is best known as a masterful innovator and luminary of publication design. For 25 years he was the art director of Harper’s Bazaar, a position he used to rethink the relationship of image to text within the setting of the two-page spread. It could be argued that it was Brodovitch that gave us the magazine as we recognize it today. In 1933 he founded the legendary Design Laboratory, a nexus that, over the years, brought together such notables as Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Irving Penn, Lisette Model and, of course, Richard Avedon.
If one is familiar with Avedon’s work, Ballet provides the missing link between his hallmark portraits and his blurred, street work done in Italy during the 1940s, at the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and in other environments where he abandoned his studio technique. Avedon’s work makes sense as someone working in a “Brodovitch” style. But when Brodovitch make his photos he was attempting something entirely new. As Edwin Denby states in his introduction to Ballet.
When you first glance at them Alexey Brodovitch’s photographs look strangely unconventional. Brodovitch, who knows as well as any of us the standardized Fifth Avenue kind of flawless prints, offers us as his own some that are blurred, distorted, too black and spectral, or too light and faded looking, and he has even intensified these qualities in the darkroom. [… ] What he took, what he watched for, it seems, were the unemphatic moments, the ones the audience does not applaud but establish the spell of the evening.
The Errata re-publication of Ballet is a very welcome book. It reproduces the pages of the original, yet it cannot really be considered a facsimile edition. In fact, the layout is somewhat awkward as the standardized size of Errata’s books is at odds with the dimensions of Ballet. One wonders what Brodovitch himself would have made of the new housing for his work. It is a minor complaint, however, as the text of the original has been re-set and included at the back. Also included are some of the only surviving contact sheets of Brodovitch’s 35mm negatives. The Errata eddition clearly communicates the genius of Brodovitch’s design and image manipulation.
It is worth noting that Errata editions were “… inspired by the frustration of not being able to access the content of many of the important photobooks the medium has produced. We find it distressing that these bookworks are no longer available to students or new generations of photographers.” Errata are dedicated to bringing out those volumes that will never be reissued in their original form.
Ballet was first published in 1945 by J. J. Augustin of New York. There were 104 photographs produced in the gravure style. The edition was 500. Additional information on the history of this influential book, including the quotes mentioned in this review, can be found in the Phaidon publication Alexey Brodovitch by Kerry William Purcell.
Disclosure: A copy of this book was purchased online.
He was a Victorian outcast …
By the 1950s, Jones and his wife were still living in Lincolnshire with no electricity or running water. He was a Victorian outcast who could not reconcile himself to the realities of living in the modern age. His children were shocked to find that for many years he did not claim his rightful old age pension. Always a proud man, he considered it charity. He died at age 92 on November 15, 1959. These would be the salient events of a seemingly solid, unassuming, yet useful life except for a discovery made twenty-two years later.
Robert Flynn Johnson
Introduction to Plant Kingdoms: The Photographs of Charles Jones
Review – Plant Kingdoms: The Photographs of Charles Jones
Classic, Review
Plant Kingdoms: The Photographs of Charles Jones
The Outsider Genius Saved from Obscurity by Chance Discovery
Sean Sexton and Robert Flynn Johnson
Preface by Alice Waters
Thames and Hudson, 1998
Reviewed by Alan Sirulnikoff
Charles Jones is so much an “outsider” that it is safe to say that virtually no one was aware of his passionate photographic pursuit until a chance discovery by Sean Sexton (a photographic historian and collector) who found a trunk of Jones’ prints at an English market in 1981. Through Sexton’s luck, we now have this eloquent record.
The images in the book are detailed with a warm hue — reproduced from the original gold-toned gelatin silver prints. None of the original glass-plate negatives are known to have survived. In fact, his grandchildren reported that near the end of his life, Jones used his glass-plate negatives in the garden to protect young plants.
Charles Jones, the son of a master butcher, was born in England in 1866. He trained as a gardener and took various positions on private estates in England. It is thought that a number of the prints featured in the book were probably made between 1895-1905.
Though not much is known about Jones or his formal photographic training (if any), he clearly had a ‘good eye’ and a thorough understanding of the technical side of photography. Sadly, there are no notes, diaries or writings to reveal his inner thoughts or what inspired him to produce such a superb portfolio of the plant world. This beautifully produced book, put together by Sexton and Robert Flynn Johnson, is one that I gladly return to frequently.
Interestingly, Jones chose to pose most of his subjects against a variety of neutral backgrounds rather than within nature. Vegetables and fruits are lovingly displayed with great attention given to lighting and composition. For this very private man, these creations were a display of passion through the medium of photography.
Was Jones influenced by other photographers of the day? One of his contemporaries was Karl Blossfeldt (1865-1932). Blossfeldt’s hugely popular book Urformen der Kunst was published in 1928. However, where Blossfeldt believed that “the plant must be valued as a totally artistic and architectural structure” Jones’ relationship appears to have been more intimate and personal.
Though I knew of Blossfeldt’s work, my own “chance discovery” of Charles Jones occurred in the renowned Portland bookstore, Powells, 14 years after the book was first published. Upon entering the art books section, “Plant Kingdoms” was one of the first books to catch my eye. I quickly became immersed in the images, the story, and the coincidence of finding this book at the same time as I was working on my own Still Life series.
Recently I attended an exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery by the contemporary photographer Patrick Faigenbaum. Naturally I was drawn to the still life images that were on display. An accompanying gallery description noted:
He observes the objects with deliberate slowness, treating figs, eggplants and lemons as he would people in his portraits, allowing them to gradually “reveal” themselves to him – a mere inanimate thing – a “nature morte” – becomes a “still life.
This description could equally apply to Charles Jones.
Jones’ images are often poetic; sensitive; and very finely composed. “Bean Runner” (pp. 26, 27) are two of many examples that exhibit a life beyond their simple title. Looking at Sugar Pea (p. 33), I can almost feel the leathery texture of the pods and the smooth pearl-like peas.
A memorable image will transport me or evoke lateral thinking. “Celery Standard Bearer” (p. 40) is one such example. A lone stock stands bound in front of a simple white background, creating the vision of a condemned man about to be executed. The adjacent photograph “Celery Wright’s White” (p. 41) — starkly lit against a dark background — exudes a tension and mood that extends far beyond its simple caption.
“Radish White Icicle” (p. 75) is a further example. Standing, seemingly balanced on their ‘toes’, the radishes huddle tightly together as if discussing an important secret. Are they discussing what an unusual and exceptional man is this Charles Jones?
Today we have endless and immediate options for inundating ourselves (and others) in a flood of often banal imagery. Jones clearly revered and contemplated his subjects and most surely loved the medium of photography.
Yet, so little is known about this man whose prints – since Sexton’s discovery of them – have been added to private and public collections and enjoyed a measure of fame: exhibited at The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Musée de Elysée, Lausanne.
There is a joy in the mystery around Jones, especially in a time when we have become so used to having everything revealed with a simple click. Charles Jones died in Lincolnshire on November 15, 1959 at the age of 92. And though he may have taken most of his inner-most thoughts with him, he did leave a beautiful and poignant legacy for us to ponder.
Alan Sirulnikoff is a photographer living in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. See his Still Life photographs here.
You are never welcome …
You are never welcome. You have to spend time. You have to be patient. I’m never in a hurry. I have to connect with 100 people to convince one. I live with people. I try to transmit why I am so fascinated with them. And finally they say, ‘Pierre, let’s try.’
Pierre Gonnord
interview with Andrew Alexander in Arts Atl.
Review – Pierre Gonnord
PHotoBolsillo
5.25 x 7, 112 pages, softcover
La Fabrica, 2012
I have this funny thing which is that I’m never afraid when I’m looking in the ground glass. This person could be approaching with a gun or something like that and I’d have my eyes glued to the finder and it wasn’t like I was really vulnerable.
If Rembrandt were a photographer instead of a painter, and if he were drawn to the margins of society rather than to himself (and his other subjects) he might have produced works very much like those of Pierre Gonnord.
With their dark backgrounds and characteristic lighting, these images are sculpted with an exacting attention to detail. They are, in fact, so painterly that they invite the viewer closer, encouraging a careful examination of the shadows and highlights in an attempt to perceive their true nature. In the book the images are the size of a postcard and so it is easy to mistake them for paintings. In his exhibitions, Gonnord displays the images much larger than life – sometimes four feet high, and so I expect, the effect is quite different.
The subjects and the images are timeless. The clothing gives nothing away: an overcoat, perhaps a scarf; sometimes there is no clothing, only a naked shoulder.
The portrayed are European punks, transients from Eastern Europe, Venetian Jews, Spanish and Portuguese peasants, Japanese geisha and yakuza, the Gypsies of Seville … There is beauty and there is a brutality – often combined in the same face.
I choose my contemporaries in the anonymity of the big cities because their faces, under the skin, narrate unique, remarkable stories about our era. Sometimes hostile or distant, almost always fragile behind the opacity of their masks, they represent specific social realities and another concept of beauty. I also try to approach the unclassifiable, timeless individual, to suggest things that have been repeated over and over since time began.
Born in France in 1963, Gonnord moved to Spain in his twenties and taught himself photography. He has been widely exhibited in Europe and in 2012 the French Consulate in Atlanta invited him to complete a residency and a series of photographs, using local American southerners as his subjects.
In the essay, “A New Perception of the Real” by Lorena Martinez de Corral (which accompanies the volume) Gonnord states:
The camera has been like a lifejacket for me, an opportunity to go towards the rest, to approach the Other, to overcome the limits of my shyness, of my loneliness, of my condition and also my taboos.
This sentiment is the echo of Diane Arbus’s relationship to her subjects, but where Arbus was uninterested in technical finesse, Gonnord has clearly perfected not only the art of photography but the painterly use of lighting to convey a specific conception of portraiture.
PHotoBolsillo publishes a series of monographs on “the most important Spanish photographers” in an “instructive yet readable format.” The books are similar to the popular Photo Poche series started by the Centre National de la Photographie in 1982 (and brought into the English-speaking world in 1989 by Thames and Hudson under the title Photofile).
Despite the PHotoBolsillo motto, the English translation of Lorena Martinez de Corral’s essay is not very readable, it is, in fact, awkward and a little painful. A minor complaint, and the only one I could make in the light of the pristine nature of the rest of this book.
The tiny volume on Pierre Gonnord is an excellent introduction to a masterful and provocative photographer.
Disclosure: A copy of Pierre Gonnord was purchased online.
The Portrait is finished …
The Portrait is finished when I am able to leave my model to himself, to his thoughts, to his own mind, as if he were at home without any witness.
Patrick Faigenbaum
Text panel at the Vancouver Art Gallery Exhibition, 2013
Patrick Faigenbaum at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Exhibition, Review
Vancouver Art Gallery
March 9 – June 2, 2013
Co-curated by director Kathleen S. Bartels and artist Jeff Wall.
Patrick Faigenbaum, Famille Frescobaldi, Florence, 1984—2010
silver chlorobromide print
On a rainy evening half-way through May, I walked to the Vancouver Art Gallery and took in the exhibition of Parisian photographer Patrick Faigenbaum. As I entered the gallery, there was a portrait visible from the main floor rotunda of the gallery. I am unable to resist an exhibition that works with the human face, and portraits comprise a major portion of Faigenbaum’s photographic practice. He is perhaps best known for a series of black and white group photos of the Italian aristocracy. Some are nothing but shades of dark grey, as if the light of the modern world could not penetrate the dusk of generations of family affluence.
The exhibit is co-curated by Jeff Wall, most famous of the “Vancouver School” photographers. But Wall also has an academic background in the arts – as assistant professor (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design), and associate professor (Simon Fraser University). His writing and teaching helped define the “Vancouver School” and positioned a number of his peers (Vikky Alexander, Roy Arden, Ken Lum, Ian Wallace, Stan Douglas and Rodney Graham) within it.
The works of Faigenbaum comprise the fourth exhibition in this series intended to introduce internationally acclaimed artists to a North American audience. The curatorial text positioned at the entrance to the exhibition said as much, and I would repeatedly encounter the term “international acclaim” in relation to these portraits of Italian bluebloods. What I would not encounter was the explanation of the acclaim. Was it just the difficulty in gaining access to them? What made these different from any other family portrait? The wealth that adorned the end tables? I found that the pictures had begun to be treated like the idea of aristocracy itself. It was all in the adjective: one should feel a certain privilege simply to be in their presence. However, many of these family group sittings have a casual, almost careless composition and I found neither narrative nor poignancy in them. Which is odd given the months of planning necessary to set up the shoots. It is also peculiar given the prominence of this series in Faigenbaum’s oeuvre.
Patrick Faigenbaum, Citrons, Santulussurgiu [Lemons, Santulussurgiu], 2006
silver chromogenic print
Faigenbaum’s still life photographs recall his early ambitions as a painter. Curators and critics have also been quick to point out a painterly approach in his portraiture: “Faigenbaum’s use of chiaroscuro—strongly contrasting passages of light and dark—places him in a line of “old masters”, from Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio to Georges de La Tour to Rembrandt van Rijn.” (Robin Laurence, The Georgia Straight). As with a sitting in front of an artist working in traditional media, Faigenbaum likes to take an extended period of time in order to let a feeling of quiet and calm develop. This feeling is evident in his strongest works.
Patrick Faigenbaum, Dr. Karel Černý, Prague, 1994
It is also the feeling that is conspicuously absent in Faigenbaum’s street scenes. The shift from portraiture is not just a shift in content, it is a disconcerting change in approach and style leaving one feeling that one has missed something. Indeed, we have missed something, the shift from the aesthetic-based portraits to the “conceptual art” basis of his other works. Yet this transition goes unannounced, despite the fact that co-curator Jeff Wall is arguably the best person to make such an announcement.
Patrick Faigenbaum, Avenue Vinohradská, Prague, 1994
In the world of contemporary photography some images are so distinctive that only one person could have made them. The majority of Faigenbaum’s work seems almost unauthored, as if it could have been made by anyone. There is no signature lighting, no angle, no mood, no vision or subject matter to identify his genius.
I stood in an exhibition of photographs that were part quotidian street scenes and part formal sittings. I faced a large wall that held only one image. It depicted two people sitting at a restaurant table, their faces blackened by deep shadows, the table held general daily clutter, it could have been there, it could have not been there: a carton of cigarettes and a lighter; detritus. With the faces obscured and the visible content mundane, I asked myself why this image was hanging here.
The gallery copy tells me that “Patrick Faigenbaum creates a compelling ambience that isolates a moment outside the incessant flow of time, prompting the viewer to acknowledge the impossibility of fully understanding the complex narratives that extend beyond each image.” Yes, but what of the narrative within the image?
In a review by Shawn Connor of the Vancouver Sun, Faigenbaum mentions being drawn to photograph in Prague, citing an affinity for one of his favourite authors, Franz Kafka. “It’s this strangeness,” Faigenbaum said. “I always think about this when I look at my work: why is this going on?”
I could not reconcile the often beautifully still portraits with the other images in the exhibit. I could not answer “why is this going on?” And so I left the exhibit moved by the stillness of his portraits, and joyous before his lemons, but ultimately disappointed: with an inexplicable feeling that the artist’s best work (or some information vital to the understanding of his imagery) had been held back.
Patrick Faigenbaum, Hanane Ksouri, Saint-Raphaël, 1999
An Interview with Jeff Wall on Patrick Faigenbaum
by Here and Elsewhere
Patrick Faigenbaum brings the flavours of Europe to the Vancouver Art Gallery: Painter-turned-photographer captures stately portraits of aristocrats, lively street scenes
by Shawn Connor, The Vancouver Sun
Patrick Faigenbaum’s photographs place him in line with “old masters”
by Robin Laurence, The Georgia Straight
The Fabric of India
Deeper than Indigo
Sketchbook by H. Craig Hanna
The People of India
Silent Warriors: Portraits of North American Indians
Image On Paper On Facebook
Temporary studios… on Classic – Worlds in a Sm…
Irving Penn | n j w… on Before They Pass Away
Fashionably Rosey on Classic – Worlds in a Sm…
imageonpaper on Classic – Worlds in a Sm…
All text © 2015 Tim McLaughlin except where noted. Copyright for images cited rests with the original creators. Contact me at tmcl@dccnet.com
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Environmental Regulations Matter When Manufacturing in Mexico
Increased trade between Mexico and the U.S. translates to more U.S. businesses leveraging the nearshoring advantages of manufacturing in Mexico. As a result, an understanding of the the country's regulatory structure surrounding the environment is crucial. It is important to realize that changes to Mexico's regulations and greater enforcement of environmental laws are the new norm because of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Understanding the Legal System in Mexico
Before manufacturing in Mexico or even gaining a thorough grasp of how the government regulates and enforces environmental protection, it is important to first understand the country's legal system at a higher level. Similar to the U.S., Mexico has a national federal system of government and is made up of 31 states. However, Mexico's national government has notably more power over state legislation than the national governments in the U.S. or Canada.
Another fundamental difference is that while U.S. attorneys and judges can draft many pieces of legislation based on their own interpretation of the law, Mexico relies on codes as its primary source of law. This is because the federal constitution in Mexico is the basis for all the country's laws.
The 1917 Political Constitution of the United Mexican States is the current rule of law, with active amendments. The Mexican constitution includes economic, social and cultural rights of the Mexican people and calls for a federal government that takes an active role in promoting those rights. That being said, Mexico's federal government has more power to enforce environmental regulations than the U.S. government has regarding individual states.
"Much of Mexico's ecological regulatory environment stems from 1987."
Key Environmental Regulations
Much of Mexico's ecological regulatory environment stems from 1987, when the country amended its constitution to allow congress the authority to enact laws promoting the participation of federal, state and local authorities in environmental issues and to impose limitations on the use and ownership of real property.
Thus emerged the General Ecology Law, or LGEEPA, which addresses a broad range of environmental concerns including water, air and ground pollution, resource conservation, and environmental enforcement. This law closely resembles a number of U.S. statutes including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The Mexican law encompasses many issues that come with the growing industrialization of the country, unlike most American laws which were individually formed in response to specific ecological circumstances.
In Mexico, environmental protection is a top governmental concern.
In 1992 the LGEEPA was amended. One of the most important changes was that the law gave power to local authorities to enforce their own regulations. In 1997 the Secretariat of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries was created, and is still in charge of enforcing the country's environmental regulations today. While the LGEEPA is the basis for Mexico's environmental management process, there are a handful of key regulations businesses should be aware of before manufacturing in Mexico:
Water pollution - Under the National Waters law, key functions in the water sector are the responsibility of the federal government, through the National Water Commission (CNA). Extraction of national waters, discharge of wastewater and occupation of federal water zones all require authorization issued by the CNA. Violators can be held financially responsible for breach of permit under this law.
Air pollution - Under Mexican environmental law, all sources of air pollution are regulated. Additionally, many manufacturing sites will be subject to federal jurisdiction, regardless of the municipality in which they are located. As such, all stationary sources of air pollution (such as a factory) must obtain an operating license for emissions. The current law, however, does not outline compensation responsibilities for air pollution.
Waste - According to the law, the Mexican government defines waste as hazardous waste, special management waste and solid waste. The law prohibits people from generating, storing, transporting or disposing hazardous waste without the appropriate permits. Manufacturers should know that while the storage of self-generated hazardous waste does not require a specific permit, the facility where the waste is stored must meet specifications.
A Move Toward Sustainable Energy in Mexico
Beyond key regulations, it is important that manufacturers in Mexico understand the country's position on sustainable energy and climate change. For one, the country is committed to reducing its global carbon footprint. In fact, Bloomberg News reported that in early 2015, Mexico became the first developing country to formally promise to cut pollution tied to climate change, pledging a 25% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
Moreover, as Mexico becomes more industrialized, its economic growth often leads to higher environmental regulation. This is especially the case when it comes to energy. Toward the end of 2013, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto introduced constitutional amendments that ended the state's monopoly on the energy sector, opening the country's doors to foreign investment. The Mexican Energy Reform promoted capital and resources to increase energy production and decrease energy costs to consumers.
One of the main components of Mexico's 2013 Energy Reform is to enable the country to stay in compliance with global ecological agreements by increasing the use of green energy producers like solar power. With these changes, the Energy Reform also opened their energy market to private companies in hopes of expanding the electrical infrastructure.
While these reforms were a marvelous feat and an entryway toward expanded economic growth, many environmental organizations were concerned about the ecological impact. However, SWCA pointed out that as part of the changes, the Mexican government committed to a goal of 30 percent clean energy production by 2023 and included language surrounding regulatory oversight funding for enforcement personnel and penalties for non-compliance.
Due to Mexico's recently opened energy market, more investors see opportunities for growth within its borders. That being said, it is important to understand how the country ensures environmental safety while simultaneously promoting long-term economic growth.
Environmental Protection at the Border
Finally, manufacturers in Mexico must understand the complex issue of environmental protection at the border. Often times, manufacturing activity in both Mexico and the U.S. leads to runoff pollution at the border, which has prompted environmental action and mutual agreements. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the organization granted more than $450,000 to fund environmental projects along the Texas and New Mexico U.S-Mexico border.
This move marked the beginning of the Border 2020 Program, implemented under the 1983 La Paz Agreement. The program builds off of the Border 2012 program, emphasizing regional, bottom-up approaches for decision making, priority setting, and project implementation to address the environmental and public health problems in the border region.
The U.S. and Mexico are strong trading partners who have a keen interest in maintaining positive relations. While their political structures are very different, both nations take important steps toward environmental regulation to ensure their economies continue to thrive, and initiatives at the border is just one example.
Mexico makes environmental protection a priority in order to maintain positive relations with other global economies, which enables businesses to run profitable operations within its borders. Understanding how to work with environmental regulations when expanding to Mexico can help your company reach its full manufacturing potential.
Start your journey into Mexico today!
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Presidential Distinguished Service Awards 2015
Tom Moran and Maureen Murphy receive Irish Presidential Awards in 2015.
By Adam Farley, Deputy Editor
October / November 2015
Actor Gabriel Byrne, businessman Tom Moran, solicitor Gareth Peirce, and author Mario Vargas Llosa are among the recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad for 2015.
The awards were announced in September by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these remarkable individuals for what each of them has contributed to Ireland, to the Irish abroad, and to our country’s international reputation,” Minister Flanagan said. “Their service and commitment to Ireland is a shining example to us all and they are worthy recipients of this honor by the president.”
Gabriel Byrne’s award recognizes his work as a Cultural Ambassador for Ireland, while London solicitor Gareth Peirce was nominated for her advocacy work on the cases of the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six.
Mario Vargas Llosa is a Peruvian writer, politician, journalist, essayist, college professor, and recipient of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature, is being honored for his book, The Dream of the Celt, which opened up the story of Irish patriot Roger Casement in a very sympathetic manner to the 650 million Spanish and Portuguese speakers in the world.
Stateside, philanthropist and businessman Tom Moran, chairman of Mutual of America, is being honored for his contribution as an influential voice in the Irish peace process. “Over the years, Tom has developed relationships with social, political, and business leaders in Northern Ireland and continues to open doors to promote a positive future for this island,” Minister Flanagan said.
Other recipients from the U.S. are Father Brendan McBride, founder and head of the Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center in San Francisco, who played a central role in providing support to those involved in the recent Berkeley tragedy, and Dr. Maureen Murphy. The Hofstra professor, who is currently serving as a Fulbright Fellow at University College Dublin, is being recognized for her work promoting Ireland as a cultural and literary powerhouse. ♦
One Response to “Presidential Distinguished Service Awards 2015”
Peter Garland says:
Peace + $$$ War = Love, love, love and an Ireland at peace with herself at last.
Leave a Reply to Peter Garland
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You Are Here: Home → How Israel Weaponizes Archeology
How Israel Weaponizes Archeology
contact@ifamericansknew.org August 31, 2017 absentee property law, archeology, artifacts, dead sea scrolls, silwan
Israeli bulldozers demolish part of an historic Islamic building near Al-Aqsa Mosque, not far from the City of David archaeological site, where land is being confiscated from the Palestinian village of Silwan in what some have called “bulldozer archeology.” Says Palestinian archeologist Hamed Salem, “This important historical site is no longer an archaeological park; it’s an ideological park.” (Photo: Ahmad Gharabli / AFP / Getty)
by Kathryn Shihadah, If Americans Knew
From the Zionism’s earliest days in the late 1800s until the present, Israel’s battle has always been about land, but for some the issue goes much deeper—literally. What is underground is as valuable as what is above ground, and the battle has been raging for years.
The battle is over ancient artifacts, from Jerusalem to Gaza to Qumran.
The “Jewish State” prioritizes anything that might boost its legitimacy as rightful owner of Holy Land real estate, and has appropriated the science of archeology to help create its narrative.
The goal is to highlight the ancient Jewish presence and discount all other communities. whether historic or current. The Israeli narrative assumes, for example, that Christians may have been present for a short time, but only as visitors, leaving virtually no trace; the same goes for any Muslim presence.
In order to back up this version of history, Israel has found it necessary to destroy villages, demolish ancient sites, appropriate historic areas, rewrite textbooks, redraw boundary lines, and more. With the illusion of an ongoing, dominant Jewish presence, Israel can assert that it is simply “re-claiming” what is rightfully theirs, instead of taking what belongs to others.
Facts under the ground
It is no surprise that Israel/Palestine is an archeological gold mine: ancient trade routes crisscrossed the region; it was the historic home of the Philistines and Crusaders; a stone’s throw from the early civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Phoenicia; part of the Roman, Greek, Persian, and Ottoman empires, to name a few; and the dwelling place of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
In fact, Palestine is home to the oldest archeological organization in the world, the Palestine Exploration Fund, founded in 1865. Here excavators have feasted on a dizzying array of strata, ranging from Upper Paleolithic (about 40,000 BC) to late Ottoman (19th century AD), and everything in between; their findings have led to the advancement of the science of archeology itself. No wonder archeologists from around the world have been assembling for at least a century and a half to unearth and study Palestine’s ancient cultural riches.
When Israel created itself in 1948—and even before this date—the “Jewish State” worked to take control of archaeology, and thus, of the region’s history. It toiled to erase footprints of the numerous civilizations that had preceded the Jewish presence, as well as the peoples that have come afterward.
“Hand to hand”
The claim to the land is based on a very small window of time, as Illene Beatty pointed out in Arab and Jew in the Land of Canaan: “The extended kingdoms of David and Solomon, on which the Zionists base their territorial demands, endured for only about 73 years… Then it fell apart… [Even] if we allow independence to the entire life of the ancient Jewish kingdoms, from David’s conquest of Canaan in 1000 B.C. to the wiping out of Judah in 586 B.C., we arrive at [only] a 414 year Jewish rule.”
The Israeli narrative pushes the window open a few hundred years more: history (at least, relevant history) supposedly “started with King David and ended with the destruction of the second temple [70 A.D.], restarting with Jewish settlement in the nineteenth century.” Some Greek and Roman presence and a “smattering of early Christianity” are tolerable. But ancient Philistines, Arabs, and Muslims are never acknowledged as part of the region’s history. They would impinge upon Jewish interests.
The official explanation, according to an introductory film that is shown to tour groups in Jerusalem, is simply, “For two thousand years, the city passed from hand to hand.” The “righteous return” and the settler agenda are the only account to which visitors are exposed. On Palestine, there is only silence.
As Israeli author and activist Uri Avnery reminds us, the Zionist claim to the land of Palestine, based as it was on the Biblical history of the Israelites, requires proving that the Bible is true. Almost all of the founders of Israel were professing atheists, but they gritted their teeth and gave their orders.
During the early years of Israel’s existence, bulldozers removed Ottoman and Mameluke remains, Arab and Crusader artifacts, Byzantine and Roman and Greek and Persian remnants—in order to find “pay dirt”: biblical Hebrew artifacts. The search is ongoing. (Read this and this, for example.)
And over the years, the narrative has been pieced together for a single purpose: to manufacture “legitimacy.”
The not-so-old coin from Netanyahu’s FB post.
This explains why, for example, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rushed to social media when a coin was found recently in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank (Palestine). Preliminary identification classified the coin as a 2,000-year-old half shekel. The Prime Minister posted on Facebook that the artifact was “evidence of the deep connection between the people of Israel and its land” (mind you, the item was found in Palestine, not Israel). Several days later, the coin was more accurately identified by the Israel Museum as a replica, a souvenir, circa 2000 A.D. The Facebook post was removed.
After the 2015 discovery of an ancient jug with Hebrew inscription, Israel’s minister of education, Naftali Bennett, posted on Facebook, “This is yet another example of the many facts on the ground that tell the story of the Jewish state that flourished here in this land 3,000 years ago… A nation can not occupy its own land.”
Moral of the story: Archeology—when massaged properly—is proof positive that there is no occupation.
Palestinian villages evaporate
As part of this effort, Zionist forces wiped out 400-600 Palestinian villages in the 1940s—some were destroyed in the war, but many were depopulated and razed even before the war began; others were demolished in the three years or so following the war.
This palm tree is the landmark for the destroyed village of Ibdis, which was in existence since at least the 16th century, and contained tombs dated to the 6th century CE.
According to Just Past? The Making of Israeli Archaeology, “remnants of the Arab past were considered blots on the landscape and evoked facts everyone wanted to forget” (everyone except the Palestinians). Many of these lost villages were themselves ancient, or contained ancient building materials. This assisted forgetting, essentially “Nakba denial,” is undoubtedly the greatest theft of Palestinian history. Today, in place of those lost villages are Israeli towns, farms, and orchards.
Hundreds of historical monuments and places of worship (primarily mosques) were also targeted for demolition after the 1948 war. A few Israelis pleaded with the Israeli Department of Antiquities to preserve these sites, but they were for the most part unsuccessful.
Raz Kletter wrote about the situation, of which he as an archeologist was ashamed: “I don’t think this village landscape belongs to us—it belongs to the people who lived here—but still, there is longing for that lost landscape. We cannot bring it back, but at least we should be aware of the truth and not lie to ourselves.”
Cartographers were sent out to make a new map, renaming cities, villages, rivers, etc. with Israeli/Hebrew names to erase all vestiges of Palestinian presence.
This effort has continued for decades, down to even renaming parks and streets.
Appropriating archeological sites & the Dead Sea Scrolls
The 1995 Oslo Accords II assigned 60% of the West Bank (Palestine) to full Israeli military control by designating it “Area C.” This was meant to be a temporary arrangement, but has lasted over twenty years to date. Israel maintains authority over all land-related civil matters, which includes the Jewish-only settlements on Palestinian land (with a current population of about half a million) and almost all of Palestine’s archeological sites.
According to international law, artifacts found on Palestinian land— whether Area A, B, C, Gaza, or East Jerusalem—belong to Palestine and should remain inside Palestine. UNESCO Accords, UN Security Council resolutions, and the 1954 Hague Convention all indicate that “when ownership of an antiquity is vested in a nation, one who removes it without permission is a thief, and the antiquities are stolen property”— this according to Patty Gerstenblith, DePaul professor and author of a 2016 Department of Justice guide to cultural property law.
The appropriation of archeological sites and their artifacts is, by definition, illegal, but Israel has a great deal of experience in flouting international law and getting away with it. This crime does not need to be covered up.
Witness the famous Dead Sea Scrolls: discovered by Palestinians before the founding of Israel, in the Qumran Caves which are located in the West Bank of Palestine. Because Qumran is in Area C of the West Bank, Israel controls the archeological site, the tourism, and the conversation. The scrolls are now in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Their official website does not contain any mention of Palestine.
Area C designation enables Israel de facto control over not only excavation and the distribution of artifacts; but decisions about when to stop digging and start building new structures—or parks or parking lots—on top of a site.
Palestinian towns and neighborhoods that are close to or part of East Jerusalem are subject to particularly exasperating treatment: the 1980 Jerusalem Law essentially annexed East Jerusalem (most of the world does not recognize the annexation), declaring all of Jerusalem “the complete and united capital of Israel,” and promising to “provide for the development and prosperity of Jerusalem and the well-being of its inhabitants.” Israeli domination ensued, and for Palestinians it feels like an elaborate land grab.
Case study: Silwan
The East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, whose families have owned their lands since Ottoman times, has been living under this cloud of Israeli authority since 1967.
Silwan used to be almost completely Palestinian and Muslim. After the 1967 annexation of East Jerusalem, a plan was announced to shift the population to 75% Israeli. As one of the settler/archeologist spokesmen explained, the objective was “to get a [Jewish] foothold in East Jerusalem and to create an irreversible situation in the holy basin around the Old City.” (This is called “ethnic cleansing.”) This has been accomplished through evictions and home demolitions—over half of the houses in Silwan are under demolition orders—sometimes using forged documents.
Palestinian women in Silwan watch as settlers move into homes in the neighborhood
One of the main ways Israel got a “foothold” in Silwan was through the 1950 Absentee Property Law. This insidious regulation states that if a piece of Palestinian property has been uninhabited for three years, or ownership documents could not be produced, the land would revert to a Custodianship Council, which could then distribute the property for military or settlement use.
The Absentee Property Law had worked handily when Palestinian refugees were refused the right of return: after three years, their land was confiscated and they had nothing to come back to anyway. Those few who did get back, and whose homes were still standing—only seven villages were left intact—often found their deeds missing or destroyed, and new, Jewish tenants in place. According to the Israel Government Yearbook, 5719, almost 60,000 homes and 10,000 businesses were appropriated during Israel’s early years.
A large number of properties in Silwan have been appropriated through this law.
The small number of green spaces in Silwan have also been claimed as archeological sites, forbidden to Palestinians. Hundreds of closed-circuit TV cameras are used to insure compliance.
Having appropriated swaths of Silwan, the work of appropriating swaths of history began “with bulldozers clearing huge areas in haste and multiple levels being dismantled in a race to get to ‘Jewish’ bedrock.” Where they couldn’t find what they needed, settlers built houses on top of excavation sites.
Silwan’s Palestinian residents used to take pride in the archeological riches of their land, but since Israel’s land grab, things have gone from bad to worse. The heavy machinery and deep digging are beginning to compromise structures: Palestinian homes are showing large cracks, making their owners nervous and angry.
One resident, Jawad Siyam, created a petition to end the destructive digging, and filed it with the Israel Supreme Court. The result: Jawad and all of those who signed the petition were imprisoned or put under house arrest for “disturbing the peace and causing damage to property.”
Adding insult to injury, the Jerusalem municipality replaced a number of Arabic-named streets in Silwan with biblical Hebrew names—yet another daily reminder to Palestinians of who is in charge.
Antiquities in Gaza
Not surprisingly, the situation in Gazan archeological sites is even worse—though its location as a seaport makes it wildly rich in ancient treasures. Gaza’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities oversees digs and artifact preservation to the best of its limited ability: its offices, as well as many historical sites, have been damaged by Israeli bombs.
In addition, the equipment and chemicals needed to carry out work are forbidden for “security reasons” under the decade-old blockade. Guest archeologists can not get in to help, and local archeologists can not get out for training. Oddly, many of Gaza’s most valuable artifacts have turned up in Israeli museums.
Needless to say, there is little funding for the work in Gaza, what with the highest unemployment rate in the world, electricity shortages, and clean water crisis.
Israeli tourism
Anyone familiar with the region knows that tourism has been almost completely appropriated by Israel—and this is another sore spot for Palestinians in archeologically rich areas. For example, the City of David National Park (built on Silwan’s land—see above) welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists a year, each of whom pays an $7 entrance fee, and most of whom buy food and souvenirs from Jewish Israeli settlers. Not only are all of the profits pocketed by Israel and Israelis, the Palestinians of Silwan and their connection to the land are completely and intentionally disregarded.
This tourism income may be small change to Israel—it receives over $10 million a day from the US alone—but it would make a huge difference to the people of Silwan and other towns that are casualties in the antiquity war.
A great irony in the saga of Israel’s quest for legitimacy in the land is this: no one, Palestinian or otherwise, denies an ongoing Jewish presence since ancient times. The pilfering of archeology has been unnecessary and unbecoming from that standpoint. The rising consensus worldwide of Israel as a pariah state and the increasing popularity of the Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions movement (BDS) indicate that Israel’s strategy is not helping in legitimacy efforts.
Kathryn Shihadah is a staff writer for If Americans Knew.
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Why Young Lives Lives Are Losing Meaning and Purpose III: The Happiness-Unhappiness Seesaw
Photo: Nathan Dumlao | unsplash.com
[“Happiness is ] the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.”
– Sonjia Lyubomirsky, positive psychology researcher
The answer to this question will depend on your life experiences to date, your culture and your age. But there may be a universal set of principles which we might adopt in order to achieve some level of contentment with our lot. It won’t surprise you that meaning, purpose and social support are integral to that state of being. Although there is much to be happy and certainly unhappy about in our world, perhaps there is a way to transcend the weary swing from either pole?
Happiness generally exists as an emotional seesaw between the future and the past, with the present squeezed out of existence. We are constantly told that we will only be happy when we get the girl/guy, marriage, the car, the house, the income, the career. For the young, if ambition still exists, it is tied to relentless consumption and the economic uncertainty that comes with it. Happiness can only arrive it seems, when we are safe and secure or lost in the adrenalin of the moment. Many Millennials and Generation Z have been molded that way so that any kind of contentment is dependent on material gain, identity/image and peer group status. It’s normalised to the point that we don’t pay it too much attention anymore. Sure, it’s been that way for a long time, but the difference is that young people generally do not have the desire, will or capacity to wait longer than the click of a mouse to discover that true happiness might just be gained from something other than social media, porn, computer games and SMART society consumption in general. Why should they? What is there to be happy about when to make sense of reality you are offered a daily diet of lies and misinformation and a 24hr streaming of corporate CEOs, TV/movie stars and gold-toothed rappers as role models?
The message to our youth today is to strive for the gold at the end of the rainbow even if most conventional wisdom keeps telling us it’s a pot-holed road to nowhere. Yet, the technosphere is powerful. Superficial stimulants to engage for the short-term fix are endemic for the young and keep them tied to a variety of cultural addictions, which includes being driven into the opoid arms of Big Pharma and its disgusting exploitation of generations of spiritually disppossessed. Yet, the very state of happiness must be conditional and transitory since it is rooted in the ebb and flow of the personality subject to the above; that is either growing, thus in a state of flux, or undergoing stasis and prone to disintegration. So, we seek that unassailable “happy” state as a means to stave off discomfort (and opportunities to grow thereby) rather than to surrender and embrace the unknown and reconfigure what happiness really means.
Unfortunately, young and old alike are more miserable than ever before. Why is it for instance, there’s been hardly any change at all in the levels of happiness experienced by Americans since 1972? [1] Indeed, loneliness and isolation play a huge part as a product of our woefully value-less economic nightmare we call “progress”. In the U.S., nearly half of all meals are eaten alone; the average American has fewer friends than twenty years ago and by 2008, less than one third of people had socialised with their neighbours compared nearly half that number about twenty-five years previously. It’s no better in the UK, with folks less likely to know their neighbours or have strong friendships than any other country in Europe. [2]
Posted in Health, Psychology and tagged community, God, happiness, meaning, morality, myths, Narcissism, purpose, religion, values on July 16, 2018 by M.K. Styllinski. Leave a comment
The Hissy Fit Generation and the Loss of Free Speech VII: The Subversion of Social Justice (2)
Courtesy of Susan Duclos of All News PipeLine| Click on image for larger version
“Since the 1990s, there’s been a change. The most scared thing at a university is the victim. Not in all departments and not in the sciences, but in the social sciences, especially in the humanities, the victim is the most sacred thing”
“The net effect [of safe spaces] is that the very people you are trying to help are rendered weaker and they become morally dependent.”
— Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist
In the last post we explored the landscape of social justice and the influence of the Social Justice Warrior (SJW) mindset expressed in particular through activism in universities and through rules and laws in education. We’ll be doing more of the same in this post with particular emphasis on racism and sexism in schools and universities.
In the Alice in Wonderland worldview of the SJW, racism, sexism and the accusation that anyone who is a straight, white and male and happens to disagree is immediately on the wrong side of the SJW contingent and opening themselves up to an array of derogatory labels. We become right wing provocateurs; “privileged” and misogynist; white supremacists and “——-phobic” (fill in the blank). Critics must feel terminally guilty and contrite for being borne into a racial demographic that in the past presided over genocide and institutional racism, pre-civil rights era. Not withstanding the irony that comes from the inherent privilege of students and academics, there is no evidence it exists now on the scale touted by these terminally offended young minds.
True racism is someone who expresses distaste or hatred for someone, simply due to their race. This form of ignorance is still around, but hurling abuse at anyone who is conservative, white, not a member of a minority or whose sexual orientation happens to be heterosexual (how passé) is displaying the exact same sexism/racism in reverse. This is the same contradiction that claims intolerance by enforcing tolerance.
In fact, SJW ideology is predicated on the most hackneyed contradictions sourced from its postmodern philosophical roots and which are sometimes so obvious it’s almost comical. Almost.
When feelings are facts, sexism, mis-gendering – whatever suits the hysterical SJW’s purpose – then literally anything can be twisted into an excuse to virtue-signal for a standardized “equality” > conformity. Unfortunately, this unhealthy mix of unthinking ideology and emotional histrionics (which is even more apparent with young women who appear to make up the majority of the SJW camp) results in a deepening of inequality, and empowering only the vampiric nature of victimhood identity. It creates new tears in the fabric of an already traumatised and infantilised society by accentuating social divisions and intense resentment.
This radicalism has not only emerged through left-liberal progressivism but thrives on the emotional drama of “us and them” and the subsequent promotion of violence and vindictiveness. Despite the default enemy of the alt. and ultra right, even moderate liberals and conservatives (in fact anyone who doesn’t agree) become the demonised “other” simply because they represent an alternative view. One only has to look at Facebook rants and Twitter storms to how this righteous indignation can go viral in a very short space of time.
For all those young activists who are actually prepared to make the effort to read, research, contemplate and to observe themselves in relation to the world, this hijacking of peaceful civil disobedience is a most dangerous dynamic to be unleashed. It is dangerous because it is sourced not from the love of Truth but the love of conflict as a salve to a troubled self. This phenomenon neuters the creative power of conscience in the young; their hope, their ideals and their potential to provide solutions and by subverting it into nothing more than a tool for the maladjusted it therefore proves useful as another tool for the Establishment. When protest feeds on fear and toxic emotions it can be maneuvered to where it can be of best use, in much the same way coloured revolutions can be fomented for regime change in any given country.
(Expect the SJW to be triggered by the term “coloured” revolutions. This is not a joke – that’s the level this craziness has reached).
Thanks to SJWs and their enablers, the United States and parts of Europe must now cope with a culture war designed to irrevocably confuse millennials about their sexuality, ethics, morals and values, which results in greater ethnic and political divides and turns us away from Establishment culpability. Most importantly, it ensures that young minds identify with extremes of mob rule or suffer from being sandwiched between two poles of pathological hypocrisy.
Posted in Activism, Psychology, Religion, Social Engineering and tagged Authoritarianism, Cultural Marxism, diversity training, education, free speech, gender equality, hate speech, Islam, LGBT, Narcissism, Neo-Liberalism, neo-Marxism, No Platform, postmodernism, racism, Radical Feminism, religion, school children, sexism, social cognition, Social Justice Warriors, Social Media, transgender, universities, victimhood, white privilege on January 29, 2018 by M.K. Styllinski. 1 Comment
World State Policies II: Fabianism: “With Fate Conspire”
“To play those millions of minds, to watch them slowly respond to an unseen stimulus, to guide their aspirations without their knowledge – all this whether in high capacities or in humble, is a big and endless game of chess, of ever extraordinary excitement.”
— Sidney Webb, founder of the Fabian Society.”
Italy’s Antonio Gramsci, was one of the greatest Marxist intellectuals who played a large part in mainstreaming an Illuminist strategy for destroying Christianity and re-shaping Western culture. Since the communist revolution was only partly successful for a variety of vested interests, Leninist methods were ditched in favour of cultural Marxism that would initiate change from within, gradually and inexorably as a “long march through the institutions.” No domain of society would remain untouched. The jostling for New World Order advocates had become fused with ceremonial psychopathy allowing Illuminist inspired philosophies to reincarnate into political theory across Liberal, Conservative and Zionist ideologies, the latter grouping making up most of the progenitors of Marxist theory.
By the end of World War I the Hungarian Bolshevik Georg Lukacs had introduced the concept of “cultural terrorism” which further embedded the strategy within the minds of academia and the Elite. For Lukacs – like the industrialists who came after him – knowledge of psychology and sexual mores were integral part of social engineering towards a Marxist philosophy. Traditional perceptions of sexuality and the sacred were there to be fragmented and distorted – shattered into fragments in order to be remade towards specific aims. This would be taken on by later groups such as the Fabian Society and the massive social engineering programs of the Rockefellers and affiliated organisations. The three streams of Establishment ideology were moving in the same direction but frequent in-fighting between factions meant that capitalist-collectivist thinking went through a variety of upheavals as it sought to find the ultimate tool for the mass mind and elite dominance.
By the 1920s, after a broadly unsuccessful attempt to change his native country Lukacs had gained a following in Germany which, with industrialist assistance, led to the creation of The Institute for Social Research based at Frankfurt University. This centre of Marxist theory later became simply The Frankfurt School a hugely influential think-tank which would become the social engineering hub for the Western mind. By the 1930s, Cultural Marxism had become a substantial force behind the scenes with psychology forming the basis of new advances in political theory. Intellectuals Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer were key in the development of culture as a primary force in shaping the trajectory of social perception. It was to be even more important than the emphasis on economic disparity which was so crucial to the theory of Marx. For Horkheimer, the proletariat was not the focus of future revolutions but culture as a whole. To make it work, the hybridisation of concepts was essential.
The psychoanalysis of Freud and cultural Marxism would fuse so that the concept of sexual repression and Pavlovian conditioning would eventually make the population pliable and compliant in the face of World State policies. It was to lay the foundation of a method of critical theory where social science and government institutions would be imbued with the bias of cultural Marxism inside a corporatist framework. Education meant adopting the correct attitude rather than universal morality or values. Oppression and victimhood – so much a part of the Zionist cause – was the precursor to so many “progressive” theories which value conformity, group consciousness and homogeneity at the expense of individualism and freedom. Zionism and cultural Marxism went hand in hand. As Jewish immigration to the United States gained momentum throughout the 20th century, media and entertainment were the natural focus of Jewish intellectuals since it was a double whammy of both political and cultural infiltration.
By the 1950s and 1960s the marriage of Zionism, cultural Marxism, advances in psychology and the left-over of seeds of a Nazi-imbued psychopathy were re-established with the support of the Anglo-American, liberal Establishment. It would be the crucible of change that would alter the social landscape of the US in ways unimaginable. While on the one hand eugenics was very much a part of Elite beliefs, the collective and group consciousness was promoted, so too the idea of a One World Order. Mixed in to re-shape sexuality were change agents such as Alfred Kinsey and the sexual revolution, all manner of New Age distortions and streams of the counter-culture subverted and contoured towards the same psychological conditioning. With the merging of psychoanalysis and cultural Marxism sexual perversity became normalised and instinctual drives went beyond the healing of repression to become the pinnacle of the pyramid to which all healing would aspire. Rather than “Free Love” it was free sex and liberation without limitation as an end in itself where traditional institutions and wisdom were thrown out in favour of bland mediocrity. It was indeed a Brave New World of sensation where humanism and later transhumanism and their vision of technocracy would develop the Marxist ideas into a sensate machine for the masses, the torch of Illuminism acting as a red herring and cover for core members of global occultism. The seeds of psychopathy that lay behind it never died.
Developed by the Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin, an ideology was born from political and socialist economic theories, developed from his own interpretations of Marxist theory. He advocated taking power directly as a prelude to socialism. It was a “now or never” principle where the claiming of that power was of overriding importance; the details could follow later. The term “Leninism” was popularized in the early 1920s to denote a “vanguard-party revolution”. It is most clearly seen in a quote from the final paragraph of The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx: “The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only through the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions.” [1]
By 1905 Lenin and his Bolshevik revolution was overseeing a return of power to the proletariat and the destruction of anything that stood in its way. The bourgeoisie had reason to be afraid. An example of Leninist group-think would be Neo-Conservatism and Revisionist Zionism. [2] Individuals such as Henry Kissinger, George W. Bush, Newt Gingrich, Paul Wolfowitz, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld represent this line of authoritarianism. For Leninist collectivists, the wolf is openly on show. Though they would never dream of describing themselves as Leninist, it is the principle at work here.
On the other side of the coin was The Fabian Society founded in 1884 by, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, along with English writer Edward R. Pease who also became a trustee for the famous socialist creation of the London School of Economics, also founded by the Webbs. Financing magically arrived from the Rothschilds as well other international bankers including Lord Haldane who summed up the purpose of the society succinctly: “Our object is to make this institution a place to raise and train the bureaucracy of the future Socialist State.” [3]A cross-fertilisation of humanism, theosophy, and Communism took place. Lord George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells and Arnold Toynbee were some of the earliest members who shared their open views regarding how to shape the world on the anvil of their particular brand of socialist principles. Round table members if not directly part of the society would have been fully aware of the group as it evolved alongside at roughly the same time. More modern versions of Fabians – by nature if not always by membership – are Zbigniew Brzezinski, Gordon Brown, David Rockefeller, Robert Fuller, George Monbiot, Barack Obama and Maurice Strong.
The Fabian Society is the Anglo-American branch of cultural Marxism. Comprised of an elite group of intellectuals from the middle and upper classes a semi-secret society was formed for the express purpose of creating a socialist order without using the Marxist-Leninist methods of revolution but by facilitation and gradation – the gentle approach, much like the action of water eroding rock. They would do this by infiltrating government, education, media, law and commerce, with sophisticated propaganda playing a decisive role in their indoctrinations. The violence and direct confrontation of the Leninists was avoided, unless absolutely necessary. Established governments and institutions were targeted by the Fabians for a dose of social engineering to give qualitatively better and more enduring results. Drawing attention to the term “socialism” was considered counter-productive. Humanitarian principles such as welfare, medical care, workers rights, women’s rights, foreign aid and multiculturalism would serve their objectives without resorting to overt conflict and more importantly, the collectivist vision behind these ostensibly benign moves would never be seen for what it was, and thus easy to proceed without interference. Their hope was that their methods would spread throughout society by a form of direct and indirect educative osmosis which would then become the norm.
The late author Eustace Mullins described a social historian’s observations concerning the “rats” rather than the “wolves” of social engineering and what he considered to be the major development in the late nineteenth century: “… perhaps equivalent to the discovery of the wheel.” He was referring to the time when: “…charitable foundations and world Communism became important movements” and their new discovery: “… was the concept developed by the rats, who after all have rather highly developed intelligences, that they could trap people by baiting traps with little bits of cheese. The history of mankind since then has been the rats catching humans in their traps. Socialism – indeed any government program – is simply the rat baiting the trap with a smidgen of cheese and catching himself a human.” [4]
By 1900 the Fabian Society joined with the trade union movement which later became the political arm of the Labour Party which would eventually implement the framework of the welfare state (and some would say the normalisation of dependency and government responsibility). As a result, the Fabian Society still has a strong influence on government policy. After all, many Labour Party politicians have been Fabians including several Prime Ministers: Ramsay MacDonald MP, Clement Attlee PM, Tony Benn MP, Anthony Crosland PM, Richard Crossman MP, Harold Wilson PM, Tony Blair PM, and Gordon Brown PM.
The symbol of their elected method of gradualism is the turtle and the official shield of the Fabian Society shows an image of a wolf in sheep’s clothing symbolising the gradual shaping of society by manipulation. While Leninism is a Wolf taking what it wants directly, the Fabian ploy is by deception over longer periods of time, but a still a Wolf preying on the sheep, though it is doubtful stalwart Fabians would see it that way.
Allowing the easing of “social tension” is useful by employing socialist principles whilst maintaining the overarching capitalist system. The power inherent within the seeming dichotomy of National Socialism comprising the corporate state and Fabians’ welfare state is seen in a report from 1982 by Alan Pifer, then president of the Carnegie Corporation whom we shall turn to presently. Pifer stated there would be: “… A mounting possibility of severe social unrest, and the consequent development among the upper classes and the business community of sufficient fear for the survival of our capitalist economic system to bring about an abrupt change of course. Just as we built the general welfare state … and expanded it in the 1960s as a safety valve for the easing of social tension, so will we do it again in the 1980s. Any other path is too risky.” [5]
Nationalisation of land and government institutions, protectionism and resistance to free-trade are some of the beliefs of Fabianism. According to member George Bernard Shaw, the Society saw the enormous power of the environment as key to progressive change over time. He passionately drove this point home when he said: “We can change it; we must change it; there is absolutely no other sense in life than the task of changing it. What is the use of writing plays, what is the use of writing anything, if there is not a will which finally moulds chaos itself into a race of gods.” [6] In their reality, we might have an inkling who will be sitting on the clouds of Olympus when these “gods” in waiting have finished offering the cure to such Hegelian chaos. To this end, Bernard Shaw designed an intriguing stained glass window for the Fabian Society. The window was installed at the Fabian Society’s headquarters but was removed in 1978 for reasons unknown. It came to light again during a sale at Sotheby’s in 2005 having been purchased by the Webb Memorial Trust and was later loaned to the London School of Economics. It depicts two men – possibly Sidney Webb and George Bernard Shaw – with large hammers pounding a globe of the world which rests on an anvil. Ten individuals kneel reverentially below while a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing displayed on a shield hovers above the world. There is also an inscription above the globe which reads: “Remould it nearer to the heart’s desire.”
This line is from Persian poet and mystic Omar Khayyam:
“Dear love, couldst thou and I with fate conspire
To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire,
Would we not shatter it to bits,
And then remold it nearer to the heart’s desire!”
Why is the Earth placed on an anvil? To reshape and transform it into something closer to the Fabian desires. First, the earth and its people must be “shattered to bits” via methods of the Wolf that is hidden behind sheep’s’ clothing and which dominates the earthly sphere. And certainly, the best way to shatter and re-order it into a collectivist’s vision is through the fire of war and the gradualism of “social reform.”
Perhaps one of the most famous proponents of this kind of was Fabian Socialist H.G. Wells in his The Open Conspiracy: Blue Prints for a World Revolution (1928) where the seemingly laudable aims of socialism are merely used as a backdoor for something quite different. Wells, like so many of his colleagues formed the rival camp of “scientific technique” as the antidote to the Neo-Platonists of the American and German occult-romanticism of the 19th century. It was they who believed in a singularly ecological form of social order. After all, Cecil Rhodes was inspired by a form of Germanic romanticism and English eco-fascism, poetically expressed by John Ruskin to form his secret society of the Round Table. Ruskin felt that faith in science led to serious errors, Wells, however, embraced scientific rationalism which will serve the idea: “… of a planned world-state … one to which all our thought and knowledge is tending … It is appearing partially and experimentally at a thousand points … its coming is likely to happen quickly.” [7]
And where have we heard such a reference to “a thousand points” and “a New World Order”? From none other than George Bush Sr. and his State of the Union address of 1991 entitled: “envisioning a thousand points of Light” in which he declares: “What is at stake is more than one small country, it is a big idea—a new world order…” [8] The elder statesman then proceeded to soar into unbelievable rhetoric of which Obama and Blair would have been proud. This is particularly nauseating as the speech was at the beginning of the 1991 Gulf War, the toppling of Saddam Hussein and the carnage that followed.
What Bush was really signalling to his fellow brethren was a strategic phase in the establishment of a new reality, where the merging of cartel-capitalism with World State collectivism will transcend nation boarders and simplistic notions of left-right paradigms. H.G. Wells explains the nature of the “Open Conspiracy” where its political world:
“… must weaken, efface, incorporate and supersede existing governments … The Open Conspiracy is the natural inheritor of socialist and communist enthusiasms; it may be in control of Moscow before it is in control of New York … The character of the Open Conspiracy will now be plainly displayed… It will be a world religion.” [9]
This stained-glass window designed by George Bernard Shaw is on display at the London School of Economics (LSE), which was founded by Sydney and Beatrice Webb. Sidney Webb and Shaw are depicted striking the Earth with hammers echoing a quote from Omar Khayyam: “REMOULD IT NEARER TO THE HEART’S DESIRE.” A wolf in sheep’s clothing can be seen as the Fabian crest hovering above the globe, indicating its preference for gradualism (and deception). Once again, the end justifies the means, which echos both Neo-conservatism and Crowleyian occult principles. The only difference now is that we have it in a “socialist” context. Another Fabian symbol denoting the same is the tortoise. Lenin’s well-intentioned but “Useful Idiots” are lined up at the bottom worshipping at the altar of socialism which is meant to help those crushed under the flat foot of the State. Sadly, Fabian-socialists appear to offer equally damaging.
We are beginning to see at this stage its startling relationship to Illuminism and the replication of themes and principles which occur throughout literature, politics and social science. Implicit in such belief systems is society elevated to the position far above individual, community and the hope of natural networks that may operate as self-organised units, without the need of the State. By following the centralisation of government as the authority figure, society becomes so ill and pathologised that what the majority of well-intentioned capitalists and socialists appear to not understand is that Fabian manipulations on the anvil of their romantic but dangerous desires is just a tool for psychopathic ascendency. Forcing change by placing populations on an anvil of any ideology won’t work – not least if it is overshadowed by deception.
As author and journalist G. Edward Griffin observed:
If your goal is to bring about change, contentment is not what you want. You want discontentment. That’s why Marx called religion the opiate of the masses. Religion encourages contentment and dulls the anger and passion needed for revolutionary change. … Wells said that collectivism should become the new opiate, that it should become the vision for better things in the next world. He said the new order must be built on the concept that individuals are nothing compared to the long continuum of society, and that only by serving society do we become connected to eternity. [10]
Build a seductive vision appealing to every human being’s limitless belief in the romance of greener pastures and you have an instant magnetic node to attract your faithful. Philanthropy and Communism were mighty pillars in their armoury of mass control for the Rothschilds and Rockefellers alike. Rather than any altruistic or ideological reasons for their support, knowledge of how these movements served to broker power was vital to the 4Cs.
The long-lived patriarch of the 19th century John D. Rockefeller who presided over Standard Oil and the rise of corporate influence over American society viewed Communism as just another chance to make mountains of dosh. It was the ultimate monopoly made manifest, where financing both sides of any conflict could only mean a self-perpetuating and eternal source of monetary extraction sourced from State oppression. Ever greater forms of monopoly were the driving force of Rockefeller’s power and remains so for the minds who have taken on his vision. China, as exactly the communist-capitalist hybrid currently staking its claim across the world is seen as the perfect template for a neo-feudal World State. This is why John D. Rockefeller’s grandson David Rockefeller as a “china Traveller” in 1973 would sing the praises of the Maoist regime despite the despot having murdered over 40 million of his own people. The Dewy-eyed David waxed lyrical about how “impressed” he was about the “sense of national harmony” and: “… Whatever the price of the Chinese Revolution it has obviously succeeded … in fostering high morale and community purpose. General social and economic progress is no less impressive … The enormous social advances of China have benefited greatly from the singleness of ideology and purpose …The social experiment in China under Chairman Mao’s leadership is one of the most important and successful in history.” [11]
It is this form of Communism that is so attractive to the globalist mind. It serves as the perfect model: a totalitarian Elite sitting astride a top-down capitalist system of highly centralised resource management. This love of Communism was in part, entirely misplaced by the McCarthyism of the 1950s as somehow the spectre of cold war infiltration. While the persecution of certain members of Congress, and members within the media and entertainment world was inexcusable, there was, ironically, some justification for the “red menace” but a complete misunderstanding of the true cause.
Author Anthony C. Sutton reminds us that collectivism is indeed a creature of necessity in both belief systems:
It may be observed that both the extreme right and the extreme left of the conventional political spectrum are absolutely collectivist. The national socialist (for example, the fascist) and the international socialist (for example, the Communist) both recommend totalitarian politico-economic systems based on naked, unfettered political power and individual coercion. Both systems require monopoly control of society. An alternative concept of political ideas and politico-economic systems would be that of ranking the degree of individual freedom versus the degree of centralized political control. Under such an ordering the corporate welfare state and socialism are at the same end of the spectrum. Hence we see that attempts at monopoly control of society can have different labels while owning common features.
There has been a continuing, albeit concealed, alliance between international political capitalists and international revolutionary socialists – to their mutual benefit. This alliance has gone unobserved largely because academic historians have an unconscious Marxian bias and are thus locked into the impossibility of any such alliance existing. There are two clues: monopoly capitalists are the bitter enemies of laissez-faire entrepreneurs; and, given the weaknesses of socialist central planning, the totalitarian socialist state is a perfect captive market for monopoly capitalists, if an alliance can be made with the socialist powerbrokers. Suppose – and it is only hypothesis at this point – that American monopoly capitalists were able to reduce a planned socialist Russia to the status of a captive technical colony? Would not this be the logical twentieth-century internationalist extension of the Morgan railroad monopolies and the Rockefeller petroleum trust of the late nineteenth century? [12]
In order to usher in suitable conditions for their New International Order, certain programs were to be implemented in those very tax-exempt organisations and institutions so that Americans would eventually accept the creation of a world government. This is why the principle of collectivism via Communism, internationalism, globalisation and group endeavour has been promoted by the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, the Carnegie Endowment Centre for National Peace and the Lucis Trust. Even by 1913, there was concern by many in the US government of the day that industrialists and their philanthropic creed were not all they appeared to be. The rapid ascendency of the corporation has been achieved by the ruthless application of the 4Cs. The philanthropic foundation, though offering many altruistic peoples a platform for good deeds is still birthed from a perception that is not remotely interested in furthering the social emancipation of ordinary people. Foundations have taken advantage of the naturally growing altruism present in the normal population having expanded from a mere 21 to more than 50,000 by 1990. [13] This has been commensurate with the take-over of government by corporations and most importantly, educational policy which historically has always been the target. Such was the concern at the evolution of these strange corporate entities and their focus on education of the nation that the 662nd Congress created a commission to investigate the role of these new foundations. After one year of testimony their conclusion was definitive:
“The domination of men in whose hands the final control of a large part of American industry rests is not limited to their employees, but is being rapidly extended to control the education and social services of the nation. […] The giant foundation exercises enormous power through direct use of its funds, free of any statutory entanglements so they can be directed precisely to the levers of a situation; this power, however, is substantially increased by building collateral alliances which insulate it from criticism and scrutiny.” [14]
Yet these conclusions were to highlight the apathy and fecklessness of Congressional power, not least the relative ease to which they submitted to bribes by the Elite in return for legislative support.
An interview conducted with Norman Dodd in 1982 by writer and film-maker G. Edward Griffin, provides an interesting confirmation of the above. From his work as staff director of the Reece Committee a Congressional Special Committee to investigate tax-exempt foundations named after Congressman Carroll Reece, Dodd was tasked with investigating “un-American” activities rumoured to be circulating in large tax-exempt foundations and other institutions within America. This had been prompted by certain editorials and opinion pieces within newspapers and foundation newsletters perceived to have been unduly supportive of communist ideology. Dodd under the Reece Committee defined “un-American” as: “… a determination to effect changes in the country by unconstitutional means. …any effort in that direction which did not avail itself of the procedures which were authorized by the Constitution could be justifiably called un-American.” [15]
Before his appointment to the Reece Committee Dodd worked in banking and financial consultancy through the 1929 depression up to his appointment by the Reece Committee in 1953. His interest in seeking methods by which he could contribute to: “… the educational world to … teach the subject of economics realistically and move it away from the support of various speculative activities that characterize our country.” [16] His networking with individuals who thought the banking system was not working in the US and his obvious capacity as both a member of the stock exchange and international financial advisor brought him into contact with those at higher levels of commerce. One of these was Rowan Gaither, President of the Ford Foundation. After meeting Gaither in New York for what he assumed would be an informal and friendly welcome the CEO revealed something to Dodd that almost caused him to “fall off his chair”. An extract from the transcript follows, (or you can watch the full interview here).
“Mr. Dodd, we’ve asked you to come up here today because we thought that possibly, off the record, you would tell us why the Congress is interested in the activities of foundations such as ourselves?” Before I could think of how I would reply to that statement, Mr. Gaither then went on voluntarily and said:
“Mr. Dodd, all of us who have a hand in the making of policies here have had experience either with the OSS during the war or the European Economic Administration after the war. We’ve had experience operating under directives, and these directives emanate and did emanate from the White House. Now, we still operate under just such directives. Would you like to know what the substance of these directives is?”
I said, “Mr. Gaither, I’d like very much to know,” whereupon he made this statement to me: “Mr. Dodd, we are here operate in response to similar directives, the substance of which is that we shall use our grant-making power so to alter life in the United States that it can be comfortably merged with the Soviet Union.” […]
“Well, Mr. Gaither I can now answer your first question. You’ve forced the Congress of the United States to spend $150,000 to find out what you’ve just told me.” I said: “Of course, legally, you’re entitled to make grants for this purpose, but I don’t think you’re entitled to withhold that information from the people of the country to whom you’re indebted for your tax exemption, so why don’t you tell the people of the country what you just told me?” And his answer was, “We would not think of doing any such thing.” So then I said, “Well, Mr. Gaither, obviously you’ve forced the Congress to spend this money in order to find out what you’ve just told me.” [17]
After that experience it’s understandable that Dodd found himself accepting a post on the Reece Committee.
In 1954, Norman Dodd had been able to study the minutes of meetings from a twenty year period which he found implicated the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and other organisations in an intentional manipulation of the United States into World War I and explicit control of US education in order to subvert and distort history towards a collectivist ideology. Though this is one man’s testimony and much like the Kay Griggs interviews open to criticism, they are compelling for their sense of authenticity and factual confirmation. Dodd had nothing to gain from his claims and indeed the details merely confirm the beliefs and actions of the protagonists in question which derive from many other sources.
The Carnegie Endowment for international Peace, (now an international peace and foreign-policy think-tank based in Washington, D.C.) began its operations in 1908 and officially in 1910 with a $10 million gift by its founder, industrialist and J.D. Rockefeller buddy Andrew Carnegie, giving his trustees “… the widest discretion as to the measures and policy they shall from time to time adopt” in carrying out the purpose of the fund. [18]According to the minutes of this meeting the discussion revolved around the question as to whether there was a more effective means than war to change the lives of an entire populace. They concluded that there was not. In the following year the second question asked in the meeting was how could they involve the United States in a war? They decided that the control of the State Department was necessary to achieve such an aim and for that to be successful the channels of diplomacy would also have to be controlled.
During World War I another meeting took place where they decided to send a telegram to President Woodrow Wilson advising him not to end participation in the war too quickly. By the time the war had ended in 1918 their focus had shifted to how best they could mould American society towards their objectives, deciding that education with specific attention to American history must be reshaped and reformed. That was when the Rockefeller Foundation came aboard, presumably with great enthusiasm. Domestic operations would be handled by the Foundation while educational concerns at the international level would be handled by the Carnegie Endowment.
After being turned down by many academics when asked if they would “alter the manner in which they present their subject” they finally adopted the tactic of creating their own group of historians for this express purpose. The Guggenheim Foundation was found to be amenable to their designs and agreed to grant them fellowships on the Carnegie Endowment board’s say so. Eventually, twenty potential teachers of American history were sent to London, effectively told what was expected of them: securing posts that were fitting for the doctorates they had been generously granted. These twenty historians ultimately became the core grouping within the American Historical Association. Dodd states further that by the end of the 1920s:
“… the Endowment grants to the American Historical Association four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for a study of our history in a manner which points to what this country look forward to, in the future. That culminates in a seven-volume study, the last volume of which is, of course, in essence, a summary of the contents of the other six. The essence of the last volume is this: the future of this country belongs to collectivism, administered with characteristic American efficiency.” [19]
The minutes were transcribed by Dodd’s colleague Kathryn Casey onto dictatone files. These might reside, according to Dodd, somewhere in the US House of Representatives or Congress.
Norman Dodd succeeded in making his mark against the true “un-American” activities existing in the United States at the time. The second Congressional investigation of foundation tampering with schools and American social life ran into vociferous criticisms from corporate and political quarters which caused its disbandment soon after. Nevertheless, the committee offered their findings from an almost one-thousand page report which stated:
The power of the individual large foundation is enormous. Its various forms of patronage carry with them elements of thought control. It exerts immense influence on educator, educational processes, and educational institutions. It is capable of invisible coercion. It can materially predetermine the development of social and political concepts, academic opinion, thought leadership, public opinion.
The power to influence national policy is amplified tremendously when foundations act in concert. There is such a concentration of foundation power in the United States, operating in education and the social sciences, with a gigantic aggregate of capital and income. This Interlock has some of the characteristics of an intellectual cartel. It operates in part through certain intermediary organizations supported by the foundations. It has ramifications in almost every phase of education.
It has come to exercise very extensive practical control over social science and education. A system has arisen which gives enormous power to a relatively small group of individuals, having at their virtual command huge sums in public trust funds.
The power of the large foundations and the Interlock has so influenced press, radio, television, and even government that it has become extremely difficult for objective criticism of anything the Interlock approves to get into news channels—without having first been ridiculed, slanted and discredited.
Research in the social sciences plays a key part in the evolution of our society. Such research is now almost wholly in the control of professional employees of the large foundations. Even the great sums allotted by federal government to social science research have come into the virtual control of this professional group.
Foundations have promoted a great excess of empirical research as contrasted with theoretical research, promoting an irresponsible “fact-finding mania” leading all too frequently to “scientism” or fake science.
Associated with the excessive support of empirical method, the concentration of foundation power has tended to promote “moral relativity” to the detriment of our basic moral, religious, and governmental principles. It has tended to promote the concept of “social engineering,” that foundation-approved “social scientists” alone are capable of guiding us into better ways of living, substituting synthetic principles for fundamental principles of action.
These foundations and their intermediaries engage extensively in political activity, not in the form of direct support of candidates or parties, but in the conscious promotion of carefully calculated political concepts.
The impact of foundation money upon education has been very heavy, tending to promote uniformity in approach and method, tending to induce the educator to become an agent for social change and a propagandist for the development of our society in the direction of some form of collectivism. In the international field, foundations and the Interlock, together with certain intermediary organizations, have exercised a strong effect upon foreign policy and upon public education in things international. This has been accomplished by vast propaganda, by supplying executives and advisors to government, and by controlling research through the power of the purse. The net result has been to promote “internationalism” in a particular sense—a form directed toward “world government” and a derogation of American nationalism. [Emphasis mine] ” [20]
The early days of American education are soaked in corporatist-collectivist group-think and One World indoctrination which has only become more entrenched and sophisticated in its camouflage. There were constant warnings about this pathogenic infection throughout the 20th century but the strength of the funding and corruption both in Congress and in the education system itself was too strong. It is important to take note that though this appears to be a “communist plot”, collectivism alongside corporatism are products of the genesis of evil, known in ponerological terms as “ponerogenesis.” Psychopaths are merely using the most convenient tool s to achieve their ends, a fact which has been reiterated throughout this blog so that the reader does not fall into a waiting belief-trap. An example of this can be seen in the scapegoating of the public regarding child molestation and paedophilia and the witch-hunts that followed. The climate of fear and persecution was also famously present at the McCarthy hearings. These are both examples of seriously flawed attempts to address pathocratic influence and the latter’s successful methods at countering it.
It seems the most effective way of ensuring pathocratic dominance through the application of collectivism is by co-opting education of the masses. As we have seen in the testimony of Norman Dodd this is exactly where they have focused their intentions most effectively. Fabianism is synonymous with social engineering and it is the Rockefeller Foundation that took up the gauntlet of not only helping to contour human sexuality and psychology but to target schoolchildren and therefore subsequent generations of adults in the ways of vertical collectivism alongside the principles of the 4Cs. We also see why there were so many Fabians within Alice Bailey’s Theosophical branch of occultism which promoted the memes of group consciousness and a New World Religion sourced from the United Nations. Same ideology different societal domain. You a method of psycho-spiritual manipulation for every conceivable preference. (Obviously we cannot forget that this hugely benefits the theocratic aims of Zionism whose agents work across the whole 3EM to varying degrees. Cultural Marxism and collectivism are the most useful examples to Zionist and authoritarian Jewish leaders since it fuses seamlessly with anti-Semitism propaganda).
The late Norman Dodd, former Congressional Investigator during an interview by G. Edward Griffin.
To fulfil their these objectives J.D. Rockefeller’s and Frederick T. Gates’ General Education Board founded in 1902 was given the task to redesign American education in way that could not be accomplished by the Carnegie Endowment or Guggenheim members alone. When combined with other Rockefeller social engineering projects, the sheer ambition and scope of their mission cannot be understated, nor the consequences of their obvious success. When you read the mission statements and objectives of The General Education Board several themes become evident all aligning themselves towards the very principles we have been exploring. Such thinking is in plain sight, with alternative possibilities entirely absent. The themes on show are actually the antithesis of good schooling. Dressed up in euphemisms for the common good we have a clear doctrine for creating an ideological system – “system” being the operative word. The intention to encourage and implement:
1.An agenda to minimize learning and understanding in favour of a specific collectivist belief.
2. The reduction of intelligence in favour of endless specialization.
3.A default emphasis on class distinction.
4. To erode and finally eliminate schooling traditions, customs and academic excellence that may lie outside of The General Education Board’s objectives.
5. The reduction of parental influence.
6. Clear indications of eugenic undercurrents, group think, homogeneity and conformity with the loss of individuality and originality.
7. The politicisation of education.
Through the 1920s and 1930s the rolling clouds of collectivism, corporatism and eugenics were beginning to form over education in America and to a lesser degree in Europe. Rockefeller agent Professor John Dewey from the Colombia Teachers College had his Progressive Education Association set up by 1920 which was to spread the Humanist philosophy and eugenics-based doctrine over educational policy. He co-authored the Humanist Manifesto in 1933 which called for a synthesizing of all religions and “a socialized and cooperative economic order.”Co-signer C.F. Potter stated in 1930: “Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every American public school is a school of humanism. What can the theistic Sunday schools, meeting for an hour once a week, teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five-day program of humanistic teaching?” [21]
By 1947, that pivotal year for collectivist social models, the PEA would become the American Education Fellowship where Dewey renewed his call for the: “… establishment of a genuine world order, an order in which national sovereignty is subordinate to world authority …” Another Colombia professor Harold Rugg supported Deweys’ statements and society’s need to mould the child’s mind via a new scientific imperative where “a new public mind is to be created.” This was to be achieved:
“… by creating tens of millions of individual minds and welding them into a new social mind. Old stereotypes must be broken up and ‘new climates of opinion’ formed in the neighborhoods of America. Through the schools of the world we shall disseminate a new conception of government—one that will embrace all the activities of men, one that will postulate the need of scientific control…in the interest of all people.” [22]
Rugg’s vision was among many who saw a scientific elite ready to: “… create swiftly a compact body of minority opinion for the scientific reconstruction of our social order.” His fervour no doubt impressed the Rockefeller Foundation, enough to fund his prolific texts via the Lincoln School and the National Education Authority, both bastions of a social science that would later be known as Social Darwinism (eugenics).
And it is this “scientific control” that we will turn to next.
[1] The Communist Manifesto (Das Kommunistische Manifest) commissioned by the Communist League originally titled Manifesto of the Communist Party (German: Manifest der Kommunistischen Partei) and published in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It laid out the League’s purposes and program.
[2] Francis Fukyama once a Neo-Conservative supporter stated that Neo-Conservative s “…believed that history can be pushed along with the right application of power and will. Leninism was a tragedy in its Bolshevik version, and it has returned as farce when practiced by the United States. Neoconservatism, as both a political symbol and a body of thought, has evolved into something I can no longer support.” Fukuyama, F. ‘After Neo Conservatism.’ New York Times Magazine. February 19, 2006.
[3] See Eric D. Butler, The Fabian Socialist Contribution to the Communist Advance, (Melbourne: Australian League of Rights, 1964), pp. 19, 20.
[4] op. cit. Mullins (p.191)
[5] op. cit. Taylor Gatto.
[6] ‘George Bernard Shaw’. SpartacusEducational. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jshaw.htm
[7] p.243; Ecology in the 20th Centur:, A History, By Anna Bramwell, Yale University Press, New Haven, 1989. | ISBN 0300045212
[8] George H. W. Bush’s State of the Union Address, ‘Envisioning One Thousand Points of Light’ Given on Tuesday, January 29, 1991. Infoplease.com
[9] The Open Conspiracy by H. G. Wells, 1928 The revised and expanded version arrived in 1933.
[10] ‘Secret Organizations and Hidden Agendas’ The Future Is Calling (Part Two) 2003 – 2011 by G. Edward Griffin Revised 2011 July 18. http://www.freedomforceinternational.org
[11] ‘From a China Traveler’ By David Rockefeller, The New York Times August 10, 1973.
[12] Wall Street and The Bolshevik Revolution By Antony C. Sutton, 1974. See also online version here: http://www.reformed-theology.org/html/books/bolshevik_revolution/index.html
[13] p.9; Private Funds, Public Purpose: Philanthropic Foundations in International Perspectives
edited by Helmut K. Anheier, Stefan Toepler, Published by Klewer Academic / Plenum Publishers, | ISBN 0306-45947-7
[14] The Underground History of American Education: An Intimate Investigation into the Problem of Modern Schooling By John Taylor Gatto, New York: Oxford Village Press, 2001 |Online edition. Chapter 12: ‘The Daughters of the Barons of Runnemede.’
[15] ‘The Hidden Agenda: interview with Norman Dodd’ By G. Edward Griffin 1982. http://www.realityzone.com
[18] Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements by Edmund Jan Osmanczyk and Anthony MangoLondon: Routledge, 2004.
[19] op. cit. Griffin.
[20] ‘The Reece Committee Hearings Before the Special Committee to Investigate Tax Exempt Foundations and Comparable Organisations – House of Representatives, 83rd Congress, Second Session on H. Resolution 217’ 1954.
[21] Humanist Manifesto, written in 1933 primarily by Raymond Bragg and published with 34 signers. Refers to humanism as a religious movement meant to replace previous, deity-based systems. Cosmology, human nature, biological and cultural evolution, epistemology, ethics, religion, self-fulfillment, and the quest for freedom and social justice. This latter, stated in article fourteen, proved to be the most controversial, even among humanists, in its opposition to ‘acquisitive and profit-motivated society’ and its call for an egalitarian world community based on voluntary mutual cooperation. The document’s release was reported by the mainstream media on May 1, simultaneous with its publication in the May/June 1933 issue of the New Humanist” (Wikipedia)
[22] The Great Technology: social chaos and the public mind by Harold Rugg, 1933.
Posted in Establishment / Elite, Occult, Psychology, Psychopathy, Religion, Social Engineering, War, Zionism and tagged Aldous Huxley, Alfred Kinsey, Anglo-American Establishment, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, China, Christianity, Collectivism, Communism, Cultural Marxism, eugenics, Fabian Society, Fabianism, fascism, Ford Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation, Gulf war, H.G. Wells, humanism, Illuminism, Labour Party, Lenin, London School of Economics, McCarthyism, National Education Authority, National Socialism, Neo-Conservatism, New World Order, Omar Khayyam, one world government, pathocracy, ponerology, President Woodrow Wilson, psychopath, Reece Committee, religion, Revisionist Zionism, Rockefeller Foundation, Rockefellers, Social Darwinism, Socialism, Society on January 27, 2015 by M.K. Styllinski. 5 Comments
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Why Vaping Marijuana Might Be Too Much For First-Timers
Written by Vanessa McMains
Vaping marijuana instead of smoking an equal dose increases short-term anxiety, paranoia, memory loss, and distraction, a small study of infrequent users suggests.
The findings, described in the journal JAMA Network Open, highlight the importance of dose to the perception that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking cannabis, the researchers say.
Vaping devices heat cannabis to a temperature at which the mind-altering compounds in the plant are released as a vapor that the user inhales. Vaping is thought to be safer in some ways for cannabis and tobacco use because it doesn’t produce many of the harmful components of burning material, such as tar and other cancer-causing agents.
But the study suggests that at least for first-timers or others who don’t use cannabis regularly, vaping delivers greater amounts of THC, which increases the likelihood of adverse reactions, say researchers.
“What our study suggests is that some people who use cannabis infrequently need to be careful about how much cannabis they use with a vaporizer,” says Ryan Vandrey, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. “They should not drive, even within several hours after use. It could be dangerous for themselves and others, and on top of that, they may experience negative effects such as anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and even hallucinations.”
Mystery doses
The researchers chose 17 volunteer participants who hadn’t used cannabis in the past 30 days and together on average hadn’t used in over a year.
In a controlled setting, each participant either smoked or vaped cannabis containing 0, 10, or 25 milligrams of THC, the active component in cannabis that gives people a high, in visits once a week over six weeks. The researchers say that 25 milligrams of THC is a relatively low dose, much less than is typically found in pre-rolled cannabis joints for sale at dispensaries where cannabis is legal.
The participants either smoked preloaded pipes or inhaled vapor from a vaporizer. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew the doses of THC delivered in a given test session.
During each session, the research team observed and assessed drug effects in the test subjects, including adverse reactions. They also measured vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure and collected blood samples for eight hours.
Each participant also completed the Drug Effect Questionnaire—rating self-reported drug effects out of a score of 100—shortly after smoking and each hour for up to eight hours later. The survey assessed overall drug effect; feeling sick, anxious, hungry, sleepy, and restless; and experiencing heart racing, dry mouth, dry eyes, memory impairment, and coughing.
Results showed that a few minutes after smoking, those who vaped the 25-milligram THC dosage reported an average of 77.5 on the overall strength of the drug’s effect, meaning how high they felt, compared with an average of 66.4 reported by those who smoked the same dose. Participants who vaped 25 milligrams of THC reported about a 7 percent higher score on average for anxiety and paranoia. Those who vaped any dose of THC also reported higher levels of dry mouth and dry eyes than those who smoked it.
Next, the researchers compared the effects of vaping to smoking on participants taking the computerized Divided Attention Task, which required participants to track a square on a computer screen while also monitoring numbers in each corner of the screen. Accuracy fell far more when vaping 10 or 25 milligrams of THC than for smoking either dose.
“Our participants had substantially higher impairment on the tasks when vaping versus smoking the same dose, which in the real world translates to more functional impairment when driving or performing everyday tasks,” says postdoctoral fellow Tory Spindle, a researcher in the behavioral pharmacology research unit at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
Long-term effects?
The researchers note that they could only detect THC in blood samples up to four hours after using, even though the participants reported the drug’s effects lasted five or six hours. The researchers say this suggests that blood testing isn’t an accurate way to tell if someone is high or perhaps driving under the influence.
Vandrey cautions that the study involved only a small number of younger adults and lasted only six weeks. “We still don’t have a full look at the long-term effects of vaping, such as whether there is a risk for chronic bronchitis, and more work needs to be done on that front,” he says.
It is important to note that these effects were observed in individuals who don’t use cannabis very often, and may not extend to people who use cannabis routinely; they may have developed tolerance to these effects and also may be better able to regulate their dose.
In recent years, Canada and several US states including Washington, California, Colorado, and Massachusetts have legalized cannabis for recreational use. Thirty-two states have made cannabis available with a doctor’s prescription, including Maryland, where the research took place.
Other members of the research team were from Johns Hopkins, RTI International, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA funded the research.
Source: Johns Hopkins University
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China: Amnesty International Report 2002
AI reports that 2,4468 people were executed in China’s crackdown on crime. This was reported earlier in the NY Times, but has received surprisingly little attention. By labeling these people as “criminals” China seems to have avoided the kinds of attacks they receive when they jail “activists” … they even got admitted into the WTO.
“Serious human rights violations increased in 2001. Thousands of people remained arbitrarily detained or imprisoned across the country for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association or belief. Thousands of others were detained during the year. Some were held without charge or trial under a system of administrative detention; others were sentenced to prison terms after unfair trials under national security legislation. Torture and ill-treatment remained widespread and appeared to increase against certain groups. A”strike hard” campaign against crime led to a massive escalation in death sentences and executions. The limited and incomplete records available at the end of the year showed that at least 4,015 people were sentenced to death and 2,468 executed; the true figures were believed to be far higher. In the autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, freedom of speech and religion continued to be severely restricted. Repression of Muslim ethnic groups suspected of nationalist activities increased.”
China. In: Amnesty International Report 2002
Carpet Weaving Throws Lifeline to Refugees
Democracy (for Jews)
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“a new shape of knowing”: poetry and the virtual witness
September 7, 2013 § Leave a comment
In the winter of 2003, when I was a graduate student at McGill, I participated in the massive peace marches in the freezing streets of Montreal, and later watched the invasion of Iraq begin, from the initial attacks on “targets of opportunity.” Images from street cams set up in Baghdad were broadcast live that first night. There were the shadows of men running through the streets with rifles; and at dawn, the sound of birds singing, picked up by the camera mics. I sat inside my apartment on rue Outremont, on the Ile de Montreal, but I looked out the balcony windows onto the streets of Baghdad.
From that point on I watched the war obsessively, as it was possible to do, live on television and through constant updates on the internet. This experience was therefore always mediated by a screen, heightened by the US military’s use of embedded journalists. In particular, I remember a report by Walter C. Rodgers, embedded with the US Army, in a live broadcast on CNN as he travelled through the desert with the 7th Cavalry of the 3rd Infantry Division as the invasion began: the jagged, granular look of the tanks fanning out before him, the “wave of steel” travelling towards Baghdad.
Photographs appeared on my computer screen: a woman with a tattoo of shrapnel burns on her face; a dead, swaddled infant, lying on its side on the ground, its eyes stitched closed with wet lashes. The war was so closely scrutinized and documented it was possible to track the path of a single missile that fell on a busy market in the heart of Baghdad, and killed many civilians. Later, the reporter Robert Fisk retrieved pieces of the missile and identified the serial numbers on the fuselage — 30003-704ASB 7492 and MFR 96214 09 — confirming their U.S. origins, which had been officially denied.
Fisk’s reports in the Independent became a lifeline for me — if the North American television channels offered a sanitized version of the war, Fisk tore off the bandages to show the rotting flesh, the smell of it, the injuries and waste that lay beneath.
In Praises and Dispraises: Poetry and Politics, the 20th Century, published posthumously in 1988, Terrence Des Pres explores poetry’s role amid the suffering of the 20th century; he notes in his prologue that human society has always been violent, there has always been suffering. The difference then — he was writing in the mid-80s — was that this violence had become a transmitted spectacle, known through new media. Through this transmission of suffering a “new shape of knowing invades the mind” (p.xiv):
“The miracles of modern communications — the instant replay of events on TV, the surfeit of images provided by photojournalists, the detailed accounts of inhumanity given by survivors of all kinds, and then too the documentation from organizations like Amnesty International and Americas Watch, every page of it open to those who would know what can be known — all these sources combine with the cold-war order of things to make a uniquely twentieth-century sense of reality, a consciousness that began in the wake of World War Two with the film footage, miles of it, that gave us our first window on ‘the world.’ That shock of recognition, that climate of atrocity, is now our daily fare.” p.xv
Writing in the 1980s, Des Pres couldn’t have anticipated the evolution of the web, itself the military offspring of the US Department of Defence’s Arpanet, and the advent of new social media in the 21st century, which have the capability to limn the finest details of this shape of knowing. With this “technological expansion of consciousness”, we can know in the most graphic and precise detail — if we wish to look — of the suffering of others, of the injuries and damages inflicted on other flesh by a US drone, or by depleted uranium missiles used in the invasion of Iraq. How easily we can now look into the bodies of others.
Des Pres then speaks of the traditional role of the poet, which has been at times to show the stamina of language, to face such suffering and to provide “language to live by”; language “sufficient to hard times.” This has for me the ring of Seamus Heaney to it — Des Pres uses two lines from Heaney’s “The Haw Lantern” as the book’s epigraph; the haw as a small light to guide us by, modest but sufficient. Des Pres also quotes Kenneth Burke, who observed that “‘poetic forms are symbolic structures designed to equip us for confronting given historical or personal situations'” p.xviii.
These are some of the questions that interest me. How much suffering can a poem admit? What happens to it there? How is it spoken to? Transmuted or transformed? How does this suffering alter or transform the shape of the poem? How is the shape of knowing, the new technological consciousness, expressed through the poem’s form? At a most practical level, the answers to these questions can only ever be worked out through the writing of a given poem.
I tentatively began to frame some of these questions in a poem I wrote several years ago called ‘”In the long hours of darkness, Baghdad shakes to the constant low rumble of B-52s.”‘ I took the title from the headline of a column by Robert Fisk. In this report he described being in his hotel room at night, and of hearing the constant terrifying drone of the B-52s sent in by the Americans to bomb the Iraqi soldiers who had set up positions in the desert, on the outskirts of the city.
I first read this column in Montreal at the height of the invasion, and was touched by the personal detail he included — the book he was reading as he lay in bed listening to the B-52s, the sound of the bombers, the drop in air pressure as they passed over, the way the vibrations travelled through the walls of the building and made even the flowers in a jar on his window sill tremble. He described how terrified he imagined the soldiers must be, many of whom were essentially untrained civilians.
I was also disturbed by the disparity between Fisk’s eye-witness experience of the invasion in a hotel room in a city on the Tigris, bounded by desert, and my own virtual experience of the war in the safety of a sheltered room in snow-bound Montreal. The form for the poem—which I wrote many years later in Vancouver— took two parts, although I think this was a spontaneous, not a consciously made, decision: first, the description of a man in a hotel room in Baghdad, hearing the drone of the B-52s all night, and tracking this noise out into the night where the soldiers are hiding in the dark; and second, my perception of the war mediated through the television screen.
‘In the long hours of darkness, Baghdad shakes to the constant low rumble of B-52s’ *
In a hotel room by the Tigris a man writes.
A jar with a clutch of flowers trembles
on the windowsill as the air pressure drops,
while out in the desert
soldiers hide in furrows of night.
A pale red stain seeps through—
its penumbra blooms
and is extinguished.
The man writes about the war
about the smell of burnt flesh
along the road north of Nasiriyah,
about this dark sound.
The air pressure drops again. A tremor
runs through the water in the jar
the thin stalks, the petals’ flesh.
Membrane of ice on the windows of this room in Montreal.
I cup my hands, peer into the television’s blue cave, and see
pale slivers of tracer fire in the desert
missiles scattered like black seeds
a pale red stain on the horizon that pours back into the dark.
Through a live street cam, somewhere in Baghdad,
the shadows of men. I can hear them—
they call to one another in their language,
and at dawn, the birds sing.
*My thanks to Prairie Fire, where this poem was first published, 33.2 Summer 2012.
Beyond the two-part division of the poem, the lines are relatively free, organized by phrase and syntax and internal rhyme. I realize now, as I read it again, that each part ends with the observation of a detail from the natural world mediated by technology: the vibration from the B-52s travelling through the flower’s stalk and petal flesh, and, as heard through the street-cam in Baghdad, the birds singing at dawn.
All of the details I record in the poem are true — both the details described by Fisk in the first section, and what I saw and heard through the street cams in Baghdad on the first night of the invasion, as they were broadcast live on television by all of the major networks. This was the night of the “targets of opportunity,” when the Americans said they had received information on the location of Saddam Hussein and attempted to assassinate him in the first strike of the war. The newscasters soon found they had little to report on, so would cut away to the live street cams to “listen in.”
And so, at one point in the dark silence of my room, I listened as men rushed past with rifles, shouting to one another as they ran; I listened as the birds began to sing; it was dawn in Baghdad.
Tagged: Robert Fisk, Seamus Heaney, Terrence Des Pres
« “poetry was to be found everywhere”: miscellany 1
Seamus Heaney, 1939 — 2013 »
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CEN/TS 16702-1:2014 - Electronic fee collection - Secure monitoring for autonomous toll systems - Part 1: Compliance checking
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Tag Archives: Books
Title: Wanted
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: J.G. Jones & Dick Giordano (Flashback sequences in issue #6)
Publisher/Copyright: Image Comics, 2007
Every once in a while you run across a book like Wanted. Well written, excellent art, genius premise, a smart story and interesting characters….and a stated goal of offending every sensibility you have. In that, Wanted certainly succeeds. Am I recommending you go read it? That depends on who you are and how easy you are to offend. This one’s not for everyone. It’s been billed “Watchmen for super-villains,” if that tells you anything.
Wesley Gibson is the ultimate loser. His girlfriend is cheating on him with his supposed-best friend, he has a dead-end job with a boss who chews him out regularly, he’s a hypochondriac, and to top it all off he seems to be a clone of Eminem. But all that changes when a woman named Fox upends his life. It seems that Wesley’s father was the Killer, one of a cabal of super-villains who have secretly run the world since 1986. Now the Killer is dead, and Wesley stands to inherit not only his worldly possessions but also his place in The Fraternity. Before you know it, Wesley is a whole new person with a whole new set of…well, maybe not friends. Associates might be a better word. Tensions are rising within the Fraternity. After years of peacefully keeping the world subjugated, certain members are getting tired of living behind the scenes. Civil War seems eminent, and there’s no better time to be the Killer….
Imagine suddenly having the ability to do whatever you wanted, with absolutely no consequences. Blow away a restaurant full of people? Police have no suspects. Make your “friend” who’s cheating with your girlfriend disappear? Doesn’t even make the news. Whatever your fancy, it will be covered up. How? Because the super-villains are ruling the world. Do you remember the Heroes? No, of course you don’t. They’ve been relegated to cheesy TV shows and comic books. They never really existed. Or at least, that’s the story now. Turns out that in 1986 all the super-villains – ALL of them – teamed up and took down the mighty Heroes, rewriting reality so that they never even existed. A certain pair of caped crusaders now think they just played those characters on TV, and the world’s greatest hero spends his days in a wheelchair staring out the window at a world that has forgotten him, wondering just what he’s trying to remember. The gang’s all here, given a gritty update and with their names changed to protect the author from lawsuits. Some of them are recognizable, others less so. Remember Bizarro? The failed clone of Superman that turns everything opposite? He’s been translated into [REDACTED]*, a “Down’s Syndrome copy of the world’s greatest hero.” Clayface? Try [REDACTED]*, a creature made up from the feces of the world’s six-hundred and sixty-six most evil beings that have somehow become sentient. There’s more in the same vein. Fox is clearly Catwoman stuck in Halle Berry’s body. (No, I have no idea whether that’s a coincidence. The comic was released first, but I don’t know how far back the casting for Catwoman was announced.) Mister Rictus is a darker take on the Joker, a former priest who died for a few moments only to find that there’s nothing waiting on the other side. Now? Now he does whatever he wants, eats what(or who)ever he wants, fornicates with whatever he wants. Currently? He wants to take America from his old rival Professor Solomon Seltzer….
The content here is over the top offensive. There’s the obvious profanity, sexual content and gore, but there’s also adapting DC’s Bizarro to have Down’s Syndrome (and then making fun of him), or putting not-Superman in a wheelchair….just like the guy that used to play him in the movies. At the same time, the premise is genius. The characters are all incredibly well executed. The plot is a purposeful inversion of Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” theme. This is an incredible piece of work….except for how offensive it is. So, should you read it? I’ll let you decide.
CONTENT: R-rated profanity throughout. Explicit sexual content, including references to rape and bestiality. Strong, gory violence. Not for children!
*I keep this blog PG, even when the works I’m reviewing definitely aren’t. Redacted names contain profanity.
Filed under Books
Tagged as Adam West, adventure, alternate history, Batman, Bizarro, Books, Burt Ward, Clayface, Comic Books, Comics, crime, Eminem, fantasy, fiction, fox, Fraternity, graphic novel, J.G. Jones, Killer, Mark Millar, Michael Reeves, Mister Rictus, murder, Mystery, novel, Offensive, Pastiche, post-apocalyptic, Professor, pulp fiction, rape, Robin, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction, Solomon Seltzer, Sucker, super-villains, Superman, supervillains, thriller, Wanted, Wesley Gibson
Title: The Shards Of Heaven
Author: Michael Livingston
Series: The Shards Of Heaven Vol. I
Publisher/Copyright: Tor, 2015
I enjoy books that take history and turn it on its head, showing the secret machinations that are happening behind the scenes. This was one of those books.
Julius Caesar is dead, assassinated just before his finest moment, and now the civilized world is ripped in two. Tensions run high between Rome and Alexandria, with the fate of an Empire hanging in the balance. In Egypt, Antony has aligned himself with Cleopatra and her son Caesarion, the blood-heir of Julius Caesar. In Rome, Caesar’s adopted son Octavian gathers his forces for a war that seems inevitable. Meanwhile, the Numidian prince Juba scours the Earth for an object of power that will allow him to avenge himself on Rome for the subjugation of his people. What he finds could bring the world to its knees….
The Shards of Heaven is the first in a new series that takes the real-life history of the birth of the Roman Empire and infuses it with a healthy dose of historical fantasy behind the scenes for a fast-paced romp full of engaging characters. If you know your history, then you know certain characters are doomed from the start, but that doesn’t stop you from rooting for them. The central conceit here is that there are several artifacts that have shaped history through the ages, giving rise to myth and legend, always half-remembered versions of the truth. Poseidon’s trident/Moses’ staff, Zeus’ Aegis…and the Ark of the Covenant, the most powerful Shard of Heaven in existence. Some things were not meant for the hands of man….
CONTENT: Some strong violence. Moderate sexual innuendo, nothing too explicit. I don’t recall any profanity (though at this point its been several weeks since I finished it due to scheduling snafus), but there may have been a bit. Definitely some supernatural elements going on, kinda-sorta opposed to the traditional Judeo-Christian worldview, but also not really. To explain would court spoilers….
Tagged as adventure, Aegis, Alexander, Alexandria, alternate history, Ark of the Covenant, Books, Caesar, Caesarion, Cleopatra, Didymus, Egypt, fantasy, fiction, Helios, Juba, Lucius, Mark Antony, Michael Livingston, murder, Mystery, novel, Numidia, Octavian, Pullo, pulp fiction, Rome, Selene, The Shards Of Heaven, thriller, Titus, Vorenus
Review: “Darkstorm” by M.L. Spencer
Title: Darkstorm
Author: M.L. Spencer
Series: The Rhenwars Saga Vol. I
Publisher/Copyright: Stoneguard Publications, 2016
Thought I had posted this already. I received a copy of this in exchange for a review. Now I can’t find any information on it to link to, be it Amazon or Goodreads, which is a bit frustrating for purposes of this blog. Oh well…..
Eons ago, the nation of Caladorn and the kingdoms of the Rhen existed in harmony. Those days are long past. Though they still share a root philosophy, at least so far as the nature of magic is concerned, relations between Bryn Calazar and Aerysius are far from friendly. Braden Reis is a Master of the Lyceum, sent to Aerysius as an ambassador in a last-ditch attempt to prevent war . . . but all is not as it seems. When an Acolyte from Aerysius’ Hall of Watchers stumbles upon an unholy conspiracy involving the demonic power of Xerys, Prince of Chaos, Braden finds himself embroiled in a struggle against the most powerful members of both Colleges of Magic for the future of his entire world. If he fails, Chaos will reign supreme. If he succeeds, it may mean the end of the world as he knows it.
The world presented in Darkstorm is fascinating, to say the least. I initially feared Caladorn would prove the stereotypical fantasy land where women are forced to rely on men to protect them, but this wasn’t quite accurate—that only proves necessary if the woman in question has little status. There are many powerful women in Caladorn, though a good deal of their status and prestige seems to be founded in how alluring they are able to make themselves. Aerysius seems to be a bit more founded on equality, but as we spend a comparatively short time there I cannot say for certain. Fantasy tropes pop up left and right, but usually cast in a new light or employed in interesting combinations that dampen any potential annoyance.
The characters shown here are without fail three-dimensional and complex. One seems inconsistent at times, but that turns out to be intentional. Braden Reis is a man of convictions, with blood on his hands despite (or because of) his strong moral compass. Braden’s lover, Master Sephana Clemley, holds a similarly steady morality despite serving a rival nation. Faced with evidence of corruption infecting both their orders, Braden and Sephana barely hesitate before seeking the truth. Also caught up in events is Sephana’s apprentice, Merris Bryar, whose nosiness tips the Masters off to the conspiracy in their midst, and Braden’s wine-sotted brother Quinlan. Even the antagonists prove complicated, and their motivations understandable even as we deplore their methods. We aren’t even entirely sure they’re wrong, in most cases.
Bottom line, this was an amazingly entertaining read. I do have some issues with the ending, but I cannot discuss them without courting spoilers, and so will leave off with merely that vague caveat. I look forward to seeing more in this trilogy when the time comes.
CONTENT: R-rated profanity. Strong violence. Strong sexual content. Magic, though mostly fantasy-based as opposed to occultic.
Tagged as Acolyte, adventure, Aerysius, Books, Braden Reis, Bryn Calazar, Caladorn, Darkstorm, fantasy, fiction, Hall Of Watchers, Lyceum, M.L. Spencer, Master, Merris Bryar, murder, Mystery, novel, Prince Of Chaos, pulp fiction, Quinlan Reis, Rhen, Rhenwars, Sephana Clemley, Xerys
Review: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” by Alan Dean Foster
Title: The Force Awakens
Author: Alan Dean Foster
Series: Star Wars: Episode VII
Publisher/Copyright: Del Rey, 2016
Okay, let me be incredibly clear about this: the rating above applies to this novelization only! I loved the movie, with just a couple minor quibbles to complain about. It was incredible. This book? Sadly mediocre.
Hey, look at that! I managed to make this review almost spoiler-free even without trying to!
Thirty years after the events of The Return Of The Jedi, it seems that the more things change the more they stay the same. The Rebellion has become the New Republic, now the dominant power in the galaxy…at least for the moment. After the death of the Emperor, the Empire fell prey to numerous revolutions and uprisings, signing a peace treaty with the New Republic before melting away and reforming in the Unknown Regions as the First Order. Now, faced with a Senate that is unwilling to risk war and mounting evidence of First Order skulduggery, Leia Organa has formed the Resistance in the image of the Rebellion of old, a private military force to keep an eye on their old enemies. This would be so much easier if Luke was anywhere to be found, but in the wake of a particularly heart-wrenching family tragedy both he and her husband Han have disappeared….
I’m not sure what happened here. Alan Dean Foster is an accomplished author, both of original works and novelizations of films. As I noted above, I absolutely loved the movie. So what went wrong with the book? Let me put it this way: if I hadn’t seen the movie already, this would prove far from satisfactory. While I projected the amazing performances from the film onto the characters as presented in the novel, even managing to carry that through the “deleted scenes” as it were, they would have been fairly uninteresting if I were experiencing them here for the first time. The writing was fairly (though not completely) emotionless when it came to exploring the characters, or perhaps it just pales in comparison with the onscreen performance backed by John Williams’ score. (EDIT: I think this was a huge part of my issue. A number of my favorite moments in the film weren’t captured in full effect here, possibly because Foster was working from a screenplay and not the finished film, which would of course not reflect any added nuance of character injected by the actor. Other scenes are more fully rendered.) Part of the problem is that we almost never get into their heads. That’s why I was so excited to get my hands on this–there are a number of places in the movie where I really wanted to know what a given character was thinking. Normally, this would be the province of the novelization. Not this time. We get a couple snippets of thought, but mostly obvious stuff. Was this a forced tactic by those in charge of maintaining the secrets yet to be revealed? Maybe. I’ll admit that I was hoping for more clues on certain theories, especially Rey’s backstory.
Of course, there are good things to find here too. Numerous sequences that were cut from the film, such as more with Leia, Rey’s first encounter with snow, or a scene where Unkar Plutt tracks down Rey and the Falcon on Takodana. Usually these scenes offer illumination to other moments in the film, such as Rey reminding herself to flip the safety off on her blaster before firing. Too, Foster puts in a valiant effort when it comes to making other elements feasible. Starkiller Base gets a pseudo-scientific explanation for its power and firing mechanism, and Finn has trouble figuring out which tools Rey needs because of their disorganization, not because he’s unfamiliar with mechanics. Then too there are a few more hints regarding the resolution of certain mysteries. Kylo Ren finally realizes Rey’s true identity just before they commence their battle (meaning he’s still one up on us), and Snoke drops several more hints regarding his origins that still fall far short of revelation.
Bottom line: I’m not telling you to give this one a miss, but I am telling you to see the movie first. That experience will add some much-needed flavor to this one.
CONTENT: Mild to no profanity. Mild violence, occasionally heart-wrenching. You know the part I mean. Little to no sexual content.
Filed under Books, Novels, Reviews, Star Wars
Tagged as adventure, BB-8, Books, Chancellor Palpatine, Chewbacca, Episode VII, fantasy, fiction, Finn, First Order, FN-2187, J.J. Abrams, Jakku, Jedi, Kylo Ren, Leia Organa, Leia Organa Solo, Luke Skywalker, Millenium Falcon, Mystery, New Republic, novel, Poe Dameron, pulp fiction, Rey, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode VII--The Force Awakens, The Force Awakens, thriller
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Tag Archives: human happiness
The Moral Landscape
Posted by jrbenjamin in Psychology, Science
Daniel Gilbert, Daniel Kahneman, happiness, human happiness, joy, psychology, Sam Harris, The Moral Landscape
“One of the most interesting things to come out of the research on human happiness is the discovery that we are very bad judges of how we will feel in the future—an ability that the psychologist Daniel Gilbert has called ‘affective forecasting.’ Gilbert and others have shown that we systematically overestimate the degree to which good and bad experiences will affect us. Changes in wealth, health, age, marital status, etc., tend not to matter as much as we think they will—and yet we make our most important decisions in life based on these inaccurate assumptions. It is useful to know that what we think will matter often matters much less than we think. Conversely, things we consider trivial can actually impact our lives greatly. If you have ever been impressed by how people often rise to the occasion while experiencing great hardship but can fall to pieces over minor inconveniences, you have seen this principle at work. The general finding of this research is now uncontroversial: we are poorly placed to accurately recall the past, to perceive the present, or to anticipate the future with respect to our own happiness. It seems little wonder, therefore, that we are so often unfulfilled.
If you ask people to report on their level of well-being moment-to-moment — by giving them a beeper that sounds at random intervals, prompting them to record their mental state — you get one measure of how happy they are. If, however, you simply ask them how satisfied they are with their lives generally, you often get a very different measure. The psychologist Daniel Kahneman calls the first source of information ‘the experiencing self’ and the second ‘the remembering self.’ And his justification for partitioning the human mind in this way is that these two ‘selves’ often disagree. Indeed, they can be experimentally shown to disagree, even across a relatively brief span of time. We saw this earlier with respect to Kahneman’s data on colonoscopies: because ‘the remembering self’ evaluates any experience by reference to its peak intensity and its final moments (the ‘peak/end rule’), it is possible to improve its lot, at the expense of ‘the experiencing self,’ by simply prolonging an unpleasant procedure at its lowest level of intensity (and thereby reducing the negativity of future memories).
What applies to colonoscopies seems to apply elsewhere in life. Imagine, for instance, that you want to go on vacation: You are deciding between a trip to Hawaii and a trip to Rome. On Hawaii, you envision yourself swimming in the ocean, relaxing on the beach, playing tennis, and drinking mai tais. Rome will find you sitting in cafés, visiting museums and ancient ruins, and drinking an impressive amount of wine. Which vacation should you choose? It is quite possible that your ‘experiencing self’ would be much happier on Hawaii, as indicated by an hourly tally of your emotional and sensory pleasure, while your remembering self would give a much more positive account of Rome one year hence. Which self would be right? Does the question even make sense? Kahneman observes that while most of us think our ‘experiencing self’ must be more important, it has no voice in our decisions about what to do in life. After all, we can’t choose from among experiences; we must choose from among remembered (or imagined) experiences. And, according to Kahneman, we don’t tend to think about the future as a set of experiences; we think of it as a set of ‘anticipated memories.’ The problem, with regard to both doing science and living one’s life, is that the ‘remembering self’ is the only one who can think and speak about the past. It is, therefore, the only one who can consciously make decisions in light of past experience…
It seems clear, however, that the ‘remembering self’ is simply the ‘experiencing self’ in one of its modes…
If we could take the 2.5 billion seconds that make up the average human life and assess a person’s well-being at each point in time, the distinction between the ‘experiencing self’ and the ‘remembering self’ would disappear. Yes, the experience of recalling the past often determines what we decide to do in the future—and this greatly affects the character of one’s future experience. But it would still be true to say that in each of the 2.5 billion seconds of an average life, certain moments were pleasant, and others were painful; some were later recalled with greater or lesser fidelity, and these memories had whatever effects they had later on. Consciousness and its ever-changing contents remain the only subjective reality.
Thus, if your ‘remembering self’ claims to have had a wonderful time in Rome, while your ‘experiencing self’ felt only boredom, fatigue, and despair, then your ‘remembering self’ (i.e., your recollection of the trip) is simply wrong about what it was like to be you in Rome. This becomes increasingly obvious the more we narrow our focus: Imagine a ‘remembering self’ who thinks that you were especially happy while sitting for fifteen minutes on the Spanish Steps; while your ‘experiencing self’ was, in fact, plunged deeper into misery for every one of those minutes than at any other point on the trip. Do we need two selves to account for this disparity? No. The vagaries of memory suffice.
As Kahneman admits, the vast majority of our experiences in life never get recalled, and the time we spend actually remembering the past is comparatively brief. Thus, the quality of most of our lives can be assessed only in terms of whatever fleeting character it has as it occurs. But this includes the time we spend recalling the past. Amid this flux, the moments in which we construct a larger story about our lives appear like glints of sunlight on a dark river: they may seem special, but they are part of the current all the same.”
An absolutely reorienting insight from chapter five of Sam Harris’s ambitious new book The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values.
I found and have read the whole book here. But buy it to support one of our best thinkers and writers about cognition and philosophy.
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Limited access to life outside the clinic resulted in a shortage of subject matter. Van Gogh instead worked on interpretations of other artist's paintings, such as Millet's The Sower and Noonday Rest, and variations on his own earlier work. Van Gogh was an admirer of the Realism of Jules Breton, Gustave Courbet and Millet,[164] and he compared his copies to a musician's interpreting Beethoven.[165]
Categories: Vincent van Gogh1853 births1890 deathsDutch male paintersDutch landscape paintersDutch still life paintersFlower artistsPost-impressionist paintersDutch people with disabilitiesDutch ProtestantsPainters who committed suicidePeople from ZundertPeople with borderline personality disorderDutch ChristiansDutch expatriates in BelgiumDutch expatriates in FranceDutch expatriates in the United KingdomRoyal Academy of Fine Arts (Antwerp) alumniSuicides by firearm in FrancePeople of MontmartreMale suicidesAcadémie Royale des Beaux-Arts alumni
Penniless and feeling that his faith was destroyed, he sank into despair and withdrew from everyone. “They think I’m a madman,” he told an acquaintance, “because I wanted to be a true Christian. They turned me out like a dog, saying that I was causing a scandal.” It was then that van Gogh began to draw seriously, thereby discovering in 1880 his true vocation as an artist. Van Gogh decided that his mission from then on would be to bring consolation to humanity through art. “I want to give the wretched a brotherly message,” he explained to his brother Theo. “When I sign [my paintings] ‘Vincent,’ it is as one of them.” This realization of his creative powers restored his self-confidence.
The pictures he created over the following 12 months—depicting blossoming fruit trees, views of the town and surroundings, self-portraits, portraits of Roulin the postman and other friends, interiors and exteriors of the house, sunflowers, and landscapes—marked his first great period. In these works he strove to respect the external, visual aspect of a figure or landscape but found himself unable to suppress his own feelings about the subject, which found expression in emphatic contours and heightened effects of colour. Once hesitant to diverge from the traditional techniques of painting he worked so hard to master, he now gave free rein to his individuality and began squeezing his tubes of oil paint directly on the canvas. Van Gogh’s style was spontaneous and instinctive, for he worked with great speed and intensity, determined to capture an effect or a mood while it possessed him. “When anyone says that such and such [painting] is done too quickly,” he told his brother, “you can reply that they have looked at it too fast.”
Born in Missouri in 1925, Dick Van Dyke is known for his starring role in the musical Bye Bye Birdie (1963), and for his successful television comedy series The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–66). Additionally, he starred in the drama series Diagnosis Murder (1993–2001), has won several Emmy Awards and has performed in a number of films, including Mary Poppins; Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, Dick Tracy and Night at the Museum.
Theo kept all of Vincent's letters to him;[10] Vincent kept few of the letters he received. After both had died, Theo's widow Johanna arranged for the publication of some of their letters. A few appeared in 1906 and 1913; the majority were published in 1914.[11][12] Vincent's letters are eloquent and expressive and have been described as having a "diary-like intimacy",[8] and read in parts like autobiography.[8] The translator Arnold Pomerans wrote that their publication adds a "fresh dimension to the understanding of Van Gogh's artistic achievement, an understanding granted us by virtually no other painter".[13]
Van Gogh learned about Fernand Cormon's atelier from Theo.[107] He worked at the studio in April and May 1886,[108] where he frequented the circle of the Australian artist John Peter Russell, who painted his portrait in 1886.[109] Van Gogh also met fellow students Émile Bernard, Louis Anquetin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec – who painted a portrait of him in pastel. They met at Julien "Père" Tanguy's paint shop,[108] (which was, at that time, the only place where Paul Cézanne's paintings were displayed). In 1886, two large exhibitions were staged there, showing Pointillism and Neo-impressionism for the first time, and bringing attention to Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Theo kept a stock of Impressionist paintings in his gallery on boulevard Montmartre, but Van Gogh was slow to acknowledge the new developments in art.[110]
The same thing happened at the Church of Belgium: In the winter of 1878, van Gogh volunteered to move to an impoverished coal mine in the south of Belgium, a place where preachers were usually sent as punishment. He preached and ministered to the sick, and also drew pictures of the miners and their families, who called him "Christ of the Coal Mines."
Van Gogh moved to Paris in March 1886 where he shared Theo's rue Laval apartment in Montmartre, and studied at Fernand Cormon's studio. In June the brothers took a larger flat at 54 rue Lepic.[102] In Paris, Vincent painted portraits of friends and acquaintances, still life paintings, views of Le Moulin de la Galette, scenes in Montmartre, Asnières and along the Seine. In 1885 in Antwerp he had become interested in Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and had used them to decorate the walls of his studio; while in Paris he collected hundreds of them. He tried his hand at Japonaiserie, tracing a figure from a reproduction on the cover of the magazine Paris Illustre, The Courtesan or Oiran (1887), after Keisai Eisen, which he then graphically enlarged in a painting.[103]
The self-portraits reflect an unusually high degree of self-scrutiny.[233] Often they were intended to mark important periods in his life, for example the mid-1887 Paris series were painted at the point where he became aware of Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne and Signac.[234] In Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, heavy strains of paint spread outwards across the canvas. It is one of his most renowned self-portraits of that period, "with its highly organized rhythmic brushstrokes, and the novel halo derived from the Neo-impressionist repertoire was what Van Gogh himself called a 'purposeful' canvas".[235]
Between February and April 1890 Van Gogh suffered a severe relapse. Depressed and unable to bring himself to write, he was still able to paint and draw a little during this time,[168] and he later wrote to Theo that he had made a few small canvases "from memory ... reminisces of the North".[169] Among these was Two Peasant Women Digging in a Snow-Covered Field at Sunset. Hulsker believes that this small group of paintings formed the nucleus of many drawings and study sheets depicting landscapes and figures that Van Gogh worked on during this time. He comments that this short period was the only time that Van Gogh's illness had a significant effect on his work.[170] Van Gogh asked his mother and his brother to send him drawings and rough work he had done in the early 1880s so he could work on new paintings from his old sketches.[171] Belonging to this period is Sorrowing Old Man ("At Eternity's Gate"), a colour study Hulsker describes as "another unmistakable remembrance of times long past".[90][172] His late paintings show an artist at the height of his abilities, according to the art critic Robert Hughes, "longing for concision and grace".[114]
After the altercation with Gauguin, Van Gogh returned to his room, where he was assaulted by voices and severed his left ear with a razor (either wholly or in part; accounts differ),[note 9] causing severe bleeding.[142] He bandaged the wound, wrapped the ear in paper, and delivered the package to a woman at a brothel Van Gogh and Gauguin both frequented.[142] Van Gogh was found unconscious the next morning by a policeman and taken to hospital,[145][146] where Félix Rey, a young doctor still in training, treated him. The ear was delivered to the hospital, but Rey did not attempt to reattach it as too much time had passed.[140]
"I'm having the best so-called retirement of anyone I know, doing what I love doing," Van Dyke told BroadwayWorld.com in late 2010. "Eventually, I may try something less strenuous." The following year, he published a printed version of his story in My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business. Van Dyke shares his ups and downs in the book—including his struggles with alcoholism—with remarkable optimism and poise.
Categories: 1925 birthsLiving people20th-century American male actors20th-century American singers21st-century American male actors21st-century American singers21st-century American non-fiction writers21st-century PresbyteriansAmerican baritonesAmerican male comedians20th-century American comediansAmerican male dancersAmerican male film actorsAmerican male musical theatre actorsAmerican male television actorsAmerican male voice actorsAmerican male non-fiction writersAmerican memoiristsAmerican army personnel of World War IIAmerican people of Dutch descentAmerican people of English descentAmerican people of Irish descentAmerican people of Scottish descentAmerican PresbyteriansAmerican tap dancersAmerican animatorsCalifornia DemocratsDaytime Emmy Award winnersDick Van DykeGrammy Award winnersHanna-Barbera peopleJamie Records artistsMale actors from IllinoisMale actors from Los Angeles County, CaliforniaMale actors from MissouriMilitary personnel from IllinoisMusicians from Los Angeles County, CaliforniaSingers from MissouriOutstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winnersPeople from Danville, IllinoisPeople from West Plains, MissouriScreen Actors Guild Life Achievement AwardSingers from CaliforniaSingers from IllinoisTelevision producers from CaliforniaTony Award winnersUnited States Army Air Forces soldiersVan Dyke familyWriters from CaliforniaWriters from IllinoisWriters from MissouriTelevision producers from New York CityTelevision producers from Illinois21st-century American comedians
Well, they just lost a sale for an entire living room suite because they couldn't get their stories straight about their 'President's Day Sale.' There were signs on everything in the store about an additional 20% off for cash or 0% for 50 months financing. Well, when I asked about the cash price, I was told that the price on the tag wasn't the price they took the 20% off of. It was the price listed just above that that the 20% off would apply to. Oh, and only the ones that ended in .99 rather that .00 were on sale. Okay...that makes it sooooo easy to figure it all out. Not! After speaking to the 3rd person just to get some clarification, she at least had the decency to admit she didn't know which price on the tag the 20% came off of. Luckily, there was a manager she could ask and she left us to stew for a couple of minutes. When she came back, she said that there was a tagging error and that only items with the .99 were 20% off. Well, we walked out, and spent our hard-earned cash just down the road at Slumberlands, where we did the same thing 2 years ago with our bedroom suite after the same strange sales dance happened at the old Rothmann's (the same site as the Art Van store today) and we left there disgusted and embarrassed for the furniture sales profession, as a whole. Read less
"People say, and I am willing to believe it, that it is hard to know yourself. But it is not easy to paint yourself, either. The portraits painted by Rembrandt are more than a view of nature, they are more like a revelation,” he later wrote to his brother. The works are now displayed in museums around the world, including in Washington, D.C., Paris, New York and Amsterdam.
He first gained recognition on radio and Broadway, then he became known for his role as Rob Petrie on the CBS television sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran from 1961 to 1966. He also gained significant popularity for roles in the musical films Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018). His other prominent film appearances include roles in The Comic (1969), Dick Tracy (1990), Curious George (2006), Night at the Museum (2006), and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014). Other prominent TV roles include the leads in The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971–74), Diagnosis: Murder (1993–2001), and Murder 101 (2006–08) which both co-starred his son Barry.
Vincent Van Gogh's life was a short one but almost three years of it were spent in Britain. A big new exhibition at Tate Britain in London brings together 50 of his pictures - including some masterpieces - to show how life in the capital and the art scene in Britain - influenced the young artist. And how he in turn influenced British artists such as Francis Bacon.
Van Dyke left high school in 1944, his senior year, intending to join the United States Army Air Forces for pilot training during World War II. Denied enlistment several times for being underweight, he was eventually accepted for service as a radio announcer before transferring to the Special Services and entertaining troops in the continental United States.[11] He received his high school diploma in 2004 at the age of 78.[12]
Ill from drink and suffering from smoker's cough, in February 1888 Van Gogh sought refuge in Arles.[14] He seems to have moved with thoughts of founding an art colony. The Danish artist Christian Mourier-Petersen became his companion for two months, and at first Arles appeared exotic. In a letter, he described it as a foreign country: "The Zouaves, the brothels, the adorable little Arlésienne going to her First Communion, the priest in his surplice, who looks like a dangerous rhinoceros, the people drinking absinthe, all seem to me creatures from another world."[114]
Between 1885 and his death in 1890, Van Gogh appears to have been building an oeuvre,[221] a collection that reflected his personal vision, and could be commercially successful. He was influenced by Blanc's definition of style, that a true painting required optimal use of colour, perspective and brushstrokes. Van Gogh applied the word "purposeful" to paintings he thought he had mastered, as opposed to those he thought of as studies.[222] He painted many series of studies;[218] most of which were still lifes, many executed as colour experiments or as gifts to friends.[223] The work in Arles contributed considerably to his oeuvre: those he thought the most important from that time were The Sower, Night Cafe, Memory of the Garden in Etten and Starry Night. With their broad brushstrokes, inventive perspectives, colours, contours and designs, these paintings represent the style he sought.[219]
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Brendan Joseph McLeod
Prospect, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 16 years experience
(502) 386-1414 1801 Huckleberry Lane
Free ConsultationAppeals, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI and Domestic Violence
University of Pittsburgh School of Law and University of Louisville
Louisville Criminal Defense Attorney Brendan McLeod is available to represent you. Also, Brendan McLeod is an Oldham County Criminal Defense Attorney, too. Mr. McLeod lives and practices in Oldham County. Currently, the majority of his practice is in Louisville, or Jefferson County. A straight shooting criminal attorney who has the background and experience to get what you want or get it at trial. And Win! He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, trained and entered into a USAF Combat Weather Unit, supporting the Army 20th Special Forces.
Being an attorney...
Brent Cox
Lexington, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 10 years experience
(859) 258-2269 709 Millpond Road
Free ConsultationAppeals, Criminal Defense, Insurance Claims and Personal Injury
The Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law
Brent has been practicing law since 2008 when he became a judicial law clerk/staff attorney to the Hon. Jeffrey T. Burdette, Chief Judge, 28th Judicial Circuit, and Chief Regional Circuit Judge, Cumberland Region. As a law clerk/staff attorney, Brent worked on matters ranging from death penalty cases to will contests, business litigation, and property claims. Brent received his B.A. in English from the University of Kentucky and his J.D. from the Ohio Northern University College of Law. During law school, Brent became a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the American Constitution Society. He...
Zachary A. Horn
Frankfort, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 7 years experience
(502) 223-1200 300 Whitaker Bank Building
Appeals, Bankruptcy, Business and Collections
Zachary is a Member in the law office of Kirkland, Cain & Horn, PLLC, where he practices in the areas of civil litigation, business law, banking, creditors' rights, and bankruptcy. Zachary is a graduate of Transylvania University, where he graduated with honors, and of the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he served on both the Moot Court Board and Bankruptcy Moot Court Board.
Zachary has extensive experience representing businesses and financial institutions both in-house and in private practice. Zachary represents individuals and businesses throughout the state in civil litigation, general business matters, foreclosure and security enforcement actions, and...
Kenneth Stephenson Stepp
Manchester, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 43 years experience
(606) 596-0360 7750 North U.S. Hwy. 421
Manchester, KY 40962
Appeals, Civil Rights, Criminal Defense and Family
University System of Georgia - University of Georgia
Born and raised in South Carolina, I graduated from Clemson University in 1968 and joined the U.S. Navy. After serving in the Navy in Florida, Rhode Island, California (received Masters of Management degree at United States Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey California); South Carolina, shipboard on the USS BLAKELY (DE 1072) with port calls in Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Port Au Prince Haiti, Charleston South Carolina, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada; Stavanger Norway; Copenhagen Denmark; Kiel Germany; and Brest France. Subsequent Navy shore duty in Charleston South Carolina; Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas....
Christopher H. Morris
Louisville, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 18 years experience
(866) 583-9701 231 Breckenridge Lane
Appeals, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp
I am a partner at Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington- the oldest personal injury firm in Louisville. Since I began practicing in Louisville, I catered to the under-represented Hispanic/Latino population.
I have represented clients in medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, construction, and premises liability actions. I also represent clients, and the seriously injured, trucking, motorcycle and automobile collision cases.
Lajuana Wilcher
Bowling Green, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 38 years experience
(270) 781-6500 1101 College Ave.
Appeals and Environmental
Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University
LaJuana Wilcher is a Partner at English Lucas Priest & Owsley LLP (ELPO). She began working with NACWA (then AMSA) in 1989, when she was nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water. In that position, she was responsible for national water policy, and promulgated stormwater, biosolids, and TMDL regulations, among others. She also convened and worked closely with the FACA group that developed the 1994 CSO Policy.
LaJuana worked on environmental law issues in Washington, D.C., for almost 20 years. She was a Partner in the DC offices of...
Marcus Hayes Herbert
Paducah, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 28 years experience
Free ConsultationAppeals, Bankruptcy and Estate Planning
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
For the past 25 years, my practice has focused on helping individuals, families, and small businesses to overcome financial setbacks and obtain a Fresh Start. Sometimes this means fighting foreclosures or defending against credit card suits. Very often, it involves filing bankruptcy to eliminate multiple debts or to consolidate several debts into one smaller monthly payment that my clients can actually afford. I treat my clients with dignity and respect and am proud to have served more than 10,000 people in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
Steven D Jaeger
Erlaner, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 11 years experience
(859) 342-4500 23 Erlanger Rd
Erlaner, KY 41018
Appeals and Criminal Defense
Northern Kentucky University
I was born and raised in the rolling hills of Kentucky, where I gained an appreciation for University of Kentucky basketball, horse racing, and Kentucky bourbon.
I am admitted to practice law in the United States Supreme Court, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the State of Ohio, the United States District Court: Eastern District of Kentucky, and the following Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal: the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Circuits.
I have nearly a decade of experience handling federal criminal appeals involving important constitutional issues such as an individual’s due process rights, freedom from...
Joshua Farley
(502) 753-1600 9300 Shelbyville Rd
Free ConsultationAppeals, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Products Liability
Joshua D Farley is an attorney at Bubalo Law, PLC. He was born and raised in Kentucky, which means he is just as comfortable in a courtroom with a suit, as he is on the back porch with a bourbon. Josh attended Vanderbilt University and the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, graduating in 2006. Since law school he has become a distinguished and preeminent litigator, representing clients throughout the Commonwealth. He has years of experience practicing appellate law, business and contracts law, criminal defense, and personal injury law. Josh spent five and a...
Bryan Keith Underwood
Maysville , KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 19 years experience
(606) 584-0274 132 West Third Street
Maysville , KY 41056
Free ConsultationAppeals, Business, Criminal Defense and Family
I enjoy being able to live and work in my hometown. I started my legal career as a public defender and still take court appointed cases. Along the way I acquired the trial skills necessary to successfully defend those accused of crimes, the injured, the disabled, and men and women struggling with domestic issues. I practice regularly in the courts of the following Ky. counties: Mason, Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Rowan, Nicholas, and Harrison, and will take criminal cases throughout the Commonwealth and in Federal Courts.
E. Brian Davis
(502) 568-1337 101 North Seventh Street
The Normandy Building
Free ConsultationAppeals, Bankruptcy and Criminal Defense
Jerome Park Prather
Lexington, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 12 years experience
(859) 254-9351 141 N Broadway
Free ConsultationAppeals, Insurance Claims, Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home
Coming from a long line of small-town attorneys, Jay has always devoted his practice to representing clients who have been badly hurt or killed, or suffered other injuries at the hands of others. Jay has experience in both jury trials and appellate practice, in various practice areas including medical malpractice, birth injuries, trucking accidents, and defective products. His philosophy is that every client should be fully prepared for trial, with the hope of achieving a satisfactory result for his clients short of the courtroom. Jay is rated AV-Preeminent® by the Martindale-Hubbell* peer review. He is a governor of the...
Stephen C. Emery
La Grange, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 19 years experience
(502) 565-4440 105 North First Street
Appeals, DUI & DWI, Divorce and Family
I represent clients in the areas of DUI defense, family law, criminal defense, tort and contract claims, personal injury claims, administrative law, municipal corporation law, open records and open meetings law, and appellate representation. I am a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. I served as a law clerk and staff attorney for the Kentucky Court of Appeals for Judge Sara W. Combs and Judge Joseph R. Huddleston. I am licensed to practice in all state courts in Kentucky, the U. S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and the Southern...
J. Eric Rottinghaus
Crestview Hills, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 18 years experience
25 Town Center Boulevard
Crestview Hills, KY 41017
Appeals, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Family
J. Eric Rottinghaus maintains a diversified legal practice that includes Commercial Litigation, Employment Law, Civil Rights, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, Family Law, Juvenile Law, Business Law, Education and School Law, Real Estate, Construction Law, and Insurance Defense. Eric is a lifelong Northern Kentucky resident. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Xavier University in 1998, and earned a Juris Doctor from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2001. Clients include individuals, families, and small businesses. Eric's practice exists to meet the personal, family, and business needs of his clients. Eric provides...
Jeffrey Ray Prather
Frankfort, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 16 years experience
(502) 696-5337 1024 Capital Center Drive
Jeff began his legal career as a public defender in 2002. In his first felony trial, he earned an acquittal for his client. In 2005, He began representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky as an Assistant Attorney General. For the next ten years, Jeff was a special prosecutor and he tried cases throughout Kentucky. During that time, he was also appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to assist with federal cyber-crimes prosecutions. As an appellate attorney, Jeff has briefed cases for the Kentucky Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, argued before the Court of Appeals, and handled habeas...
Ronald L. Green
(859) 475-1471 201 East Main Street, Suite 1250
Appeals, Insurance Defense, Legal Malpractice and Medical Malpractice
(502) 625-5000 130 St Matthews Ave
Free ConsultationAppeals, Consumer, Nursing Home and Personal Injury
Bart Loveman Greenwald
Louisville, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 24 years experience
(502) 614-6974 9750 Ormsby Station Road
Free ConsultationAppeals, Business, Personal Injury and Products Liability
A Louisville native, Bart is a seasoned litigator who transferred a successful commercial litigation practice at an AM Law 200 firm to become a founding Member of Duncan Galloway Egan Greenwald PLLC.
Bart’s experience focuses on counseling local, national and international corporations in actions involving breach of contract, fraud, negligence, the UCC, defamation and sales disputes (from both plaintiff and defense perspectives). His experience also includes complex arbitration and mediation matters, having served as counsel for Fortune 500 companies as well as local small and medium-size businesses.
Bart is the head of the DGEG litigation practice and served as Vice Chair of...
Donald Wes Sullenger
Paducah, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 17 years experience
(270) 442-4369 410 Broadway
Appeals, Arbitration & Mediation, Civil Rights and Employment
Over fifteen years experience handling employment law and civil rights matters. My practice began representing large employers in defending such claims but, since 2007, I have represented both employees (or former employees) who have been victims of discrimination, sexual and racial harassment, unpaid overtime and wages, and other employment law matters and small employers wrongly accused of misconduct. I have successfully tried cases before juries and prevailed in the appellate courts. My main focus is always on doing my best to represent my client's interest, whether that is trial, settlement, appeal, etc.
Noah R. Friend
Pikeville, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 11 years experience
Free ConsultationAppeals, Bankruptcy, Civil Rights and Consumer
Noah Friend has spent most of his life in Pikeville, Kentucky, and graduated from Pikeville High School. He attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate education, where he majored in History. He then attended law school at the University of Kentucky, and graduated in the top 25 of his class. After completing law school, he spent over three years working for the United States Magistrate Judge in Ashland and Pikeville. Mr. Friend opened a solo practice in January, 2011, focusing on bankruptcy and consumer rights issues, as well as issues involving constitutional law. In 2012, he partnered with Christopher Hunt to form Friend...
Liz Darling Edmondson
Lexington, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney
(859) 379-5529 201 West Short Street, Suite 310
Appeals, Energy and Environmental
Jason Apollo Hart
Frankfort, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer with 10 years experience
(502) 395-3665 101 Saint Clair Street
1st Fl.
Apollo Law, PLLC is a law office located in downtown Frankfort, Kentucky, owned and operated by Jason Apollo Hart, an experienced and dependable criminal defense attorney and personal injury lawyer. He has a passion for the fair representation of all Kentuckians and is a staunch defender of the peoples’ legal rights.
On December 12, 1981, Jason Hart and his twin brother were born in Dayton, Ohio. In the 1995, he and his family moved to Olympia, Kentucky, where Jason attended Bath County High School. Jason’s mother worked as a paralegal at a local law firm in Morehead, Kentucky and raised Jason,...
Paul Joseph Dickman
Covington, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer
(859) 491-7999 19 W 11th St
Free ConsultationAppeals, Animal, Business and Civil Rights
When real challenges present themselves, you need to have experienced counsel to help guide your decisions and to help you protect yourself. Having that kind of guidance and representation can help give you peace of mind that whatever conflict or legal challenge you are faced with that you will be able to face it effectively. Experienced Personal Injury Representation One of the most challenging events that can occur in someone's life is to suffer a serious personal injury. When the accident or other event that caused your injury was caused by another, you need to have the experienced representation of an attorney...
Melinda Ann Murphy
Richmond, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 28 years experience
(859) 625-0400 200 E. Main Street
Free ConsultationAppeals, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family
University of Akron
Jeremy Aldridge
Elizabethtown, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer
(270) 765-2000 2600 Ring Road
Appeals, Business, Civil Rights and Family
Aldridge & Aldridge, PSC is a husband-wife law practice focusing on family issues, including divorce, child custody, child support, and parenting time. Other areas include litigation involving victims rights, general civil litigation, automobile accident, and criminal law. At Aldridge & Aldridge, PSC, we strive to provide quality, professional representation at a reasonable cost.
Vaughn Murphy
(502) 352-2885 100 East Main Street
Appeals, Business, Environmental and Family
Brenda Popplewell
Somerset, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney
(606) 451-0112 307 W Mt Vernon St
Appeals, Civil Rights, Criminal Defense and Education
Linda Roberts Horsman
(502) 564-8006 Department of Public Advocacy
5 Mill Creek Park
Ashley A. Baird
Franklin, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney with 10 years experience
305 N. College Street, Ste B
Appeals, Business, Divorce and Family
Frank Anthony Brancato
Owensboro, KY Appeals & Appellate Lawyer
(270) 926-4545 111 W 2nd St
Free ConsultationAppeals, Collections, Juvenile and Probate
Wendell Jones
Appeals, Bankruptcy, Business and Construction
Thomas Nathan Peters
Louisville, KY Appeals & Appellate Attorney
Appeals, Insurance Defense, Personal Injury and Products Liability
The Oyez Lawyer Directory contains lawyers who have claimed their profiles and are actively seeking clients. Find more Kentucky Appeals & Appellate Lawyers in the Justia Legal Services and Lawyers Directory which includes profiles of more than one million lawyers licensed to practice in the United States, in addition to profiles of legal aid, pro bono and legal service organizations.
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UK Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2016
On June 2, 2016 Queen Elizabeth II announced the World Mission Society Church of God as a recipient of the Queen’s Award for Volunteer Service.
The Queen’s Award is the highest award that any volunteer group can receive in the United Kingdom and comes as a result of the Church of God’s untiring devotion to community service throughout the United Kingdom. This devotion to its community is consistent with all churches of God around the world.
The certificate and the commemorative crystal of the Queen’s Award
About the Queen’s Award
Created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 to celebrate her Golden Jubilee, the Queen’s Award recognizes volunteer groups for their outstanding contributions to their communities. It is the most prestigious award given to volunteer groups across the United Kingdom.
The award is acknowledged in the 53 member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, including Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago. The award also grants the Church of God the title MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). As a recipient of the award, the Church of God has been given the privilege to use the MBE honor with its name and display the Queen’s Award emblem on its websites, stationary, and other printed material.
The Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE]
The nomination and selection process for the Queen’s Award is rigorous. First, in order to be nominated, a group must have performed continued volunteer service in its community for at least three years. After being nominated, a local panel evaluates the group thoroughly for at least three years.
During its evaluation, the Church of God received both phone calls and unannounced visits from the panel. The panel even contacted beneficiaries of the Church of God’s community service to confirm the validity and sincerity of its volunteer work.
Once the evaluation phase is complete, the assessment panel then determines the nominees to be sent to the National Award Committee. The National Award Committee’s job is to make recommendations to the Cabinet Office, the corporate headquarters of government, which manages the award. The Cabinet Office then makes a final list, which is sent to the Queen, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself decides the award winners.
Pastor Kim Joo-Cheol receives the award certificate signed by the Queen and the commemorative crystal of the Queen’s Award
As winners of the Queen’s Award, the members of the Church of God were invited to attend the Queen’s Royal Garden Party on May 24, 2016. The Church of God also received a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed style crystal.
Pastor Kim Joo-cheol (left) received the award certificate signed by the Queen and the commemorative crystal of the Queen’s Award from the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith (second from left).
All over the world, the Church of God is being acknowledged for its selfless and untiring efforts in serving the community
Whether it be through blood drives, cleanup campaigns, disaster relief, youth festivals, and the like, the members of the Church of God are making every effort to spread the love of God. The Church has become the recipient of more than 2,000 awards from organizations all around the world, including in the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, and aims to continue making a difference in the world by following the teachings of Heavenly Mother.
Copyright © 2017 WMSCOG. All Rights Reserved.
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» Personal Papers and Manuscripts
J. Lawrence Pool papers
The Pool papers include biographical and genealogical records; his World World II military records; a memoir; photographs; diplomas and certificates; and printed material. There is only one folder of correspondence which contains letters from such prominent medical figures as Stanley Cobb, Wilder Penfield, Frederick Tilney, and John F. Fulton. Of particular interest are Pool's memoir, written in 2001; and a 1944 notebook of surgical cases from his time with the 9th Evacuation Hospital in the South of France.
J. Lawrence (James Lawrence) Pool, 1906-2004.
.75 cubic feet (2 boxes, 8 folders)
Unrestricted.
J. Lawrence Pool Papers, Archives & Special Collections, Columbia University Health Sciences Library.
Download J. Lawrence Pool Papers pdf finding aid
J. Lawrence “Larry” Pool, neurosurgeon, was born Aug. 23, 1906 in New York City and was named for his ancestor, James Lawrence, a naval hero of the War of 1812. Pool came from a long line of physicians and his father, Eugene H. Pool (1874-1949), was a distinguished surgeon and a professor at the medical schools of both Columbia and Cornell.
Pool was educated at Harvard (A.B., 1928) and at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons (M.D., 1932); he also received the Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia in 1941. After an internship at New York Hospital and a fellowship in neurophysiology at Harvard, Pool returned to the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center where he served as surgical intern (1934-36), neurosurgical resident (1936-38) and finally, chief neurosurgical resident (1938-39).
During World War II, Pool served as a neurosurgeon with the 9th Evacuation Hospital in Europe. He returned to Columbia in 1945 and in 1949 was named professor of neurological surgery and first chairman of the newly established Dept. of Neurological Surgery, a post he held until his retirement in 1972.
Pool developed several important surgical techniques, including the use of the microscope to operate on cerebral aneurysms and the development of the myeloscope in locating problems of the lower spine. With D. Gordon Potts he was co-author of Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malfunctions of the Brain (New York: Harper & Row, 1965), a landmark work in the field. For his achievements, Pool became only the second American to receive the Medal of Honour of the World Federation of Neurological Societies (1985).
After his retirement, Pool and his wife, Angeline James Pool, moved to West Cornwall, CT, where he wrote several books on non-medical topics and pursued his interest in fishing and watercolor painting. He died May 4, 2004 in Canaan, CT, survived by his three sons.
Additional Physical Format: Pool’s World War II surgical notebook is available on microfilm; held by the Dept. of Preservation Reformatting, Butler Library.
The Pool papers contain biographical and genealogical records; correspondence; World War II military records; a memoir; photographs; and printed material. There is only one folder of correspondence which contains letters from such prominent medical figures as Stanley Cobb, Wilder Penfield, Frederick Tilney, and John F. Fulton.
Of particular interest are a memoir, “The Twentieth Century – By a Survivor,” written in 2001; a 1944 notebook of medical cases from his time with the 9th Evacuation Hospital; and two volumes of Pool’s reprints.
The papers also include documents from John Adams Pool, one of Pool’s ancestors, including his 1813 undergraduate diploma from Queen’s College (now Rutgers University), his 1816 medical diploma from the College of Physicians & Surgeons in the City of New York, and his awards from the American Institute for “prize cows.” Pool’s father, Eugene H. Pool, is represented by his Harsen Prize certificate from the College of Physicians & Surgeons (1899) and his New York Hospital House Staff certificate (1900).
Neurological Institute of New York - History
Neurosurgery - United States.
Pool, J. Lawrence (James Lawrence), 1906-
Surgeons - United States - Biography
Surgery, Military - United States
World War, 1939-1945 – Medical care
Pool’s correspondence with Dr. George L. Becker, Jr., 1962-2003, donated by Becker in 2010, is in Miscellaneous Manuscripts, Box 4, fo. 3; the papers of fellow Columbia University neurosurgeon, Dr. Edgar Housepian (unprocessed) also contain correspondence with Pool.
Gift of J. Lawrence Pool, 2002, 2003 (accession #2002.05.16, 2003.01.23).
Collection processed and finding written by Stephen E. Novak, Sept. 2012.
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LifeSciences BC > News > Member Announcements > 2015 > Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Announces Year End 2014 Financial Results
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Announces Year End 2014 Financial Results
March 16, 2015 – Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Aquinox”) (Nasdaq:AQXP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology, today provided a corporate update and reported financial results for the year ending December 31, 2014.
“In the year since Aquinox’s IPO on NASDAQ, we have achieved several important milestones, including the recently completed enrollment of our two lead Phase 2 trials for AQX-1125, and the initiation of a third Phase 2 trial in atopic dermatitis,” said Mr. David Main, President and CEO of Aquinox. “We ended 2014 with cash to see us through to mid-2016 and to complete our three ongoing Phase 2 studies, including top line data from both the FLAGSHIP and LEADERSHIP trials expected near mid-year 2015. Existing cash is also anticipated to be sufficient to explore AQX-1125 in another Phase 1/2 clinical trial while actively investing in the selection of a lead second generation SHIP-1activator.”
Completed a $53.1 million IPO on NASDAQ. In March 2014, 4,830,000 shares were issued, including the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, at a price of $11.00. Aquinox’s largest investors participated in the offering along with several leading, specialized funds in the United States. Jefferies LLC and Cowen and Company LLC acted as joint-book runners for the offering with Canaccord Genuity Corp. acting as co-manager for the offering. Analysts from all three underwriting firms have since initiated research coverage of Aquinox.
Completed enrollment of patients in FLAGSHIP, a Phase 2 clinical trial of AQX-1125 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Target enrollment in the FLAGSHIP trial was achieved at the end of January 2015, aided by strategies implemented post-IPO including the addition of trial sites in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. FLAGSHIP is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AQX-1125 in approximately 400 unstable, moderate to severe COPD patients with a history of frequent exacerbations. Top line results are expected near mid-year 2015.
Completed enrollment of patients in LEADERSHIP, a Phase 2 clinical trial of AQX-1125 in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). Target enrollment in the LEADERSHIP trial was achieved at the beginning of March 2015, aided by strategies implemented post-IPO including the addition of sites in the United States through an accepted IND. LEADERSHIP is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AQX-1125 in approximately 70 female patients with BPS/IC. Top line results are expected near mid-year 2015.
Initiated KINSHIP, a Phase 2 clinical trial of AQX-1125 in atopic dermatitis (AD). The KINSHIP clinical trial was initiated in December, 2014 and is being conducted at clinical research centers in Canada as a Phase 2 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of AQX-1125 in approximately 50 adult patients with mild to moderate AD. Top line results are expected by the first quarter 2016.
Appointed David C. Mitchell as Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance. With over 35 years of regulatory experience, including negotiations with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to facilitate new drug approval, Mr. Mitchell joined Aquinox in December, 2014 to guide the strategic direction of Aquinox’s global regulatory and quality assurance functions.
Appointed Sean P. Nolanto Aquinox’s Board of Directors. Mr. Nolan was most recently Chief Business Officer at InterMune and has over 20 years of commercial experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was a key contributor to the commercial strategy of InterMune’s Esbriet ® for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the company’s sale to Roche for $8.3B.
Summary of Financial Results
Cash Position. Cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments totaled $41.1 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $13.8 million as of December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily driven by the proceeds from Aquinox’s initial public offering, which was completed in March, 2014. Aquinox expects its cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments to be sufficient to complete all three ongoing Phase 2 trials.
R&D Expenses. Research and development expenses were $18.1 million for 2014 compared to $7.6 million for 2013. This increase was primarily due to the ongoing advancement of AQX-1125 through the FLAGSHIP and LEADERSHIP trials and the initiation of the KINSHIP trial.
G&A Expenses. General and administrative expenses for 2014 increased to $4.3 million compared to $1.8 million for 2013. This increase was primarily due to costs associated with operating as a public company.
Net Loss. Net loss for 2014 was $24.0 million compared to a net loss of $8.7 million for 2013. The increase in net loss was primarily due to the ongoing advancement of AQX-1125 through the FLAGSHIP and LEADERSHIP trials, the initiation of the KINSHIP trial and costs associated with operating as a public company.
About AQX-1125
AQX-1125, Aquinox’s lead drug candidate, is a small molecule activator of SHIP1, which is a regulating component of the PI3K cellular signaling pathway. By increasing SHIP1activity, AQX-1125 accelerates a natural mechanism that has evolved to maintain homeostasis of the immune system and reduce immune cell activation and migration to sites of inflammation. AQX-1125 has demonstrated preliminary safety and favorable drug properties in multiple preclinical studies and clinical trials. Aquinox is currently exploring AQX-1125 as an oral, once daily treatment in several Phase 2 trials.
About Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology. Aquinox’s lead drug candidate, AQX-1125, is a small molecule activator of SHIP1 suitable for oral, once daily dosing. Having successfully completed multiple preclinical studies and clinical trials with AQX-1125, Aquinox is now advancing through Phase 2 development. Aquinox has a broad intellectual property portfolio and pipeline of preclinical drug candidates that activate SHIP1. For more information, please visit www.aqxpharma.com.
Cautionary Note on Forward-looking Statements
Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to: the timing of availability of our top-line data; the success and timing of our Phase 2 clinical trials; and potential market opportunities for AQX-1125. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: our ability to enroll patients in our clinical trials at the pace that we project; the size and growth of the potential markets for AQX-1125 or any future product candidates and our ability to serve those markets; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of AQX-1125 or any future product candidates; and our expectations regarding the potential safety, efficacy or clinical utility of AQX- 1125 or any future product candidates. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Aquinox is contained in the company’s Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aquinox disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Contact Info:
Brendan Payne
Senior Manager, Investor Relations Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
ir@aqxpharma.com
Communications Contact:
Bianca Nery
MacDougall Biomedical Communications 650.339.7533
aquinox@macbiocom.com
b a j r
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StepUP Frisco Calls Faith Community to Action for the Homeless
by Mike Raye
Cold, dreary and misty mornings in late February heighten the plight of our neighbors living without shelter. It’s one thing to shiver against the weather as you make the 50-yard trek from your warm and dry car into a warm and dry Frisco church with a catered breakfast awaiting at the top of the stairs. It’s another thing to have survived the night on the streets with the sunrise bringing little if any relief.
There are homeless among us in our affluent and rapidly growing suburban bubble and a Frisco initiative founded by two dynamic women is rallying neighbors to the cause. A symposium of homeless relief agencies and faith communities gathered at Hope Fellowship in east Frisco for a prayer breakfast to explore ways to step up local efforts to overtake a rising issue in our area.
“Today is your call to action,” said StepUP Frisco co-founder Ann Harris, addressing the audience. “This is your mission. Take action in your own back yard.”
StepUP Frisco was founded by Harris, Frisco Giving Tree co-founder, and Vice Chair and Founding Board Member of the Collin County Homeless Coalition Christine Ortega. Their mission is to “gain support to expand existing homeless programs in Collin County that benefit Frisco,” Ann Harris said.
Harris and her husband Del, Vice President of the Texas Legends and 1995 NBA Coach of the Year with the Los Angeles Lakers, are no strangers to local philanthropy, serving as the Development Chairs of the Frisco arm of City House, a transitional support center for homeless teenagers. They have contributed thousands of volunteer hours over the years because, as she and Coach Harris will tell you, it’s their responsibility.
“God has blessed us so we can be a blessing to others,” Ann said.
The breakfast symposium was designed to introduce representatives of the diverse Frisco faith community to area charities (and each other) and leverage the altruistic directives inherent in all religions to rally for the cause.
“Our faith is deep and our love for people is strong,” Ortega said. “We want to treat our homeless neighbors with dignity and save lives. There is something incomplete, fractured, broken in our society that allows homelessness to exist.”
“Our faith communities are often the first responders to our neighbors in need,” Ann Harris added. “Every community, every congregation can be involved.”
Census data shows that since 2000, Collin County has more than doubled in population and demographers predict a population reaching 3 million in the near future. While Frisco is among the fastest growing cities in the United States (1,000 new residents per month) and Money magazine’s 2018 “Best Place to Live in America,” one area is not growing alongside the population.
“The issue of homelessness will continue to grow but we have the same shelters we had 20 years ago,” Ann Harris said. “Our purpose this morning is three-fold: Make our community more aware, introduce the programs that really need our help, and show how we all can support these programs so they can expand and support even more people.”
“In 2018 we had 4100 homeless people in Collin County,” Christine Ortega said. “As of January 2019, there were 1,298 homeless students across five Collin County school districts, and 104 in Frisco ISD. There are many more of our neighbors on the brink, who are one paycheck away from becoming homeless. It only takes one medical emergency, car accident, divorce, death or a lost job before a family realizes they can’t pay rent. Once they get evicted it becomes much harder to requalify for a place to live,” Ortega said.
Representatives from Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and Bahá’i communities listened to a panel of homeless charities including the Samaritan Inn, City House, and Family Promise of Collin County explain their missions and the challenges they face. Coordinating efforts and teaming up to take up the cause was a major goal.
“We work with people to help rebuild their lives,” said Sheila Miller, Executive Director of Family Promise of Collin County. “We need help. It’s not that we as a community don’t care; it’s just we don’t know how to connect.” Miller said. She added that the diversity and numbers of local churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other faith communities were keys to success for all organizations in attendance.
“We partner with 14 congregations (at Family Promise) and that’s our secret sauce,” Miller said. “We desperately need more diversification. We need to have more volunteers that reflect the communities we serve.”
Frisco faith community members said they are ready to join the cause.
“We live in an amazing community, and as faith-based organizations, it is our responsibility to give back,” said Laxmi Tummala, representing the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple of Frisco. “All faiths have many similarities, and one of those similarities is we all believe in helping other people. The Hindu faith is no different. It’s very important that we take care of our communities and our neighbors and our world, and that we pray for peace, and that we lead by example,” Tummala added. “Together we make a better community. There are lots of commonalities in the faiths that make up our community: Do good, be good, help other people – these are common in all faiths.”
“In Islam, we are taught to serve the less fortunate among us,” said Aisha Waheed, President/CEO of Gracious Enterprises Dream Safe Home. “Everyone in the community should take a proactive approach to homelessness. We are all called by God to serve. It is our responsibility to take care of each other.”
Anisah Shahidzadeh, a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’i Faith of Frisco and Optometric Director of EyeQ Vision, agreed that service to others is a cornerstone of all faiths. “Bahá’i inspired initiatives around the world are motivated by a sincere desire to serve humanity and seek to promote the social and material well-being of all people, regardless of race, gender, economic status or any other factor,” she said. Shahidzadeh shared that EyeQ Vision has plans to donate eye care services to residents of the Samaritan Inn and City House in the near future. “Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’i Faith tells us, ‘flee not from the face of the poor that lieth in the dust, nay rather befriend him,” she said. “He warns us about turning away from ‘the downtrodden’ and assures us that God will help us help them.”
Ann Harris said StepUP Frisco is a clarion call for the entire community. She said now is the time to get ahead of a rapidly rising problem.
“We ask that you ‘step up’ by supporting existing homeless programs and by helping them to expand before we have chronic homeless issues on the streets of Frisco,” she said.
Tags: city house, StepUp, the samaritan inn
About Mike Raye
I'm not from Texas, but I got here as fast as I could. My family has lived in Frisco since Preston was a two-lane. Fearless and true Auburn graduate. War Eagle! Grateful husband and proud dad of an Oklahoma Sooner and UNC-Charlotte 49er. Former trainer for Apple, creator of multimedia content, capturer of light, storyteller. Emmy Award-winning CNN veteran. I saw the Wall fall and tyrants topple. Community journalist with a global perspective. Able to leap tall buildings with a single bound. (With a good running start.) Devoted to all things Dallas Stars. Dr Pepper Star Center rink rat. Right wing on the ice only. Another boring romantic, that's me.
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10 Common Myths About Famous Landmarks
Adam Wears January 14, 2013 0
Myths and misconceptions exist about even the greatest and most famous landmarks in the world. Heck, you were probably even taught some of them as fact in school. Here are ten.
The Architects of Saint Basil’s Cathedral Were Blinded
Situated inside Moscow’s Red Square, Saint Basil’s Cathedral has tall towers and multi-colored spirals that wouldn’t look out of place in a Disney cartoon. It has been designated a world heritage site by the history nerds at UNESCO. The cathedral was built from 1555–1561 under orders from Ivan the Terrible and apparently the architects did a pretty good job—legend has it that Ivan the Terrible blinded them afterwards so that they could never design anything better.
However, records show that a quarter of a century later and four years after Ivan’s death they were employed again to add an extension to the cathedral. This is an unlikely feat for blind architects, unless they had some particularly clever seeing-eye-dogs. Maybe this Ivan guy wasn’t so terrible after all.
Buckingham Palace is the Official Residence of the Queen of England
Maybe you’re wondering how your old pal The Queen is doing, and feel like popping in for some tea and a crumpet. Of course you won’t need to look up her residence, because everybody knows it—Buckingham Palace, right?
Sort of. Sure, Her Royal Highness may technically live at Buckingham Palace, but she’s clearly slightly embarrassed by this fact as she continues to call St. James’ Palace her official place of residence, as it has been for British sovereigns for over 400 years.
It was built by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536, and was where British royalty lived until 1837. When Queen Victoria took the throne she made her home in Buckingham Palace—a trend that has apparently stuck, though not on paper.
A Penny Dropped From The Empire State Building Will Kill Someone
Do you have an insatiable thirst for murder? Popular wisdom on the internet would say that all you need to do is lure your target to the front of the Empire State Building and drop a penny on them from the top floor. By the time it reaches them, it will have reached speeds capable of killing them instantly. Hey, who are the police going to arrest? Isaac Newton?
Fortunately for residents of New York City, the internet has got it wrong again. The small, flat shape of a penny means that when it falls it will be subjected to massive amounts of wind resistance. Unless you know of a way to suck all the air out of New York City and drop the penny into a vacuum, the penny will quickly reach terminal velocity—a constant speed where the penny cannot accelerate any more. At this speed, a dropped penny may hurt a little but is totally unable to pierce a human skull.
Big Ben Is the Name of a Clocktower
England: home to The Queen and rain. You’ll also find Big Ben, a huge clock-tower that looks over the capital. If you’ve ever seen a movie or TV show set in London, there’s a good chance you saw it in an establishing shot.
However, that isn’t actually the name of the clock-tower. That’s a myth repeated so much by tourists that if you repeat it in front of a policeman, they’re legally entitled to shoot you. “Big Ben” is actually the name of the bell inside the tower—the tower itself is called “Elizabeth Tower.”
The White House Was Painted White After the British Set Fire To It
Legend has it that when the White House was built between 1792 and 1800 it was grey, and the white came later. In 1814, whilst the War of 1812 was still raging, British forces did something totally out of character and set fire to the White House. When the fires had been put out and the building repaired, the White House was repainted white, henceforth to be known as the White House.
Part of this story is true: the British did burn down part of the White House in 1814. However, the “white” part of the White House predates the fire by a good sixteen years. It got its iconic paint job as early as 1798 when it was given a coat of whitewash to protect it from the winter weather. More damningly, it was already known as the White House to the British in 1811, years before the fire.
Nothing Can Be Taller Than The Capitol Dome
It’s always strange to hear when someone says that Washington DC has no skyscrapers. After all, it’s the capital city of one of the most powerful countries in the world. Well if you’re wondering, that’s because local laws prevent anything being built taller than the dome of the United States Capitol, because nothing can be bigger than politics in this town.
Lies. The reason that buildings in Washington DC are so short isn’t because politicians have an inferiority complex over the size of their dome, it’s because the Height of Buildings Act of 1910 limits building heights to no more than the width of the street plus 20 feet (6 meters). Why? Blame Thomas Jefferson. He wanted Washington DC to be “low and convenient,” a vision that made it into law.
Galileo Dropped Cannonballs from the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Galileo was an Italian Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer and Philosopher responsible for dozens of experiments. His most famous, of course, is when he dropped two cannonballs from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to demonstrate that two similar falling bodies of different mass will fall at the same speed.
However, it is doubtful it ever actually happened. Historians think that the whole story was made up in order to make Galileo seem like some sort of science god or that he did it as a “thought experiment,” a hypothetical experiment not involving actually doing anything.
Stonehenge Was Built By Druids
If you were to ask anyone on the street who built Stonehenge, there’s a very good chance they’ll reply with “druids.” After all, just look at it! There’s no way that some sort of mystical ritual didn’t take place in there.
Well, sorry to ruin this for you, but Spinal Tap lied to us. The link between Druids and Stonehenge was made in 1640 by archaeologist John Aubrey using the age-old scientific method of “pulling it out of his butt.”
In fact, modern archeologists seem to think that Stonehenge was built by everybody but the Druids, with current theories arguing that stonehenge construction was not at any one time, but added to over the course of hundreds of years. Recent radiocarbon dating of Stonehenge has identified the first stones as being raised between 2400 B.C. and 2200 B.C., while most recent evidence of construction in the area dates to 1600 B.C.—well before druids occupied the region.
Hoover Dam Is Full of Bodies
For those of you who didn’t pay attention in school, the Hoover Dam is one of the world’s largest dams. Its construction between 1931 and 1936 was a mammoth task, resulting in over 96 deaths. According to popular belief, many of these workers were buried inside the concrete of the dam, a resting place they occupy to this day.
While it’s true that at least 96 men died during construction, none of them are entombed inside the dam. The dam was built from thousands of interlocking concrete blocks. These blocks were poured individually over time, and it’s virtually impossible that anyone could have been buried inside with no chance of recovery.
Another interesting fact about the Dam is that the first man to die in its preparation—J. G. Tierney—was the father of the last man to die in its construction—Patrick W. Tierney, . . . 13 years to the day later.
The Great Wall of China Is The Only Man-Made Structure Visible From Space
The Great Wall of China represents one of the biggest construction projects in history. It seems entirely plausible that the whole thing can be easily seen from space—it is the world’s longest wall, after all.
Or so you would think. It turns out that the wall isn’t visible from space, a point that was clarified in 2003 by Yang Liwei, one of China’s own astronauts and a man who would definitely know where to look. The Chinese government has now vowed to remove that myth from every student textbook in the country.
Former NASA astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman says that although he couldn’t see the Great Wall of China from space, he could make out runways, desert roads, and irrigation ditches, simply because they contrasted with their surroundings.
You can find more words from Adam at his site or at Cracked.com. He also has Twitter.
10 Wrong Words That Are Actually Right
10 Mistaken Origins Of Well-Known Things
10 Political Misconceptions About Canada
Top 10 Misconceptions We Want To Believe
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April’s Biggest Classic Rock Stories: 2017 in Review
Kevork Djansezian / Mike Coppola / Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
April is usually a celebratory month for classic rock, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony serving as a victory lap for some of our favorite musicians. But our joy was short-lived, as former members of one of the inductees staked out a claim to the band's name. In addition, a feud between sisters threatened the future of another group, we said goodbye to a great bandleader and another tour -- intended to recognize a milestone year -- turned out to be the last stand for a true legend. Read about those stories and more below.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Welcomes the Class of 2017
Journey, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Pearl Jam and Joan Baez were enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April. Although Steve Perry didn't sing, he did join his former bandmates onstage. The surviving members of Yes' classic lineup, with Geddy Lee filling in for the late Chris Squire, performed for the first time in more than 10 years. ELO paid tribute to the recently departed Chuck Berry, Baez gave a self-deprecating speech and Pearl Jam thanked the many bands that influenced them who have yet to be inducted.
Mike Coppola (2), Getty Images
Former Yes Members Go Rogue
Only days after they were inducted, Anderson Rabin Wakeman, which formed a year earlier as ARW, announced that they were now to be called Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman along with North American tour dates. Anderson cited his right, as a founding member, to use the group's name. Yes acknowledged that they legally couldn't stop Anderson, and that they hoped those in the concert industry would do their best to "minimize confusion" between the two entities.
Wilson Sisters Feuding
In April, we learned that the future of Heart is in jeopardy as a result of an incident where Dean Wetter, Ann Wilson's husband, was arrested for assaulting her sister Nancy's teenage children during an August 2016 tour stop in Auburn, Wash. For the remaining 20 dates on the tour, the sisters used separate dressing rooms for the first time in their history. Wetter eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree assault. Ann later said that the two were "working on our own relationship" but admitted, "It’s never going to be like it was before."
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
John Geils Dies
John Geils, the guitarist and namesake of the J. Geils Band, was found dead in his Groton, Mass., home on April 11. He was 71. From 1968 until their 1983 split, they placed 10 songs in the Top 40, reaching the top with 1981's "Centerfold," and had a reputation for having an energetic live show, as captured on the albums "Live" Full House and Blow Your Face Out. After their breakup, he founded a company that restored vintage European sports cars. The J. Geils Band reunited as a touring entity in 1999, although by 2012, Geils was out of the band, with the others, ironically, using his name.
Scott Olsen / Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Ted Nugent Visits the White House
Ted Nugent and Kid Rock were dinner guests of President Donald Trump at the White House. Nugent, who had been an early supporter of Trump's, later said that they dined on lobster salad and lamb chops and he was moved "by the genuine sincerity, down-to-earth, and most importantly, believeable concern and openness, uninhibitedness, family attitude and spirit" of the president. However, he admitted that he did not bring a gun into the White House. His political polar opposite, David Crosby, saw the photo of Nugent and Trump and called it "the two most insincere smiles in history" and that they were a "pair of a--holes." Nugent responding by calling Crosby "kind of a lost soul... he's done so much substance abuse throughout his life that his logic meter is gone. ... I feel quite sad for the guy."
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Tom Petty Begins Final Tour
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers began their 40th anniversary tour in Oklahoma City with a 21-song set. Perhaps as a nod to his legacy, he opened with "Rockin' Around (With You)," a track from their debut album that they reportedly hadn't played in more than 30 years. The tour, which featured Joe Walsh as an opening act and included a stop at Mountain Jam, continued through the end of September. Petty had been thinking that it may be the last major tour for he and the band, but it sadly proved to be more than that. On Oct. 3, a week after the final date of the tour, Petty died of cardiac arrest in his home.
Next: March's Biggest Classic Rock Stories
Source: April’s Biggest Classic Rock Stories: 2017 in Review
Filed Under: heart, journey, ted nugent, tom petty, yes
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← Diamond Resolution
Diamond Resolution →
To the Edge
“Come along, Caleb!”
Adolphus stood in front of me, gesturing that I should join him. We had found it difficult to make our way against the early March wind that blew like a January zephyr. Adolphus seemed to be able to make his way against it than I did. I knew we were both weakened by the miserable conditions in camp and the execrable food, but I had no idea how weak we were until we set out on this journey to see Hiram. We had learned a week earlier that he was recovering, if that was the right word, in Blackstone, some distance to the west southwest from where we were. Doctor Brown told me that a hospital had been established there in a railroad shed, there being no other structures large enough to meet the needs of a hospital.
We could walk the 40 miles of our journey taking most of a long day, stay overnight, and then see Hiram the next day. We would stay there overnight and come back. I wished we could have stayed longer, but our captain in granting our leave said that was all he could do. He hinted at something big coming up, and we took that to mean that the hostilities would commence again, and he would need every soldier he could muster.
We were about halfway to our destination when Adolphus said, “Let’s stop and eat something. I am beginning to be hungry.”
“You’ll have no argument from me about that. And I need to rest for a while.”
We stopped by a stone wall which gave us some little shelter from the wind. Adolphus pulled out our provisions and set them out.
“Would you happen to have any dried pork that I could have?” I asked, knowing full well that all we had.
“Indeed. And it will please the taste of any gastronome.”
We found our dialogue humorous for some reason and laughed until tears ran down our cheeks.
After we had eaten and rested for a short while, we continued on our way to see Hiram. We were glad to see a sign indicating that Blackstone was four miles further on, since that meant we would be there in an hour or so.
“Look!” Adolphus said, gesturing with his hand. “Here’s where the railroad joins our path. All we need to do from now on is to follow it.”
“That does make things easier,” I answered.
Seeing the railroad gave us renewed energy, and we arrived at the railroad shed about 6. “This must be it,” I said. “I see no other structures that would be capable of housing a hospital.”
“I agree with you,” Adolphus answered. “Let us hurry, for we are losing the light.”
A sentry stood by the entrance, which I thought useless since we were so far away from the armies. “Papers!” he demanded, and Adolphus pulled out our leave permissions and gave them to him. He perused them as if he could not tell from our uniforms what we were.
“All this seems to be in order. You may go in.”
“Thank you,” Adolphus replied. “We will enter.”
We went into the interior, and I could tell that this affected Adolphus more than it did me. He had never been in such a place, and he recoiled at the sight and smells before him.
“I know it’s bad,” I said,” but we must do this for Hiram.”
“Of course, my boy. It is just so much worse than I could imagine.”
“That it is.”
With so many soldiers before us, we could not begin to know where Hiram was. Finally I caught the attention of one of the nurses bustling around their patients. “Excuse me, m’am?”
The nurse I spoke to hesitated, and I went on. “We are looking for a very young soldier named Hiram. He was on the lines at Petersburg.”
She thought for a moment. “Does he have one arm?”
“And he’s here for nervous exhaustion?”
“That’s correct. Can you show us where he is?”
She collected herself. He’s here, but he’s not in the shed. He’s in a smaller tent beyond that wall. She pointed. “You’ll be able to find him easily there.”
“Thank you, m’am.”
We made our way toward the back wall, and Adolphus said, “I wonder why she hesitated before she told us where Hiram was.”
“Perhaps she did not wish to think about what lies within the tent.”
“I hope it is nothing too bad.”
When we came up to the wall, we encountered another sentry who guarded the entry to the tent. “Papers!” he demanded. We gave him our orders, and he scrutinized them. Finally, he handed them back. “This does not give you permission to enter the ward.”
“It gives us permission to come here, and the ward is where we are.”
“I have my orders—no one enters without the right papers.”
“And where do we get the ‘right’ orders?”
“From your commanding officer.”
I shook out orders at the recalcitrant sentry. “These are from our commanding officer.”
“But they’re not right. Listen, we can go around and around about this until I’m relieved, which can’t be soon enough. No papers, no admission.”
“But our commanding officer is ten hours away. On foot. That is how we came here.”
“No. And if you don’t leave, I’ll have you arrested.”
“What would be the charge?”
He smirked. “Improper papers.”
“Come on, Caleb,” said Adolphus. “We’re wasting our time here.”
We went back outside the shed. “What do we do now?” I asked.
“Go back and get the right papers and then come back.”
“But when will that be?”
“I don’t know. Shooting could start again, and we wouldn’t be able to leave.”
“Yes. Well, let’s go find a place to camp out. Then we can start walking in the morning.”
“No one can say we didn’t try to see Hiram.”
“No, they couldn’t.”
We found a place to camp, built a fire and had some warmed-up pork to eat. Then we lay down on our blankets. “Adolphus?”
“Yes, Caleb.”
“Are you glad we made this trip?”
“I am glad for the trip. We got away for a while. But I am not glad for the outcome.”
“Neither am I.” I lay there looking at the stars for a while and then fell asleep.
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Credit Reporting Software - OFAC Scanning Software Components - ID Verification Software - OFAC Scanning Service
About Us Privacy Statement Contact Us
Luxor's focus since 1997 has been exclusively aimed at credit reporting technology. Its leadership has been building credit reporting technology since 1974 creating national credit repositories, credit reporing agency and lending system technologies.
Robb M. Murdock - President/CEO
Mr. Murdock serves as President and CEO of Luxor Technologies, Inc., a credit reporting technology company serving industries nationwide with leading-edge credit reporting software and services. He has been a software technologist since 1969; and has been creating real-time, revenue generating, credit reporting systems since 1974.
Prior to founding Luxor Technologies, Inc., Mr. Murdock served as Vice President and Senior Technologist with First American Financial. There Mr. Murdock managed the creation of FASTWeb, the first Business to Business E-commerce system for the Title Insurance Industry.
Prior to his position with First American Financial, Mr. Murdock served as CIO of First American/CREDCO, an information management company specializing in credit reporting where he developed and co-patented Instant Merge®, the first online, real-time merged credit reporting system. The Instant Merge system is one of the most guarded technologies in credit reporting today. This system is the foundation for CREDCO’s success in dominating the merged credit reporting markets with lending and direct to consumer products.
Mr. Murdock also spent 15 years developing and maintaining the Pinger System, the core technology for Associated Credit Services, a subsidiary of Computer Sciences Corporation, one of the five original national credit repositories. There, he served as Senior Technologist. Mr. Murdock brings over 30 years experience in online, electronic commerce systems development. Mr. Murdock is responsible for designing and building the system platform. His responsibilities include project management, system upgrades and ongoing administration.
James R. Weinberg - Vice President/Chief Architect
Mr. Weinberg serves as Vice President and Chief Systems Architect with Luxor Technologies, inc., a credit reporting technology company serving industries nationwide with leading-edge credit reporting software and services. Mr. Weinberg has a wealth of experience in on-line credit reporting systems and has been working in the credit reporting industry for the past 20 years. He is the author of the worlds foremost credit data merge logic, one of the most specialized technologies in the financial services industry, supporting over one hundred thousand transactions daily.
Mr. Weinberg has served as senior technologist, in both management and development capacities, for various technology firms including First American/CREDCO and HNC Software, Inc. Mr. Weinberg co-created First American/CREDCO’s Instant Merge system and designed the direct to consumer credit report being marketed by CREDCO today. While at CREDCO, he also developed such diverse applications as a knowledge based rule engine used for automated application processing and workflow; as well as the first scoring algorithm to be offered in the marketplace, specifically designed for Residential Mortgage Credit Reports.
While at HNC Software, Mr. Weinberg led the development efforts on a system that employs neural network and custom scoring algorithms to detect potentially fraudulent credit applications. The system is currently in use with the national credit data repositories and within Fortune 500 financial institutions. Mr. Weinberg is responsible for designing and building the system's core credit reporting platform. His ongoing responsibilities include software architecture and system development.
Credit++ Toolkit®Retired!
January 1st, 2017 - The Credit++ Toolkit is no longer available to new customers. All new customers will have access to CreditSharp!.
© 2017 Luxor Technologies, Inc.
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Notes on Writing: Effective Use of Foreshadowing
in authors / Blog / books / literature / publishing / street literature / urban / writing / editing / creativity / classes / Services / training / webinars / Webinars/Classes / writing classes / Editing / foreshadowing in novels / Notes on Writing Posted on
The other night I started reading a novel that was sent to me for a review. I won’t name the author or the title of the book but this will be the second novel by this author I will have had the privilege to review. I have relatively few complaints about the writing.
Ok, I can almost hear you gasp, Really, Michelle? Are you sure? You’ve found fault with almost every urban novel you’ve reviewed thus far.
No, really, it’s not bad. I’m rather enjoying the book actually. The main character is compelling. Other characters are interesting, too. Even the most hardened killers occasionally elicit a certain amount of sympathy. It’s a fun, if violent, read. With that said, I do have a couple of issues with the novel. The one that has led me to put down the book and boot up the baby laptop is the use of foreshadowing, or rather, the author’s attempts at foreshadowing.
I’m not sure whether or not you recall the third Indiana Jones film: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It was on USA this weekend. One of my favorite uses of foreshadowing occurs at the beginning of the movie when Indy is in class explaining to his students that Archeology is the search for facts, not truth. He ends his lecture by saying, “…and ‘X’ never, ever marks the spot.” Of course, those of you who are old enough to remember the movie or who happened to catch it today will know that X did indeed mark the spot to locate one piece of the Holy Grail puzzle.
Stick with me. I promise I’m going somewhere with this.
I bring up the scene in Indiana Jones because in the novel I’ve been reading, the author seems to have tried to use foreshadowing. However, instead of using an event or, as in Indy’s case, the character’s own words to hint at an upcoming event, the author has resorted to characters having vague feelings about something bad happening. Below is one of the scenes from the book. I’m leaving the characters names out intentionally to keep the anonymity of the author.[i]
After ---- threw on some jeans, he left with -----. Unable to go back to sleep, ----- put ----- in the bed next to her and hugged him tightly. Deep inside she wished that their fairy tale would never end. But, like ----, she had also been battling a nagging feeling lately, which made her more fearful than she had ever been in her entire life. [Sic]
When she closed her eyes she said a prayer to herself, asking God to protect her family, knowing deep down that something bad was about to happen real soon. [Sic]
I wanted to shout, “Of course something bad is going to happen soon, you twit! It’s a novel, there has to be drama or it just doesn’t work!” Of course, yelling at the book would have only have made me a candidate for the 3rd floor of Charity if the 3rd floor of Charity still existed, but I digress.
Let me be clear, there’s nothing wrong with characters anticipating trouble or having a bad feeling about a person or a situation. But, the character’s feelings are not sufficient to foreshadow an event. True foreshadowing would look more like this:
Through the fog of sleep, Angela heard the phone ring. Maria was roused from her sleep more quickly. Phones just didn’t ring in the middle of the night in their home.
The bedroom door opened slightly and Maria’s father poked his head into the room, “Señorita,” he said gruffly, “teléfono.”
Angela’s heart skipped when she heard Sr. Lopez. He spoke softly but she could tell, even in Spanish, that he was angry that she had caused this late night – no, early morning – disturbance. Angela slipped out of bed and followed him into the hallway where the family’s only telephone sat. Timidly she took the receiver off the side table and said, “Hello?”
“Hey babe!” a familiar voice slurred. Loud music and yelling in the background told Angela that James’ weekly fraternity party was in full swing.
“Hi, James,” Angela said quietly. She was terribly embarrassed that her boyfriend drunk-dialed her in the middle of the night.
“I loooove you. I just had to call to tell you that. I miss you,” James slurred into the phone.
“I miss you, too, but you can’t call here this late. I’m a guest in the Lopez home. Nobody in Oaxaca has their phone ring in the middle of the night unless it’s an emergency.”
“I’m sorry,” he said sadly. “I just missed you so much. Tell them I’m so so sooooo sorry.”
“I will. Goodnight. Call me in a couple of days but not in the middle of the night.”
Angela hung up the phone, apologized to Sr. Lopez, and loped back to the room she shared with his daughter. She had only been with her host family for a couple of days but she’d already caused them aggravation. As she climbed into bed, Angela prayed the phone wouldn’t ring for her again in the middle of the night. She couldn’t take the embarrassment of it happening twice.
We might assume from the above that the phone will ring again for Angela in the middle of the night but we don’t know why. Who will call? Will it be her boyfriend again? Will it be an emergency? How will her host family react? Will it cause problems for her in the school program?
The reader can sense something is coming based on what is happening and/or being said but neither the reader nor the character(s) have a clue what is about to happen. The biggest issue for Angela right now is how embarrassed she would be if the phone rang for her again in the middle of the night. She couldn’t possibly guess that when the phone rings in the middle of the night a few days later she will receive devastating news.
Foreshadowing is a wonderful technique designed to hint at upcoming events. Readers shouldn’t be hit over the head with characters’ feelings that “bad” stuff is about to happen. Of course, bad things are about to happen. As I said above, it’s a novel. That’s what’s supposed to happen. But the reader should feel the tension building and should gather clues of what’s to come, not have it handed to him/her. Give the reader a chance to be surprised. Let your readers work through the story along with the characters sometimes. It will make for a much more interesting reading experience.
M.B. - Michelle BishopWrites
[i] After the book review is published, I’ll update this post to give proper credit to the author for his/her work.
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As we near the mid-point of the summer, we thought it would be wise to provide an update on the various U.S. trade and tariff actions under Sections 232 and 301 in case either the Arizona heat or the humidity hitting the rest of the country have taken a toll on weary importers. The following provides a run-down of the most recent events:
DATE TRADE & TARIFF ACTION
July 11th Section 301 – US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a CSMS message announcing that it will add the ability in ACE for importers to file entries on approved exclusions from the List 1 goods.
July 10th Section 301- USTR announced a new Section 301 investigation of France’s proposed new digital services tax which would levy a 3% tax on the French revenues of high technology companies providing digital services in France if: (a) their worldwide revenues exceed 750 euros; or, (ii) their French revenues exceed 25 million euros. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the US may suspend or withdraw trade agreement benefits, enter negotiations with France, or restrict service sector authorizations.
July 9th Section 301 – USTR granted additional exclusions for the List 1 goods covering 100 product descriptions and representing 362 requests that were filed. The exclusions are retroactive to July 6, 2018 and will remain in effect until July 9, 2020.
June 4th Section 301 – USTR granted additional exclusions for List 1 goods, covering approximately 464 separate exclusion requests. The exclusions are retroactive to July 6, 2018 and will remain in effect until July 9, 2020.
June 30th Section 301 – USTR opened its online portal (http://exclusions.USTR.gov) for the submission of the Section 301 exclusion requests for the List 3 goods. Exclusion requests may be submitted until September 30, 2019.
June 29th Section 301 – President Trump and President Xi met to continue negotiations to resolve the trade dispute.
June 17th – 25th Section 301 – USTR held public hearings on proposed tariffs on an additional $300 billion of Chinese imports (List 4 Goods).
June 17th Section 301 – Deadline for public comments on the proposed List 4 tariffs.
June 10th Section 301 – USTR extended the entry deadline for List 3 products—those products from China exported to the U.S. prior to May 10, 2019 had to have entered the United States prior to June 15th to avoid the increased 25% tariff rate.
June 4th Section 301 – USTR granted additional exclusions for the List 1 goods covering 464 separate exclusion requests. The exclusions are retroactive to July 6, 2018 and will remain in effect until July 9, 2020.
May 20th Section 232 – U.S. removed Canada and Mexico from the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs. Canada and Mexico responded on the same day by removing retaliatory tariffs against the United States.
May 17th Section 232 – Presidential Proclamation was issued directing the USTR to pursue negotiations with the EU, Japan and other countries to address the threatened impairment of the national security with respect to imported automobiles and certain automobile parts. The USTR is required to update the Administration on the progress of such negotiations within 180 days.
May 10th Section 301 – This was the announced effective date for the increase in tariffs on the List 3 goods from China under Section 301 from 10% to 25% –see above as the deadline was extended until June 15th.
May 13th Section 301 – USTR published a list of Chinese-origin goods valued at approximately $300 billion that would be subject to 25% tariffs under Section 301, affecting over 3,800 tariff line items.
May 5th Section 301 – President Trump announced that he would “shortly” impose 25% tariffs on all other Chinese imports into the United States.
April 18th Section 301 – USTR granted exclusions for the List 1 goods. (Note that two prior sets of exclusion requests were granted in December 2018.) These requests reflect 21 separate product descriptions and cover 348 requests. The exclusions are retroactive to July 6, 2018 and will remain in effect until July 9, 2020.
If you have any questions pertaining to the Section 232 or 301 tariffs or other international trade issues, please contact Melissa Proctor (melissa@millerproctorlaw.com) or Peggy Chaplin Louie (peggy@millerproctorlaw.com) at Miller Proctor Law PLLC (https:www.millerproctorlaw.com).
Tariff Actions, U.S. Trade
On the evening of May 30, President Trump announced in a tweet…
Today, the USTR published a Notice in the Federal Register outlining the…
On May 31, 2019, President Trump issued a Proclamation “To Modify the…
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Brexit: Boris Johnson and Theresa May sneer at each other at CPC18, but nothing comes out of it!
Surely, I am grateful I am not a British citizen today, as the Conservative Party Conference in 2018 in Birmingham are going on and what a spectacle it is. Today, it really shown its dire sides, as the Tories are showing their flex and their plans ahead. If not their internal squabble, which in the end makes the Brexit even harder.
The Tories should at this point, be able to have a policy and negotiations team to configure and mange the withdrawal as a Member State with the European Union (EU). However, the government and the cabinet, which has had major changes, are now in trouble with its former members. If that is David Davis or anyone else.
Then you have the biggest skeezer is Boris Johnson. Who the day before his performance at the Conference, walked in a wheat field, just to piss-off his former boss. This being the Prime Minister Theresa May. Therefore, the MP Johnson, knew he could trigger her and used again harsh words against her. Because she is easy to pick on.
Johnson knew what he was up too, just like the articles he writes. He suddenly has all the solutions, but he didn’t deliver them or compose those while campaigning or even being the Foreign Secretary. Therefore, he is a bit out of touch, as he plays big for the public, but is a mediocre politician in reality.
Not that Theresa May is great either, she should have worked more strictly with the policies and ensured the cabinet would work towards the same goals. Instead, all the different fractions within the HM Government have come to the public and the Tories seems unsure how they want to deal with the EU. That the PM feels betrayed today is natural, but that is part of the political game.
Both of them is playing with high stakes, both promising solutions, but them both should know that they are risking their political lives. Johnson has now less to loose, but this doesn’t make him look brilliant, more like a man who didn’t take charge while he was in power, but from the sidelines says everything can solve it. That is just a direct insult for the months he was in the cabinet.
May still have no solution for the Brexit, neither what the EU will accept and neither what the Tories really will agree upon. Nevertheless, the withdrawal will move on. The final day is getting closer, but the Tories are looking more split and more in the wind, than before. Instead of being certain how they want to move, it looks like internal power struggle seems more important, than the future of the United Kingdom.
If any of them thought this was wise, let me tell you, the world is looking and boggled by what your up too. As the lack of tact and brilliance is staggering. That the Boris Johnson acts like does and that he gets away it. The Labour should also address his claims, as he used the opportunity also to attack them. May defended herself, but also shown disdain about the comments made by Johnson.
This here just shows what the Tories has lacked from the get-go, a clear-cut and willing policy of what they wanted on the outside and what they really are risking to loose. As they are acting more as still a member with free trading, but not with free movement. Which the EU will not accept, as that is not accordingly done after EU protocol. Therefore, the Tories continued Pick-and-Mix strategy is flawed as it is.
Today’s speech and answer. Only shows the lack of progression and lack of policy. That the Tories are still at the high sea and not sure how to get back on land. Peace.
Posted in Development, Ethics, Europe, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged AggregateIQ, AIQ, Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, Andrea Eagle, Andrea Leadsom, Angela Merkel, Arlene Foster, Article 50, Be Leave, BeLeave, Boris Johnson, Brexit, British Referendums, Brussels, Cambridge Analytica, Carwyn Jones, Cathrine Bearder, Chancellor Merkel, Channel Islands, Chris Grayling, Chris Ruane, Cleo Watson, Commonwealth, Conservative Party, Cyril Roux, Dan Hannan, Darren Grimes, David Davis, David Mundell, Democratic Unionist Party, Department for Exiting the European Union, DEXEU, Dominic Cummings, Dominic Raab, DUP, Electoral Commission, Enda Kenny, EU Free Trade Agreements, EU preferential arrangements, European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, FM Jones, Frank Field, George Eustice, George Osborne, Gisela Stuart, Government of Scotland, Graham Stringer, Great Britian, Guy Verhofstadt, Heidi Alexander, Hilary Benn, HM Government, HM Treasury, Holyrod, Hon. Jeremy Corbyn, Iain Duncan Smith, Ian Davidson, Ireland, Irish, Jamie Reed, Jean-Claude Juncker, Jeremy Corbyn, John Penrose, John Whittingdale, Jonathan Arnott, Labour, Labour Party, Leo Vardkar, Liam Fox, Lib-Dem, Liberal Democratic Party, Lord Fosyth, Lord Heseltine, Lord Lawson, Lord Owen, Lucy Powell, Matthew Elliott, Merkel, Michael Gove, Michael Heseltine, Michael O'Leary, Michel Barnier, Michelle O’Neill, MP Steve Reed, Nicola Sturgeon, Nigel Farage, Non-EEA State, Northern Ireland, Northern Irish, Paul Keetch, Paul Nuttall, Phillippe Lamberts, PM May, Pound, Priti Patel, Robert Mercer, Ross Thomson MSP, Sadiq Khan, Scottish National Party, Scottish Parliament, SDLP, Seema Malhotra, Seema Malhotra MP, Sharon White, Simon Coveney, Sinn Fein, Sir Vince Cable, Ska Keller, SNP, Social Democratic and Labour Party, Stephen Bannon, Stephen Woolfe, Steve Baker, Steve Reed, Taiseach Leo Vardkar, TEU, Theresa May, Theresa Villiers, Third Country, Tom Watson, Tories, Torries, Tory Government, Tory Party, Traditional Unionist Voice, TUV, UK, UK Referendum, UKIP, Ulster Unionist Party, United Kingdom, United Kingdom Independence Party, UUP, Vince Cable, Vote Leave, Wales
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GOLD HIGHLIGHTS A HISTORIC STAMPEDE FOR WAR HEROES
“This coin is different,” says Canadian artist Michelle Grant, about the latest coin she designed for the Royal Canadian Mint. “After all these years, I never knew we held a Victory Stampede at the end of the Great War.”
What does it take to be an NHL captain?
Being the captain of a National Hockey League® team is one thing. Being captain of an Original Six™ team? That takes a whole other level of teamwork, leadership and integrity. Hear from Yvan Cournoyer and Denis Savard on how they approached that pressure-packed position.
Rediscover history with three new gems that celebrate the Mother of Confederation
Born on May 24, 1819, Queen Victoria’s youthful exuberance, long reign and keen interest in colonial affairs redefined the monarchy and growth in British colonies, and led to the practice of many new traditions which are still common today.
Peter McKinnon brings Canada’s beauty to the world in this stunning 2-coin series
Paré was gripped by McKinnon’s work on YouTube, "A light bulb went off and just knew McKinnon’s images were perfect for our collector coins. Moraine Lake is an iconic Canadian scene, and McKinnon is a Canadian photographer with a deep passion for the land."
Mark the occasion with a unique keepsake
From birthdays and baby showers to weddings, life is full of special moments. They’re the moments we reminisce about time and again. The moments we want to be sure we’ll never forget. Sometimes it can be a puzzle trying to figure out the perfect way to commemorate these events. A collectible coin can do just the trick.
Introducing the NEW Elements Coin Set—inspired by a MC member!
"I love the concept and how it evolves from the original idea," says Bernard Dumais of Lévis (Québec), "from the artist's design to the final product."
A heroine for human rights in Canada
Meet the incomparable Viola Desmond. Black History Month begins for 2019, a new coin honours Viola Desmond (1914-1965), a black Canadian born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who played a pivotal role in the struggle for human rights in the 1940s. On November 8, 1946 police forcibly removed Viola from a movie theatre when she refused to leave her seat in the whites-only section. She was arrested, fined $26 (≈$300 today), and spent a night in jail.
2019 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR – THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
A MOMENT IMMORTALIZED, A MYSTERY SOLVED A nervous Canadian soldier glances over his shoulder, acknowledging a friendly pat on the back as he prepares to step off the landing craft onto Juno Beach. This fleeting moment, captured in rare footage taken during the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944, served as the inspiration behind the Royal Canadian Mint’s 2019 proof silver dollar. And as Mint product managers Alicia Cook Sapene and Jamie Desrochers discovered, there was a lot more to that soldier’s story than they could have imagined.
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Exeter, NH – Marjorie W. (Tras…
February 1, 2019 /
Exeter, NH – Marjorie W. (Trask) Parker, age 87, of Exeter, NH, former longtime resident of West Newbury, MA, passed peacefully, in the tranquil surroundings of the High Pointe House in Haverhill, Saturday afternoon, January 19, 2019.
Born in Belgrade, Maine, September 18, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Sumner and Mildred (Stevens) Trask. After graduating from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in French, she taught High School in Dixfield, ME, where she met her husband, Bob. The family moved to Massachusetts in 1959, first to Georgetown, and later to their home in West Newbury in 1961. Marjorie began her career as an elementary school teacher in 1967, working at Central School and the Page School in West Newbury, teaching third grade and computer science. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Salem State University in 1987. In her later years she moved back to Belgrade, ME, for a number of years, before relocating to Exeter to be nearer her children and grandchildren.
Marge, as she was known to her friends, enjoyed gardening, and was a member of the West Newbury Garden Club for many years. She was also active in the Teacher’s Union and was a lifelong proponent of minority and women’s rights. She was one of the first teachers in the area to introduce computers in the classroom at the elementary school level, and managed to overcome her initial apprehension to become quite accomplished in the field.
Marge was well known for her baking. Many a weekend morning would find her baking since 5:00 a.m. Quite often there were fresh muffins when Bob and the kids got up. Her “black moons” (aka whoopie pies) and O Henry bars were famous among the neighborhood children, and her baked goods were known to mysteriously disappear from the freezer. She enjoyed music of all genres, was an avid reader, and an enthusiastic fan of PBS, especially history programs. She was able to spend a good deal of time with her oldest grandchildren when they were young, taking them to various lessons and watching them after school, and she hosted an exchange student from Brazil. She kept a journal for decades, noting the weather each day and special events. Whenever there was a question about when something happened, Marge’s journals often had the answers.
In addition to her parents, Marge was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert W. Parker who died March 5, 1987, her brother, S. Everett Trask, sister-in-law Dolores (Cabana) Trask and niece Gail (Trask) Hudson.
Those left behind to cherish all the wonderful memories of her life include her sons, David E. Parker, partner Dr. Lavina Dhingra of Naples, FL, Steven W. Parker, wife Kathleen E. (Otis) of West Newbury, and Christopher E. Parker of York, Maine; her daughters, Bethany P. Dominick, husband, Jeffrey of Townsend, Mass. and Debra J. Cook, husband, Bruce of Ashburnham, MA; grandchildren, Andrew W. Cook, fiancee Emily Weiss of New York, NY, R. Sean Parker, wife Stephanie (Tanner) of Groveland, MA and Kathleen E. (Parker) Hollander, husband Cristopher of Newton, MA; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Charlotte, Kaiden and Jaxon, sister-in-law, Rita (Courbron Seeley) Trask, of Gray, ME, nephew David Trask, wife DeAnna (Cochran) of Skowhegan, ME, nieces Sharon (Trask) Young, husband David, of Gray, ME, Cynthia (Trask) Davidson, husband Andrew, of Belgrade, ME, along with step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, extended family and many dear friends and neighbors. She was an inspiration to each and everyone in her life, and she will never be forgotten.
A memorial service is planned for the spring and an announcement will be made at a later date. Those wishing to honor Marjorie’s memory may make a donation to the American Cancer Society, Kitty Angels (kittyangels.org) or a feline rescue organization of your choice.
View Original Notice → Exeter, NH - Marjorie W. (Tras...
Jim Luther, Master Storyteller Who Loved Flyfishing and Edgartown
Jose C. Cancela, 89
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New Zealand secondary teachers’ union cancels industrial action
By Tom Peters
Last night the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) cancelled industrial action planned for June 11, following a 10-hour-long meeting with Education Minister Chris Hipkins.
Around 20,000 secondary teachers in public schools across New Zealand took partial strike action on June 4 by instructing Year 9 students to stay home. Similar action had been scheduled throughout June, as well as one-day strikes to be held in different regions on different days starting on June 17. The union is undoubtedly preparing to call these off as well.
The cancellation of industrial action that had been overwhelmingly approved by PPTA members, without any demands being met, is flagrantly anti-democratic. It is the latest warning that the PPTA and New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), the primary teachers’ union, are preparing a sellout deal.
Union leaders gave no explanation for their decision. The PPTA, NZEI and Minister Hipkins released a perfunctory statement saying “constructive progress” had been made in negotiations and more details would be announced next week.
The long-running dispute over pay and conditions in schools led to a historic strike by 52,000 primary and secondary teachers and primary principals on May 29, one of the largest strikes in New Zealand’s history.
The working class is shifting to the left and coming into direct conflict with the Labour Party-led coalition government, whose promises to address the crises in hospitals, schools, and to reduce poverty and homelessness, have proven to be a fraud. Major strikes have been held over the past year and a half by teachers, nurses, doctors and other workers against the running down of public services and widening social inequality. This is part of a wave of anti-austerity strikes and protests internationally, in which teachers are playing a leading role.
The chief obstacle facing workers is the pro-capitalist union bureaucracy, which opposes any sustained political and industrial movement against the government. The PPTA and NZEI are determined to avoid any repeat of last month’s strike. They are seeking to divide workers and sow illusions in the government in order to wear down opposition to a sellout agreement, just as the New Zealand Nurses Organisation did following a nationwide health workers’ strike in July last year.
On June 5, the New Zealand Herald noted that 10 months after the first one-day strike by primary teachers last August, the unions “may be ready to settle for much less than they first asked for.” PPTA president Jack Boyle’s stated last month that, while workload issues still needed to be addressed, “You can’t say that the ministry hasn’t tried to do a bit of negotiation in the salary space.”
In fact, the government has repeatedly offered teachers the same pay increase of just 3 percent per year and a token increase in teacher training places and support staff. Teachers have rejected the offer, which will not begin to make up for a decade-long freeze in pay and school funding.
In recent statements neither Boyle nor NZEI leader Lynda Stuart has referred to teachers’ demands for pay increases of 15 to 16 percent, along with significant reductions in workload, more teacher aides and assistance for children with learning difficulties.
Teachers are determined to continue fighting. Many have demanded more strikes, particularly after the government’s budget on May 30 did not improve the offer to teachers and delivered a 1.8 percent increase in operational funding for schools, barely above the official inflation rate.
A photo of the Dominion Post’s front-page headline “Budget for the people” shared on Facebook by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, touting funding for new classrooms, prompted dozens of angry comments from teachers.
Caroline wrote that she had supported Ardern but was one of tens of thousands of teachers “who are either in crisis mentally or are on the verge of it… and this isn’t going to help us.”
Hannah commented: “New classrooms would be great, but we can’t staff the ones we already have! Education is one of the most effective ways to lift people out of poverty. It is impossible to improve well-being while neglecting the education of our kids.”
She pointed out that according to recent statistics half of all new teachers “will quit within the first five years because the conditions are so challenging. Not to mention a lot of beginning teachers can’t afford to live in the big cities where the majority of the country’s schools are.”
Jamie declared: “I don’t think the unions or pay system are working to teachers’ benefit and more people need to write to Jacinda to state the obvious about teachers not filling the new classes.”
There is growing anger and frustration with the unions. A May 31 post on the NZEI’s Facebook page describing Hipkins’ agreement to meet union leaders as “a positive and constructive move” and “a potential breakthrough” attracted several comments denouncing the union and its refusal to hold more strikes.
Leanne stated: “I don’t feel excited about this at all. What I want to know is what decisions you have made regarding our next action so you have something to go to the table with… we are making huge sacrifices and you are doing nothing!!!”
Magali similarly responded: “We are just stalling and doing nothing… listen to the MEMBERS—that is what you say you do but you currently are NOT.”
Linda wrote: “I’m getting a bit sick of our union looking like a wet blanket!!!!!! We pay a massive amount for our union fees, how about getting some actual results!!!!!! I’m another teacher contemplating pulling out of our union because to date I’m not impressed!!!”
Unless teachers break from the stranglehold of the unions, their fight will be sold out. These bureaucratic organisations, which have suppressed any fight for opposition to austerity for more than a decade, share responsibility for the crisis facing schools. They represent an upper middle-class layer that is hostile to the class struggle and supports the Labour government.
The only way forward is through the construction of new organisations: rank-and-file committees, democratically controlled by the workers themselves. Such committees would forge links between school staff and other workers in New Zealand, Australia and internationally, who face the same struggle for decent living standards and public services.
The fight for a well-resourced, high-quality public education system raises the need for the socialist reorganisation of society. The government’s claim that there is “no more money” to meet teachers’ demands is a lie. The billions of dollars funnelled to major corporations, investors and banks through decades of low taxes, must be redistributed to meet basic human needs, including more schools, with well-paid teachers, principals, teacher aides and support staff.
The author also recommends:
New Zealand teachers’ strike: Break from Labour and the unions! Unite the working class against austerity!
Chicago Public Schools lay off hundreds of teachers and staff
[5 June 2019]
The global assault on jobs
The Defense of Public Education
Contract for more than 20,000 Chicago teachers expires
Michigan Governor Whitmer ties fate of Benton Harbor High School to test scores
West Virginia legalizes charter schools
Second of two “Fund Our School” rallies held in Michigan
Michigan teachers rally to “fund our schools” after 20 years of bipartisan cuts
Wall Street Journal warns job threats might not prevent rebellion by autoworkers
British Columbia forestry workers strike enters third week
Walmart workers and teachers on strike in Chile speak out against unions, police-state repression
Workers Struggles: the Americas
Euthanasia bill before New Zealand parliament
Protest in New Zealand against US brutality towards refugees
New Zealand secondary teachers’ union pushes through sellout
New Zealand media promote new far-right Christian party
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
Australia: DP World stevedoring strike against attacks on conditions
Australian retail giant to cut jobs, wages
South Australian teachers strike for better wages and conditions
Elderly poor suffering hypothermia in Australia
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Dear Reader, we make this and other articles available for free online to serve those unable to afford or access the print edition of Monthly Review. If you read the magazine online and can afford a print subscription, we hope you will consider purchasing one. Please visit the MR store for subscription options. Thank you very much. —Eds.
Global Media, Neoliberalism, and Imperialism
by Robert W. McChesney
(Mar 01, 2001)
Robert W. McChesney teaches at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and is an Acting Editor of Monthly Review. A version of this essay was originally presented in November 2000 at a UNESCO conference on the future of global media. Footnotes are available by contacting the author (rwmcches [at] uiuc.edu) or by sending a SASE to the MR office.
In conventional parlance, the current era in history is generally characterized as one of globalization, technological revolution, and democratization. In all three of these areas media and communication play a central, perhaps even a defining, role. Economic and cultural globalization arguably would be impossible without a global commercial media system to promote global markets and to encourage consumer values. The very essence of the technological revolution is the radical development in digital communication and computing. The argument that the bad old days of police states and authoritarian regimes are unlikely to return is premised on the claims that new communication technologies along with global markets undermine, even eliminate, the capacity for maximum leaders to rule with impunity.
For capitalism’s cheerleaders, like Thomas Friedman of the New York Times, all this suggests that the human race is entering a new Golden Age. All people need to do is sit back, shut up and shop, and let markets and technologies work their magical wonders. For socialists and those committed to radical social change these claims should be regarded with the utmost skepticism. In my view, the notion of globalization as it is commonly used to describe some natural and inexorable force, the telos of capitalism as it were, is misleading and ideologically loaded. A superior term would be neoliberalism; this refers to the set of national and international policies that call for business domination of all social affairs with minimal countervailing force. Governments are to remain large so as to better serve the corporate interests, while minimizing any activities that might undermine the rule of business and the wealthy. Neoliberalism is almost always intertwined with a deep belief in the ability of markets to use new technologies to solve social problems far better than any alternative course. The centerpiece of neoliberal policies is invariably a call for commercial media and communication markets to be deregulated. What this means in practice is that they are re-regulated to serve corporate interests.
Understood as one of neoliberalism rather than simply globalization, the current era seems less the result of uncontrollable natural forces and more as the newest stage of class struggle under capitalism. The anti-democratic implications, rather than being swept under the rug as they are in conventional parlance, move to the front and center. Here, I should like to sketch out the main developments and contours of the emerging global media system and their political-economic implications. I believe that when one takes a close look at the political economy of the contemporary global media and communication industries, we can cut through much of the mythology and hype surrounding our era, and have the basis for a much more accurate understanding of what is taking place, and what socialists must do to organize effectively for social justice and democratic values.
The Global Media System
Prior to the eighties and nineties, national media systems were typified by domestically owned radio, television and newspaper industries. There were major import markets for films, TV shows, music and books, and these markets tended to be dominated by U.S. based firms. But local commercial interests, sometimes combined with a state-affiliated broadcasting service, predominated within the media system. All of this is changing, and changing rapidly. Whereas previously media systems were primarily national, in the past few years a global commercial-media market has emerged. To grasp media today and in the future, one must start with understanding the global system and then factor in differences at the national and local levels. What you are seeing, says Christopher Dixon, media analyst for the investment firm PaineWebber, is the creation of a global oligopoly. It happened to the oil and automotive industries earlier this century; now it is happening to the entertainment industry.
This global oligopoly has two distinct but related facets. First, it means the dominant firms—nearly all U.S. based—are moving across the planet at breakneck speed. The point is to capitalize on the potential for growth abroad—and not get outflanked by competitors—since the U.S. market is well developed and only permits incremental expansion. As Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone has put it, Companies are focusing on those markets promising the best return, which means overseas. Frank Biondi, former chairman of Vivendi’s Universal Studios, asserts that 99 percent of the success of these companies long-term is going to be successful execution offshore.
The dominant media firms increasingly view themselves as global entities. Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Middelhoff bristled when, in 1998, some said it was improper for a German firm to control 15 percent of both the U.S. book-publishing and music markets. We’re not foreign. We’re international, Middelhoff said. I’m an American with a German passport. In 2000 Middelhoff proclaimed that Bertelsmann was no longer a German company. We are really the most global media company. Likewise, AOL-Time Warner’s Gerald Levin stated, We do not want to be viewed as an American company. We think globally.
Second, convergence and consolidation are the order of the day. Specific media industries are becoming more and more concentrated, and the dominant players in each media industry increasingly are subsidiaries of huge global media conglomerates. For one small example, the U.S. market for educational publishing is now controlled by four firms, whereas it had two dozen viable players as recently as 1980. The level of mergers and acquisitions is breathtaking. In the first half of 2000, the volume of merger deals in global media, Internet, and telecommunications totaled $300 billion, triple the figure for the first six months of 1999, and exponentially higher than the figure from ten years earlier. The logic guiding media firms in all of this is clear: get very big very quickly, or get swallowed up by someone else. This is similar to trends taking place in many other industries. There will be less than a handful of end-game winners, the CEO of Chase Manhattan announced in September 2000. We want to be an end-game winner.
But in few industries has the level of concentration been as stunning as in media. In short order, the global media market has come to be dominated by seven multinational corporations: Disney, AOL-Time Warner, Sony, News Corporation, Viacom, Vivendi, and Bertelsmann. None of these companies existed in their present form as media companies as recently as fifteen years ago; today nearly all of them will rank among the largest 300 non-financial firms in the world for 2001. Of the seven, only three are truly U.S. firms, though all of them have core operations there. Between them, these seven companies own the major U.S. film studios; all but one of the U.S. television networks; the few companies that control 80-85 percent of the global music market; the preponderance of satellite broadcasting worldwide; a significant percentage of book publishing and commercial magazine publishing; all or part of most of the commercial cable TV channels in the U.S. and worldwide; a significant portion of European terrestrial(traditional over-the-air) television; and on and on and on.
By nearly all accounts, the level of concentration is only going to increase in the near future. I’m a great believer that we are going to a world of vertically integrated companies where only the big survive, said Gordon Crawford, an executive of Capital Research & Management, a mutual fund that is among the largest shareholders in many of the seven firms listed above. For firms to survive, Business Week observes, speed is of the essence: Time is short. In a world moving to five, six, seven media companies, you don’t want to be in a position where you have to count on others, Peter Chernin, the president of News Corporation states. You need to have enough marketplace dominance that people are forced to deal with you. Chernin elaborates: There are great arguments about whether content is king or distribution is king. At the end of the day, scale is king. If you can spread your costs over a large base, you can outbid your competitors for programming and other assets you want to buy. By 2000, massive cross-border deals—like Pearson merging its TV operations with CLT (Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion) and Bertelsmann, or Vivendi purchasing Universal—were increasing in prominence.
Chernin’s firm, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, may be the most aggressive global trailblazer, although cases could be made for Sony, Bertelsmann, or AOL-Time Warner. Murdoch has satellite TV services that run from Asia to Europe to Latin America. His Star TV dominates in Asia with thirty channels in seven languages. News Corporation’s TV service for China, Phoenix TV, in which it has a 45 percent stake, now reaches forty-five million homes there and has had an 80 percent increase in advertising revenues in the past year. And this barely begins to describe News Corporation’s entire portfolio of assets: Twentieth Century Fox films, Fox TV network, HarperCollins publishers, TV stations, cable TV channels, magazines, over 130 newspapers, and professional sport teams.
Why has this taken place? The conventional explanation is technology; i.e. radical improvements in communication technology make global media empires feasible and lucrative in a manner unthinkable in the past. This is similar to the technological explanation for globalization writ large. But this is only a partial explanation, at best. The real motor force has been the incessant pursuit for profit that marks capitalism, which has applied pressure for a shift to neoliberal deregulation. In media this means the relaxation or elimination of barriers to commercial exploitation of media and to concentrated media ownership. There is nothing inherent in the technology that required neoliberalism; new digital communication could have been used, for example, to simply enhance public service media had a society elected to do so. With neoliberal values, however, television, which had been a noncommercial preserve in many nations, suddenly became subject to transnational commercial development. It has been at the center of the emerging global media system.
Once the national deregulation of media began in major nations like the United States and Britain, it was followed by global measures like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the formation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), all designed to clear the ground for investment and sales by multinational corporations in regional and global markets. This has laid the foundation for the creation of the global media system, dominated by the afore-mentioned conglomerates. Now in place, the system has its own logic. Firms must become larger and diversified to reduce risk and enhance profit-making opportunities, and they must straddle the globe so as to never be outflanked by competitors. This is a market that some anticipate having trillions of dollars in annual revenues within a decade. If that is to be the case, those companies that sit atop the field may someday rank among the two or three dozen largest in the world.
The development of the global media system has not been unopposed. While media conglomerates press for policies to facilitate their domination of markets throughout the world, strong traditions of protection for domestic media and cultural industries persist. Nations ranging from Norway, Denmark, and Spain to Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea keep their small domestic film production industries alive with government subsidies. In the summer of 1998, culture ministers from twenty nations, including Brazil, Mexico, Sweden, Italy and Ivory Coast, met in Ottawa to discuss how they could build some ground rules to protect their cultural fare from the Hollywood juggernaut. Their main recommendation was to keep culture out of the control of the WTO. A similar 1998 gathering, sponsored by the United Nations in Stockholm, recommended that culture be granted special exemptions in global trade deals. Nevertheless, the trend is clearly in the direction of opening markets.
Proponents of neoliberalism in every country argue that cultural trade barriers and regulations harm consumers, and that subsidies inhibit the ability of nations to develop their own competitive media firms. There are often strong commercial media lobbies within nations that perceive they have more to gain by opening up their borders than by maintaining trade barriers. In 1998, for example, when the British government proposed a voluntary levy on film theater revenues (mostly Hollywood films) to benefit the British commercial film industry, British broadcasters, not wishing to antagonize the firms who supply their programming, lobbied against the measure until it died.
If the WTO is explicitly a pro-commercial organization, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the global regulatory body for telecommunications, has only become one after a long march from its traditional commitment to public service values. The European Commission(EC), the executive arm of the European Union (EU), also, finds itself in the middle of what controversy exists concerning media policy, and it has considerably more power than the ITU. On the one hand, the EC is committed to building powerful pan-European media giants that can go toe-to-toe with the U.S. based giants. On the other hand, it is committed to maintaining some semblance of competitive markets, so it occasionally rejects proposed media mergers as being anti-competitive. Yet, as a quasi-democratic institution, the EU is subject to some popular pressure that is unsympathetic to commercial interests. As Sweden assumed the rotating chair of the EU in 2001, the Swedes began pushing to have their domestic ban on TV advertising to children made into the law for all EU nations. If this occurs it will be the most radical attempt yet to limit the prerogatives of the corporate media giants that dominate commercial children’s television.
Perhaps the best way to understand how closely the global commercial media system is linked to the neoliberal global capitalist economy is to consider the role of advertising. Advertising is a business expense incurred by the largest firms in the economy. The commercial media system is the necessary transmission belt for businesses to market their wares across the world; indeed globalization as we know it could not exist without it. A whopping three-quarters of global spending on advertising ends up in the pockets of a mere twenty media companies. Ad spending has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade, as TV has been opened to commercial exploitation, and is growing at more than twice the rate of GDP growth. Latin American ad spending, for example, is expected to increase by nearly 8 percent in both 2000 and 2001. The coordinators of this $350 billion industry are five or six super-ad agency owning companies that have emerged in the past decade to dominate totally the global trade. The consolidation in the global advertising industry is just as pronounced as that in global media, and the two are related. Mega-agencies are in a wonderful position to handle the business of megaclients, one ad executive notes. It is absolutely necessary…for agencies to consolidate. Big is the mantra. So big it must be, another executive stated.
There are a few other points to make to put the global media system in proper perspective. The global media market is rounded out by a second tier of six or seven dozen firms that are national or regional powerhouses, or that control niche markets, like business or trade publishing. Between one-third and one-half of these second-tier firms come from North America; most of the rest are from Western Europe and Japan. Many national and regional conglomerates have been established on the backs of publishing or television empires. Each of these second-tier firms is a giant in its own right, often ranking among the thousand largest companies in the world and doing more than one billion dollars per year in business. The roster of second-tier media firms from North America includes Tribune Company, Dow Jones, Gannett, Knight-Ridder, Hearst, and Advance Publications, and among those from Europe are the Kirch Group, Mediaset, Prisa, Pearson, Reuters, and Reed Elsevier. The Japanese companies, aside from Sony, remain almost exclusively domestic producers.
This second tier has also crystallized rather quickly; across the globe there has been a shakeout in national and regional media markets, with small firms getting eaten by medium firms and medium firms being swallowed by big firms. Compared with ten or twenty years ago, a much smaller number of much larger firms now dominate the media at a national and regional level. In Britain, for example, one of the few remaining independent book publishers, Fourth Estate, was sold to Murdoch’s HarperCollins in 2000. A wave of mergers has left German television—the second largest TV market in the world—the private realm of Bertelsmann and Kirch. Indeed, several mergers have left all of European terrestrial television dominated by five firms, three of which rank in the global first tier. The situation may be most stark in New Zealand, where the newspaper industry is largely the province of the Australian-American Rupert Murdoch and the Irishman Tony O’Reilly, who also dominates New Zealand’s commercial radio broadcasting and has major stakes in magazine publishing. Murdoch also controls pay television. In short, the rulers of New Zealand’s media system could squeeze into a closet.
Second-tier corporations, like those in the first-tier, need to reach beyond national borders. The borders are gone. We have to grow, the Chairman of CanWest Global Communication stated in 2000. We don’t intend to be one of the corpses lying beside the information highway.…We have to be Columbia or Warner Brothers one day. The CEO of Bonnier, Sweden’s largest media conglomerate says that to survive, we want to be the leading media company in Northern Europe. Australian media moguls, following the path blazed by Murdoch, have the mantra Expand or die. As one puts it, You really can’t continue to grow as an Australian supplier in Australia. Mediaset, the Berlusconi-owned Italian TV power, is angling to expand into the rest of Europe and Latin America. Perhaps the most striking example of second-tier globalization is Hicks, Muse, Tate and Furst, the U.S. radio/publishing/TV/billboard/movie theater power that has been constructed almost overnight. Between 1998 and 2000 it spent well over $2 billion purchasing media assets in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela.
Second-tier media firms are hardly oppositional to the global system. This is true as well in developing countries. Mexico’s Televisa, Brazil’s Globo, Argentina’s Clarin, and Venezuela’s Cisneros Group, for example, are among the world’s sixty or seventy largest media corporations. These firms tend to dominate their own national and regional media markets, which have been experiencing rapid consolidation as well. They generate much of their revenue from multinational corporate advertising. Moreover, they have extensive ties and joint ventures with the largest media multinationals, as well as with Wall Street investment banks. In Latin America, for example, the second-tier firms work closely with the U.S. giants, who are carving up the commercial media pie among themselves. What Televisia or Globo can offer News Corporation, for example, is local domination of the politicians and the impression of local control over their joint ventures. And like second-tier media firms elsewhere, they are also establishing global operations, especially in nations that speak the same language. As a result, the second-tier media firms in the developing nations tend to have distinctly pro-business political agendas and to support expansion of the global media market, which puts them at odds with large segments of the population in their home countries.
Together, the seventy or eighty first- and second-tier giants control much of the world’s media: book, magazine, and newspaper publishing; music recording; TV production; TV stations and cable channels; satellite TV systems; film production; and motion picture theaters. But the system is still very much evolving. The end result of all this activity by second-tier media firms may well be the eventual creation of one or two more giants, and it almost certainly means the number of viable media players in the system will continue to plummet. Some new second-tier firms are emerging, especially in lucrative Asian markets, and there will probably be further upheaval among the ranks of the first-tier media giants. And corporations get no guarantee of success merely by going global. The point is that they have no choice in the matter. Some, perhaps many, will falter as they accrue too much debt or as they enter unprofitable ventures or as they face intensified competition. But the chances are that we are closer to the end of the process of establishing a stable global media market than to the beginning. And as it takes shape, there is a distinct likelihood that the leading media firms in the world will find themselves in a very profitable position. That is what they are racing to secure.
The global media system is only partially competitive in any meaningful economic sense of the term. Many of the largest media firms have some of the same major shareholders, own pieces of one another or have interlocking boards of directors. When Variety compiled its list of the fifty largest global media firms for 1997, it observed that merger mania and cross-ownership had resulted in a complex web of interrelationships that will make you dizzy. The global market strongly encourages corporations to establish equity joint ventures in which two or more media giants share ownership of an enterprise. This way, firms reduce competition and risk and increase the chance of profitability. As the CEO of Sogecable, Spain’s largest media firm and one of the twelve largest private media companies in Europe, expressed it to Variety, the strategy is not to compete with international companies but to join them. In some respects, the global media market more closely resembles a cartel than it does the competitive marketplace found in economics textbooks.
This point cannot be overemphasized. In competitive markets, in theory, numerous producers work their tails off largely oblivious to each other as they sell what they produce at the market price, over which they have no control. At a certain level, it is true these firms compete vigorously in an oligopolistic manner. But they all struggle to minimize the effects of competition. Today’s media firms are what Joseph Schumpeter called corespective competitors typical of situations with high levels of monopolization rather than classical competitors in an anonymous dog-eat-dog world as assumed in much of economic theory. The leading CEOs are all on a first name basis and they regularly converse. Even those on unfriendly terms, like Murdoch and AOL-Time Warner’s Ted Turner, understand they have to work together for the greater good. Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and treat your enemy as your friend, the former president of Universal, Frank Biondi, concedes. As the head of Venezuela’s huge Cisneros group, which is locked in combat over Latin American satellite TV with News Corporation, explains about Murdoch, We’re friends. We’re always talking. Moreover, all the first and second tier media firms are connected through their reliance upon a few investment banks like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs that quarterback most of the huge media mergers. Those two banks alone put together fifty-two media and telecom deals valued at $450 billion in the first quarter of 2000, and 138 deals worth $433 billion in all of 1999.
This conscious coordination does not simply affect economic behavior; it makes the media giants particularly effective political lobbyists at the national, regional, and global levels. The global media system is not the result of free markets or natural law; it is the consequence of a number of important state policies that have been made that created the system. The media giants have had a heavy hand in drafting these laws and regulations, and the public tends to have little or no input. In the United States, the corporate media lobbies are notorious for their ability to get their way with politicians, especially if their adversary is not another powerful corporate sector, but that amorphous entity called the public interest. In 2000, for example, the corporate media giants led the lobbying effort to open up trade with China, and fought against those who raised concerns about free speech and free press. Everywhere in the world it is the same, and the corporate media have the additional advantage of controlling the very news media that would be the place citizens would expect to find criticism and discussion of media policy in a free society. The track record is that the corporate media use their domination of the news media in a self-serving way, hence cementing their political leverage.
Finally, a word should be said about the Internet, the two-ton gorilla of global media and communication. The Internet is increasingly becoming a part of our media and telecommunication systems, and a genuine technological convergence is taking place. Accordingly, there has been a wave of mergers between traditional media and telecom firms, and by each of these with Internet and computer firms. Already companies like Microsoft, AOL, AT&T and Telefonica have become media players in their own right. It is possible that the global media system is in the process of converging with the telecommunications and computer industries to form an integrated global communication system, where anywhere from six to a dozen supercompanies will rule the roost. The notion that the Internet would set us free, and permit anyone to communicate effectively, hence undermining the monopoly power of the corporate media giants, has not transpired. Although the Internet offers extraordinary promise in many regards, it alone cannot slay the power of the media giants. Indeed, no commercially viable media content site has been launched on the Internet, and it would be difficult to find an investor willing to bankroll any additional attempts. To the extent the Internet becomes part of the commercially viable media system, it looks to be under the thumb of the usual corporate suspects.
Global Media and Neoliberal Democracy
In the introduction I alluded to the importance of the global media system to the formation and expansion of global and regional markets for goods and services, often sold by the largest multinational corporations. The emerging global media system also has significant cultural and political implications, specifically with regard to political democracy, imperialism, and the nature of socialist resistance in the coming years. In the balance of this review I will outline a few comments on these issues.
In the area of democracy, the emergence of a such a highly concentrated media system in the hands of huge private concerns violates in a fundamental manner any notion of a free press in democratic theory. The problems of having wealthy private owners dominate the journalism and media in a society have been well understood all along: journalism, in particular, which is the oxygen necessary for self-government to be viable, will be controlled by those who benefit by existing inequality and the preservation of the status quo.
The two traditional recourses to protect democratic values in media—neither of which is the answer by any means—no longer apply. First, marketplace competition is of the oligopolistic variety, and even there it is quite weak by comparative or historical standards. It is virtually unthinkable for a citizen, even a wealthy capitalist, to launch a commercially viable company that can go toe-to-toe with the media giants. The market is effectively closed off to outsiders. And even a more competitive marketplace has clear limitations for generating democratic media. Second, the traditional means the commercial media system has provided to account for the lack of competition has been the idea that its journalism would be subject to the control of trained professional journalists who would be neutral and nonpartisan. This was always a flawed construct, because power remains in the hands of the owners, and what little professional prerogative existed to go against the political and commercial interests of owners has diminished in the past decade. This process was documented in MR in the November 2000 Review of the Month.
The attack on the professional autonomy of journalism that has taken place is simply a broader part of the neoliberal transformation of media and communication. All public service values and institutions that interfere with profit maximization are on the chopping block. In media, this has been seen most dramatically in the fall from grace of public service broadcasting in much of the world. It is only because of the tremendous goodwill these services have built up over the years that they survive, because they go directly counter to the neoliberal logic that states profits should rule wherever they can be generated. The EU is in the position of condemning some of the traditional subsidies to public service broadcasters as noncompetitive, as it is now assumed that broadcasting is first and foremost the province of capitalists. Public service broadcasting, once the media centerpiece of European social democracy, is now on the defensive and increasingly reduced to locating a semi-commercial niche in the global system. The pathetic and toothless U.S. system of public broadcasting—a quasi-commercial low budget operation aimed at a sliver of the upper-middle class—is the model for public broadcasting under neoliberal auspices.
Neoliberalism is more than an economic theory, however. It is also a political theory. It posits that business domination of society proceeds most effectively when there is a representative democracy, but only when it is a weak and ineffectual polity typified by high degrees of depoliticization, especially among the poor and working class. It is here that one can see why the existing commercial media system is so important to the neoliberal project, for it is singularly brilliant at generating the precise sort of bogus political culture that permits business domination to proceed without using a police state or facing effective popular resistance.
This argument may seem to contradict the fairly common view of those who assert global conglomerates can at times have a progressive impact on culture, especially when they enter nations that had been tightly controlled by corrupt crony media systems (as in much of Latin America) or nations that had significant state censorship over media (as in parts of Asia). In fact, the global commercial media system is radically bourgeois in that it respects, on balance, no tradition or custom if it stands in the way of profits. But ultimately, once capitalist relations have become preeminent, the global corporate media system is politically conservative, because the media giants are significant beneficiaries of the current social structure around the world, and any upheaval in property or social relations—particularly to the extent that it reduces the power of business—is not in their interest.
Sometimes the bias is explicit, and corporate overlords like Rupert Murdoch simply impose their neoliberal political positions on their underlings. More often, however, the bias is subtle and is due purely to commercial concerns. With concentration comes hypercommercialism, as media firms have more ability to extract profit from their activities; this generates an implicit political bias in media content. Consumerism, class inequality and so-called individualism tend to be taken as natural and even benevolent, whereas political activity, civic values, and antimarket activities are marginalized. The best journalism is pitched to the business class and suited to its needs and prejudices; with a few notable exceptions, the journalism reserved for the masses tends to be the sort of drivel provided by the media giants on their U.S. television stations. In India, for example, influenced by the global media giants, the revamped news media…now focus more on fashion designers and beauty queens than on the dark realities of a poor and violent country. This slant is often quite subtle. Indeed, the genius of the commercial-media system is the general lack of overt censorship. As George Orwell noted in his unpublished introduction to Animal Farm, censorship in free societies is infinitely more sophisticated and thorough than in dictatorships, because unpopular ideas can be silenced, and inconvenient facts kept dark, without any need for an official ban.
Lacking any necessarily conspiratorial intent and acting in their own bottom line interest, media conglomerates gradually weed out public sphere substance in favor of light entertainment. In the words of the late Emilio Azcarraga, the billionaire founder of Mexico’s Televisa: Mexico is a country of a modest, very fucked class, which will never stop being fucked. Television has the obligation to bring diversion to these people and remove them from their sad reality and difficult future. The combination of neoliberalism and corporate media culture tends to promote a deep and profound depoliticization. One need only look at the United States to see the logical endpoint.
The Global Media and Imperialism
The relationship of the global media system to the question of imperialism is complex. In the 1970s, much of the Third World mobilized through UNESCO to battle the cultural imperialism of the Western powers. The Third World nations developed plans for a New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) to address their concerns that Western domination over journalism and culture made it virtually impossible for newly independent nations to escape colonial status. Similar concerns about U.S. media domination were heard across Europe. The NWICO campaign was part of a broader struggle at that time by Third World nations to address formally the global economic inequality that was seen as a legacy of imperialism. Both of these movements were impaled on the sword of neoliberalism wielded by the United States and Britain.
Global journalism is dominated by Western news services, which regard existing capitalism, the United States, its allies, and their motives in the most charitable manner imaginable. As for culture, the Hollywood juggernaut and the specter of U.S. cultural domination remain a central concern in many countries, for obvious reasons. Exports of U.S. films and TV shows increased by 22 percent in 1999, and the list of the top 125 grossing films for 1999 is made up almost entirely of Hollywood fare. When one goes nation by nation, even a cultural nationalist country like France had nine of its top ten grossing films in 1999 produced by the Hollywood giants. Many leftist intellectuals in Paris are decrying American films, but the French people are eating them up, a Hollywood producer noted. Likewise, in Italy, the replacement of single-screen theaters by multiplexes has contributed to a dramatic decline in local film box office. The moral of the story for many European filmmakers is that you have to work in English and employ Hollywood moviemaking conventions to succeed. In Latin America, cable television is overwhelmed by the channels of the media giants, and the de facto capital for the region is Miami.
But, with the changing global political economy, there are problems with leaving the discussion at this point. The notion that corporate media firms are merely purveyors of U.S. culture is ever less plausible as the media system becomes increasingly concentrated, commercialized and globalized. As I note above, the global media giants are the quintessential multinational firms, with shareholders, headquarters, and operations scattered across the globe. The global media system is better understood as one that advances corporate and commercial interests and values and denigrates or ignores that which cannot be incorporated into its mission. There is no discernible difference in the firms’ content, whether they are owned by shareholders in Japan or France or have corporate headquarters in New York, Germany, or Sydney. In this sense, the basic split is not between nation-states, but between the rich and the poor, across national borders.
As the media conglomerates spread their tentacles, there is reason to believe they will encourage popular tastes to become more uniform in at least some forms of media. Based on conversations with Hollywood executives, Variety editor Peter Bart concluded that the world filmgoing audience is fast becoming more homogeneous. Whereas action movies had once been the only sure-fire global fare—and comedies had been considerably more difficult to export—by the late nineties comedies like My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Full Monty were doing between $160 million and $200 million in non-U.S. box-office sales.
When audiences appear to prefer locally made fare, the global media corporations, rather than flee in despair, globalize their production. Sony has been at the forefront of this, producing films with local companies in China, France, India, and Mexico, to name but a few. India’s acclaimed domestic film industry—Bollywood—is also developing close ties to the global media giants. This process is even more visible in the music industry. Music has always been the least capital-intensive of the electronic media and therefore the most open to experimentation and new ideas. U.S. recording artists generated 60 percent of their sales outside the U.S. in 1993; by 1998 that figure was down to 40 percent. Rather than fold their tents, however, the four media multinationals that dominate the world’s recorded-music market are busy establishing local subsidiaries in places like Brazil, where people are totally committed to local music, in the words of a writer for a trade publication. Sony, again, has led the way in establishing distribution deals with independent music companies from around the world.
But it would be a mistake to buy into the notion that the global media system makes nation-state boundaries and geopolitical empire irrelevant. A large portion of contemporary capitalist activity, clearly a majority of investment and employment, operates primarily within national confines, and their nation-states play a key role in representing these interests. The entire global regime is the result of neoliberal political policies, urged on by the U.S. government. Most important, not far below the surface is the role of the U.S. military as the global enforcer of capitalism, with U.S. based corporations and investors in the driver’s seat. Recall the approving words of Thomas Friedman: The hidden hand of the market will never work without a hidden fist. McDonald’s cannot flourish without McDonnell Douglas, the designer of the F-l5. And the hidden fist that keeps the world safe for Silicon Valley’s technologies is called the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. In short, we need to develop an understanding of neoliberal globalization that is joined at the hip to U.S. militarism—and all the dreadful implications that that suggests—rather than one that is in opposition to it.
This core relationship between the U.S. military and the global neoliberal project, one of the central political issues of our times, also is virtually unknown to the journalism of AOL-Time Warner’s CNN and the other corporate media giants, who increasingly are the providers of substantive news concerning international politics. The very notion of imperialism has been dismissed as a historical artifact or a rhetorical ploy of desperate opportunists and the feeble-minded. In view of the corporate media’s interdependence with the global neoliberal regime, any other outcome would be remarkable.
It would be all too easy, given the above conditions, to succumb to despair or simply acquiesce to changes from which there seems no escape. Matters appear quite depressing from a democratic standpoint, and it may be difficult to see much hope for change. As one Swedish journalist noted in 1997, Unfortunately, the trends are very clear, moving in the wrong direction on virtually every score, and there is a desperate lack of public discussion of the long-term implications of current developments for democracy and accountability. But the global system is highly unstable. As lucrative as neoliberalism has been for the rich, it has been a disaster for the world’s poor and working classes. Latin America, a champion of market reforms since the eighties, has seen what a World Bank official terms a big increase in inequality. The number of people worldwide living on less than $1 per day increased from 1.2 billion in 1987 to 1.5 billion in 2000, and looks to continue to rise for years to come. The me first, screw you ethos promoted by neoliberalism has contributed to widespread governmental corruption, as notions of principled public service are difficult to maintain. The stability of the entire global economy looks increasingly fragile. While the dominance of commercial media makes resistance more difficult, widespread opposition to these trends has begun to emerge in the form of huge demonstrations across the planet, including the United States. It seems that the depoliticization fostered by neoliberalism and commercial media is bumping up against the harsh reality of exploitation, inequality, and the bankruptcy of capitalist politics and culture experienced by significant parts of the population. Just as all organized resistance to capitalism appeared to be stomped out it now threatens to rise again from the very ground.
This leads to my final point. What is striking is that progressive anti-neoliberal political movements around the world are increasingly making media issues part of their political platforms. From Sweden, France, and India, to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, democratic left political parties are giving structural media reform—e.g. breaking up the big companies, recharging nonprofit and noncommercial broadcasting, creating a sector of nonprofit and noncommercial independent media under popular control—a larger role in their platforms. They are finding out that this is a successful issue with the broad population. Other activists are putting considerable emphasis upon developing independent and so-called pirate media to counteract the corporate system. Across the board on the anti-neoliberal and socialist left there is a recognition that the issue of media has grown dramatically in importance, and no successful social movement can dismiss this as a matter that can be addressed after the revolution. Organizing for democratic media must be part of the current struggle, if we are going to have a viable chance of success.
2001, Volume 52, Issue 10 (March)
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Subverting A Model
March 2001 (Volume 52, Number 10)
March 2001 (Volume 52, Number 10) , The Editors
Subverting A Model , Annette T. Rubinstein
Capitalism and Crisis , David Gilbert
The Myth of the Middle-Class Society , Paul Buhle
Refuting the Big Lie , Doug Dowd
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Carlos Ghosn's wife appeals to President Trump to help her husband
19 June 2019 - Autoblog
'I'd like President Trump to speak to Prime Minister Abe about fair conditions'
The wife of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn urged U.S. President Donald Trump to raise her husband's case with Japan's prime minister at a summit of world leaders later this month.
"I'd like President Trump to speak to Prime Minister Abe about fair conditions, fair trial conditions and to let me speak to my husband and also to respect this presumption of innocence until proven guilty," Beirut-born Carole Ghosn, who has a U.S. passport, told the BBC.
Shinzo Abe is due to host other leaders of the Group of 20 economies in the Japanese city of Osaka on June 28-29.
In April Carole Ghosn called on the French government to do more to help her husband.
Carlos Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, is facing financial misconduct charges and has said he is the victim of a boardroom coup, accusing "backstabbing" former colleagues of conspiring to oust him as Nissan chairman.
Carole Ghosn said she had not spoken to her husband since he was re-arrested on April 4 before being released on bail three weeks later.
"They told him one of the bail conditions, the restrictions, is he isn't allowed to speak to me or talk to me, which I find inhumane," she said.
"All of this could have been dealt with internally within the company. This didn't need to go this far and on top of it my husband is innocent and time will prove the truth."
Carlos Ghosn de nouveau arrêté au Japon !5 April 2019
Macron And Abe Seek To Avert Messy Renault-Nissan Breakup5 December 2018
Carlos Ghosn Et Nissan Inculpés Au Japon !11 December 2018
Carlos Ghosn's Lawyer Requests Bail Again After Nissan Ex-Chairman Indicted — Again23 April 2019
Ghosn : en détention jusqu'à l'année prochaine26 December 2018
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Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
A Prairie Home Caucus
Can Sanders and Rubio pull off Super Tuesday wins in Minnesota?
By Emma Foehringer Merchant
This Tuesday, Minnesotans will pile into their salt-crusted minivans and head to high schools, art centers, and 4H buildings. For the first time in a long time, the state’s caucus will be held at a decisive point in the race, and its delegates appear up for grabs on both the Democratic and Republican sides. In other words, neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump have a lock on the state, for several reasons.
Minnesota is extremely white (81 percent) and extremely polarized. Republicans are socially and fiscally conservative (think Michele Bachmann), while Democrats are especially progressive. An analysis of the Minnesota legislature shows very few elected officials are moderate, and each party’s lawmakers vote more ideologically than the average. “I would describe Minnesota as schizophrenic—you’ve got two moral crusades going on, one in each party,” said Steven Schier, a politics professor at Carleton College in Northfield, a city south of Minneapolis.
Minnesota’s constituents are as split geographically as they are ideologically. The Twin Cities and inner suburbs are Democratic terrain. The outer suburbs, consisting of swaths of prairie, McMansions, and some of the state’s best schools, are home to “libertarian, leave me alone Republicans” who will likely find their candidate in Rubio or the more socially conservative Cruz, according to Schier. Up north, where those metropolitan liberals travel to go canoeing, visit their cabin, or attend a hockey tournament, lies some deep blue bastions—the Iron Range, for instance—but also potential Trump voters: conservative farmers fed up with Washington.
The polls thus far have been lackluster. The latest, from the Minneapolis Star Tribune in January, polled only 800 general election voters. On the Republican side, 23 percent went for Senator Marco Rubio, 21 percent for Senator Ted Cruz, and 18 percent for Trump; among Democrats, Clinton topped Bernie Sanders by 59 percent to 25 percent. In late August, at the Minnesota State Fair, the state’s Republican Party held a corn kernel jar poll. Though the kernels weren’t counted, the end results showed popularity among outsider candidates like Trump, Carly Fiorina, and Ben Carson, according to Minnesota GOP Chairman Keith Downey.
But Schier says the state’s political dynamics favor the most principled candidates. “It’s a state with a strongly moralistic political tradition. The activists tend to think in grand, abstract categories of right and wrong,” he said. “That’s why people like Cruz and Bernie could do particularly well here, because their tone and substance appeals particularly well to that orientation.”
Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is one of the most liberal in the country, and its voters are generally progressive. “We’re the land of Paul Wellstone, and Hubert Humphrey, and Walter Mondale. We tend to lean pretty left,” said the state Democratic Party’s chairman, Ken Martin. According to Schier, the same Sanders-aligned values that resonate with voters in New Hampshire and Vermont are likely to resonate in the north. “It’s like Vermont: it’s heavily white, it’s heavily liberal, and heavily well-educated,” he said. “Northern-tier liberalism, it’s pretty emphatic.”
While Sanders has grassroots support, and will likely be popular with the many college students in the state, Clinton has secured important endorsements from the Star Tribune and the voice of Minnesota, Garrison Keillor, as well as superdelegates Governor Mark Dayton, senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, and former Vice President Walter Mondale. Sanders received the endorsement of one of the country’s most progressive lawmakers and also a superdelegate, Representative Keith Ellison.
The “progressive” title looms large in a state where Paul Wellstone preached, “We all do better when we all do better.” Martin, who worked for the late Wellstone, says both Clinton and Sanders fit that bill, but Schier says Sanders’s general standing to the left of Clinton could help him win the Wellstone legacy vote. “These activists, many of whom still greatly revere the memory of Wellstone, are likely to support Bernie Sanders in great numbers,” Schier said. “His left, grassroots activism is still very much evident within the party—particularly within its Twin Cities ranks.” Sanders could also poll well in the industrial Iron Range, the land of Bob Dylan, where the DFL has a stronghold among miners and industry.
Rubio, who hasn’t won a state yet, will be in Minnesota on Super Tuesday, suggesting he’s hoping for a win in Minnesota to add momentum to his bid for the nomination. His campaign has targeted the suburbs, a highly educated and high-income area where former Governor Tim Pawlenty thinks Rubio could be successful. “He is no doubt conservative, but his message is also hopeful and positive in a way that would be well-received in the suburbs,” Pawlenty, who has endorsed Rubio, told The Washington Post. Rubio also has the backing of former Senator Norm Coleman and the Star Tribune.
But Minnesota Republicans are socially and fiscally conservative, meaning they might be wooed by the Tea Party appeal of Ted Cruz; Rick Santorum won the caucus there in 2012, and Cruz has framed Minnesota as a key state. The Minnesota GOP State Central Committee also chose Cruz by a wide margin in a straw poll in December. According to Downey, Cruz has shown a “real solid ground game.” And Trump, as always, should not be discounted, based on his resemblance to a famous Minnesotan wrestler-turned-politician: Jesse Ventura. “They’re both celebrities and entertainers,” said Schier. “They were not known for their policy expertise.”
Emma Foehringer Merchant was a Reporter-Researcher for the New Republic.
@emmafmerchant
Politics, Election 2016, Super Tuesday, Republican Primary 2016, Democratic Primary 2016
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